Vella Lavella

New Georgia Islands with Vella Lavella at upper-left

Vella Lavella is an island in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. It lies to the west of New Georgia, but is considered one of the New Georgia Group. To its west are the Treasury Islands.

The sea around the island was the site of the Naval Battle of Vella Lavella in World War II. The Land Battle of Vella Lavella took place from 15 August to 9 October 1943.

During World War II, Barakoma Airfield on Vella Lavella was the home base for VMF-214 (the "Black Sheep," led by Gregory Boyington). For convenience, the TV series Baa, Baa, Black Sheep renamed the island to "Vella La Cava."

overhead images show what may be the remains of the Marines' airfield.

Notable local people

Notes

Footnotes
  1. "The Hon. Milna Tozaka". National Parliament of Solomon Islands. Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  2. Gary Hatigeva (5 January 2015). "Malaita Island". Tozaka meets Fijian Counterpart. The Island Sun (Solomon Islands). Retrieved 22 March 2014.
References

Gallery

External links

Coordinates: 7°44′S 156°38′E / 7.733°S 156.633°E / -7.733; 156.633


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