The Price of Rendova, a propaganda film released in 1944 by the US Army Signal Corps, details the landings and subsequent Japanese attacks on the Americans.

It is roughly rectangular in shape, oriented northeast, with a southwestern tip that extends like the toe of shoe towards Tetepare Island.

[7] At the time of the battle, the island's significance lay in its proximity to Munda Point on the western coast of New Georgia, where the Japanese had established an airfield.

[8][9] Rendova's beaches were well suited to being used as assembly points for landing craft, and the high terrain in the center of the island offered good observation.

[10] The Japanese garrison on Rendova was small and consisted of between 120 and 290 troops from two companies of the Kure 6th Special Naval Landing Forces and the 229th Infantry Regiment.

These two companies formed part of Major General Minoru Sasaki's Southeast Detachment,[11] which was headquartered at Munda; Colonel Genjiro Hirata was in command of the 229th, based on New Georgia.

The main ground combat element assigned to this force was Major General John H. Hester's 43rd Infantry Division.

These islands were strategically important because they are located just off the coast of New Georgia and control the entrance to Roviana Lagoon from the Blanche Channel.

Along with a small group of local police constables, they intended on linking up with an Australian coastwatcher, Flight Lieutenant Dick Horton, who would assist them in establishing the beachhead prior to the main landing.

[1] These forces came ashore largely unopposed as the island's small garrison was taken by surprise and were unable to man their defenses in time before the US troops arrived.

Troops from the 172nd Infantry Regiment pursued the withdrawing Japanese, shooting down several snipers and destroying several machine gun positions as they advanced slowly towards the Pengui River.

Half an hour later, Japanese air attacks began in earnest when Admiral Jinichi Kusaka ordered a strike by 25 Betty torpedo bombers, escorted by 24 Zeros.

Despite being intercepted by 16 Corsairs from Marine Fighter Squadron 221, and coming under heavy anti-aircraft fire, one of the Bettys was able to release a torpedo which struck McCawley, killing 15 sailors and wounding eight others.

[41] After the lightly contested landings, the bulk of the surviving Japanese forces retreated to Munda Point on nearby New Georgia, moving back via canoe.

[38] The 192nd established their positions on Kokorana Island where strong coral substratum offered natural hard standing for their heavy guns.

[47] That afternoon, a Japanese aerial counter-attack consisting of 24 Mitsubishi G4M Betty bombers and 44 fighters bombed the American beachhead from the south.

Meanwhile, that same night, small groups of US infantry were transported in LCMs across the strait to New Georgia's offshore islands in the opening phase of the Drive on Munda Point operation.

The US garrison had been heavily reinforced with antiaircraft guns and radars, and a strong fighter screen had been established to protect unloading operations in Rendova Harbor.

As a result, Rendova was successfully used as an artillery base during the subsequent stages of the New Georgia campaign, covering a crossing of the channel to the mainland on 2 July, as US troops from the 169th and 172nd Infantry Regiments landed around Zanana.

[57] A Royal New Zealand Air Force Radar Unit (COL 57) was stationed on Rendova Island and commenced operations in November 1943, under the command of Pilot Officer Leatham.