Salamaua’s mounted WWII guns stand firm

By CLEMENT KAUPA
WORLD War II has receded into the mists of time and its devastation artfully concealed by nature but the mounted guns at Salamaua point still watch faithfully over the passage into Lae waters today.
Though rusted by the salty sea air and decayed by time, four anti-aircraft guns mounted at strategic intervals on the highest bluff overlooking the twin bays of Salamaua, Morobe, remain intact.
The local community maintains a footpath snaking up the bluff to the guns for visiting tourists and WWII buffs visiting the idyllic seaside community.
War time relics, including a complete ship wreck, said to be American, are strewn in the shallows and surf all around the narrow strip of land jutting out to sea.
Salamaua forms part of the Huon-Gulf electorate of Morobe and is located southwest of Lae city by a 45-minute boat ride.