The tiny island where Julian Assange pleaded guilty to one count of espionage has a dark and bloody history stemming from a brutal World War II battle.

Steeped in WWII history, the island was the site of one of war’s bloodiest battles in the Pacific, in which more than 50,000 Japanese and American soldiers and local civilians died.

Steeped in WWII history, the island was the site of one of war’s bloodiest battles in the Pacific, in which more than 50,000 Japanese and American soldiers and local civilians died.