Location
Hill behind Wiruri inland from Wewak Town (Wewak Point). Prewar, this hilltop was settled by Catholic Missionaries during 1912. and nicknamed "Mission Hill".

Wartime History
Occupied by the Japanese, this area was the site of Japanese 18th Army Headquarters at Wewak.

After the fall of Wewak, the Australian Army 2/4th Infantry Battalion assaulted this location during early May 1945, and was the site of heavy fighting. On May 15, 1945 Private Edward Kenna earned the Victoria Cross at this location .

Today
Trenches, caves, old gun emplacements and tunnels still remain in the area. The property is owned by the Catholic church, and relics there were not scrapped like in other part of Wewak during the post war years. Area is also known as "Boy's Town", a home for wayward boys founded by Bishop Leo Arkfeld in 1959 and used until the 1970s. Today, it is a Catholic retirement center for missionaries, also a church is located at the top of the hill, and the Japanese War Memorial.

Japanese War Memorial
Japanese War Memorial built in the 1960s with a panoramic view over the Wewak area. At this location, the remains of many Japanese were buried in a large mass grave. Postwar, these remains were exhumed and returned to Japan. Helmets, guns and other relics are displayed on the monument, collected from the area. Installed sometime after 2000 is a memorial plaque to Pte Edward Kenna.

The monument has inscriptions in Japanese and English. The memorial reads in English: "In memory of the brave soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for their countries Japan, Australia American and New Guinea during World War 2 From 1941-1945. We sincerely hope that or men will never again engage in war but that a deep spirit of friendship may exist between all"

Type 88 (1928) 75mm AA Gun Battery
Battery of six of Anti-aircraft guns in revetments. There are many bomb craters nearby and near misses around the revetment. Most of the guns are in excellent condition and appear undamaged. The two furthest from the road have their barrels knocked off and lying to the side from either war damage or vandalism.

Trailer and War Debris
There is a trailer, possibly for range finding equipment nearby. Although it is undamaged a near miss bomb crater to the side of it probably knocked it out of action.

There was a large amount of wartime debris scattered around Mission Hill. Much was left where it was abandoned, or pushed over the sides of the hill. (Australian and Japanese) Trucks, 55 gallon drums, tankers and motorcycle bits are located amongst more modern piles of rubbish and tin cans.

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009