The Australian High Commission in Port Moresby has worked with the government of Oro Province to construct and unveil a new memorial at Kokoda to honour primarily the Papuan Infantry Battalion. The Australian Government Kokoda Initiative Partnership was the entity which initiated and funded this project.
This memorial was unveiled on 3 November 2025 because it was on 3 November 1942 that the Australian Flag was formally raised at Kokoda in the presence of General Vasey, Australian troops and indigenous Carriers to signify the re-occupation of Kokoda Village. The Japanese Army had retreated from Kokoda as a result of sustained battle pressure from Australian ground forces pushing north along the Kokoda Track during October 1942.
The image used on this Plaque is of Warrant Officer Bengari MM (PIB) from Wuwu Village in the then-Morobe District. The caption below his image notes “Military Medal awarded 21 February 1944 for outstanding courage, Salamaua to Komiatum”. Bengari’s image may have been chosen here because he was both very brave and a skilled leader. Like Matpi and Tapioli, he was recommended for bravery awards and promoted in rank several times. The PIB Colour Patch is displayed although the vertical strip colour differs from most records.
The text used on this plaque provides overdue recognition to the often-overlooked war-time indigenous Servicemen and their Australian officers. It states as follows:
“In recognition of the bravery and sacrifice of the men of the PAPUAN INFANTRY BATTALION and other uniformed Papua New Guineans who served during WW11.
The Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) was a unit of the Australian Army raised in the Territory of Papua in 1940. Upon the Japanese landings near Buna and Gona, a small PIB unit were the first Allied troops to engage the Japanese at Awala, 35 kilometres east of Kokoda. As part of Maroubra Force, the PIB fought alongside the Australian 39th Battalion at Kokoda, Deniki, and Isurava during the Kokoda Campaign (1942), and took part in pushing the Japanese westward along the north coast of New Guinea in 1943-44.
Four New Guinea Infantry Battalions (NGIB) were also raised beginning in March 1944. The PIB and NGIB were reorganised into the Pacific Islands Regiment (PIR) in November 1944. The PIR served with distinction in Bougainville in 1945 until the end of the war.
The PIB were nicknamed the “Green Shadows” by the Japanese for their stealthiness in the bush and became known for their courage and tenacity in battle. Australian and American troops relied heavily on the local knowledge, wayfinding and bushcraft of the PIB, NGIB, PIR, as well as the Royal Papuan Constabulary (RPC), to operate in the difficult conditions of Papua and New Guinea. Many were decorated for bravery.
The Pacific Islands Regiment was re-formed in 1951, becoming the direct predecessor of today’s Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).”
The Australian High Commission and Oro Province Government deserve congratulations for this permanent recognition at Kokoda of the PIB’s war-time role.
Greg Ivey