Battle of Java (1942)

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This article concerns the land battle of Java in 1942. For the preceding naval battle see Battle of the Java Sea.

Battle of Java
Part of World War II, Pacific War
Map depicting Allied defensive lines (in blue) and the movement of Japanese forces (red) in Java, March 1-8, 1942.
Date February 28, 1942–March 12, 1942 Location Java Result Japanese Victory
Combatants
Netherlands United Kingdom Australia United States	Empire of Japan
Commanders
Hein ter Poorten	Hitoshi Imamura
Strength
Netherlands: 25,000; Britain: about 3,500; Australia: about 2,500; U.S. about 1,000	about 35,000 troops
Casualties
Netherlands: 4500+ dead and wounded; Britain: 100 dead; Australia: 36 dead, 60 wounded; U.S.: ?	Unknown

Pacific campaigns 1941-42
Pearl Harbor – Thailand – Malaya – Wake – Hong Kong – Philippines – Dutch East Indies – New Guinea – Singapore – Australia – Indian Ocean – Doolittle Raid – Solomons – Coral Sea – Midway

Netherlands East Indies campaign 1941-42
Borneo 1941-42 – Manado – Tarakan 1942 – Balikpapan 1942 – Ambon – Makassar Strait – Palembang – Badung Strait – Timor – Java Sea – Sunda Strait – Java

The Battle of Java was a battle of the Pacific theatre of World War II. It occurred on the island of Java, between February 28 and March 12, 1942. It involved forces from the Empire of Japan, which invaded on February 28, 1942, on one side and Allied personnel. Allied commanders signed a formal surrender at Japanese headquarters at Bandung on 12 March.

Contents 1 The forces 2 The Japanese landings 3 West Java Campaign 3.1 West Java Campaign from Merak and Bantam Bay 3.2 West Java Campaign from Eretan Wetan 3.2.1 Order of Battle of West Java Campaign 4 East Java Campaign 4.1 East Java Campaign moving eastward 4.2 East Java Campaign moving southward 4.2.1 Order of Battle of East Java Campaign 5 The Dutch surrendered 6 Guerilla actions 7 Consequences 8 References 9 Notes

[edit] The forces

The Japanese forces were split into two groups: the Eastern Force, with its headquarters at Jolo Island in the Sulu Archipelago, included the 48th Division and the 56th Regimental Group. The Western Force, based at Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina included the 2nd Division and the 230th Regiment (detached from the 38th Division).

The Allied forces were commanded by the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) commander, General Hein Ter Poorten. Although the KNIL forces had, on paper, 25,000 (mostly Indonesian) troops, they were barely trained and ill-equipped. The KNIL forces were deployed in four sub-commands: Batavia (Jakarta) area (two regiments); north central Java (one regiment); south Java (one regiment) and; east Java, one regiment.

The British, Australian and U.S. units were commanded by a British Major General, H. D. W. Sitwell. The British forces were predominantly anti-aircraft units: the 77th Heavy AA Regiment, 21st Light AA Regiment and 48th Light AA Regiment. The only Allied armoured unit in Java was a squadron of tanks from the British 3rd Hussars. Two British AA regiments without guns, the 6th Heavy AA Regt and the 35th Light AA Regiment were equipped as infantry to defend airfields. The British also had transport and administrative units.

The Australian formation — named "Black Force" after its commander, Brigadier Arthur Blackburn V.C. — included the Australian 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, the Australian 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion, a company from the Royal Australian Engineers, a platoon from the 2/1st Headquarters Guard Battalion,^[1] about 100 reinforcements diverted on route to Singapore, a handful of soldiers who had escaped from Singapore following its fall to the Japanese, two transport companies, a casualty clearing station, and a company headquarters unit. Blackburn decided to re-organise his troops as an infantry brigade. They were well-equipped in terms of Bren guns and light armoured cars, but had few rifles, submachineguns, anti-tank rifles, mortars, grenades, trucks, radio equipment or Bren gun carriers. Blackburn managed to assemble a HQ staff and three infantry battalions based on the 2/3rd Machine Gun, the 2/2nd Pioneers, and a mixed "Reserve Group". The only U.S. ground forces in Java, the 2nd Battalion of the 131st Field Artillery (a Texas National Guard unit) was also attached to Black Force.

