Fall Of Rabaul
p. 15 · Read in the full issue
January 23 Marks 7th Anniversary of Jap Invasion
IT is now seven years since the Japanese forces landed on the shores of Blanche Bay and occupied Rabaul and ultimately most of New Britain.
After the fighting had ceased on Jan uary 23, 1942, some Europeans made their way through the jungles of New Britain, were rescued, and eventually reached Australia. But some hundreds of Rabaul residents who were trapped, and even more of members of the AIF garrison there, became prisoners of the Japs. All but a handful of these subsequently perished, when the “Montevideo Maru” was sunk while transporting them to Japan.
January 23, therefore, has become set apart in the minds of Territorians as a date of special significance. This year, as usual, it will be marked by ceremonies in Sydney and New Guinea.
In Sydney, former and present New Guinea residents will meet in Martin Place, where wreaths will be placed on the Cenotaph. As the 23rd. falls on a Sunday this year, the time of meeting has been fixed for 10 a.m., instead of 8.30 a.m., as is usual.
Arrangements are in the hands of the New Guinea Women’s Club of Sydney and New Guinea ex-Servicemen.
Sir Maynard and Lady Hedstrom, who sailed from Australia by the Wangaratta in December, are now in South Africa.
Ladv Hedstrom’s health imnroved very much during the voyage.