The Second World War and the Islands of New Guinea Often neglected in the media's commemoration calendar and little known beyond those directly affected, this web site commemorates the Second World War in the islands of New Guinea and the impact it has had on many lives. The site aims to make information about the people and events in New Britain and New Ireland before, during and after Japanese occupation, readily available to a wide range of researchers in order to raise the profile of this area and theatre of war. http://www.jje.info/lostlives/index.html Example: Places - New Britain ..... A crescent shaped island, with a series of mountain ranges in the interior which in 1938 remained unexplored. There were many small rivers and protected harbours suitable for coastal plantations. Rabaul on the Gazelle Peninsula in the north east was the seat of government. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tidal waves had been experienced for many years before the war. There were four administrative sub districts: Rabaul, Kokopo, Gasmata and Talasea. There were connecting roads and police posts. A.I.F. New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, Australian Infantry (1939 - 1943) - On 4 September 1939, the Administrator of the Mandated Territory of New Guinea, Sir Walter McNicoll, was given authorisation from the Australian Government to form a volunteer defence force to be known as the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles. NGVR members were public servants, merchants, bankers, business men, members of the Christian missions, miners, prospectors, traders and plantation owners, managers or associated employees. Sally Rolls Pavia sallypavia2001@yahoo.com "A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good." List Owner: GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES-L-request@rootsweb.com Archives: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/GENEALOGYBITSANDPIECES "All incoming and outgoing email checked by Norton Anti-Virus"