O’Neill: Wider knowledge of history of WWII campaigns

 PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill says there is a wider and growing understanding of the history of the World War II campaigns in Papua and New Guinea.

He said that at the ANZAC Day dawn service at the Bomana War Cemetery, outside Port Moresby, last Friday.

O’Neill retold the story of Milne Bay nurse Maiogura (pictured) who risked her life 71 years ago to save an Australian airman who was found drifting in the sea after his plane was brought down by enemy gunfire.

“She hid him in her village, which was already behind enemy lines, and nursed him until he was able to return to his unit,” he said.

“In a ceremony held later by the Royal Australian Air Force to thank Nurse Maiogura, she simply said: I give thanks to God that I was able in some small way to assist my very good Australian friends.

“That is the spirit of the friendship that binds us.”

O’Neill said the focus on Kokoda Trail especially underlined the increasing interest in the campaigns and the sacrifices that were remembered on ANZAC Day.

“Papua New Guineans will never forget easily the courage and sacrifice of Sergeant Katue of the Papua Infantry Battalion, Sergeant John Ehava, Corporal Sanopa of the Royal Papua Constabulary, and men and women like them who served in Kokoda, Buna, Salamaua or Milne Bay,” he said.

“This sacred place is the final resting place of 3,069 Australian service personnel, whose names are known, and faithfully preserved and recorded.

“It is also the resting place of at least 39 members of the Papuan Infantry Battalion.

“Today we remember the sacrifices made by these very brave men and women.”