Location
Madang Harbor and town located on the north coast of New Guinea. Founded during the German colonial era and named Friedrich Wilhelmshafen. The town had several plantations and missions, and heavy influence from Germans who had administered the area until 1918.

Japanese Occupation
The Japanese occupied the town and surrounding area on January 1, 1943. During the war, Lt. General Hatazo Adachi, commander of Japanese 18th Army briefly had his Head Quarters at Madang beginning on April 19, 1943. Also the 20th and 41st Division of the Japanese Army were stationed there.

Allied Missions Against Madang
December 13, 1942 - April 26, 1944

Australian Liberation
After the recapture of Lae and battles at Shaggy Ridge Australian troops slowly and painfully pushed the Japanese along the coast towards Madang, which had been bypassed by American landing at Hollandia (further to the west). Only a Japanese horse drawn artillery piece was encountered in the town, which they liberated in April April 2?, 1944. Australians then continued northward to Alexishafen. The area was developed into a minor Allied base area.

Today
Madang is a popular tourist destination in Papua New Guinea. It is an idyllic Pacific coastal town. Madang was virtually demolished during the war from air raids and fighting It had to be totally rebuilt. Today, it is one of the main tourist attractions in PNG for visitors from overseas.

Madang Airfield
Built by the Japanese Army in early February 1943. Still in use today

Coastwatchers Memorial
Built in the late 1960s, this tower is 30m tall and visible 25 km out to sea. Its a reminder to the men who stayed behind the lines during the war to report on Japanese troop and ship movements. The coastal road is one of the more pleasant in Madang, fringed by palm trees and poincianas with fine views of across Astrolabe Bay towards the Rai coast.

5th Australian Division Memorial
Memorial in the center of Madang town.  The plaque reads: "A platoon of the 50th battalion and a patrol of the 51/60th Battalion defeated a small Japanese rearguard and entered Madang on the 24th April 1944."

Pre-War German Missionary Cemetery
Pre-war German missionary cemetery located in the center of Madang town. Some of the grave stones are scared by bullets from the wartime fighting in the area.

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Last Updated
April 30, 2009