War Relics

War Relics

Papua New Guinea has a history of fierce fighting between the Japanese and Allied forces during World War II.

Today many war relics remain scattered throughout the provinces of New Britain, Oro, East Sepik, Sandaun and Morobe. There are also sunken war ships and aircraft to explore in the waters around Madang and Rabaul.

Port Moresby - Bomana War Cemetery; Thousands of young Australian and Papua New Guinean soldiers are buried in this carefully tended World War II cemetery, a heart-wrenching reminder of the horrific campaigns in the region. Located on the Sogeri Road not far from the Sir Hubert Murray Highway. Papua New Guinea has a history of fierce fighting between the Japanese and Allied forces during World War II.

Today many war relics remain scattered throughout the provinces of New Britain, Oro, East Sepik, Sandaun and Morobe. There are also sunken war ships and aircraft to explore in the waters around Madang and Rabaul.

Port Moresby - Bomana War Cemetery; Thousands of young Australian and Papua New Guinean soldiers are buried in this carefully tended World War II cemetery, a heart-wrenching reminder of the horrific campaigns in the region. Located on the Sogeri Road not far from the Sir Hubert Murray Highway.

Stamp Set
K1.05 - AMERICAN B-17E 41-2446 (aka “The Swamp Ghost”)
The aircraft was until illegally salvaged in 2006 PNG’s best intact aircraft wreck, unique to the world. 
K1.05 - JAPANESE Ki-21 Sally
Survived the war and the eruption and remains one of the most accessible wrecks at former Lakunai Airport, Rabaul.
K5.00 - AMERICAN P-38F-42-12647 5-LO 
Sometime in January 1944, the pilot cut both engines, was unable to restart them and force landed on the salt flats near Lea Lea. The pilot and exact date of this force landing is unknown. Abandoned, the wreckage remained in situ until late in 1978.
K7.00 - AMERICAN B-17E 41-9234 
Force landed at Black Cap Pass, after Swamp Ghost the next best wreck on land in PNG.

RETAIL PRICE K14.10

Sheetlet
K1.05 - JAPANESE; 95 Ha Go Tanker
One of forty Japanese tanks that survived the war at Rabaul and surrendered to the Australian Army in September 1945.
K1.05 - AUSTRALIAN (RAAF) Hudson A16-91
Shot down by Japanese near Gasmata, discovered in 2007. The remains of its crew recovered and buried at Bitapaka in Kokopo.
K5.00 - NEW ZEALAND; (RNZAF) PV-1 Ventura NZ4613 Tail 13
Crashed at the end of the war on New Ireland. Discovered near Kimidan in 1945. Photograph by David Munday, 1986.
K7.00 - JAPANESE; 120mm Dual Purpose Gun
Recovered with a crane in the 1980s, currently displayed at Kokopo War Museum. 

Background image: Bomana War Cemetery

RETAIL PRICE K14.10

Souvenir Sheet
K10.00 - AMERICAN B-17F “Black Jack” 
Discovered in 1986, underwater intact in Milne Bay Province, this is a perfectly intact wreck that is dived by SCUBA divers from around the world. 

Background image - B-17F “Black Jack” in action