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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE August 14, 2006
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| March 23, 2006 |
Rabaul – Remnants from the World War II era Japanese Occupation |
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Beginning in the final years of the 19th century and continuing over the next few decades, Japan pushed for territorial expansion which led to a sizable empire, dominating most of the coasts in the Pacific Northeast.
During the same period, the port city of Rabaul prospered as capital of what was then the Australian-administered mandate of New Guinea. In 1942, however, Japanese troops quickly took over Rabaul and turned it into their headquarters of military activities in the region, promptly installing navy and air bases.
The last port of call during our 52nd global voyage took us to this former Japanese stronghold port city in what is now the modern nation of Papua New Guinea. |
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| All photos by Stacy Hughes. |
Using mostly Prisoners of War (POWs) captured in Singapore, Rabaul was rapidly turned into a military stronghold. It has been stated that at its peak, the fortress of Rabaul included five airstrips, a float plane base, a submarine base, huge numbers of naval vessels, and up to 200,000 Japanese armed forces personnel. Peace Boat participants managed to enter some of these tunnels, which still hold military equipment such as these gunboats from the era. |
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In addition, over 500 kilometers of tunnels were carved in the hilly volcanic region. It is calculated that 15 hospitals were located along these passageways, including an amazing four kilometer stretch which hosted a single hospital with a capacity for 2,500 patients. To this day, detailed messages from Japanese soldiers who occupied such channels can be read along the walls. |
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As Rabaul itself has suffered great devastation from volcanic activity over the decades, the War Museum was recently moved to the nearby town of Kokopo. Here, dozens of Japanese military equipment remains in display. |
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Throughout the region, large military debris can also be found in places other than the Kokopo War Museum. Along the Kokopo-Rabaul road, both Japanese and Allied downed fighter planes have remained intact for over 60 years. |
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Undoubtedly, our call in Rabaul was an emotional time for several Peace Boat participants, as a handful suffered personal family losses in the region. Our stop at the War Memorial gave some an opportunity to grieve, while the rest of us pondered the horrific statistics left by one of humanity's darkest chapters. |
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