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History
History
Kalibobo Light House stands on Kalibobo Point, the finger of land guarding the entrance to Madang Harbor. During the Second World War, this coastline was fought over by Allied and Japanese forces. On 24th April 1944 , Australia troops broke a small Japanese rearward and entered Madang, ending the occupation of the town.
The light house itself is a memorial to the Coast Watchers — the small, scattered network of observes who stayed behind enemy lines throughout the Pacific war, radioing warning of enemy ships and aircraft back to the Allies. It was erected by public subscription and the Commonwealth Government in 1959, in honor of the Coast Watchers and the Papua New Guineans who sheltered and assisted them at great personal risk.
KEY DATES
KEY DATES
A brief timeline
A brief timeline
1939 - 1946
1939 - 1946
Coast Watchers operate from jungle hideouts across the Pacific, including around Madang, sending teleradio reports that helped the Allies track enemy ships and impending air attacks.
24 April 1944
24 April 1944
Australian forces defeat a small Japanese rearguard and enter Madang, as recorded on the memorial's 5th Australian Division plaque.
1959
1959
The Coast Watchers Light is erected on Kalibobo Point by public subscription and the Commonwealth Government, in gratful memory of the Coast Watchers and the loyal Papua New Guineans who assisted them.
Today
Today
Kalibobo Light House still guides ship into Madang Harbor, and its grounds remain a place of remembrance.
ROLL OF HONOUR
ROLL OF HONOUR
The Memorial Plaque
The Memorial Plaque
Five bronze Plaques stand on the memorial wall beside the light house.
The Coast Watchers Light
The Coast Watchers Light
In honour and grateful memory of the Coast Watchers and of the loyal native who assisted them in their heroic service behind enemy lines during the Second World War, providing intelligence vital to Allied operations- including timely warning of enemy ships and air attacks. Erected by public subscription and the Commonwealth Government in 1959.
The Fallen Coast Watchers
The Fallen Coast Watchers
A roll of honor listing the Coast Watchers who lost their lives in service.
"They watched and warned and died that we might live."
"They watched and warned and died that we might live."
5th Australian Division
5th Australian Division
Records that a platoon and a patrol of Australian battalions defeat a small Japanese rearguard and entered Madang on 24 April 1944.
In Memory 1914—1945
In Memory 1914—1945
To the glory of God and in memory of the men and women who served in the 1914—1918 war.
Tok Pisin Memorial
Tok Pisin Memorial
A plaque written in Tok Posin, honouring the name of the same Coast Watchers and the Papua New Guinean scouts and Villiers who assisted them during the war.
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