 |
via Papua New Guinea
|
Please note -- Whilst all care has been taken in preparing and maintaining the FAQ's about Papua New Guinea it is not possible to be able verify every answer. The information is provided 'as is' and I can not accept responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from the use of this information.
Please verify the information for yourself from a government source, travel agent or other similar organisation.
This database does not contain information about other countries. It is only about Papua New Guinea (PNG).
History - War List of Categories
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
- Where did Private Edward Kenna earn his VC - Victoria Cross?
- Where did the commander of the Japanese Army in PNG surrender at the end of the Second World War?
- How close did the Japanese get to Port Moresby when fighting along the Kokoda Track in 1942.
- When was the battle of Isurava along the Kokoda Track?
- How long should a "normal" person allow to walk the Kokoda Trail?
- Whan was the Battle of Milne Bay?
- When was the Macdhui sunk in Port Moresby Harbour?
- When was the Macdhui sunk?
- How many airstrips were in Port Moresby during the Second World War?
- In what year did the allied army build Number 1 strip in Milne Bay?
- How did the Number One strip get the name "Gurney"?
- What year did the Panguna mine close?
- When did the modern day crisis begin on Bougainville?
- When was the Kangu Beach massacre on Bougainville Island?
- When was the Battle of Buna?
- Who were the "chocos"?
- When was the Buna-Sanananda Operation?
- Where was the logistics point for the savage beachhead battles at Gona, Sanananda and Buna from November 1942 to January 1943?
- Where is the start (or finish) of the Kokoda track?
- What crashed WWII aeroplanes have been found on the old pre-war emergency airstrip at Talasea in West New Britain province?
- Where can I find out about Japanese air operations over New Guinea during the Second World War?
- What are some of the planes used during the Second World War in PNG?
- What was one of the planes flown in PNG during the Second World War?
- What was the most popular P-38 Lightning?
- Where can I find out information on the Sandline crisis that brought down the Sir Julius Chan and Chris Haiveta led PNG Government in 1997?
- The name of the RAAF wirriway sqn ordered to fight zero's at Rabaul at the beginning of WW2, the co's name who made the famous quotation "we who are about to die, salute you" in Latin and the names of the crews. I think there were only 6-7 wirriways and only 2 of the crews survived.
- Which second world war allied commander made Port Moresby's Papuan Hotel his Papua Head Quarters?
- Define the word sandline crisis? and its effect to the government of Papua New Guinea?
social effect, economic effects, cultural effects.
- I am chasing up info on Liberators in PNG - The
- were there any NZ troops based in the louisiade archipelago, and if so, what regiments saw action?
- can you please help me my homework asks what the australian soldiers role was in the png world war 2 if you can help i would appreciate it
thankyou Jacinta
- can you please help me my homework asks what the australian soldiers role was in the png world war 2 if you can help i would appreciate it
thankyou Jacinta
- My Dad was in the 863rd Engineers attached to the 5th Air Force. He spoke rarely about the war. Biak seemed to be a painful rememberence for him. Do you have any ifo about Biak, Mokmer and Saidor Air Drome? Are they still in use today? Is it possible to go to Biak to look for place my Dad was at?
- When did the Montevideo Maru sail from Rabaul before it was sunk during the Second World War?
- Has the Montevideo Maru, the ship sunk in 1942, ever been recovered? if not, are there any plans to recover it?
- Where can I find out information about the Montevideo Maru
- World War II Ships -- Montevideo Maru
- Do you have information about the U.S. Navy's repair base at Milne Bay? I served there for 19 months during WWII. I am interested in finding out if anything remains of the base. I also have photos I took at the Military Cemetary in the uplands(I think). That was a very long time ago but I really want to know if anything remains of the facility. I well remember the long rows of coconut palm trees in straight rows. We built many Quonset Huts as living quarters and about 10 Nissen buildings for the machine shops, etc. If possible, please reply.
- I am interrested in the 7th division P.N.G and brigades of the 7th during WW2
- Where is Kana Kope?
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
- Where did Private Edward Kenna earn his VC - Victoria Cross?