[edit] The Japanese landings

The Japanese troops landed at 3 points on Java shore on the same day, March 1, 1942. The West Java invasion convoy landed on Bantam Bay near Merak and Eretan Wetan. Few hours before landing, the West Java convoy intercepted Allied 2 cruisers and engaged in the Battle of Sunda Strait.

Meanwhile the East Java invasion convoy landed on Kragan after successfully defeated the ABDA fleet in Battle of the Java Sea.

[edit] West Java Campaign

[edit] West Java Campaign from Merak and Bantam Bay

After discussing the war preparation on January 21 with the commander of the 3rd Fleet and inspected the 48th Division at Manila, Lt. Gen. Hitoshi Imamura received an order to attack Java on January 30, 1942.

The convoy consisted of 56 transport ships with troops aboard from 16th Army Headquarters, 2nd Division and 230th Infantry Regiment. The convoy left Cam Ranh Bay at 10:00 on February 18, 1942 and the commander in chief Lt. Gen. Hitoshi Imamura, was aboard on transport ship Ryujo Maru. The convoy escort was under the command of Rear Admiral Kenzaburo Hara.

On February 28, at 23:20 the transport ships carrying Nasu and Fukushima detachment landed at Merak and ten minutes later, other transport ships carrying Sato detachment landed at Bantam Bay. By 02:00 on March 1, all ships had reached their designated positions. The KNIL Coastal Detachment Merak, made up from a section of the 12th KNIL Infantry Battalion under the command of KNIL Captain F.A.M. Harterink, machine-gunned the landing troops, but it was quickly defeated.

On March 1 in the afternoon, the troops moved to Serang and built a headquarter there. The troops of 2nd Division led by Lt. Gen. Masao Maruyama were divided into :

• Nasu Detachment : Maj. Gen. Yumio Nasu
• Fukushima Detachment : Col. Kyusaku Fukushima
• Sato Detachment : Col. Hanshichi Sato

Nasu detachment was ordered to capture Buitenzorg (now Bogor) to cut the escape route from Batavia to Bandung. The Fukushima and Sato would move on Batavia through Balaradja and Tangerang.

On March 2, the Nasu detachment arrived at Rangkasbitung and continued to Leuwiliang, 24 km west of Buitenzorg-Bogor. The Australian 2/2nd Pioneer and 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalions were positioned along a riverbank at Leuwiliang, and put up a vigorous resistance. Highly accurate volleys from "D" Battery, U.S. 2/131st Field Artillery, destroyed many Japanese tanks and trucks. After two days holding up the Japanese advance, Blackforce began to come under increasing pressure from Japanese flanking manouevres, and was ordered to retreat to Soekabumi (Sukabumi), after the Dutch withdrawal from Batavia was complete. Around the same time, the Fukushima and Sato units moved westward to Madja (Maja) and Balaradja (Balaraja). After finding several bridges have been demolished, some of them changed route to capture Buitenzorg as well.

On March 4, Ter Poorten decided to withdraw his forces from Batavia and Buitenzorg to reinforce the defence of Bandung. One day later in the evening of the 5th, Dutch troops in Batavia surrendered to Sato unit. By dawn of the 6th, the Japanese troops attacked Buitenzorg, which was guarded by the 10th Company, KNIL 2nd Infantry Regiment; 10th Company, 1st Infantry Regiment; Landstorm troops and a howitzer unit. In the morning Buitenzorg was occupied, while a large number of Allied soldiers had retreated to Bandung. The Nasu detachment pursued them through Tjiandjoer (Cianjur) and Tjimahi (Cimahi). On March 9, Shoji detachment entered Bandung from the north route through Lembang and Nasu unit entered from west through Cimahi.

[edit] West Java Campaign from Eretan Wetan

On February 27, the unit 230th Infantry Regiment led by Colonel Toshishige Shoji, separated from the main convoy and landed on March 1, at Eretan Wetan, near Subang on the north coast of West Java. This unit was set up to occupy the Kalidjati airfield and weakened the ABDA air-support, while the 2nd Division attacked Batavia.

