Allies vs. Japan: Pacific War Battle (Full Episode) | Buried Secrets of WWII | National Geographic

Papua New Guinea: Uncovering WWII’s Buried Secrets

Key Concepts:

• Kokoda Trail Campaign: A brutal land battle fought in Papua New Guinea between Japanese and Allied forces (primarily Australian) in 1942.
• Rabaul: A strategically vital port in New Britain, initially captured by the Japanese and heavily bombed by the Allies.
• LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): A remote sensing technology using laser light to create detailed 3D models of terrain.
• Photogrammetry: A technique for creating 3D models from overlapping photographs.
• Zero Fighter: A highly effective Japanese fighter plane with a significant kill ratio early in WWII.
• TBF Avenger: An American torpedo bomber equipped with airborne radar, crucial for night attacks.
• Simpson Harbor: Ideal fleet anchorage seized by the Japanese at Rabaul.

Introduction

This documentary follows military historian Marty Morgan and technology expert Pete Kelsey as they utilize 21st-century technology to uncover the remnants of WWII battles in Papua New Guinea, a largely unexplored region crucial to preventing a Japanese invasion of Australia. Their investigation focuses on the events surrounding Rabaul, the Kokoda Trail, and the fierce fighting that ultimately halted the Japanese advance.

I. The Battle for Rabaul & Underwater Discoveries

In January 1942, the Japanese captured Rabaul, a strategically important port in New Britain, defended by only 1400 Australian soldiers. Despite enduring more bombing raids than Berlin – over 3,000 tons of explosives in one month – the Japanese held Rabaul for three years, surrendering only after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima. The team, aided by local wreck diver Rod Pearce, began their investigation by scanning Simpson Harbor using sonar.

• Wreckage Identification: Sonar revealed two aircraft wrecks. One was identified as a largely intact Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane, recognizable by the “rising sun” insignia. The other was a more damaged wreck, initially unidentified.
• Zero Fighter Analysis: Scans of the Zero revealed a grapefruit-sized rock embedded in the wing and a bent propeller, suggesting the plane crashed shortly after takeoff, possibly during an attack on the airfield. Marty theorizes the plane was hit during takeoff, explaining its relatively pristine condition despite the impact.
• Allied Aircraft Discovery: The damaged wreck was identified as a TBF Avenger, an American torpedo bomber equipped with airborne radar, indicating Allied counterattacks against Rabaul.
• Quote: “That is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in the water.” – Pete Kelsey, upon discovering the wrecks.

II. Uncovering the Underground Fortress

To understand how the Japanese sustained their defense of Rabaul for so long, the team investigated reports of a hidden underground fortress. Local historian Rob Rawlinson led them to a network of tunnels on the outskirts of town.

• Tunnel System: The tunnels were reinforced with concrete and coconut palm supports, creating a vast, multi-level underground city.
• 3D Laser Scanning: Pete used 3D laser scanning technology to create a detailed digital model of the tunnels, revealing offices, barracks, and evidence of extensive occupation.
• Prisoner of War Evidence: Scans identified a section of the tunnels with small, enclosed spaces, leading Marty to believe these were used as holding cells for prisoners of war, potentially downed airmen and captured Australians.
• Forced Labor: Historical accounts and the speed of construction suggest prisoners were forced to work to death building the fortress.
• Quote: “So what? Downed airmen because of all these air raids?” – Marty Morgan, speculating on the purpose of the prison cells.

III. The Kokoda Trail & The Battle of Etoa

The team shifted their focus to the Kokoda Trail, where Australian forces halted the Japanese advance towards Port Moresby, Australia. They aimed to locate the battlefield of Etoa, a decisive engagement lost to time.

• Kokoda Trail Challenges: The Owen Stanley mountain range presented extreme logistical and environmental challenges for both sides.
• LiDAR Deployment: Pete deployed a drone equipped with LiDAR technology to scan the jungle floor, searching for signs of fighting positions.
• Drone Incident: The drone crashed during a scan due to challenging conditions, temporarily halting data collection.
• Ground Truthing & Artifact Discovery: Marty and archaeologist Kenneth Miamba investigated anomalies identified by the LiDAR scan. They discovered an Australian boot heel and, crucially, 1941-dated .303 caliber cartridges (one fired, one unfired) confirming the location as an Australian fighting position.
• Japanese Radio Discovery: The team unearthed a buried Japanese radio, a command-level device, suggesting a hasty retreat rather than a last stand.
• Quote: “If they did this, they didn’t stand and fight, they didn’t stand and fight to the death like they would, they withdrew, they withdrew under pressure from the enemy.” – Marty Morgan, interpreting the discovery of the buried radio.

IV. The Turning Tide & Legacy of the Conflict

The discovery at Etoa revealed that the Japanese were forced to retreat due to exhaustion, disease, and dwindling supplies, marking a turning point in the Kokoda Trail campaign. The team also investigated the wreckage of a B-24 bomber, highlighting the crucial role of American air support in supplying Allied forces.

• Japanese Retreat: The Japanese campaign stalled due to logistical failures, disease, and fierce Australian resistance.
• American Air Support: The B-24 bomber provided vital logistical support and bombing capabilities.
• Iconic Photograph: The team visited the location of a famous LIFE magazine photograph depicting the bodies of American soldiers, emphasizing the human cost of the war.
• Casualty Figures: Approximately 14,000 Allied soldiers and 200,000 Japanese soldiers lost their lives in the fight for Papua New Guinea.

Conclusion

The expedition successfully utilized advanced technology to uncover crucial evidence of WWII battles in Papua New Guinea. The discoveries at Rabaul, the underground fortress, and the battlefield of Etoa shed light on the strategic importance of the region, the resilience of the Allied forces, and the brutal realities of jungle warfare. The team’s work underscores the importance of preserving the memory of this often-forgotten campaign and honoring the sacrifices made by those who fought there. The use of LiDAR and photogrammetry proved invaluable in revealing hidden details and reconstructing the landscape of the past.