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| Southeast Asia |
| Papua hikers find 'WWII airman' |
| 2008-08-31 |
| Australian hikers have found the suspected remains of a World War II airman hanging from a tree in dense forest in Papua New Guinea. The moss-covered body appeared to be wearing a harness and goggles. The discovery was made along the Kokoda Trail, in the east of the country, which was an important battleground during the war. The Australian Defence Force is preparing to send officials to the scene for further investigations. A force spokeswoman said it was too early to confirm the nationality of the pilot. But he is likely to have come from Australia, Japan or the United States, as all three operated aircraft in the area during the war. "We had a few police officers on the 19-man trek. One was taking photos with a large lens of the trees and flowers," said the leader of the hiking group, David Collins. "He then discovered what looks like the remains of a body. "I couldn't make it out at first. It wasn't until the wind blew that you could really see it is in a harness. There are goggles and it appears to be caught up in cables, so presumably it is an airman." Some 600 Australian soldiers died in fighting around the Kokoda trail in World War II - seen by the Allies as a key point at which to halt the advance of the Japanese military. Unexploded ordnance remain in the thick forest around the trail, and hikers are warned not to stray from the path. Australia's Defence Department told AFP arrangements were being made to send an expedition to the site. "It's too early to speculate on the nationality of the airman or the circumstances of his death," a spokesman said. |
| Posted by:john frum |
| #10 Well that clears it up. I thin I'll have another vodka martini now. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-08-31 22:04 |
| #9 photo here |
| Posted by: john frum 2008-08-31 22:03 |
| #8 Sixty years? A freakin' anvil wouldn't survive sixty years in the New Guinea jungle (or upland forest or whatever). |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2008-08-31 19:17 |
| #7 Well, I'd argue, that. Purdy typical for a non tropical (albeit heavily forested) region. |
| Posted by: .5MT 2008-08-31 16:52 |
| #6 Uplands of New Guinea is not your typical tropical jungle. |
| Posted by: OldSpook 2008-08-31 16:49 |
| #5 IIRC, they had nylon webbing during that time. Nylon was developed in the early 1930s. If there was little UV light, the snagged harness could remain intact. Just don't know about what they used for webbing at the time. Interesting story. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2008-08-31 15:28 |
| #4 Depending on what he was wearing and how the harness and lines were tangled some bits might still be in somewhat close formation. Further info required. RIP. |
| Posted by: tipover 2008-08-31 14:18 |
| #3 The body is still intact after hanging in a jungle for 60 years? Bullshit. |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2008-08-31 13:34 |
| #2 If you wish to use the name used by the soldiers at the time, it is the Kokoda Track. |
| Posted by: Grunter 2008-08-31 12:43 |
| #1 A force spokeswoman said it was too early to confirm the nationality of the pilot. Hint: If there is a 3Made in Japan tag on his uniform it is likely he was japanese. |
| Posted by: JFM 2008-08-31 11:06 |
