Between 9 March and 5 April 1942 during World War II , forces of the Empire of Japan occupied Control the islands of Buka and Bougainville in the South Pacific .

A platoon of Australian commandos from the 1st Independent Company was located at Buka Airfield when the Japanese landed Self_motion but did not contest the invasion Attack .

After the occupation of Buka and Bougainville , the Japanese began Process_start constructing a number of airfields across the island .

The main airfields were on Buka Island , on the nearby Bonis Peninsula and at Kahili and Kieta , while naval bases were also constructed Building at Buin in the south and on the nearby Shortland Islands .