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  AWM Aug 6, 1945  AWM Sept 11, 1945   AWM Sept 12, 1945 |
Location Lat 3° 38' 60S Long 143° 18' 0E Kiarivu is located at an elevation of 902' / 274m on New Guinea. Also known as "Kiarfi". To the west is Yangoru and Maprik. To the north is the Prince Alexander Range and beyond Wewak. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in the Yangoru-Saussia District of East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Wartime History After Australian Army troops advanced along the north coast and occupied Wewak, Japanese Army forces retreated inland to Kiarivu. Japanese Army Lt General Hatazo Adachi established his headquarters at this location. On August 11, 1945, No. 3 platoon, 2 New Guinea Infantry Battalion led the the Australian Army 2/7 Infantry Battalion on a six day patrol into enemy territory that reached Kiarivu supported by air drops, including a 75mm Howitzer manned by A Battery, 2/1 Tank Attack Regiment plus supporting air strikes by RAAF Beauforts against Kiarivu village. Australians atop coconut knoll exchanged small arms and machine gun fire with Japanese defenders in Kiarivu village. On August 13, 1945 the 75mm howitzer emplaced at Kiarivu Airfield provided supporting fire. Fighting continued until the next day. On August 14, 1945 a flag raising ceremony was performed at Kiap house, the government outpost at Kiarivu. On September 11, 1945 Japanese Army Lt General Hatazo Adachi, commander 18th Army accompanied by his staff walked to the front lines and were met by the Australian Army, 2/7 Infantry Battalion, C Company and was escorted to battalion headquarters. Weakened, Adachi sat in a seat carried by four men. On September 12 departed for Maprik. At the time of surrender, only 13,000 of the 18th Army's original strength of 100,000 troops survived the war. Kiarivu Airfield Built during early August by native labor Contribute
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