Emirau

Emirau Island, also called Emira, is an island in the Bismarck Archipelago located at 1°38.5′S 149°58.5′E / 1.6417°S 149.9750°E / -1.6417; 149.9750Coordinates: 1°38.5′S 149°58.5′E / 1.6417°S 149.9750°E / -1.6417; 149.9750. It is currently part of the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea. The local language is a dialect of the Mussau-Emira language. Early explorers named it Squally Island, a name still found in some early records.

Early in World War II this tiny island became international news when over 500 prisoners from various ships (including RMS Rangitane) sunk by German surface raiders were released following the first attack on Nauru and subsequently rescued by the Australian authorities.

Emirau was seized unopposed by two battalions of the 4th Marine Division on 20 March 1944.

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