Portal:Military history of Australia/Selected article/7

The invasion of Tulagi, on May 3 and 4 1942, was part of Operation Mo, the Empire of Japan's strategy in the South Pacific and South West Pacific Area in 1942. The plan called for Imperial Japanese Navy troops to capture Tulagi and nearby islands in the Solomon Islands Protectorate. The occupation of Tulagi by the Japanese was intended to cover the flank of Japanese forces that were advancing on Port Moresby in New Guinea as well as to provide a base for Japanese forces to threaten and interdict the supply and communication routes between the United States and Australia and New Zealand. The only Allied military forces at Tulagi were 24 commandos from the Australian Army's 2/1st Independent Company, and about 25 personnel from 11 Squadron RAAF, operating a seaplane base on nearby Gavutu-Tanambogo with four PBY Catalina reconnaissance aircraft. Shortly after the Japanese landing the Australian troops on the island began a pre-planned evacuation destroying any materials of value. Tulagi was recaptured by the Allies on August 9, 1942.