91Ó°ÊÓ

As the world prepares to commemorate VJ Day and the end of the Second World War, specialists from HALO, the landmine and explosives clearance organisation, are uncovering the deadly legacy of the conflict in the Solomon Islands.  

Some of the fiercest fighting of the war took place among the coral atolls, volcanic mountains, and tropical rainforests of the islands as US and Japanese troops battled for control of the strategically important archipelago.  

HALO's initial surveys reveal fascinating insights into that wartime history while mapping the hidden threat which continues to endanger communities more than 80 years after fighting ended.   

Deep in the jungle of Guadalcanal, the archipelago's largest island, HALO survey teams have retraced the footsteps of more than 7000 Japanese soldiers who trekked through dense rainforest in October 1942 in a failed attempt to capture the US held Henderson Field Airstrip.   

The jungle has reclaimed much of the 15-mile-long Maruyama Trail, but the ammunition, grenades, mortars, and artillery rounds abandoned by exhausted and starving troops still lie scattered along the route.   

HALO's work is helping to piece together the story of the lost Japanese soldiers, many of whom died on what came to be nicknamed the 'white bone road': 

"It's hard to imagine 7000 soldiers walked this route carrying bags of rice, ammunition and artillery shells on their back", says Emma Saunders, Programme Officer at HALO Solomon Islands. "We found small piles of abandoned Japanese projectiles, mortars and grenades." 

HALO's survey work in Solomon Islands goes far beyond the Maruyma Trail. The capital city Honoria is built on multiple battlefields and islanders regularly find unexploded WW2 ordnance while digging for vegetables in their gardens or building new homes.  Later this year, HALO will begin to clear land of unexploded ordnance for the first time.  

"With VJ day approaching, many people will reflect on the end of the war. But here in Solomon Islands, its legacy remains. Even though decades have passed, the explosives remain lethal and can still kill or leave people terribly injured if they’re disturbed", Saunders adds.   

For images (including map) and footage, or to arrange an interview or site visit please contact media@halotrust.org  

More on our work in Asia Pacific

• Read more about our work in the region

• Read more about our work in the Solomon Islands

About 91Ó°ÊÓ

• 91Ó°ÊÓ is the world's largest humanitarian landmine clearance organisation.

• HALO works in 30+ countries including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Colombia, Angola and Sri Lanka.

• We deploy groundbreaking technology in conflict and post-conflict settings to help people rebuild their homes, restore their livelihoods and keep their children safe.

• HALO also runs programmes in weapons and ammunition management and safety training. During emergencies, we also provide humanitarian aid and logistical support.

• HALO was founded in 1988 in Afghanistan.

• We employ over 8,000 staff worldwide and recruit 95% of them locally.