The war in
pictures

Aore Island lies opposite Espiritu Santo on the other side of Segond Channel. During World War II it was the site of many activities in support of the US Navy. There was a massive ammunition storage area on the island as well as an area for the assembly of sea mines. Huge fuel and water storage tanks were also built on the north side of the island facing Luganvile.

But of all the establishments on the island, by far the favourite was the ‘Fleet Recreation Center’. Here the personnel stationed not only on Santo but throughout the Pacific region could come and relax and take time out and play baseball on one of the eight baseball diamonds, or gridiron, squash, swim or just relax in one of the many recreation buildings built there. Today the island has discovered a new found fame with the reestablishment of coffee plantations that were first planted by the French decades ago, and where some of the finest coffee in the world is now grown and roasted. If you’re interested in seeing the plantations for yourself, you might like to pay a visit to Aore Island Coffee. You’ll find their website here.