World War II Relics

World War II Relics

Both of Bougainville’s main islands played a part in the War in the Pacific during World War II.

Japanese, American, Australian and New Zealand forces spent time serving in Bougainville. The relics left behind from the war are scattered all over the island from east to west, north to south, and even on some of its offshore islands. 

Tanks, ships, battlegrounds, bunkers, and aircraft can be found in most areas around Bougainville and are just waiting to be discovered by the adventurous traveller! Southern Bougainville has the most easy-to-access relics, with some right in central town area of Buin.

Yamamoto crash site &Wreck

The Admiral Yamamoto Crash Site near Buin is possibly the most renowned of our WWII relics. On 18 April 1943, American codebreakers identified Admiral Yamamoto’s flight plans, and his Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” bomber was shot down by Allied P-38 Lightning Fighters, crashing into the thick jungle of southern Bougainville.  Yamamoto was commander-in-chief of Japan’s Combined Fleet and architect of the Pearl Harbor attack — his death was a devastating blow to Japanese morale.

The aircraft wreckage has been scavenged by souvenir hunters over the decades, but parts of the fuselage remain where it crashed. Part of one wing has been removed and is displayed at the Isoroku Yamamoto Family Museum in Nagaoka, Japan, and one of the aircraft’s doors is at the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery.

The crash site is on private land so permission must be obtained before visiting. Visitors arriving at the wreck will first see pieces of the plane that broke apart as it came down through the jungle, then reach the main section, which consists of the rear fuselage and part of the engine. You can still see the internal gunway and a rear gun window.

The crash site lies in the jungle approx 14 km from Buin, and over an hour’s walk from the nearest road, (roughly 4.5 km), through grassy land and thick jungle — the path is flat but muddy, and at points requires crossing streams.

To arrange a local guide to visit the wreck, contact the district office: +675 8260 1664

or Joseph at Lake Luluru Adventures on +675 712 19301 or + 675 7213 4698