Remembering World War II

By SAMUEL RAITANO
THE Bomana War Memorial Cemetery came to life at 5am yesterday as Anzac Day was celebrated at war memorials around the country.
The wreath-laying ceremony was conducted before representatives of the Australian, New Zealand and Papua New Guinean governments, citizens, diplomats, guests, soldiers and relatives of veterans.
Anzac Day commemorated the 96th anniversary of the beach landing at Gallipolli, Turkey, in 1915, and the 70th anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk and the Battle of Greece and Crete in World War II.
Australian High Commissioner Ian Kemish and New Zealand High Commissioner Marion Crawshaw were among the few who laid wreaths at the cemetery monument.
The day relights the cooperation and bond that Australia and New Zealand shared.
“The spirit of Anzac, with its human qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice continues to have meaning for us,” Kemish said.
During World War II, PNG and its then colonial power Australia, faced their toughest tests on the famous Kokoda Track and in other parts of the country.
“We will never forget the bravery of those Papua New Guineans who supported us during the bitter campaigns of World War II,” Kemish said.
“Many Australian servicemen owed their lives to the selfless courage of these people.”
Crawshaw paid tribute to the comradeship of the two countries, Australia and New Zealand.
Papuan soldiers who fought alongside their Australian counterparts on the Kokoda Track and the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels were acknowledged as well.