Large Island, to the east is Los Negros.
Today
Harvesting timber is dangerous because of shrapnel
and bullets still lodged into the trees.
History
A relatively
small Japanese base was established in April of 1942, and had minimal
contact with the people of Manus, but did hire some of the Rossum
villagers as guides and scouts. The locals were told by the Japanese
that "the war was a fight amongst outside nations and the local people
were best advised to stay in the safely of the hinterland." German
colonist who remained on the island when then Japanese arrived were
either killed or imprisoned.
The main wartime
activity was from the American who recaptured the islands in March 25, 1944 with sporatic fighting afterward. Since Seadler harbor has an excellent harbor, a huge US Naval
base was established at Lombrum. This base
was a staging area for future operations in Dutch
New Guinea and later the Philippines.
Thousands of buildings, shops and sheds were erected. At Lorengau,
supply and
repair facilities were created. Wharves were constructed in the
harbor.
Almost overnight, the Americans had built one of the largest aerodromes
and harbors in the entire Pacific region.
Rossum
Lat
2° 2' 60S Long 147° 16' 0E
History
Site of the initial Japanese landing. A
relatively small Japanese base was established here,
that had minimal contact with the people of Manus, but did hire some
of the Rossum villagers as guides and scouts. The locals were told
by the Japanese: "The war was a fight amongst outside nations
and the local people were best advised to stay in the safely of
the
hinterland." German colonist who remained on the island when the
Japanese arrived were either killed or imprisoned.
Post War Cargo Cult
After the overwhelming cultural contact with Americans and their
technology, Rossun
villagers became
very
interested
in understanding
all
these
new technologies, spawning many cargo cult phenomenons in the village
and Manus.
Lorengau
Lat
2° 1' 0S Long 147° 16' 0E Prewar HQ of the Manus Civil District. A small section of the Australian Army 1st Independent Company commanded by Lt. A.S. Palmer was stationed here. First bombed by the Japanese on January 25, 1942. Afterwards, defenders destroyed houses, fuel and shipping and withdrew inland, to later escape on a schooner on April 14th to Bogadjim. Occupied by the Japanese on April 8, 1942. Site of the Japanese administrative
base, and airfield. After liberation by the Americans, it was developed into an massive base area.
Lorengau Airfield
Japanese airfield, liberated by US Army in March 1944, and afterwards not further developed.
Missions Against Lorengau
January 25, 1942 - March 12, 1944
