- 101 - Pacific War - Invasion of Treasury Islands, October 24-31, 1943

This podcast episode provides an overview of several military operations conducted by the Allied forces in the Pacific War. It specifically delves into General McArthur's Operation Dexterity, the invasions of Bougainville and the Treasury Islands, and the successful Operation Good Time. The episode emphasizes the obstacles faced by the Allied forces, such as the limited Japanese interference and the intense air campaigns. It concludes with the achievements of the paratroopers in Operation Blissful and the triumphant diversionary attack on Guppy Island. Takeaways • General McArthur planned Operation Dexterity, which involved continuous attacks on Rabaul and the establishment of an air base in southern New Britain. • The Allied forces faced limited interference from the Japanese due to their lack of torpedo boats and the dominance of Allied aircraft. • The selection of landing sites, such as Kita Harbor and Empress Agusta Bay, was based on strategic considerations. • The intense air campaign carried out by the Allies resulted in significant damage to Japanese airfields and enemy aircraft. • Operation Good Time aimed to establish a staging area and naval base at the Treasury Islands, and it was the first amphibious assault launched by New Zealand troops since the Gallipoli campaign. • The success of Operation Good Time led to the annihilation of the Japanese garrison and the acquisition of supply bases and a radar station. • Operation Blissful deceived the Japanese into believing that the Short Islands were the target of the offensive. It resulted in the annihilation of a Japanese garrison and the achievement of strategic objectives. • The discovery of minefields around southern Bougainville provided crucial information that led to the destruction of two Japanese ships. • The paratroopers' mission in Choisal Bay and the shelling of Guppy Island acted as a successful diversion and contributed to the overall success of the operations in Bougainville.