New Guinea
- Location: Pacific Ocean, North of Australia
The second largest island in the world, New Guinea is currently controlled by two countries. The western half of the island, Irian Jaya, is a part of Indonesia, and the eastern half is the independent country of Papua New Guinea.
At the start of World War II parts of the island were under the control of the Dutch (that which later became Irian Jaya) and the Australians (the separate territories of Papua and New Guinea). Japanese forces occupied parts of New Guinea during the war. The two territories remained under Australian administration until 1975 when Papua New Guinea became an independent country.
Notes
Daniel Ryan, the brother of Private James Ryan, was killed on New Guinea sometime before June 6, 1944.