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The Japanese 8th Area Army, under General Hitoshi Imamura at Rabaul, was responsible for both the New Guinea and Solomon Islands campaigns. The Japanese 18th Army, under Lieut. General Hatazō Adachi, was responsible for Japanese operations on mainland New Guinea. The colonial capital of Port Moresby on the south coast of Papua was the strategic key for the Japanese in this area of operations.
Capturing it would both neutralize the Allies’ principal forward base and serve as a springboard for the invasion of Australia. For the same reasons, General Douglas Mac Arthur, Supreme Commander Allied Forces South West Pacific Area was determined to hold it. Mac Arthur was further determined to conquer all of New Guinea in his progress toward the eventual recapture of the Philippines.
General Headquarters Southwest Pacific Area Operational Instruction No.7 of 25 May 1942, issued by Commander-Allied-Forces, General Douglas MacArthur, placed all Australian and US Army, Air Force and Navy Forces in the Port Moresby Area under the control of New Guinea Force.
World War II Army monument (Yamagata Monument) built by the Japanese Government in 2009 Sarmi district is intended to commemorate the history of the people of Japan and the brave soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army who lost their lives during World War II on this land in 1943 and 1944. It was in this place on 30 April 1944, Major General Masazumi Inada 7220 with the Japanese imperial army did long march (a long drive) as far as 125 miles to the west toward Sarmi-Island – Wakde as allied forces attack and siege.
From 7220 soldiers gathered here, during their journey, only 500 soldiers arrived in Sarmi Major General Masazumi Inada on May 17, 1944. More than 6,700 soldiers were killed and buried in between Jayapura and Sarmi. Japanese soldiers who were killed at that time were mostly former civilian employees who eventually died from famine, tragedy occurred sometime in March so called “tragedy of March” as much as 90% of the current Japanese soldiers died from starvation and other diseases (instead of army attacks ally).
The World War II monument is about seven kilometers from Binsari Cave. Reporting from Kompas.com, Thursday (2/8/2018), this monument was established by the Biak Regional Government in Parai Village. Facing Parai Beach, this monument has inscriptions in Indonesian, Japanese, and English. The content is not to let there be another war on this earth.
The World War II Monument was built on July 24, 1992 and inaugurated on April 24, 1994. The monument was built through cooperation between the Indonesian government and the Japanese government.
The monument designed by Hiroshi Ogawa consists of several parts, one of which is the main part in the form of a wall with a slightly curved shape that reads WORLD WAR II MONUMENT. The writing is sculpted in three languages, namely Indonesian, English, and Japanese.
In front of the curved wall were eight stones of different sizes arranged in such a way. The stones are not meaningless, but rather symbolize the eight Japanese Generals who died during the war.
Thousands of Japanese soldiers died during the war, which lasted from May 27 to June 20, 1944. The battle was won by the Allies.
The World War II Monument was built by the Japanese Government to commemorate the thousands of soldiers who died during the war in Biak. And of course, it is also intended to be a reminder so that the war does not happen again, as written in the inscription WORLD WAR II MONUMENT. A MONUMENT TO REMIND HUMANITY OF THE ATROCITIES OF WAR WITH ALL ITS CONSEQUENCES SO THAT IT WILL NOT BE REPEATED.
In the village Kuase, Genyem are found skeletons and war equipment and cookware, one near the home of Mr. Martin. In these places often Japanese people come on pilgrimages and prayers to commemorate the families of those killed.
On the monument there is an inscription that reads:
“This memorial is dedicated to the people of japan and to the brave and courageous soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army who lost their lives during the world war II on this land in 1943 and 1944. It was on this spot on April 30th 1944 that Major General Masazumi Inada assembled 7220 Troops of the Japan imperial army for a 125 mile long march westward to Sarmi-wakde in retreat againts the advancing allied forces.
Of the 7220 soldiers who were gathered here to start the walk, only 500 soldiers arrived in Sarmi Major generals with Masazumi Inada on May 17th 1944. More than 6700 winner! Troops and were buried between here and Sarmi. This war memorial stands here in remembrance to all those who lost their lives and on this land during the world war II campaign and also as a symbol of world peace. MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE.
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