Munda

 city, Second World War 1939-1945, place with historical importance, urban settlement or rural community

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Munda is the largest settlement on the island of New Georgia, located on the Southwestern tip of the island on a piece of land often called Munda Point. Consisting of a number of smaller villages, the settlement is the main population center and air gateway for New Georgia.

Munda Point was also the site of series of battles during the Second World War which culminated the New Georgia Campaign which took place between June and August 1943. The modern-day airfield is built on the site of an airstrip built covertly by Japanese forces beginning in November of 1942 to assist with their drive towards Guadalcanal. Chosen in part due to its protection from direct amphibious assault by formidable reefs, the airfield became operational in December 1942 and remained in Japanese use through August 1943, when American forces secured the site after fierce fighting. Re-used by US forces thereafter, the airfield and much of the surrounding area of Munda Point was greatly expanded and heavily used through the end of hostilities, after which it was transferred back to the control of the provincial government.

www.flysolomons.com/provinces/western-province/munda
www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/solomons_munda.html