Villagers at War : Some Papua New Guinean Experiences in World War II

This book is an effort to record what Papua New Guineans knew about the war, what they thought about the war, their perceptions of Japanese and Americans who were completely new to them, what they considered their accomplishments and what were the sacrifices they made in the mighty endeavour to defend Australia and to defeat the Japanese. The author read official records including ANGAU patrol reports and the War Diary. He interviewed and corresponded with more than 30 expatriates who lived in the country, they included anthropologists, educators, missionaries and Australians who had served as Patrol Officers in the Australian Administration or in the Armed Forces. He visited several villages, including the Toaripi area, Hanuabada and Butibam to speak with villagers. He interviewed about 80 Papua New Guineans in groups and individually. The author wanted those people who had experienced the harsh reality of war to share their memories. Informants told personal stories and one fable, they sang carriers' songs, they talked about what it was like to flee their village and live as refugees. The war allowed Papuans and New Guineans to really meet for the first time. The bombing of Lae led to the destruction of coconut trees and sago palms and houses so Butibam villagers had to claim compensation. The villagers of Hanuabada also had to claim compensation after evacuating their village following the bombing of Port Moresby. Some Butibam villagers were defensive about being 'helpers' of the Japanese. Some villagers found it hard to deal with the 'new order' created by the Japanese occupation. Other villagers were eager to join the Papuan Infantry Battalion to fight the Japanese. Villagers from the Toaripi area were recruited by ANGAU to work as carriers on the Bulldog Track. Their stories were about their treatment including harsh physical punishment.