Location
Mussau Island is located in the Saint Matthias Island Group (St Matthias Islands). Nearby is Emirau Island. Today part of the Murat Rural LLG of New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Wartime History
During 1942, Mussau Island was occupied by the Japanese until they withdrew in early 1944 and abandoned Korea and Chinese "comfort women" on the island. Without support, the woman lived in horrible conditions that resulted in an outbreak of leprosy.

American missions against Mussau
March 23, 1944–November 3, 1944

After U.S. forces occupied Emirau Island on March 20, 1944, Seven Day Adventist missionaries brought the Korea and Chinese women food and medical supplies. On March 23, 1944 the island's volcano erupted an ash plume and the island was bombarded by U.S. Navy Destroyers that were unaware the Japanese had withdrawn. In late March 1944 after American forces landed at Emirau Island, Seven Day Adventist missionaries were allowed to bring the women food and medical supplies.

Reference
Cameras Over The Pacific page 116

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019