WW2/Battles of WW2/Date-by-Date/Southeast Asia – Japanese Invasion • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Japan's swift conquest of the oil-rich Dutch East Indies, whose Allied ABDA naval command was destroyed at the Battle of the Java Sea before the islands surrendered. (January – March 1942)
Chronological Storyline (21 Milestones)
Jan 10, 1942 CE
Japan declares war on the Netherlands
The Empire of Japan formally declared war on the Kingdom of the Netherlands, opening hostilities against Dutch colonial forces in the East Indies. This diplomatic move preceded the imminent amphibious assaults on the archipelago's oil-rich islands. Source — Wikipedia:
Japanese invasion of Java By Unknown author - Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8612320Battle for the Dutch East Indies - Pacific War #8 Animated DOCUMENTARY
Jan 11, 1942 CE
Japanese land at Tarakan, Borneo
Japanese forces under Major General Shizuo Sakaguchi landed at Tarakan, capturing the vital oil fields on the northeast coast of Borneo. The Dutch garrison destroyed oil facilities before surrendering, delaying Japan's access to fuel. Source — Wikipedia: )
Jan 23, 1942 CE
Balikpapan landing and naval battle
Japanese troops landed at Balikpapan, Borneo's richest oil center. In response, US Navy destroyers under Admiral Thomas C. Hart launched a night torpedo attack, sinking four Japanese transports in the Makassar Strait. Source — Wikipedia: )
Japanese troops of the Sakaguchi Detachment advancing through the burning oilfields of Balikpapan, 24 January 1942 By Netherlands Ministry of Defense - https://www.defensie.nl/binaries/defensie/documenten/publicaties/2017/03/31/literatuurlijst-verovering-van-nederlands-indie-door-japan/PROEF_201750198_WEB_A5_Literatuurlijst+Verovering+N-1.pdf, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107252098
Jan 24, 1942 CE
Battle of Balikpapan concludes
The Japanese secured Balikpapan and its oil infrastructure despite the US naval interdiction. The destroyer attack was the first major US surface action of the Pacific War but failed to prevent the Japanese occupation of Borneo's oil facilities. Source — Wikipedia: )
Japanese troops of the Sakaguchi Detachment advancing through the burning oilfields of Balikpapan, 24 January 1942 By Netherlands Ministry of Defense - https://www.defensie.nl/binaries/defensie/documenten/publicaties/2017/03/31/literatuurlijst-verovering-van-nederlands-indie-door-japan/PROEF_201750198_WEB_A5_Literatuurlijst+Verovering+N-1.pdf, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107252098
Jan 31, 1942 CE
Battle of Makassar Strait
ABDA surface forces under Dutch Admiral Karel Doorman attempted to intercept Japanese convoys in the Makassar Strait but were attacked by Japanese bombers. The Allied fleet withdrew without engaging, revealing its vulnerability to air power. Source — Wikipedia:
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Marblehead (CL-12) at Tjilatjap, Java, in February 1942, after she had been damaged by Japanese high-level bombing attack in the Java Sea on 4 February 1942 in the Battle of Makassar Strait. This view shows the effect of an enemy bomb which struck her stern. Her after 6"/53 gun turret is at left. Note the blanked off portholes on her hull side. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-237439, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1430745
Feb 4, 1942 CE
ABDA fleet bombed in Java Sea
Admiral Doorman's ABDA Combined Striking Force was spotted by Japanese aircraft while attempting to intercept a convoy near Surabaya. Sustained bombing damaged two cruisers and forced the fleet to retire, highlighting Allied air inferiority. Source — Wikipedia:
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Marblehead (CL-12) at Tjilatjap, Java, in February 1942, after she had been damaged by Japanese high-level bombing attack in the Java Sea on 4 February 1942 in the Battle of Makassar Strait. This view shows the effect of an enemy bomb which struck her stern. Her after 6"/53 gun turret is at left. Note the blanked off portholes on her hull side. By Unknown author - U.S. Navy photo 80-G-237439, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1430745
Feb 14, 1942 CE
Japanese paratroopers assault Palembang
Japanese airborne troops of the 1st Parachute Brigade dropped near Palembang, Sumatra, targeting the critical oil refineries and airfields. The surprise airborne assault was one of the first major parachute operations in the Pacific Theater. Source — Wikipedia:
