The South West Pacific was one of two theatres of World War II in the Pacific region, between 1942 and 1945. The South West Pacific theatre included the Philippines, the Netherlands East Indies (excluding Sumatra), Borneo, Australia, the Australian Territory of New Guinea (including the Bismarck Archipelago), the western part of the Solomon Islands and some neighbouring territories. The theatre takes its name from the major Allied command, which was known simply as the "South West Pacific Area".
In the theatre, Empire of Japan forces fought primarily United States and Australian forces. Dutch, Filipino, British and other Allied forces also served in the theatre.
Most Japanese forces in the theatre were part of the Southern Expeditionary Army Group, which was formed on November 6, 1941, under General Hisaichi Terauchi (also known as Count Terauchi), who was ordered to attack and occupy Allied territories in South East Asia and the South Pacific.
On March 30, 1942, the Allied South West Pacific Area command (SWPA) was formed and U.S. General Douglas MacArthur was appointed Supreme Allied Commander South West Pacific Area.

Major campaigns in the theatre

Philippines campaign, 1941-42

• Battle of Bataan
  Netherlands East Indies campaign, 1941-1942
  New Guinea campaign, 1942-45
  
  
  
  • Battle of the Coral Sea
    Kokoda Track campaign
    Portuguese Timor, 1942-43
    Philippines campaign, 1944-45
    
    
    
    • Battle of Leyte Gulf
      Borneo campaign, 1945