Kokoda Spirit Newsletter
February 2008  Issue 20

February 27, 2008

Kokoda Spirit Discovers Japanese soldier's skeleton

Wayne Wetherall and crew on the Kokoda Trail made around the world news with the discovery of the remains of a Japanese soldier.

It is believed to be the first time in 30 years a complete skeleton has been found on the narrow 96-km trail, the scene of several fierce battles fought between Japanese and Australian soldiers from 1942 to 1943.

Listen to an interview with Wayne on ABC National and read the rest of the stories at the Kokoda Spirit news page.

"Occasionally, we will come across single bones, soldiers' boots, bullets, grenades and weapon pits. But to find a full set of human remains is very unusual because of the ravages of war and time, and the fact that most soldiers were buried in very shallow graves in a hurry," Wetherall said.

The discovery was made in the Mount Bellamy area on February 10.  The group also found another two sets of boots nearby, making it likely the remains of at least two more soldiers are close by.

Regards
Wayne & Michelle Wetherall
Kokoda Spirit
"In the footsteps of heroes"