While the Jap was looking the other way, an amphibious U.S. force steamed by moonlight around Jap-held Kolombangara, landed at dawn on Vella Lavella's south eastern shore. Captured were some 350 surprised Nips, an unheard-of number of prisoners in the South Pacific. Other Japs fled into the jungle.
The unexpected move bypassed Jap-held Bairoko Harbor, Vila airfield and lesser positions in such jungle islands as Gizo. Vella Lavella was important as bait. The Jap bit. He tried almost immediately to land reinforcements on Vella Lavella and came down in 20-to-30 troop-carrying barges escorted...
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