Monday, January 7, 2008

Five Japanese Barges

On 10 October 2007, I posted a photo of one of the many Japanese barge tunnels found around here.

From my previous post – “In 1942, Rabaul, newly restored after the devastating 1937 volcanic eruption, was invaded by Japanese forces. The Japanese turned Rabaul into their main army and naval base for the planned invasion into the Pacific and eventually down into Australia. The heavy aerial bombardment of Rabaul by Allied Forces, forced the Japanese to dig in – literally!! Hundreds of prisoners of war, including a division of Indian troops from the Singapore campaign, were used to dig 400 kilometres of tunnels in the hills surrounding the town. These tunnels contained barracks and hospitals, storage for weapons and munitions and even barges, tanks and aircraft. The barges were pulled to and from the beach on tracks by prisoners.”

This narrow tunnel at Karavia village on the Rabaul/Kokopo Road still contains the rusting bodies of five Japanese barges.

This is barge one and two, from the viewing platform, looking out to the tunnel entrance.

Views of the other barges from the viewing platform

"Viewing" of the barges up the back is only possible if you take a torch.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is incredibly amazing that they are still there and even though rusted they are easy to recognize. I spent the whole day working over on my Flickr account so didn't see this until late this evening. I wnat to copy the information on Monday.

lv2scpbk said...

These are interesting. I like your take on the guy being framed.

Marcel said...

Very interesting. I have to say I always find your post interesting, not only do I love history, the ocean, diving and tropical locations but your photos and text are always very well done. Thanks for posting.

• Eliane • said...

Incredible. Just incredible.

dive said...

Whooee, Jules.
That is indeed amazing.
I love your history posts but this is one of the best.

Joy said...

Very interesting. It reminds me of Corregidor - an island in the Philippines where the Americans set up because it was very strategic during the Second World War and now the place is a tourist destination where old tanks and bazookas can be found.

Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your footprints behind. Do visit again!

joy
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Tom said...

Great post Jules.. thoe P.O.W. must have had a very hard time.

quintarantino said...

Once again ypu give us some interesting facts about a recent period of History.
And it's really amazing how those rusty barges are still there and can be easily recognized.
Loved it.

Squirrel said...

These kinds of things fascinate me. The photos are greatI never knew about this underground history in Rabaul until I started looking at your blog-- I just finished reading a book by Kappa Senoh-- his memoir of a boyhood in wartime Japan--(A Boy called H) it showed the civilian side of the war and was a good read--.Then I come here and see these old barges and think about prisoners digging these tunnels-- pretty amazing to imagine what the war was like for each group of people.

Marie said...

I think these traces of the past are important for us to remmember how many people gave their lives for the survivors' freedom.

I especially spotted a very beautiful young lady in the photo!

Bergson said...

there is a little work of restoration.

Are the barges in free visit?

imac said...

Gee this is a great post Jules and the photos too all that rust-great colours.


Take a look at the lilypad now there were 6.

Jules said...

Hi All
Glad you all find this interesting.

Bergson there is a small fee set by the landowners - 2 Aussi dollars

photowannabe said...

This is fascinating. I have to admit my ignorance of this whole era of history. Thanks for the interesting info and pictures.

Annie said...

History firsthand, Jules.

Hyderabad Daily Photo said...

Fascinating history. Quite amazing.

Michael Salone said...

Thank you for this Jules. This is what makes your blog so interesting. A little paradise, a little history, a little paradise, a little history...and sometimes all in the same post! How great is that?!

I take it the computer surgery was a success? Whew...we were wondering!

alicesg said...

Nice history photo. I love photos showing the past histories. Thanks for sharing. The one you posted in October 2007 is indeed amazing.

Gordon said...

A very interesting post; great photos. The extent of the tunnels is amazing.

Tom said...

Message from Peter.
Hello Jules
Thank you for visiting my picture blog, Tom tells me how you have trouble with your phone lines at times so I do thank you for the effort of visiting and leaving comments.
Peter.

david mcmahon said...

Fascinating, Jules

Kim said...

Extremely interesting! This is why I love the Daily Photo Sites, not only do I get to see amazing pictures from around the world, but a little bit of history as well! I just love it!