Lat 4 32' 0S Long 154 13' 60E  Nissan lies NW approx. 60 nautical miles from Buka. Nissan is one island in the Green Island Group. The other major Islands are Pinipel, Sirot, Barahun and Sau Islands.

History The island name is a small group of islands. About four main ones with population. The largest and main one is called Nissan Island. This island does have a long history of colonization by missionaries. Green Islands were first occupied by the Germans, and after WWI, Australian Mandated. Several thousand Melanesians lived in the chain, the Marist missionaries built a church, school, and dispensary. Australians had 3 plantations: one on Barahun, and two on Nissan for copra.

1944

Japanese Occupation
Occupied by a force of Japanese at the start of the war and the harbor was used for seaplanes. Months later, Japanese ground forces occupied the area in March 1942. As the war progressed, it was used as barge station in the supply lines from Rabaul to Bougainville. As Allied air power mounted, barges would hide at Nissan and Green Island area during the daytime, before moving south at night.

Allied Missions Against Green Island
American & New Zealand Missions against Green Island Atoll

New Zeland Liberation
A 300-strong raiding party, most of whom were from New Zealand's 30 Battalion, made a night landing on Nissan Island on 30 January 1944. After reconnoitering for 24 hours, the group was withdrawn by sea with 5 men killed and about 10 wounded. This was in preparation for a full-scale amphibious landing.

Operation "Square Peg" by the 3rd New Zealand Division (less 8 Brigade) and United States troops on February 15, 1944. At the time of the liberation only about 500 base troops were on Nissan, the rest had withdrwan to Feni Island.  All the defenders fought to the death, none surrendered. Organised Japanese resistance ended on 20 February but mopping up operations continued until the end of the month. New Zealand troops remain until early June when they sail back to New Caledonia.

Nissan (Green Island Airfield, Ocean)
American built airfield, on the seaward side of the island.

Nissan (Green Island Airfield, Lagoon)
American built airfield, on the lagoon side of the island.

Propeller
There is a large propeller under the large tree at 'the station' just near the working airfield. No significant damage or markings on the propeller which stands about four feet high.

Unexploded Aerial Bomb
Some other members of the liaison team were escorted to another part of the island to view a WWII relic.  The relic was an unexploded bomb on top of the ground.  It was said to have no fins and appeared to be a large air bomb.  With no map or sense of direction in this new place no accurate record can be given of the location.