Kokoda tourist 'finds WWII pilot's body'

[Rufus®]

A VICTORIAN police officer taking photographs of exotic plants on Papua New Guinea's Kokoda Track has discovered what is thought to be the remains of a World War II pilot.
The officer captured the moss-covered skeleton of what could prove to be an airman lost during heavy fighting nearly 70 years ago, hanging from metal cabling on a tree.

Guide David Collins from Melbourne's No-Roads trekking company has informed Australian, US and Japanese authorities in PNG's capital Port Moresby who are now investigating the remains.

The three countries are now checking records to see if any pilots were reported missing in that area.

Mr Collins said the skeleton was discovered hanging from the jungle canopy at the top of the Owen Stanley Range, halfway along the historic 96km path, where 600 Australian troops died fighting Japanese forces.

"We had a few police officers on the 19-man trek," he said.

"One was taking and photos with a large lens of the trees and flowers," he said.

"He then discovered what looks like the remains of a body.

"It wasn't until the wind blew that you could really see it is in a harness, there are goggles and it appears to be caught up in cables, so presumably it is an airman," he said.

Wow, what a find! 70 odd years of hanging in the trees and he's still there. As much as I'd love for this to be a WWII airman it'll be awhile before it's known.

You'd think the skeleton would have fallen apart as the muscles and tissue would disintegrate long before moss took hold, but what do you know!

Hopefully he will receive the burial deserved and be laid to rest with fellow service personnel.

[minux]

I would love to do the kokoda track walk, not sure how my legs would go though

Have to say, for this Policeman, it makes the whole experience so much better after finding this...not only does he get to experience what our diggers did, he got to find one to finally lay to rest...simply amazing.

[vlv8vic]

Must have been a fit bugger to be looking around.... i'd be that stuffed i'd be stuck watching my feet drag each step. Although i reckon doing the track would put an extra 'something' in your step... just the experience.

[CSP]

If you want to do it, you better hurry. It won't be around much longer.

[Rufus®]

It would be an extremely humbling experience thats for sure. It makes you wonder if he was alive when he was stranded, and how many others are out there just like him!

[minux]

If you want to do it, you better hurry. It won't be around much longer.

Whys that? I heard a deal was struck with the locals to keep that whole section.