Unexpected
In an interview with The Times, Freeman said, “I thought we might just a find a couple of old weapons, but there were guns, mines, helmets, water bottles. It was incredibly emotional knowing that you were looking at items that had been dropped as those Japanese and Australian soldiers lost their lives. And the dead lay just where they had fallen or were laid by their comrades…It was as if the battle had just happened.”
The Discovery Allowed Them To Really See What Happened
An Australian general named Peter Cosgrave was also given the chance to visit the site. He stated, “Our metal detectors picked up rifles, ammunition, and helmets of Australian and Japanese soldiers, all illustrating that this location was a significant Japanese defensive position.” He also added, “You can see the positions held on both sides. You can see where they treated their wounded. You can see the Australians advance.”