He earned it by single handedly defending Wirui Mission Hill near Wewak against two Japanese machine gun outposts on the 15th of May 1945.
to top
- Where did the commander of the Japanese Army in PNG surrender at the end of the Second World War?
It was at Cape Wom, Wewak at 10:15am on the 13th of September 1945, when Lt Gen Hatazo Adchi surrendered unconditionally in the presence of over 3,000 troops to Maj Gen HCW Robertson CBE DSO Australiam Army.
to top
- How close did the Japanese get to Port Moresby when fighting along the Kokoda Track in 1942.
In 1942 Japanese troops tried to capture Papua New Guineašs capital, Port Moresby, by crossing the Owen Stanley range of mountains from the north coast hoping to attack the town from the rear. They got within 35 kilometres of Moresby.
to top
- When was the battle of Isurava along the Kokoda Track?
The four-day Battle of Isurava in Papua New Guinea in 1942 would not, in isolation, be regarded as a victory for Australian forces. It was however vital to Australia's security, because it bought Australian and American forces the time they needed to fortify Port Moresby and ultimately stem the Japanese invasion of Papua.
Private Bruce Kingsbury from the 2/14th, 21st Brigade, 7th Division, Australian Infantry Battalion, A.I.F was awarded a Victoria Cross for his actions during the battle on the 29 August 1942. http://chapter-one.com/vc/award.asp?vc=696
to top
- How long should a "normal" person allow to walk the Kokoda Trail?
What is normal? Allow 9 to 10 days if you want to enjoy the scenery. The record is under 24 hours but I am sure not much of the scenery was seen!
to top
- Whan was the Battle of Milne Bay?
The Battle of Milne Bay was a World War II battle that took place between the 25th of August and the 6th of September 1942.
The Queensland, Darling Downs-based 25th Battalion were the first Allied troops to stop Japanese forces on land, at Milne Bay in 1942.
It was an absolutely vital battle for both sides. If the Japanese won control of the Milne Bay airstrip, they could have launched air attacks on Port Moresby and allied shipping north of Australia.
to top
- When was the Macdhui sunk in Port Moresby Harbour?
During the Second World War in June 1942
to top
- When was the Macdhui sunk?
The Macdhui was sunk in Fairfax Harbour (June 1942) during the Second World War.
to top
- How many airstrips were in Port Moresby during the Second World War?
I believe there were seven airstrips but I can not find the name of all of them. Can anyone help?
The ones I have are
Seven Mile (Jackson's)
Waigani - Wards strip
Rorona,
Bomana,
and Laloki.
to top
- In what year did the allied army build Number 1 strip in Milne Bay?
They built Number 1 strip (now called Gurney) in June 1942
to top
- How did the Number One strip get the name "Gurney"?
The strip was named after WWII Royal Australian Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Captain Bob Gurney who was the commanding officer of the Number 33 Squadron. He was killed in action in May 1942. His plane is believed to have crashed near the Trobriand Islands. (in Milne Bay)
to top
- What year did the Panguna mine close?
The Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) forced the Panguna mine to close in 1989.
to top
- When did the modern day crisis begin on Bougainville?
The Bougainvillean Crisis began in 1989 and was led by Francis Ona the self styled leader of teh Bougianville Revolutionary Army (BRA).
Francis Ona died on the 24th of July 2005. -- This was also called the Bougainville conflict (1988-1997)
to top
- When was the Kangu Beach massacre on Bougainville Island?
The massacre took place in 1992. It has been reported that the Bougainville Revolutionary Army killed 18?? PNG Defence Force soldiers.
to top
- When was the Battle of Buna?
During the Second World War. On 15 November 1942 MG Harding issued Field Order No. 1 for the operation. On 16 November the advance commenced according to plan. On 19 November the attack commenced.
See also Sanananda.
to top
- Who were the "chocos"?
They were the inexperienced soldiers who fought along the Kokoda Trail during the Second World War. The nickname was short for Chocolate Soldiers - they were expected to melt in the tropical jungle of PNG.
to top
- When was the Buna-Sanananda Operation?
