Location
Lat 4° 40' 0S Long 149° 18' 0E  Witu Island is part of the Witu Island Group to the north of New Britain. Also known as Vitu Island. Between 1884 until September 1914 part of Deutsch Neu Guinea (German New Guinea). Prewar and during the Pacific War part of the New Britain District in the Territory of New Guinea. Today part of West New Britain Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Prewar
During the German administration, a Peterhafen was established with coconut palm plantations harvesting copra.

Wartime History
During 1942, occupied by the Japanese. Witu was code named "Phillie" by the U.S. Navy. Starting in early August 1943, targeted by Allied planes until October 1943.

Allied missions against Vitu
August 5, 1943–October 4, 1943

Peterhafen
German settlement and trading post on the coast of Witu Island bordering the anchorage at Peter Harbor. A railway line was established from the wharf at Peterhafen to nearby Meto plantation to haul copra for export. It is believed there were several branches on a herring-bone pattern bringing the total length of the system to 4.5 km. The T-jetty had a rail line across the face with a "Y" joining this line to the line on the jetty. A section of the line was operational by 1909, with carts towed by oxen or buffalos. Later, expanded to include Ilia plantation.

Meto Plantation
During the 1890s, German Peter Hansen, a trader for Emma Forsayth established Meto plantation on Witu Island with coconut palms harvesting copra. A railway line was established on the island and the plantation

Meto plantation was served by a railway which dates from German times. The plantation and trading station at Peterhafen was established by Captain Peter Hansen, a Forsayth trader, in the 1890's.

A railway line was established from the wharf at Peterhafen, through Meto plantation. It is believed there were several branches on a herring-bone pattern bringing the total length of the system to 4.5 km. The T-jetty had a rail line across the face with a "Y" joining this line to the line on the jetty. A section of the line was operational by 1909. Reports indicate that the railway was operated by oxen or buffalos. The line was subsequently extended to Ilia plantation.

75mm Anti-Aircraft Guns Type 88
Three anti-aircraft guns emplaced overlooking Meto plantation house.

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Last Updated
March 20, 2022