September 19, 1945
Today in World War II Pacific History
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WEDNESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1945

RAAF: Ditched is Dakota A65-6 (rescued).

RAAF: Crashed is Auster A11-2 at Sanga Sanga.

RAN: HMAS Swan (U74) anchors in Fangalawa Bay at Namatanai embarks Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) General Ito commander Japanese forces on New Ireland to surrender to Australian Army Major General Kenneth W. Eather, commander 11th Division. The Australians investigated the fate of the estimated 87 European civilians residing on New Ireland when the Japanese invaded in January 1942. Only seven were found to be alive: Rudolf Diercke at Namatanai and Father Gerard Peekel and five Catholic nuns Sisters M. Brigitta, M. Aquilina, M. Arkadia, M. Gustava and M. Aggesta who were all taken prisoner at Lamekot Catholic Mission on January 25, 1942 and were detained at Lakuramau Camp until released at the surrender ceremony and transported to Rabaul. Of the remaining eighty civilians (including ten priests) with a few exceptions, no trace was ever found.