Missionaries
pp. 7-67 · Read in the full issue
Roman Catholic
How They Fared in the Bismarcks and Solomons WITH the kind assistance of the direc tors of the two Roman Catholic Missionary Orders, the Sacred Heart and the Marist Fathers, we have been able to compile the following lists, which show the fate of the Roman Catho lic Priests, Brothers and Sisters who were in the Territories of New Guinea and the BSI when the Japs invaded.
Believing that their work was recog nised as international in character, and that they therefore would not be perse cuted by the Japanese, the majority of these missionaries remained at their stations. As a result, they suffered greatly at the hands of the invaders, and many were murdered, or died from ill-treatment and starvation.
We have not yet received details of the Catholic missionaries (Society of the Divine Word), among whom there were many casualties. The two Vicariates were overwhelmed by the Jap invasion late in 1942 some months after the enemy entered the Bismarck and Solomon archipelagoes.
Order of (he Sacred Heart
Fate Of Priests, Lay-Brothers
And Sisters In New Britain, New
Ireland And Manus, January,
1942-September, 1945
Killed By Japanese
Fathers M. Murphy, at Mapua, Tabar Islands, and C. Martin, at Ulaputur (NI), in 1942, for giving shelter to Government officials.
Father E. Harris, at Malmal (Jacquinot Bay) 21/12/42, and Father W. Cul hane, at Uvol (Gasmata) 12/1/43, for assisting the refugee Australian troops.
Father C. Neuhaus, from Namatanai (NI), and Father J. Hemig, from Lemakot (NI), in 1943, at Rabaul. Both were imprisoned for six months, in Rabaul, for communicating with and supplying the Government officials and nursing Australian soldiers. They were after wards beheaded.
Probably Killed By Japanese
(No Trace Found)
At Manus: Fathers C. Borchardt, F.
Utsch (Sr.), B. van Klaarwater; Sisters (OLSH) Cunera, Ancilla, Elisabeth.
At New Ireland: Fathers J. Lakaff (Kavieng), P. Kutscher (Lamasong), J.
Krutzenbichler (Tanga), H. Kohlstette (Komalu), C. Schlueter (Lihir), F. Utsch (Jr.) (Lavangai), Brother H. Zumkley (Kavieng).
They were at first concentrated at Panapai with all the white people. They were brought to Kavieng at the end of 1942.
Father G. Peekel is the only survivor from New Ireland, with the Sisters Brigitta, Aquilina, Arkadia (Lemakot), and Agesta, Gustava (Namatanai). They were interned at Lakuramau with the Chinese until liberated in September, 1945.
Two Sisters died from exhaustion: Ambro sia and Climaca.
Torpedoed On Board The
“Montevideo Maru”
Father D. McCullagh (Vunapope) and Brother A. Brennan (Vunapope).
Killed By Bombs At Vunapope Or
Died From Bomb Injuries
Father B. Bley (14/2/44), and Brothers J. Wieschen (26/2/44), W. Deen (27/2/44), J. Langkamp (1/4/44, and, at Ramale J.
Wochner (17/11/44).
Died During Internment From
Lack Of Food And Medicine
At Vunapope Unless Stated Otherwise
Fathers W. Barrow (Rabaul) (13/11/42), A. Kleintitschen (3/12/42), J. Oberreiter (Birara) (21/2/44), J. Halt (Vlavolo) (29/2/44), F. Gruendl (Ratongor) (4/3 44), and Alphons Mayrhofer (11 4/43) at Lamingi.
Brothers J. Schueltingkemper (8/12/43), F. Hatzig (18/2/44), F. Heese (Taliliqap) (23/2/44), P. Buescher (29/2 44), L. Doer fler (9/3/44), J. Lizcnerski (10/3/44), B.
Boekenkotter (23/3/44), A. Packmor (9/4/44).
At Ramale Brothers G. Hessling (19/6/44), P.
Mueller (27/6 44), G. van der Zanden (17/5/45), and Teutenberg (25/12/44) at Brisbane after the liberation.
