Veterans visit Balikpapan

Veterans visit Balikpapan

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (JP): More than 120 Australians,
including 38 World War II veterans, arrived on Friday for a visit
to commemorate a battle that took place in this city fifty years
ago.

"The visit is meant to commemorate the battle to liberate
Balikpapan from the Japanese colonialists half a century ago,"
head of the Australian veterans' delegation Allan Hawake was
quoted by Antara as saying.

He said the visit, sponsored by the Australian government, was
also meant to commemorate the end of the World War II 50 years
ago.

The delegation, which included a number of in-service soldiers
and drummers, arrived at Sepinggan airport in Balikpapan on
Friday and held a ceremony at an Australian soldiers' monument in
the city on Saturday to commemorate the Australian soldiers who
died in the battle.

Hawake, who is also secretary to the Australian veterans'
department, said eight of the 38 visiting veterans were soldiers
who fought in the battle.

"Some 280 Australian soldiers died in the battle to liberate
Balikpapan," he said.

He said that the delegation would also visit Tarakan in East
Kalimantan, where they would hold a similar commemorative
ceremony, before leaving for Sandakan in Sabah, East Malaysia.
(imn)