Rabaul was occupied by the Japanese during the WWII form 1942 to 1945.It was an advanced base for them to progress in the Pacific. They were regularly bombed by the Allies stationed in the Vanuatu. The bombers could just make it to Rabaul, and for the survivors to get back.
The Japanese used local people (slaves) and prisoners to dig 6m of tunnel per day per team to get sheltered from these bombings. More than 300km were hollowed out in this time.
Again thanks Rod we could join Sarah’s family for a ride and Rod brought us to unbelievable places. First we went to the hospital place close to the beach.
Locals brought us thru galleries crossing each other on multiple levels coming together at a point. You could easily get lost. Looking at the walls they did a very nice digging job.
The second part was quite exiting. Rod drove us up the hill; we past the observatory, stopped in the middle of no were and walked thru the bush to get to a small entrance we had to crawl in.
Ones inside, we made our way to find the stairs bringing us up to an observatory place sheltered from the bombing and get to the exit.They were stiff, about 45 degrees. At the beginning the ground was soft and you had to dig in your nails not to slip.
Later we found concrete steps to walk our way up. It was much easier.
From the top we have nice over view of the harbor form the bunker a tight tunnel brought us out the hill.Ones again thank you Sarah and Rod for letting us shares with you this other magnificent journey in your company.

On another occasion we went to the barge tunnels. Along the shore close to the hills, tunnels were hollowed out to shelter up to 4 barges.
These barges were used to carries supplies from the ships to the shore; they were put on rails and pulled into the tunnels.
These barges were used to carries supplies from the ships to the shore; they were put on rails and pulled into the tunnels.

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