Sisters Mathilda (29/10/44) at Ramale, Celsine (5/4/43) at Vunapope, Eleonore (18/3/44) at Vunapope, Luise (14/6/45) at Ramale. Climaca, (9/9/44) at Lakuramau, Ambrosia (11/8/45) at Lakuramau.
ALL the occupants of Vunapope (reports the Mission director) were interned on January 25, 1942. heavify guarded and considered as spies. Most of the mis sionaries were brought in by Jap police, later on, from the nearby stations.
Real concentration camp began on October 1, 1942, with barbed wire, in the background of the bigger buildings which were occupied by the Japanese. They had to live on their gardens.
In February, 1944, Vunapope was bombed and completely destroyed by fires.
They became cavemen. Many died. In June, 1944, all had to leave for Ramale (near Bitaqalip) and had to build shelters and to work under guard in the gardens.
Liberation came on September 13. 1945 through the Australian Forces.
Most of the missionaries who were caught by the invasion at their stations and brought in to Vunapope, ex perienced rough treatment, starvation and repeated beatings, especiallv those who were taken to the Rabaul prison Father W. O’Connell, from Pililo, was handcuffed for more than a month, and not even released while sleeping.
Father J. Mayrhofer, from Karlai (Wide Bay), and Father R. Juergens, from Unea, had to undergo the drowning torture several times. Father H Berger from Tairobi (Talasea) had verv bad treatment from the Japanese.
Rescued By Allied Military
Forces
From Enelaua (Leper Station) in June 1944: Father J. Stamm; Brother J.’
Teutenberg (died in Brisbane 24/12/44)- Sisters (MSC) Winfrida. Clematia, Eme lina, Columbana.
From Ulamona (sawmill, completely destroyed), in June, 1944: Father L.
Bischof; and Brothers J. Plengemeyer, B Roleff, B. Berlemann, J. Brandt and’ B Hutters.
From Quma (Wide Bay), in February 1942: Father P. Diedrichs.
Liberated From Ramale Camp On
13/9/45 By Amp
His Lordship Bishop L. Scharmach.
Thirty-two Priests, 30 Brothers.
Thirty-one Sisters (OLSH), 35 Sisters
(Msc).
Order of Morist Fathers
Fate Of Missionaries Caught By
The Invasion In Northern
Solomons (Buka And Bougain
Ville)
Unless Otherwise Stated, the Following Became Prisoners of War, and Escaped er Were Rescued in September, 1945, and Were Evacuated to Sydney. (Unless otherwise stated, the title of the Missionary is Father, SM.) Bishop T. J. Wade, evacuated.
M. Boch, Faisi, Shortlands.
J, B, Poncelet, Turiboiru, Buin.
Schank, Muguai, Buin.
Schleicker, Monoitu, Bougainville, escaped.
Seiler, Kieta, Bougainville, escaped.
Allotte, Timbutz, evacuated Jan., 1943.
A. Morel. Tarlena, Buka, evacuated Jan., 1943.
Grisward, Banoni, Bougainville, escaped.
Died in Sydney, 18/4/46.
Muller, Bougainville, escaped.
A. Junkers, Koromira, Bougainville, escaped.
Le Breton, Kieta, Bougainville, escaped.
Lamarre, Hanahan, Buka Passage.
L. Lebee, Timnutz, Bougainville, escaped to New Caledonia.
Lepping, Paisi, Shortlands.
P. Montauban, Gagan, Buka Passage, escaped.
G. Servant, Hahaila, Buka Pasage, escaped.
Caffiaux, Gagan. Buka Passage, escaped.
H. Fluet, Asitavi, Bougainville, escaped.
Tarlena. Buka, escaped.
Binois, Choiseul, Shortlands—lived in the bush among the natives.
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H. Hebert, Konua, Bougainville, escaped.
Miltrup, Piano, Bougainville, escaped.
R. O’Sullivan, Patupatuai, Buin, escaped.
B. Tonges, Sovele, Bougainville, escaped.
Bro. Jules, Kieta, escaped.
Bro. Henry, Kieta, escaped.
Bro. Xavier, escaped.
Bro. Bruno, Muguai, Buin.
Dead Or Missing
Fr. Wache, Kieta, Bougainville, died from injury received by bombs.
