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 On 1 November 1943 the US 3rd Marine Division landed at Cape Torokina in Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville. The bay had been chosen because it was at the outer limit of Allied fighter plane range, and because the numerically-superior Japanese 17th Army was concentrated at other more strategic sites in the north and the south.

 The Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, on November 1-2, 1943 — also known as the "Battle of Gazelle Bay," "Operation Cherry Blossom" and in Japanese sources as the "Sea Battle of Bougainville Bay Shore"— was a naval battle fought near the island of Bougainville.