On 16 February 1944, the 35th Battalion landed on Nissan Island, in what would become known as the Battle of the Green Islands. It conducted numerous advances inland and around the island, largely a coral reef, but was mostly unopposed apart from one patrol which contacted a Japanese force of 60 men. The patrol withdrew without losses after inflicting some casualties on the Japanese. It remained on Nissan Island until 31 May 1944 and returned to New Zealand by way of Guadalcanal and New Caledonia.