Inside
The Tunnels
Walking Through History
The interior of the cave was dry and
spacious. The ceiling was tall enough to comfortably stand, and
wide enough for two people to walk by side by side. Although it
was empty, there were plenty of remains for those who know where
to look. We were not the only ones there, bats would often fly
into us when we disturbed them.
Winding
Tunnel System
Inside, we walked for kilometers
through a complex and interconnecting tunnel system. Locals told me that all the
munitions had been dumped into the sea after the war. This was substantiated by
Peter Leggett, who describes a large dump of munitions of just off shore.
Traces
of Occupation
Although the tunnels are empty, occasionally,
a heavy rains lead to a new tunnel being discovered, like one with radio equipment
and medical supplies, discovered just last year. Also, there are probably munitions
buried in the dirt tunnel floors. We found nails, rusted boxes, timbers and this
"Nippon" beer bottle.
Massacre Pit
Outside the tunnel system, the kids took me to a spot where there was a deep hole.
They told me this was the spot where prisoners were told to kneel and then killed.
No one goes inside there, and the feelings of evil history could be felt.
Return
to Tunnels | Rabaul |
Main Page