Between the 16th of November 1942 and the 23rd of January 1943. Sanananda is a few miles west of the Girua River.
to top
- Where was the logistics point for the savage beachhead battles at Gona, Sanananda and Buna from November 1942 to January 1943?
The logistics point was Popondetta in Northern Province (Oro).
to top
- Where is the start (or finish) of the Kokoda track?
The northern end of the Kokoda Trail terminates at the village of Kokoda and from here to the coast, and around the beaches of Buna and Gona, some of the most violent and bitter fighting of World War II took place. It is estimated that over 15,000 Japanese soldiers died on the Kokoda Track. The area is still littered with war relics and at Jiropa Plantation, on the Buna road there is a Japanese plaque commemorating their dead.
to top
- What crashed WWII aeroplanes have been found on the old pre-war emergency airstrip at Talasea in West New Britain province?
B25 - Mitchell Bomber (US Fifth Airforce)
Lockheed Orion Bomber (RNZAirForce)
Zeke/Zero (carrier based - unknown details, IJN)
to top
- Where can I find out about Japanese air operations over New Guinea during the Second World War?
Try -- http://www.awm.gov.au/journal/j34/shindo.htm
to top
- What are some of the planes used during the Second World War in PNG?
The Biscuit Bomber - Douglas C47 (DC3)
Japanese Zero
P-38 Lightning
to top
- What was one of the planes flown in PNG during the Second World War?
One of the planes was the Lockheed P-38 Lightning built at the Burbank Califorinia production line. It was often called Peter Three Eight for obvious reasons.
to top
- What was the most popular P-38 Lightning?
This question is only semi related to PNG but I will have a go at answering it. The most popular P-38 Lightning was the J Model (P-38J) as it had twin V12 1425 hp Allison V-1710 engines.
to top
- Where can I find out information on the Sandline crisis that brought down the Sir Julius Chan and Chris Haiveta led PNG Government in 1997?
Sandline has a website at -- http://www.sandline.com but that only deals with the company itself. It is recommended to read some other articles about Sandline in PNG -- http://www.wsws.org/news/1997/apr1997/png-a28.shtml and http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/24/081.html -- for example.
to top
- The name of the RAAF wirriway sqn ordered to fight zero's at Rabaul at the beginning of WW2, the co's name who made the famous quotation "we who are about to die, salute you" in Latin and the names of the crews. I think there were only 6-7 wirriways and only 2 of the crews survived.
Sorry can not answer that question.
I believe the slow trainer Wirriway fighters each using one .303 machine gun fought the Zeros on the 21st day January of 1942 near Rabaul, though outnumbered, out gunned and out classed they downed a Zero each before they were finished.
to top
- Which second world war allied commander made Port Moresby's Papuan Hotel his Papua Head Quarters?
Max White says he thinks it was Douglas MacArthur.
to top
- Define the word sandline crisis? and its effect to the government of Papua New Guinea?
social effect, economic effects, cultural effects.
Sorry I am not in the habit of completing exercises for students. Type the word SANDLINE into the search engine and I can assure you that it will return some material for your school project.
to top
- I am chasing up info on Liberators in PNG - The
to top
- were there any NZ troops based in the louisiade archipelago, and if so, what regiments saw action?
Sorry I can not find an answer to that question. If any reader knows the answer please let me know.
to top
- can you please help me my homework asks what the australian soldiers role was in the png world war 2 if you can help i would appreciate it
thankyou Jacinta
Hi Jacinta, Soldiers did the normal work of soldiers. Some would have fought against the enemy, others would have helped with supplying the fighters, others would have helped to build infrastructure such as road, bridges and buildings. Others would have helped out as doctors and pastors. Some would have been bosses directing the foot soldiers. Yet more would have been employed as mechanics to keep the equipment working whether that be a truck, an electricity generator or hospital equipment or whatever.
