My dad arrived at Ponam in the Admiralty Islands in June 1945 as part of the British Pacific Fleet. When I was researching his service record I discovered that he was a member of MONAB 4 (Mobile Naval Operating Air Bases). His diary records arriving at Ponam: Saturday 2nd June 1945 Yesterday we weighed anchor in the morning and a few hours sailing brought us to Ponam, a small island just off the main one, two miles long by six hundred yards wide. Highest point above sea level 6 ft. About 12.00 we came ashore in the cutter and surveyed our new home. To look at it is a typical desert island complete with lagoon, coral and wind swept palm trees. Vegetation found growing naturally appears to be coconut palms, wild orange trees, bread fruit with a few tropical flowers and grasses. The seasons appear to be two – wet and dry. (Now we are at the end of the wet). Rainstorms are fairly common. The main island of Manus lies about a mile across the straits and is fairly large. I jud