Rabaul
Steeped in history and deadly beauty, Rabaul's history spans from its German colonial period, WWI, occupation by the Japanese during WWII and netralization by Allied air power. Contemporary history includes the 1994 eruption that wiped out the town.

Museums & Memorials
There are several monuments to Rabaul's history, including the Kokopo War Museum, Vocano Observatory, Bitapaka Allied War Cemetery - with the graves of POW, Allied airmen and even WWI casualties. Finally, travel to the Japanese War Memorial.

Japanese Bunkers
Anti-Aircraft & Search Light Bunker, also know as the "Yamamoto Bunker", Rabaul Communication Bunker that is complete with a priniting press and news reels. Next, travel to Command Post Bunker located on Coastwatcher's Hill.

Japanese Tunnels
Before visiting Rabaul, I doubted that the written claims that there were hundreds of kilometers of tunnels built during the war. After a day of walking some of them, I now fully agree with this figure! With the help of some local kids, I walked kilometers of these infamous tunnels, including the barge tunnels and multi-level catacombs Most were dug by POW and slave labor. We found remnants of thier Japanese occupation.

Japanese Airfields
Visit Tobera, the fighter strip that based the resilliant Zeros kept flying, long after the base was considered neutralized in February of 1944. Vunakanau, where RAAF wirraways initially rose to meet overwhelving Japanese invaders. Finally, Lakunai the airstrip adjacent to the town that was covered in ash during the 1994 eruption.

Diving Rabaul
Join Peter Leggett and I as we dive on Japanese wrecks and reefs in the area, including the intact wreck of a FM1 Pete observation plane.

PT 347
Sad legacy of overwhelming friendly fire

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