At dawn on March 1, 9 Brewster and 3 Glenn Martins from Dutch Air Force together with 12 Hurricanes from British 242nd and 605th RAF carried attacks on Japanese troops at Eretan Wetan and caused heavy casualties among the troops. Using motor transport vehicle, the Japanese went on rapidly to Soebang (Subang). At noon the Kalidjati airfield was occupied after defeating 350 British troops. Meanwhile other Japanese unit led by Major Masaru Egashira bypassed to Pamanoekan (Pamanukan) and then to Tjikampek (Cikampek) to cut route between Batavia and Kalidjati.

The Dutch considered the retake of Kalidjati airfield was quite important, thus on March 2, a KNIL Mobile Unit (Mobiele Eenheid) under the command of Captain G.J. Wulfhorst with approximately 20 tanks, supported by the 5th KNIL Infantry Battalion with around 250 men under the command of Major C.G.J. Teerink, launched a surprising counter-attack toward Shoji unit at Soebang, but in the afternoon the attack was successfully repulsed. Afterwards, the main force of Japanese 3rd Air Brigade advanced to Kalidjati airfield.

By night of the 7th, Japanese troop had arrived at the plateau of Lembang, which is only 8 km northward from Bandung. At 10:00 on the 8th, Maj.Gen. Jacob J. Pesman, the commander of Bandung district met Col. Toshishige Shoji at Isola Hotel in Lembang and surrendered.

[edit] Order of Battle of West Java Campaign

2nd Division : Lt. Gen. Masao Maruyama

• Nasu Detachment : Maj. Gen. Yumio Nasu
  • 16th Infantry Regiment
  • 1st Battalion of 2nd Field Artillery Regiment
  • 1st Company of 2nd Engineer Regiment
  • 2 motor transport companies
• Fukushima Detachment : Col. Kyusaku Fukushima
  • 4th Infantry Regiment
  • 2nd Battalion of 2nd Field Artillery Regiment
  • 5th Anti-Tank Battalion
  • 2nd Company of 2nd Engineer Regiment
• Sato Detachment : Col. Hanshichi Sato
  • 29th Infantry Regiment
  • 2nd Tank Regiment
  • 1st Company of 2nd Field Artillery Regiment
  • 2nd Engineer Regiment
• Shoji Detachment : Col. Toshishige Shoji
  • 230th Infantry Regiment
  • 1 Mountain Artillery Battalion
  • 1 Engineer Company
  • 1 Anti-Tank Battalion
  • 1 Light Tank Company
  • 1 AA Battery
  • 2 Independent Engineer Companies
  • 1 platoon of the Bridge Material Company
  • 1 Motor Transport Company
  • part of the 40th Anchorage Headquarters
  • part of the Airfield Battalion

[edit] East Java Campaign

[edit] East Java Campaign moving eastward

The East Java campaign was composed of the 48th Division from the Philippines. On February 8, 1942, the 48th Division departed from Lingayen Gulf, Luzon Island (Philippines) protected by the 4th Destroyer Squadron. On the 22nd, the convoy arrived at Balikpapan and the Sakaguchi Detachment joined the 48th Division aboard the ships.

On the 25th, the convoy left Balikpapan, and sailed southward to Java. On the 27th, the ABDA fleet under command of Rear-Admiral Karel Doorman was detected and attacked by the 5th Destroyer Squadron and other units of the 3rd Fleet in Battle of the Java Sea. The Japanese won the battle and at 00:15 on March 1, the fleet landed on Kragan, a small village in East Java, approximately 100 miles west from Surabaya.

The 3rd Cavalry (Motorised) Squadron of the 1st Dutch KNIL Cavalry Regiment under the command of Ritmeester C.W. de Iongh resisted the landing force but was quickly subdued.

