Description of series:
A collection of 58 folders from several different series, started at Rabaul but subsequently re-numbered with W.C. numbers at Manus W.C.C. Files with previous numbers A1-A12 and 1-15 take their numbers from W.C.C. Rabaul papers, while those marked 73/no., 137/no. take theirs from H.Q., 8th Military DistrictRabaul, papers. There are a few files with no previous numbers. The last file on the check list was apparently missed out when W.C. numbering was done, but belongs to the 1-15 series. The files deal with matters concerning the
concentration of previously convicted war criminals and war criminal suspects at Rabaul from Dec.1945 onwards, the preparations for war trials, Japanese Legal Section defending the accused and the
collection of evidence for use at the trials.
History Prior/Subsequent to Transfer:
These files were created at Rabaul, those from Series A1-A12 and 1-15 by W.C.C. authorities, and the rest by H.Q., 8th Military District. On closing the H.Q. 8th Military District, at the end of 1947, the latter files were handed over to W..C.C. which added to them. The files were all transferred, with the compound, to Manus Island in March 1949, and a few papers were added at Manus by A.M.F.
authorities. The latter also renumbered the files with W.C. numbers, making one set of them. The files, along with other records of the compound, were handed over to the Navy in March 1950, when R.A.N. authorities assumed control of the compound. On the closing of the compound in July 1953 they were kept at H.M.A.S. "Tarangau" until all compound records were transferred to Navy Archives, Melbourne, in 1958.
Administrative information
The following data was keyed from the paper documentation:
Form number: CA 17
Creating department: , Army, Northern Command, War Criminals Compound, Rabaul and Manus Island, , Transferring department: , NAVY, NAVAL OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, NORTH EASTERN AREA, H.M.A.S. "TARANGAU", MANUS ISLAND, WAR CRIMINALS COMPOUND
Date of transfer: 30/01/1959
Archives file number: RWM31/25/2