Crashed Bitoi Valley, New Guinea, on October 30, 1941. Photo from: National Library of Australia

The wreckage of VH-AAX after being strafed by Japanese aircraft at the start of Papua New Guinea Campaign in World War II.

This aircraft had quite a history before coming to New Guinea. Originally registered NC4806, then in Spain as M-CKAA, EC-KKA, then in the UK as G-ACAK. Acquired by Holden's Air Transport Service in 1935 but sold to Guinea Airways two years later. In the background of this image are Ford 5-AT-C VH-UTB and a Stinson Reliant, possibly VH-UGC.

Impressed by the RAAF as A45-1 during World War II. Photo by Peter N Johnston.

VH-UVB in the aftermath of a Japanese air raid on January 21, 1942. In March Salamaua and the airstrip were occupied by the Japanese army. The airstrip was won back by Australian troops in September 1943. The airstrip was abandoned after the war. The jungle has reclaimed it but the area is still pock-marked with bomb craters