|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
 8th PRS October 1943 |
Location Wewak POW Camp was located near the beach at Kreer on the north coast of New Guinea in East Sepik Province (ESP) in Papua New Guinea (PNG). To the west is Mission Point and Wewak Town (Wewak Point). To the north is Wewak Harbor. Wartime History Used by the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) as a Prisoner Of War (POW) camp for Allied aviators captured in the Wewak area between 1943 until early 1944. Likely, the camp was guarded by a Kempeitai (Kempei-Tai) military police unit. The camp consisted of a perimeter barbed wire fence with native huts and bamboo cages for prisoners. None of the Wewak POWs were officially reported to the Red Cross or via official channels. Some Wewak POWs were mentioned in Japanese radio broadcasts as "prisoners of the Japanese Army at Wewak". Some of the American POWs detained at this locaiton were later transported via Rabaul to Japan and survived captivity. All the POWs detained at the camp died in captivity and remain listed as Missing In Action (MIA). The POW camp was observed by Indian POWs being used as laborers by the Japanese at Wewak. When they were liberated, one reported that he has seen twenty personnel in the barbed wire enclosure and spoke with a "Major" [possibly Major Ralph Cheli] during November 1943. When the Indian POWs passed the area in May 1944 he observed forty people inside. Returning later, he saw nobody and the area had been bombed. During May 1944 the camp was bombed by Allies planes and destroyed. Likely, the prisoners were killed in the attack and any surviving POWs were executed. Known Prisoners Of War (POWs) detained at the Wewak POW Camp: Today Kreer is today a local market named Kreer market and Kreer village. References NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Wilfred J. Paquette list rank as "Pvt" incorrectly NARA World War II Prisoners of War Data File - Fred D. Nightwine Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