I suppose pretty much the same as what soldiers do today except with an emphasis on brute strength manpower rather more so than today where there are mechanical aids to help the soldier perform his or her normal duties.
to top
- can you please help me my homework asks what the australian soldiers role was in the png world war 2 if you can help i would appreciate it
thankyou Jacinta
Hi Jacinta, Soldiers did the normal work of soldiers. Some would have fought against the enemy, others would have helped with supplying the fighters, others would have helped to build infrastructure such as road, bridges and buildings. Others would have helped out as doctors and pastors. Some would have been bosses directing the foot soldiers. Yet more would have been employed as mechanics to keep the equipment working whether that be a truck, an electricity generator or hospital equipment or whatever.
I suppose pretty much the same as what soldiers do today except with an emphasis on brute strength manpower rather more so than today where there are mechanical aids to help the soldier perform his or her normal duties.
to top
- My Dad was in the 863rd Engineers attached to the 5th Air Force. He spoke rarely about the war. Biak seemed to be a painful rememberence for him. Do you have any ifo about Biak, Mokmer and Saidor Air Drome? Are they still in use today? Is it possible to go to Biak to look for place my Dad was at?
Biak is in Indonesia (Papua / West Irian). The airport code is BIK
Saidor is in PNG - near Madang (Airport Code SDI) and I can not find any information about Mokmer.
to top
- When did the Montevideo Maru sail from Rabaul before it was sunk during the Second World War?
The Montevideo Maru sailed from Rabaul on the 22nd of June, 1942 loaded with several hundred civilian internees - destination Japan. The ship was sunk by a US submarine, with no survivors.
to top
- Has the Montevideo Maru, the ship sunk in 1942, ever been recovered? if not, are there any plans to recover it?
Sorry, I can not answer that question - All I know is that the ship left PNG waters (from Rabaul on the 22nd of June, 1942) before it was sunk near Luzon.
to top
- Where can I find out information about the Montevideo Maru
Try -- http://www.pngaa.net/Articles/Ballarat_Memorial/Ballarat%20Memorial.htm
to top
- World War II Ships -- Montevideo Maru
The Montevideo Maru disaster is still surrounded by conspiracy theories, over 60 years after the event. The Montevideo Maru disaster represents the largest maritime disaster in Australia's history. It is estimated that 845 prisoners-of-war( mainly Lark Force personnel), and 205 civilian internees were loaded by Japanese forces on board a Japanese ship, the Montevideo Maru, at Rabaul in June,1942. They were bound for Japan. The human cargo was crowded into cargo holds on the ship. En route to Japan the ship was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine, the Sturgeon on July 1st, 1942. Conflicting evidence remains about how many survived the event, but it is unlikely that many, if any, who were locked in the cargo holds survived.
to top
- Do you have information about the U.S. Navy's repair base at Milne Bay? I served there for 19 months during WWII. I am interested in finding out if anything remains of the base. I also have photos I took at the Military Cemetary in the uplands(I think). That was a very long time ago but I really want to know if anything remains of the facility. I well remember the long rows of coconut palm trees in straight rows. We built many Quonset Huts as living quarters and about 10 Nissen buildings for the machine shops, etc. If possible, please reply.
Hi George - I have no information but maybe someone reading these FAQ's may have. Lets hope they do.
to top
- I am interrested in the 7th division P.N.G and brigades of the 7th during WW2
Hi,
if you can submit any info suitable for these FAQ's then I would appreciate it.
to top
- Where is Kana Kope?
Kana Kope is at the Southern end of Milne Bay. It was used as a PT boat base in the Secon World War WWII. US troops installed a pipeline to carry fresh water from the mountains behind the beach to the jetty at Kana Kope. The pipeline is still used by villagers today.
to top
Please note that this is not "Ask Jeeves" - you cannot type a whole sentence as your query. Enter a word, a phrase, or several words and press search.
Please remember that this is a FAQ database about Papua New Guinea.
Doing a search for PNG or New Guinea or even P.N.G will probably not return much. Keep the search simple. i.e. if you want to find out the population simply enter "population" without the quotes. There is no need to have PNG / P.N.G or whatever in the search string.
Also - Spelling is important searching for 'inkom' will not return items related to 'income'
Created 1 May 2002
Updated 21 Jun 2008
Updated 21 Jun 2008
PNG FAQ's ©1998 - 2009 Trevor Michie