جزایر سلیمان در جنگ جهانی دوم: یک دیدگاه بومی

"The Solomon Islands Campaign of World War II has been the subject of many published historical accounts. Most of these accounts present an 'outsider' perspective with limited reference to the contribution of indigenous Solomon Islanders as coastwatchers, scouts, carriers and labourers under the Royal Australian Navy and other Allied military units. Where islanders are mentioned, they are represented as 'loyal' helpers. The nature of local contributions in the war and their impact on islander perceptions are more complex than has been represented in these outsiders' perspectives. Islander encounters with white American troops enabled self-awareness of racial relationships and inequality under the colonial administration, which sparked struggles towards recognition and political autonomy that emerged in parts of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in the postwar period. Exploitation of postwar military infrastructure by the colonial administration laid the foundation for later sociopolitical upheaval experienced by the country. In the aftermath of the 1998 crisis, the supposed unity and pride that prevailed among islanders during the war has been seen as an avenue whereby different ethnic identities can be unified. This national unification process entailed the construction of the 'Pride of our Nation' monument that aims to restore the pride and identity of Solomon Islanders."--Page 4 of cover The Solomon Islands Campaign of World War II has been the subject of many published historical accounts. Most of these accounts present an ђ́بoutsiderђ́ة perspective with limited reference to the contribution of indigenous Solomon Islanders as coastwatchers, scouts, carriers and labourers under the Royal Australian Navy and other Allied military units. Where islanders are mentioned, they are represented as ђ́بloyalђ́ة helpers. The nature of local contributions in the war and their impact on islander perceptions are more complex than has been represented in these outsiderѕђ́ة perspectives. Islander encounters with white American troops enabled self-awareness of racial relationships and inequality under the colonial administration, which sparked struggles towards recognition and political autonomy that emerged in parts of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in the postwar period. Exploitation of postwar military infrastructure by the colonial administration laid the foundation for later sociopolitical upheaval experienced by the country. In the aftermath of the 1998 crisis, the supposed unity and pride that prevailed among islanders during the war has been seen as an avenue whereby different ethnic identities can be unified. This national unification process entailed the construction of the ђ́بPride of our Nationђ́ة monument that aims to restore the pride and identity of Solomon Islanders World War II is a significant period in the colonial history of Solomon Islands. As I will discuss throughout this book, it shaped the political and physical foundation of the country. The histories of battles fought in the Solomons theatre of war are among some of the well-documented histories in the world. However, most of these histories consist of dominant narratives of non-indigenous origin. Within these outsider narratives, Solomon Islanders, although clearly exercising choice and agency while playing an active part in the campaign, are often simply regarded as loyal and pliant subjects of the British protectorate administration. This perception, among other factors, pushes aside any islander-centred analysis of the war in Solomon Islands.

The Solomon Islands Campaign of World War II has been the subject of many published historical accounts. Most of these accounts present an 'outsider' perspective with limited reference to the contribution of indigenous Solomon Islanders as coastwatchers, scouts, carriers and labourers under the Royal Australian Navy and other Allied military uni