The forgotten sacrifices of Papuans during the Second World War

For the past seven years, Papuans have been demanding recognition of the sacrifices made by their elders during the Pacific War (1941-1945).

In Sentani, not far from the airport in Jayapura, the capital of Papua, stands a monument commemorating the landing of General MacArthur and his troops in May 1944.  This event marked the beginning of the liberation of the Asia-Pacific region from the shackles of the fascist Japanese army.

Many history books describe at length the thousands of American and Australian soldiers who died fighting the Dai Nippon forces. However, there are virtually no sources explaining the crucial role played by Papuans in helping the Allies, particularly on the West Papua and New Guinea fronts. 

History should not ignore their sacrifices: those who worked as porters, forest guides, translators, militiamen and soldiers. Many Papuans also took the initiative to resist the Japanese when the Allies landed. Not only in coastal areas, but also in mountainous regions. The Mee tribe fought hard against the Japanese at Paniai. Many of them were killed. The indigenous Papuans also helped save a number of missionaries, including Father Herman Tillemans, who later became bishop of Merauke.

On behalf of the Allies, General Mac Arthur, in his speech at Ifar Gunung, Sentani, promised independence, to the regions that had helped his troops win the battle against Japan. While most Indonesians chose to collaborate with the Japanese to achieve independence, Papuans selflessly supported the Allies from the outset.

Ironically, in August 1962, the United States encouraged the UN to facilitate Indonesia's occupation of Papua. For many Papuans, MacArthur's monument in Sentani is nothing less than a sign of the broken promises America and its allies have made to them. Some say the monument should be destroyed. Indeed, the Papuans have made many sacrifices, but Western countries have never reciprocated.