NATIVES PUNISHED

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1943, Page 4

NATIVES PUNISHED

AID IN JAP ATROCITIES IN NEW GUINEA.

(Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 9.15) SYDNEY, May 16. Seven renegade New Guinea natives have been hanged, five await hanging and many others await trial for a series of atrocities against sixteen white men and four white women. The crimes charged against these berserk natives, abetted by the Japanese, include betray,al, rape, murder, and treason. All the victims of the atrocities, which occurred between July 7 and September of last year were bayonetted, clubbed to death or beheaded. The murdered whites, comprised four Anglican mission nurses, four Anglican missionaries, six American airmen, and five Australian Army personnel, and a plantation owner. The malefactors, who were captured near Buna, were led by 7 Embogi, a twentyt-five year old native, who had already spent ten years in prison. . Because his tribesmen have since “pointed the hone” at him it is thought he may pine away before he can be executed. Thirteen white people fleeing from the Gona Mission area in Northern Papua, following the Japanese landings there, were betrayed to the enemy 7 by two native boys. The party was ambushed, and all bdt two women were killed. The natives beat some of the men to death with clubs. The women, both Anglican Mission nurses, were bayonetted and stabbed to death by the Japanese after they had resisted attempts at rape. Two more mission sisters were among the party attempting to escape from the enemy at Oro Bay. They were captured by 7 the natives as they! were crossing the Ambogo River. They were stripped naked and driven across the river like cattle, being then handed over to the Japanese who took them to Buna. It i s fairly certain that all were beheaded and their bodies thrown into the sea. Twentylive natives concerned in this crime are still awaiting trial. Officials stress the fact that the renegades have been hut a tiny minority amon? New Guinea natives. '