Reginald Newell

Dr. Newell, a New Zealand lawyer who earned a PhD in history, is the author of Operation Squarepeg: The Allied Invasion of the Green Islands, February 1944 (2017); The Battle for Vella Lavella: The Allied Recapture of Solomon Islands Territory, August 15–September 9, 1943 (2015); and Operation Goodtime and the Battle of the Treasury Islands, 1943 (2012)—all published by McFarland.

Articles by Reginald Newell

Off the Green Islands, U.S. Navy gunners fire at Japanese aircraft as one of the enemy planes splashes down nearby, in a painting by New Zealand combat artist Allan Barns-Graham. In an early D-Day strike, 15 Japanese dive bombers attacked Operation Squarepeg’s invasion convoy, scoring no serious hits while losing six aircraft.

‘With the Utmost Precision and Team Play’

By Reg Newell

April 2024

In Operation Squarepeg, the New Zealand Army and U.S. Navy combined to seize the Green Islands and complete the isolation of Japan’s South Pacific stronghold—Rabaul.

Marooned on Mono

By Reg Newell

October 2022

The Navy airmen stranded on the South Pacific island of Mono had two things going for them: their own will to survive and the invaluable aid of the simpatico islanders.

Nissan Atoll, Green Islands, South Pacific, 31 January 1944: Inside enemy territory, a recon party lands, senses keyed up for sounds of the Japanese troops known to be present. A perilous fact-finding mission is under way.

Raiders of the Green Islands

By Reginald Newell

June 2020

The South Pacific advance hinged on cracking the Japanese stronghold of Rabaul—and an obscure atoll became the target for a daring probe by U.S. and New Zealand forces.

Reginald Newell

Articles by Reginald Newell

‘With the Utmost Precision and Team Play’

Marooned on Mono

Raiders of the Green Islands

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