This collection is comprised of materials concerning Papua, New Guinea, collected by Richard J. Coffee of the United States Air Force. The collection contains a 19-page copy of a typed manuscript entitled "Daily Jottings On a Weeks Visit" by Herschel W. Carney. The manuscript details Carney's visit to the Wagi Valley during his service in the Air Corps. Carney spent a week in the interior of Papua New Guinea during July 1945 and describes the people and environment. The collection also includes three black-and-white photographic prints depicting indigneous men, women and children.
Biographical / Historical:
Prior to World War II, the territories of Papua and New Guinea were administered by the Commonwealth of Australia under mandates from both the British government and the League of Nations. The Japanese invasion in December 1941 brought an end to civil administration and much of the territory of New Guinea was occupied by Japanese forces before being recaptured by Australian and American forces during the final months of the war. In his manuscript, Carney describes visiting a government settlement that had been re-established by the Australians in early 1944.
Local Numbers:
NAA MS 2004-23
Topic:
Indigenous peoples -- Papua New Guinea Search this
Genre/Form:
Typescripts
Photocopies
Photographic prints
Photographs
Citation:
MS 2004-23, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
