Al's war artifacts
This page consists of pictures of the artifacts mentioned in 'Al's Tales'.
These are various items Al Roberts brought back with him from the Pacific campaign.
The Peso note is Japanese invasion money printed for the Philippines, the Guilder is for use in Dutch New Guinea. They are from the bank that had been hit by a bomb. The shilling note was printed for use in British New Guinea, the notes were found by Al in the bomb damaged bank in Hollandia.
Carved wooden pig from the Trobriand Islands filled with "betel nut mortar". The islanders chewed a mixture of betel nut and lime powder which produced a mild "high", in addition to using it to enhance their wood carvings. Al traded with the natives for this. Probably cigarettes and candy.
The Trobriand Islands turtle. The history is the same as the pig, except of course no betel nut mortar used on this carving.
This is the cigarette case that Al made on Biak, Dutch New Guinea. The case is made from bits of a Jap fighter that Al found wrecked in the jungle.
Al inscribed his initials on this side and as you saw, 'Biak' and a palm tree on the other. The transparent lid is made from the windshield of the Jap plane. (I guess Al wanted to keep an eye on his 'stock')
There is some Japanese writing on the lid, you can't make it out in this picture. I will try to get a better picture, maybe someone can tell me what it means!