Fr. Hennessey, Ltmanmanu, Buka, died when "Montevideo Maru” was sunk.
Fr. Conley, Kieta, died —presumed killed by Japs.
Fr. W. Weber, Tunuru, Bougainville, missing—presumed killed by Japs.
Bro. John, Chabai, Buka Passage, POW and missing.
Bro. Donatus, Chabai, Buka Passage, POW and missing.
Bro. Augustin, Chabai, Buka Passage, POW and missing.
Bro. Joseph, Kieta, killed in prison camp by bomb.
Bro. Karl, Kieta, imprisoned in Kieta — died from wounds received from machine guns.
Bro. Gregory, Timputz, was evacuated but died from blood poisoning in New Caledonia.
Majority Of Nuns Escaped
(Unless otherwise stated, the title of the person named is Sister, SMSM) Mother M. Wendelina, SMSM, Turiboiru, Buin, was captured, taken prisoner, and in 1945 rescued at Ramale Camp.
Ignace, Turiboiru, Buin, escaped, evacu ated.
Dolores, Muguai, Buin, taken prisoner, rescued at Ramale.
Placide, Turiboiru, Buin, taken prisoner, rescued at Ramale.
Crescentia, Muguai, Buin, taken prisoner, rescued at Ramale. du Sacre Coeur, Muguai, Buin, taken prisoner, rescued at Ramale.
Andrea, Turiboiru, Buin, taken prisoner, rescued at Ramale.
Ludovica, Koromira, Bougainville, was prisoner, escaped, evacuated.
Lidwina, Koromira, Bougainville, was prisoner, escaped, evacuated.
Escaped And Evacuated
Adalberta, Monoitu, Bougainville.
Martial, Monoitu, Bougainville.
Claire, Tarlena, Buka Passage.
Remi, Tarlena, Buka Passage.
Elie, Timputz, Buka Passage.
Henrietta, Tarlena, Buka Passage.
Hortense, Kieta, Bougainville.
Cecilia, Timputz, Buka Passage.
Gisele, Kieta, Bougainville.
Blaise, Piano, Bougainville.
Fabian, Muguai, Buin.
Xavier, Timputz, Buka Passage.
Isabella, CSJ, Hanahan, Buka Passage.
Irene, CSJ, Hanahan, Buka Passage.
Celestine, CSJ, Hanahan, Buka Passage.
Hedda, CSJ, Hanahan, Buka Passage.
Camille, Koromira, was a prisoner on the island —died of misery.
Domitilla, Vunapope, died in camp at Ramale.
Society of Mary
The missionaries (Fathers, Brothers and Sisters) of the Society of Mary in the British Solomon Islands fared as follows: Bishop J. M. Aubin, SM, Visale, prisoner on the island, escaped the watch of the Japs, lived amongst natives; still at work.
Fr. A. Brugmans, SM, Visale, prisoner, escaped and evacuated to New Zea land, then to Sydney.
Fr. J. Coicaud, SM, prisoner at Marau, escaped and evacuated to New Zea land, then to Sydney, where he died.
Fr. P. Van Mechelen, SM, Marau, pri
soner, escaped and evacuated to New Zealand; back in Guadalcanal.
Fr. A. Duhamel, SM, Ruavatu, prisoner and murdered.
Fr. O. H. Engberink, SM, Ruavatu, prisoner and murdered.
Bro. George, SM, Visale, prisoner, escaped and evacuated to New Zea land: now back in Tulagi.
Of the 22 other missionaries, some have been evacuated, some lived amongst the natives and are still at work.
The fate of the Sisters. SMSM, of the South Solomon Islands was:
The Sisters at Visale became prisoners, but escaped and were evacuated.
Sister M. Odilia, SMSM, Rauvatu, prisoner and murdered.
Sister M. Sylvia, SMSM. Rauvatu, prisoner and murdered.
Sister M. Edmee, SMSM, escaped into the bush, then found and taken to New Caledonia.
The other Sisters, about 18, succeeded in escaping and were evacuated, some to Fiji, some to New Zealand, stune to Sydney. It is reported that all are very anxious to return to their mission fields.