The legacy of the World War 2 in Biak

The Japan Cave

The original name of the cave is ABYAU Binsar in the Biak language. During World War II, the cave is called the Japan Cave, because the Japanese army use it as a logistics center and the hiding center. More than 5000 Japanese soldiers trapped and die in its cave due to a sudden attack of the allied soldiers. The cave visited by many tourists from foreign countries, especially from Japan. Located in the Village Sumberker approximately 15 minutes from Biak city and could be reached by all types of Vehicles.

The World War II Monument

This monument was built by the Japanese Government in Parai village which stored a number of bones of the Japanese army troops who died in World War II. This location is chosen because in the years 1942 - 1944 this place is used as the Trade Center by the Japan government in addition to the base of defense. To reach the monument is required about 15 minutes from the town of Biak. (source: papua.go.id)
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Papua an Overview

Papua is a land of contrasts, with some of the most impenetrable jung¬les in the world and snowcapped mountain peaks towering over glacial lakes. Papua is Indonesia’s lar¬gest and eastern most province and covers the western half of the world’s second largest island. It is a land of exceptional natural grandeur; with beautiful scenic beaches, immemse stretches of marshlands, cool grassy meadows and powerful rivers carving gorges through dense primeval forests. The most heavily populated and cultivated parts of the island are the Paniai Lakes district and the Baliem Valley to the east.

The people of the island can be divided into more than 250 sub-groups, including the Marin¬da¬nim, Yah’ray, Asmat, Mandobo, Dani and Afyat. Those in the central highlands still maintain their customs and traditions, virtually untouched by outside influences.

The different tribes have lived, for the most part, in isolation from even one another, resulting in an incredibly diverse mixture of cultures. The coastal regions of Papua, however, were visited as early as the 7th century by traders from Sriwijaya.

European traders looking for spices began arriving in the early 16th century, and have left historical footprints in the area with names such as Bougainville, Cape d’Urville and the Torres Straits. It was the Dutch who made the most lasting impact on the island, when in 1828 they formally made Papua a Dutch Territory, which it remained until 1962.

The provincial capital of Jayapura is situated on hills which overlook the sea, and is accessible by boat and plane. It was here that General Mac Arthur assembled his fleet for the invasion of the Philippines during the Second World War.(Ref: my-indonesia.info)
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