Fortress Fiji by
Robert
Lowry
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Fortress Fiji is the story of Fiji in WWII. During the first
two years of the war, Fiji had to be defended from the possibility of
attack by German maritime raiders intent on disrupting trans-Pacific
telecommunications and trade.
When Japan launched its surprise attack on the United States Pacific
Fleet at Pearl Harbour on 7 December 1941, Fiji became New Zealand’s
outpost in the Pacific and a stepping stone on the ‘reinforcement line’
from the United States to Australia and the Philippines.
After Japan’s initial sweeping victories, they developed plans to
capture New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa to rupture the ‘reinforcement
line’ and prevent Australia becoming a base for an American
counter-offensive.
Initially, Fiji strengthened its embryonic defences with the help of
New Zealand and eventually a New Zealand infantry brigade was
dispatched. When Japan entered the war, another brigade was
dispatched and some United States assistance was provided.
