Alexander Forrest, Lost In Akolet (DOCUMENTARY & STREET 2024)

A young Akolet boy rests after a morning of carving through the harsh humid jungle just West of Gasmata, Papua New Guinea. He leans on a lost World War II artefact beside his machete. The engine is from an Australian aircraft shot down by the Japanese Empire in the 1943 battle for Papua New Guinea. Amongst many of his tribe members, the boy bravely volunteered himself to assist with a personal mission of my family's... In early 2024, with Minderoo Foundation, we embarked on yet another expedition for the continuing search of Beaufort Bomber A9-188, flown by my great uncle David John Forrest who lost his life in the battle, age 23. My uncle Andrew has been spearheading this mission for some time now with an equally determined crew who have become dearly attached to David's story. Within the womb of Papua New Guinea we have discovered a number of aircraft from each combatant, edging us closer and closer to A9-188, unearthing some 80 year old missing war artefacts and personnel, and bringing a small level of closure to families like ours. Families who have been wondering of their loved one's final resting place. This boy and all the local peoples have provided an immeasurable amount of support to us. Their reports and great knowledge of the area have made each expedition incredibly promising. The search for David continues...

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