Pacific Footsteps

First broadcast July 2005

In Europe, World War Two ended in May 1945, but in the Pacific region, it continued until August when Japan surrendered.

Pacific Footsteps, a co-production between the BBC World Service and ABC Radio National, marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two in the Pacific.

Presenter Brent Clough follows the battles and examines contemporary life in four countries touched by the war in this region.

Part 1: The Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands saw the first US land invasion with the taking of the island of Guadalcanal. It was also the scene of decisive sea battles, which began the Japanese retreat.

PICTURE GALLERY Solomon Islands

But there has also been a much more recent conflict. Five years ago tensions between the differing nationalities that populate the island group led to bloodshed, coup attempts and near civil war.

Foreign troops, notably Australian, were asked in by the government to restore order. Many of the coup leaders are now in prison or awaiting trial. The scars of this recent conflict are still evident across this small island nation.

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