Thieves steal Aussie memorial in PNG

Thieves in Papua New Guinea have stolen an Australian War Memorial plaque for a
second time, most likely to sell it to scrap metal dealers.
The bronze plaque was taken last month from the Australian War Memorial in Wau in
Morobe province on PNG's northern coast.
But it was later found in a scrap metal yard and restored to the memorial.
But thieves have since lifted it again.
Australia's acting High Commissioner to PNG, John Feakes, has condemned the act in a
written statement.
"The repeat theft is very disappointing," he said.
"These plaques are an important means of commemorating those who defended PNG in
World War II."
Feakes urged locals to return the plaques or provide information on its whereabouts.
Last month, Wau local tour operator Tim Vincent stumbled across the stolen plaque in
a scrap metal yard.
After some terse negotiations, he took back the plaque and worked to restore it to
its rightful place at the War Memorial site.
At the time of the theft Vincent said he feared the plaque would be stolen again as
thieves had stolen numerous memorial plaques from historic sites in the surrounding
area and sold them for scrap.
"These have included not only the Wau memorial, but also family graves and other
historic markers," he said.
The Wau memorial commemorates those who fought a battle against a Japanese force in
early 1943.
The Japanese, having failed to reach Port Moresby by advancing over the Owen Stanley
Range along the Kokoda Track, marched on Wau and its strategic mountain airfield.
But Australian and New Guinea Volunteer Riflemen drove the Japanese back towards the
coast.