Vila

For the Slavic nymphs of this name, see Slavic fairies.

Vila is a site at the southern end of Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands, originally the location of the Vila Stanmore coconut plantation.

During World War II, Japanese forces built an airstrip in order to stage aircraft from Rabaul down to Guadalcanal, and on several occasions, beginning on 24 January 1943 US attempted to put the airstrip out of operation by bombing it. However, it remained in use until the Japanese evacuated Kolombangara in September and early October 1943.

The airstrip survives today, and is occasionally visited by tourists interested in the history.

(This place should not be confused with Port Vila, capital of Vanuatu.)

External link

• Picture taken at Vila