Oh, MONDAY…

Today is National Remembrance Day in Papua New Guinea. This day commemorates those Papua New Guineans who have died in military service.

While isolated for most of its history by its remote location and difficult terrain, Japanese soldiers invaded PNG in 1942 with the aim of building a base for the invasion of Australia. On July 23rd 1942, a number of soldiers from the PNG infantry battalion supported Allied forces in attacking a forward party of Japanese troops at Awala in the Kokoda region. This was a historic landmark in the country’s history as it was the first time, PNG soldiers had engaged in battle on native soil. As such the date has become a focal point for this memorial day intended to remember the members of the PNG armed forces who have died on duty in the first world war, the second world war, and subsequent peacekeeping and law and order engagements within PNG and abroad.