PNG war memorial plaque stolen for second time

Antipodean Andy · Jan 8, 2009

Looks like some stone engraving might be the shot.

War Memorial 'stolen for scrap metal' | World Breaking News | News.com.au

THIEVES in Papua New Guinea have stolen an Australian War Memorial plaque for a second time, most likely to sell it to scrap metal dealers
The bronze plaque was taken last month from the Australian War Memorial in Wau in Morobe province on PNG's northern coast.

But it was later found in a scrap metal yard and restored to the memorial.

But thieves have since lifted it again.

Australia's acting High Commissioner to PNG, John Feakes, has condemned the act in a written statement.

"The repeat theft is very disappointing," he said.

"These plaques are an important means of commemorating those who defended PNG in World War II."

Mr Feakes urged locals to return the plaques or provide information on its whereabouts.

Last month Wau local tour operator Tim Vincent stumbled across the stolen plaque in a scrap metal yard.

After some terse negotiations, he took back the plaque and worked to restore it to its rightful place at the War Memorial site.

At the time of the theft Mr Vincent said he feared the plaque would be stolen again as thieves had stolen numerous memorial plaques from historic sites in the surrounding area and sold them for scrap.

"These have included not only the Wau memorial, but also family graves and other historic markers," he said.

The Wau memorial commemorates those who fought a battle against a Japanese force in early 1943.

The Japanese, having failed to reach Port Moresby by advancing over the Owen Stanley Range along the Kokoda Track, marched on Wau and its strategic mountain airfield.

But Australian and New Guinea Volunteer Riflemen drove the Japanese back towards the coast.
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