Gasmata
Encyclopedia
Gasmata is a village
on the southern coast of New Britain
, Papua New Guinea
located at 6° 16' 60S 150° 19' 60E. It is serviced by Gasmata Airport
.
The Imperial Japanese occupied the village between 8–9 February 1942 during World War II
. A war crime
occurred in March 1942 when between eight and ten Australian prisoners of war were executed by firing squad by being shot in the back.
Gasmata was liberated by an Australian Army
unit on 28 March 1944.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
on the southern coast of New Britain
New Britain
New Britain, or Niu Briten, is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. It is separated from the island of New Guinea by the Dampier and Vitiaz Straits and from New Ireland by St. George's Channel...
, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
located at 6° 16' 60S 150° 19' 60E. It is serviced by Gasmata Airport
Gasmata Airport
Gasmata Airport is an airport in Gasmata, Papua New Guinea .-Airlines and destinations:...
.
The Imperial Japanese occupied the village between 8–9 February 1942 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A war crime
War crime
War crimes are serious violations of the laws applicable in armed conflict giving rise to individual criminal responsibility...
occurred in March 1942 when between eight and ten Australian prisoners of war were executed by firing squad by being shot in the back.
Gasmata was liberated by an Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
unit on 28 March 1944.