Cape Wom

Cape Wom

East Sepik Province | Papua New Guinea

Lat 3° 31' 0S Long 143° 35' 60E Cape that is located to the west of Wewak.

Wom Airstrip (Cape Wom Airstrip)
Small prewar airfield, site of Japanese Army surrender September 13, 1945

Cape Wom Memorial Park

Justin Taylan 2000

Justin Taylan 2005

Construction
War memorial and peace park, built in 1969. The memorial is flanked by flag poles and plaques. Located on the precise spot where Japanese Lieutenant General Adachi signed the official surrender documents, and handed his sword to Australian Major General Robertson on September 13, 1945. It is still a contentous site for Japanese visitors to Wewak, who do not go to Cape Wom. Instead, they hold rememberances at the other Japanese memorials at Mission Hill and Tower Hill.

Memorial Park
There are a number of wartime artifacts on display in the park. Including several Japanese Type 88 (1928) 75 mm anti-aircraft guns, recovered from the ridge behind Boram Airport and several smaller field guns.

Memorial Plaques
There are several memorial plaque at the location to the various Australia and American units that served in the area. Including one plaque dedicated to the Medal of Honor earned over Wewak and at Drinimor River by Americans, including Neel Kearby.

Bunker
There is a two story bunker / tower building. Today, it is empty aside from graffiti and rubbish.

Coastal Fortification
On the beach, there is a concrete gun emplacement. The sea has eroded much of it, and the gun above is missing. There is an ammunition locker area inside the emplacement, where one can see its 55 gallon drum and concrete construction.

Tunnels
Behind the memorial, there are several Japanese tunnels that interlock and interconnect different parts of the Cape. Some have collapsed or filled with sand. Others are still open and possible to crawl into.

Kawasaki Ki 61-IIb Tony Constructor's Number 379

Recovered from Cape Wom in 1973.

Kawasaki Ki-48 Lily Manufacture Number 1398

A-20G-40 Havoc Serial Number 43-21622