Paratroopers of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) descend upon Palembang in Sumatra, the Dutch East Indies during the Battle of Palembang, 13-15 February 1942. They were "Teishin Shudan" (Raiding Group) a Japanese special forces / airborne unit during World War 2. The unit was a division-level force of the IJAAF. By Imperial Japanese Army Air Service - Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/wwiipics/comments/anpx2w/imperial_japanese_army_air_force_paratroopers/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114213924
Feb 15, 1942 CE
Palembang oil fields fall to Japan
Japanese ground forces from the 38th Division linked up with paratroopers and captured Palembang, securing Sumatra's most valuable oil installations. Dutch and British defenders retreated south, losing one of the East Indies' most strategic assets. Source — Wikipedia:
Paratroopers of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service (IJAAS) descend upon Palembang in Sumatra, the Dutch East Indies during the Battle of Palembang, 13-15 February 1942. They were "Teishin Shudan" (Raiding Group) a Japanese special forces / airborne unit during World War 2. The unit was a division-level force of the IJAAF. By Imperial Japanese Army Air Service - Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/wwiipics/comments/anpx2w/imperial_japanese_army_air_force_paratroopers/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114213924
Feb 19, 1942 CE
Battle of Badung Strait
A Japanese invasion convoy headed for Bali was intercepted by ABDA naval forces under Admiral Doorman in a night action. Despite outnumbering the Japanese escort, the Allied force suffered losses and failed to stop the Bali landings. Source — Wikipedia:
A port side view of Admiral (Adm) Doorman's flagship, De Ruyter, at anchor shortly before her loss in the Battle of the Java Sea. Note the tall super structure and funnel and the two Fokker C14W aircraft midship. The cruiser is camouflaged in the two tone grey splinter pattern common to Dutch ships, taking part in the defence of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). De Ruyter was lost in the battle with Adm Doorman and 344 of its crew. By Naval Historical Collection - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9072099
Feb 19, 1942 CE
Japanese bomb Darwin, Australia
The same Japanese carrier strike force that attacked Pearl Harbor bombed Darwin, the main Allied staging base for the East Indies. Over 240 people were killed and multiple ships sunk, severely disrupting Allied logistics and reinforcement efforts. Source — Wikipedia:
The explosion of the MV Neptuna and clouds of smoke from oil storage tanks, hit during the first Japanese air raid on Australia's mainland, at Darwin on February 19, 1942. In the foreground is HMAS Deloraine, which escaped damage. By RAN Historical Collection - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5649974
Feb 20, 1942 CE
Bali airfield captured by Japanese
Japanese troops secured the airfield at Bali, giving them a forward air base within striking distance of Java. This critically reduced the warning time for Allied forces on Java facing imminent Japanese air attacks. Source — Wikipedia:
A port side view of Admiral (Adm) Doorman's flagship, De Ruyter, at anchor shortly before her loss in the Battle of the Java Sea. Note the tall super structure and funnel and the two Fokker C14W aircraft midship. The cruiser is camouflaged in the two tone grey splinter pattern common to Dutch ships, taking part in the defence of the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). De Ruyter was lost in the battle with Adm Doorman and 344 of its crew. By Naval Historical Collection - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9072099
Feb 25, 1942 CE
ABDA command dissolved by Wavell
General Archibald Wavell recommended the dissolution of the ABDA (American-British-Dutch-Australian) Command as the situation became untenable. Control of remaining Allied forces in Java was transferred to Dutch Lieutenant Governor General Hubertus van Mook. Source — Wikipedia:
American - British -Dutch - Australian command (ABDACOM) meeting with General Wavell for the first time. Seated around the table, from left: Admirals Layton, Helfrich, and Hart, General ter Poorten, Colonel Kengen, Royal Netherlands Army (at head of table), and Generals Wavell, Brett, and Brereton. By unknow - Post-Work: W.Wolny - ibiblio.org a collaboration of the centerforthepublicdomain.org, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=400279
Feb 27, 1942 CE
Allied cruisers sunk in Java Sea
During the afternoon and evening engagement, Japanese cruisers and destroyers under Admiral Takeo Takagi sank the Dutch cruisers De Ruyter and Java with torpedoes, killing Admiral Doorman. The ABDA fleet was effectively destroyed as a fighting force. Source — Wikipedia:
