The Battle of Milne Bay was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Japanese marines attacked the Australian base at Milne Bay on the eastern tip of New Guinea on 25 August 1942, and fighting continued until the Japanese retreated on 5 September 1942. The battle was the first in the Pacific campaign in which Allied troops decisively defeated Japanese land forces, forcing them to withdraw and completely abandon their strategic objective. The local population also played a role during the conflict and there are many stories of locals supporting the allies and hindering the Japanese attacks.

Many relics of the war remain today including several sunken plane wrecks. The B-17 Bomber "Blackjack" is considered by many to be the finest World War II aircraft wreck in the world. Following a bombing run to Rabaul in July, 1943, the Blackjack lost two of its four engines and after flying through the night in an effort to reach friendly territory was ditched by pilot Ralph Deloach. Fortunately, the ten crew members of the Blackjack all survived the crash with the assistance of the inhabitants of nearby Boga Boga village. The wreck now rests on the bottom of the ocean at the base of the reef in just over 45 metres of water. There is also a P38 lightning aircraft lying completely intact in 27 metres just off Basilaki island.