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 Australian Army September 12, 1945  Australian Army September 13, 1945  Australian Army September 14, 1945  Liz Whitehead 1987   Justin Taylan 2000  Justin Taylan 2005 |
Location Cape Wom Airfield was located on Cape Wom on the north coast of New Guinea. Also known as "Wom Airfield", or "Wom Point Airfield". To the east is Wewak and offshore to the northeast is Raboin Island. Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the Territory of New Guinea. Today located in Wewak District of East Sepik Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Construction Prewar, built by the Catholic missionaries as a single runway running roughly northwest to southeast. Wartime History During December 1942, Cape Wom was occupied by the Japanese Army. It is unconfirmed if Japanese aircraft Cape Wom Airfield during their occupation. Anti-aircraft guns were emplaced in this area. The Japanese Army also created prepared positions in dugouts, caves and bunkers for defense. On May 3, 1945 liberated by the Australian Army 19th Infantry Brigade. Immediately, developed into a base area to support the advance westward to Wewak. On September 13, 1945 Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) 18th Army commander Lt General Hatazo Adachi, with Captain Iwama and three officers were flown from Hayfield Airfield to Wewak Airfield and then transported by jeep to Cape Wom Airfield. At 10:00am the Japanese including Lt General Hatazo Adachi and his staff walked passed 3,000 Australian Army personnel from the 6th Division, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN). At 10:15am, Adachi signed the instrument of surrender and handed his sword to Australian Army Major-General H. C. H. Robertson. Afterwards, the Japanese attended meetings with Australian Army staff to discuss arrangements related to the surrender. On September 14, 1945 Adachi was a passenger aboard DH.82A Tiger Moth A17-489 piloted by F/O T .L. Collier on a flight from Cape Wom Airfield to Kiarivu Airfield to his headquarters near Kiarivu. Postwar Disused as an airfield since the war. Today The former runway area is still visible and since 1969 part of the Cape Wom Memorial Park. Cape Wom Memorial Park At the site of the September 13, 1945 surrender, a triangular concrete cairn obelisk was built at the surrender site with a brass plaque commemorating the surrender. During 1969, the Cape Wom Memorial Park was built at this location with an entry arch with the triangular concrete cairn at the far end. The marker is flanked by five flag poles and a series of brass plaques on concrete bases. Two Japanese guns Type 88 75mm anti-aircraft gun (No. 1) and Type 88 75mm anti-aircraft gun (No. 2) recovered from the ridge behind Boram Airfield are displayed nearby with several field guns. The memorial park also includes several brass plaque including: Congressional Medal of Honor plaque, US embassy plaque, Lest we forget plaque and Indian Prisoner Of War (POWs) plaque. In 2004, one plaque was missing removed or stolen. References AWM "Wewak surrender ceremonies" F07243 cine footage Cape Wom Airfield surrender ceremony September 13, 1945 at 10:22-12:59 Contribute
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