The forward 203 mm (8 in) guns of the heavy cruiser Haguro taken during a break from the action in the battle of the Java Sea. Earlier in the battle, these guns crippled the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter, and later assisted in finishing her off. By Unknown author - Imperial Japanese Navy Photograph Archive, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156780272
Feb 27, 1942 CE
Battle of the Java Sea begins
Admiral Karel Doorman led the ABDA Combined Striking Force to intercept a Japanese Eastern Invasion Convoy approaching Java. The resulting naval battle was the largest surface engagement in the region and a pivotal moment of the campaign. Source — Wikipedia:
The forward 203 mm (8 in) guns of the heavy cruiser Haguro taken during a break from the action in the battle of the Java Sea. Earlier in the battle, these guns crippled the heavy cruiser HMS Exeter, and later assisted in finishing her off. By Unknown author - Imperial Japanese Navy Photograph Archive, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156780272
Feb 28, 1942 CE
HMAS Perth and USS Houston sunk
The surviving Allied cruisers HMAS Perth and USS Houston attempted to escape through the Sunda Strait but encountered a Japanese invasion force at Bantam Bay. Both ships were sunk in a fierce night engagement, with heavy loss of life. Source — Wikipedia:
The Royal Australian Navy light cruiser HMAS Perth (D29) in 1942. The ship’s camouflage scheme has been altered, the sweeping curves of her original scheme giving way to a more angular design. The colours appear to be the same two greys, 507A (the darker colour) and 507C. Anti aircraft guns have been added to the crowns of B and X turrets. The catapult, with a Seagull V aircraft, has been reshipped on its turntable between the funnels. By Australian armed forces - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81270913
Mar 1, 1942 CE
Japanese land on Java at three points
Japanese forces under Lieutenant General Hitoshi Imamura landed simultaneously at three locations on Java: Merak, Eretan Wetan, and Kragan. With the ABDA naval force destroyed, the invasion convoys faced no significant naval opposition. Source — Wikipedia:
Japanese invasion of Java By Unknown author - Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8612320
Mar 1, 1942 CE
USS Exeter sunk in Second Java Sea battle
The damaged British cruiser HMS Exeter, escorted by two destroyers, attempted to reach Ceylon but was intercepted by Japanese cruisers. All three Allied ships were sunk in the Second Battle of the Java Sea, eliminating the last major Allied naval presence. Source — Wikipedia:
The Royal Navy heavy cruiser HMS Exeter sinking after the Battle of the Java Sea, 1 March 1942. By Photo taken from a Japanese aircraft - Imperial Japanese Navy; this photo was captured by U.S. Forces on Attu Island, Alaska in 1943 and became U.S. Navy photo NH 91772 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1702934
Mar 5, 1942 CE
Japanese capture Batavia
Japanese troops entered and occupied Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies, after Dutch defenders retreated inland. The fall of the colonial capital signaled the imminent collapse of organized Allied resistance on Java. Source — Wikipedia:
Japanese invasion of Java By Unknown author - Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8612320
Mar 7, 1942 CE
Tjilatjap falls, cutting Allied escape
Japanese forces captured the southern port of Tjilatjap, the last significant evacuation point for Allied forces on Java. With escape routes severed, remaining Allied troops had no option but to surrender or face capture inland. Source — Wikipedia:
Japanese invasion of Java By Unknown author - Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8612320
Mar 8, 1942 CE
Dutch forces surrender on Java
Lieutenant General Hein ter Poorten surrendered all Dutch and Allied forces on Java to the Japanese, marking the effective end of the Dutch East Indies Campaign. Over 100,000 Allied personnel became prisoners of war, beginning a brutal occupation. Source — Wikipedia:
Japanese invasion of Java By Unknown author - Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8612320
Mar 9, 1942 CE
Surrender formalized at Kalijati
The formal surrender ceremony took place at Kalijati airfield before Lieutenant General Hitoshi Imamura. The Dutch East Indies, rich in oil and resources, passed entirely under Japanese control, a devastating blow to the Allied war effort. Source — Wikipedia:
Japanese invasion of Java By Unknown author - Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8612320
