31. The British Empire in the Western Pacific largely took advantage of smaller islands.
The British Empire extended in the Pacific beyond the colonies in Australia and New Zealand. Several Pacific Island groups were part of the British Empire, including the Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, and many others. The British-controlled islands in the Pacific were necessary for the purpose of providing firewood and drinking water during the days of sail, and later coal for steamers. During the World War II, the British temporarily lost control of the Solomon Islands to the Japanese, and they were retaken by the Americans during the Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands campaigns. They were later returned to British control.