Papuans and New Guineans

Before gaining independence in 1975, the territory of Papua New Guinea was administered by Australia, which meant that the peoples of Papua and New Guinea were an indigenous population under Australian government administration. During the Second World War, the success of the campaigns in the Southwest Pacific Area of operations relied heavily upon Indigenous labour. For their work as carriers along the Kokoda Trail, Papuans became affectionately known by Australians as “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels”. As well as serving as carriers, as police in the Royal Papuan Constabulary and in other support roles, Papuans and New Guineans also served as soldiers in the Pacific Island Regiment. The names of Papuan and New Guinean soldiers killed while serving in these battalions are listed upon the Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour.

The view of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel as primitive – detached from the real conflict – is a construct of the colonial era and ignores the fact that Papuans assessed the situation and chose sides accordingly, siding with who they felt offered the best opportunity for survival for themselves and their families. Many carriers were forcibly recruited, retained against their will, and often treated poorly.