the southern sector of the island the Japanese commander, General Masatane Kanda, dispatched an envoy across the flood swollen Mivo River to begin negotiations with the Australians for the surrender of the over 23,000 Japanese soldiers left on the island, bringing about an end to the campaign. Throughout the course of the fighting on Bougainville from November 1944 to August 1945, 526 Australians were killed, while a further 1,572 were wounded. Approximately 8,500 Japanese were killed in action and a further 9,800 died from disease during this same period. Notes Footnotes Citations References 1945 in Papua New Guinea Battles of World War II involving Australia Battles of World War II involving Japan Conflicts in 1945 South West Pacific theatre of World War II Australia–Japan military relations June 1945 events in Asia July 1945 events in Asia August 1945 events in Asia