Lat
3° 21' 0S Long 143° 34' 0E Large island located off Wewak,
next to Mushu 40km in circumference,
its dominated by dormant volcano in the center.
The Japanese Navy garrisoned this island until the
end of the war. The island was never invaded with ground forces, although
it was attacked from the air by both the USAAF and RAAF.
The Navy garison was responsible for the exicution of many Allied aviators, including: 2nd Lt. Robert E. Thorpe and six American aviators. In 1945, two Australians were also exicuted, possibly there were other incidents as well.
The garrison
was surrendered by Rear Admiral Sato to Australian Navy Major General
Robertson in in September 10, 1945. Three days later, the Army
garrison surrendered at Cape Wom. The first repatriation of the Japanese from Kairiru occurred on December 26, 1945 when the Koei Maru took several hundred back to Japan.
American Missions Against Kairiru
April 10 1943 - August 27, 1944
St. John's Mission
This
Cathloic mission was built prior to the war, it faces southwards,
overlooking nearby Mushcu Island. Occupied by the Japanese
Navy, it was developed into both a base and seaplane base. Largely destroyed by
Allied bombing on March 21, 1944, it was rebuilt after the war. Today, it still functions
as a Catholic mission.
Kairiru Seaplane Base (St. John's, Barakam)
Used by the Japanese Navy for F1M2 Petes until April 1944.
St.
Xaviar Mission / High School
Located halfway down the
island, on the southern coast. Prior to the war, this was a mission.
Today it is the island's high school. A Japanese Memorial is located at the school. Until at least 1969, the tail section of a Ki-43 Oscar remained near the school.
Kevin Fitzpatrick recalls:
"In 1969, there was a delegation from the Japanese Military, who came to Kairiru to exhume, and give a proper burial to Japanese soldiers who had died on the island during WWII. The sites where Japanese soldiers lay interred were remembered by the locals, and thus the remains were recovered."
Japanese
Memorial
A small Japanese
memorial with 13mm machine gun is located on the grounds of
the school. Its plaque reads in English and Japanese: "1942
- 1945
Dedicated
to those men of the Japanese navy who died serving their country
in New
Guinea."
Yavik (Yarin)
Located on the south-eastern tip of
Kairiru Island, surronded by high cliffs. There are two large Naval guns on
the eastern end of the island, emplaced in concerete pits, both are adjacent
to a cemetary used by villagers.
140mm
Naval Gun No.1
Overlooks the southern channel between
Muschu
and
Kairiru
Island.
140mm
Naval Gun No.2
Overlooks
the southern channel and open sea to the east of Kairiru Island.
Yuwun
Located on the southern coast of the island, towards the eastern
tip. There is a landing area here in a small sheltered cove. During
the war, the Japanese No. 4 Company was based here.
Moblie
Radar Unit
The
rusted hulk of a radar trailer are on the beach. Part of the metal frame
screen is used as a 'bridge' on the pathway above the beach. Reportedly,
this radar was mounted up on the hill above Yavik along with a search
light, It was partially recovered for scrapped by Emil Claus.
Tunnels
Also,
several caves used by the Japanese, that were dug by local labor
with only hand tools. Tunnels, usally smaller L-shapes or with interconnecting
entrances are common around the south of the island.
Victoria Bay
Deep water bay at the western edge of
the island. Two shipwrecks sunk by air attack the bay. Both are unidentified Japanese merchant ships. One is reportedly the India Maru.
Unidentified Maru (Small Victoria Bay Wreck)
Unidentified wreck on the north of Victoria Bay
Unidentified Maru (Victoria Bay Wreck)
Unidentified wreck in center of Victoria Bay
P-47D Thunderbolt Serial
Number 42-22661
Ditched off Kairiru Island, pilot captured and exicuted
