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Justin Taylan 2003 |
Location Lat 7° 12' 0S Long 146° 39' 0E Bulolo is located in New Guinea. Borders the Bulolo River to the south and Wau to the southeast. Further to the southeast is Black Cat. Today, connected by a road northward to Mumeng and southward to Wau and the McAdam National Park to the west. Today located in Morobe Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Prewar Bulolo was the center of dredging activity for the Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd., a company that operated eight dredges flown into the area from Lae Airfield aboard Junkers G.31 Trimotors. Gold dredging operation was in operation until January 21, 1942 when the threat of attack to the town was eminent. Wartime History When the Pacific War began, women and children were evacuated by Christmas of 1941, being flown to Port Moresby and Australia. Most men were part of the NGVR (New Guinea Volunteer Rifles) and participated in World War II. Japanese missions against Bulolo January 21, 1942–February 5, 1942 Destruction of Bulolo Gold Dredging Ltd. Facilities Japanese aircraft bombed the gold field areas at intervals, and the company's machine shop was damaged by bombing, which set off demolition charges two days before the Japanese landing at Lae. After the Japanese landing at Lae, the power station were demolished in a 'scorched earth' policy, followed by the destruction of all houses, offices and stores in the town four months later in May 1942. The gold dredges were not destroyed, but were damaged by requisition of parts by Allied forces. Bulolo Airfield Built in 1930, attacked by the Japanese at the start of the war, disused today Bulolo War Memorial A small memorial was built in Bulolo's main camp to honor those former Bulolo Gold Dredging employees when served in the NGVR and regular Australian Army during the war, and were killed. Memorial services are observed each ANZAC day at the memorial. A small radial engine is displayed nearby, as well as wheels and buckets from the gold dredges. Photo by Justin Taylan 2003. The memorial plaque reads:
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