[ Sankei Shimbun April 18, 2003] English Translation

Sankei Shimbun, April 18, 2003
1942/43 New Guinea - American is looking for relatives
This photograph was taken in 1942/43 in New Guinea. It shows a group of Japanese Army Air Force men. A young American is trying to locate the soldiers themselves or their relatives. Mr. Justin Taylan has been and is traveling extensively in the New Guinea area to search for aircraft, remains etc. He says that he is trying to understand the sufferings the Allied and Japanese went through when they fought in this area.

He states that he would like to return items found to the soldiers themselves or, if they have passed on, to their surviving relatives. The man in question is Mr. Justin Taylan (25) of New York in the United States. His grandfather was a photographer with US Forces in the Pacific War and went to New Guinea and the Philippines between 1942 and 1945.

Mr. Taylan first visited the South pacific together with his grandfather in 1993. He became interested in the history of this conflict and has since visited the area many times. He also established a website on the topic as he wishes to hand down this information to future generations.

The photos were given to him by an ex serviceman who wished them to be returned to their rightful owners. There are pictures of Army Air Force members, Ki-48s, pilots and the inside of an aircraft.
20,000 Allied soldiers landed in Nov. of 1942 and fought 2,000 japanese, who all perished.

Mr. Taylan then contacted Mr. Alfred Weinzierl of Osaka, Japan, a Pacific War researcher who then contacted our newspaper. Mr. Weinzierl says: The japanese soldiers who died in WW2 fought for their country. We would like to bring back to Japan items such as photos and their remains. They can be contacted at: info@pacificghosts.com