One of the things I've discovered in the past 3 years is War history. I've always been interested in the history of wars, but living in California rarely was confronted with it. When we spent some time in North Carolina we were confronted with the Civil War, with statues commemorating and really being much closer to it.
In PNG however, you run into war relics quite often. The above is a B-52 wreck that some of my friends photographed (I haven't seen this one in person) in Talasea near their village.
Until the late 60's this wreck was pristine. It's been decaying more as scrappers have gotten to it, although the local village tend to try and keep that from happening as this is one of the most pristine wrecks and an attraction to others to come see.
from pacificwrecks.com:
Aircraft History
B-25H-5-NA Mitchell Serial Number 43-4513
USAAF
13th AF
42nd BG
100th BS
Mission History
One of three B-25 strafer/bombers that took off from Stirling Island to
search the Rabaul area for targets of opportunity. Reaching New Britain's
coast, the three strafers flew low and skirting breakers along the coast and
headed south-west. Recent sweeps in the same area by the Group had proved
negative, and crossing Open Bay, the flight passed over Kalai Plantation.
As they peered downwards, the crews observed little there, save a wrecked
wharf, derelict plantation buildings, and several beached barges which had
been destroyed in previous missions. They attacked a tug boat.
This B-25 was damaged by small arms fire. One of the engines on this
aircraft failed, and due to the second one over-heating, the pilot elected
to make an emergency landing at Talasea. On touch down at high speed, the
nose wheel tire blew out, and the nose leg collapsed, and the aircraft
skidded to a halt on its nose. It was pushed off the runway, and serviseable
components were later salvaged.
Talasea History
Defended by the Japanese 1st Battalion, 54th Infantry commanded by Captain
Kiyomatsu Terunuma prepaired the defenses at Talasea, after the Marines
landed at Cape Gloucester. Japanese straggled thru the area on their way
back towards Rabaul. Liberated by Americans in who landed at Volupai on
March 6, 1944, The US Marines lost more men to treefalls than to battle.
Talasea was an administrative base for the Americans for a short period, and
after WWII.
Talasea Village
Small village to the north of Talasea strip, located along Garua Bay. After
the battle, 1st Marines established a headquarters at this location, with
training sites, hospital (using captured Japanese stocks) and rest area and
swimming in Garua Bay.
PT-Boat Base
The Navy also built a base for PT Boats. Two days after operations, the base
was bombed by friendly planes on March 27th, and killed 5, wounded 18.
