Digger's remains found in PNG

Three skeletons suspected to be those of Australian diggers have been uncovered near Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. In World War II Australia first clashed with Japanese troops when they invaded Rabaul on January 23, 1942. The 1400 Australian troops known as Lark Force were outnumbered and forced to evacuate Rabaul. More below.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25785149-23109,00.html

Lark Force Pilgrimage

Pete McGuiness with Bainings kids.


Lark Force trek departure photo.

A while back I carried out a three day trek through East New Britain with South Sea Horizons and met some interesting characters along the way. Here is a story about one man's journey to retrace his father's steps when part of the disastrous Rabaul defence during World War II.

http://www.thenational.com.pg/070309/wkender6.php

and here is a longer version:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/lifestyle/travel/2567943/Retracing-lark-force-wartime-treks

Montevideo Maru

The sinking of the Montevideo Maru with the loss of 1,053 Australian prisoners of war and civilians on 1 July 1942 is Australia’s worst maritime tragedy. Sadly, it is also one of the lesser known.

This Wednesday 15 Australian families along with government officials will unveil a memorial in the Philippines to mark the 67th anniversary.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/wartime-sea-tragedy-to-be-marked-20090628-d1a3.html

here are some previous AAP stories
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/montevideo-maru-families-want-war-grave-20090424-ahna.html

http://www.businessday.com.au/breaking-news-national/beazley-urges-hunt-for-lost-war-ship-20090502-aqor.html

Mark Day in the Australian newspaper:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25659669-31477,00.html

Here is the John Huxley in Fairfax press:
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/seeking-comfort-and-closure-67-years-on-20090617-chy3.html

For more information check Keith Jackson's PNG Attitude Blog..