"Operation Cartwheel" was a major military campaign during World War II, specifically in the Pacific Theater. Launched in 1943, its primary goal was to capture the island of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to cut off Japanese supply lines and establish a base for future operations against Japan. The operation involved a series of amphibious assaults and land battles, with significant engagements at locations like Bougainville and Rabaul. It was a crucial step in the Allied strategy to gain control of the Pacific and ultimately led to the successful island-hopping campaign that brought Allied forces closer to Japan.