Peter
Leggett Kula
Lodge
Peter Leggett
took me on a tour of his Dive Shop at the Kula Lodge and some
of the small relics he has collected during his years in Rabaul
as a diver.
PT
Boat Wreckage
These metal port holes and rails
are from PT 347 which was the sad victim of friendly fire off New Britain. The
sad legacy of this boat that was misidentified and repeatedly strafed by friendly fighters
until sunk.
Detonators
These two
detonator tips were recovered from underwater. They would be screwed into large
caliber shells before firing. The one on the left still has its cardboard casing
around the screw-on mechanism, a remarkable fact despite the passage of time and
effects of the sea.
Toothpaste Tube
Recovered from a sunken Japanese freighter. There were boxes of supplies,
like this toothpaste probably destined for soldiers based on the island. The plastic
cap and traces of the label on the aluminum are evident, as is the dried toothpaste
inside. This unique and remarkable relic was truly fascinating piece of history.
Brass
Shell Casings
An unknown number of rounds of all
caliber and description were fired during the years when Rabaul was at the heart
of strategic importance during WWII. These two brass shell cases were recovered
from an underwater dump of munitions.
Red Cross Box
This wooden box was discovered in a nearby cave that was revealed after a severe
rain. Inside the cave was corroded radio equipment and this Red Cross Box.
Japanese
Twin Mount Anti-Aircraft Gun
This
is a twin mount anti-aircraft gun. Batteries from this location would often fire
at Allied planes pulling off their bombing runs over Rabual town or harbor area,
as they turned for home. Also there are several bomb casings,
helmets and other Japanese relics. Several of the Kula lodge's bungalows were
built on top of WWII trenches and bunkers from the Japanese Army troops based
in this area.
Japanese Propeller
This large
propeller looks might perhase be from one of the Pete seaplanes
based off shore.
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