Meanwhile, the flying boat Dornier X-28 of GVT.6 (Groep Vliegtuigen or Aircraft Group) from MLD, bomber B-17 from the US 7th Bomber Group, dive bomber A-24 from US 27th Bomb Group and Vildebeest torpedo-bomber from 36th RAF Squadron kept attacking and dropped bombs onto the Japanese troops and inflicted heavy casualties.

After landing, the 48th Division was divided into:

• Imai Unit (Right Wing) : Colonel Hifumi Imai
• Abe Unit (Left Wing) : Major-General Koichi Abe
• Tanaka Unit (Tjepoe Raiding Unit) : Colonel Tohru Tanaka
• Kitamura Unit (Bodjonegoro Raiding Unit) : Lieutenant Colonel Kuro Kitamura

Tanaka Unit was ordered to occupy Tjepoe (Cepu) to secure the oilfields there and the Kitamura Unit was to occupy Bodjonegoro (Bojonegoro), near Cepu. The whole unit planned two pronge attack Surabaya from the west through Lamongan and from south through Djombang (Jombang) and Modjokerto (Mojokerto).

Tanaka Unit occupied Tjepoe on the 2nd and Kitamura Unit occupied Bodjonegoro on the 3rd. The Japanese proceeded further and overwhelmed Dutch defence positions at Ngawi Regency, Tjaroeban (Caruban), Ngandjoek (Nganjuk), Kertosono, Kediri and Djombang (Jombang).

At Porong, near Surabaya, the Dutch infantry from 8th, 13th Battalion, 3rd Cavalry unit and the American 131st (Texas) "E" Field Artillery Regiment gave fierce resistance to the incoming Japanese. Eventually the Allied troops under Maj.Gen. Gustav A. Ilgen had to retreat to the island of Madura after demolished several important infrastructure in the city. On the evening of March 9, Maj.Gen. Gustav A. Ilgen, commander of KNIL in East Java surrendered.

[edit] East Java Campaign moving southward

The Sakaguchi Detachment from Balikpapan joined the East Java Invasion fleet as well. After landing they were divided into 3 units with 1 battalion each:

• Kaneuji Unit : Major Kaneuji
• Yamamoto Unit : Colonel Yamamoto
• Matsumoto Unit : Lieutenant Colonel Matsumoto

and moved southward with main objective to occupy Tjilatjap (Cilacap) in order to capture the harbour and blocked the retreat to Australia. In one week, they advanced rapidly and overcame all Dutch army defence found in Blora, Soerakarta (Surakarta), Bojolali (Boyolali), Jogjakarta (Yogyakarta), Magelang, Salatiga, Ambarawa and Poerworedjo. Kaneuji and Matsumoto Unit moved through mainland, captured Keboemen and Purwokerto, north of Cilacap on the 8th. Yamamoto Unit moved along the beach, made two pronge attack. On the 8th, the Yamamoto Unit entered Cilacap, but the Dutch had withdrawn to Wangon. Wangon is a small town located in the middle between Purwokerto and Cilacap.

While Japan was preparing attack to Wangon, on March 9, Maj.Gen. Pierre A. Cox, the Dutch Central Army District commander was ordered by headquarter to surrender to Japan.

[edit] Order of Battle of East Java Campaign

48th Division : Maj. Gen. Yuitsu Tsuchihashi

• Imai Unit (Right Wing) : Colonel Hifumi Imai, commander of the 1st Formosan Infantry Regiment
  • 1st Formosan Infantry Regiment
  • 1 Mountain Artillery Battalion
  • 1 Engineer Company
• Abe Unit (Left Wing) : Major-General Koichi Abe
  • 48th Infantry Group Headquarters
  • 47th Infantry Regiment
  • 1 Mountain Artillery Battalion
  • 1 Engineer Company
• Tanaka Unit (Tjepoe Raiding Unit) : Colonel Tohru Tanaka
  • 2nd Formosan Infantry Regiment
  • 1 Mountain Artillery Battalion
  • 1 Engineer Company
• Kitamura Unit (Bodjonegoro Raiding Unit) : Lieutenant Colonel Kuro Kitamura
  • 48th Reconnaissance Regiment

Sakaguchi Detachment

• Yamamoto Unit : Colonel Yamamoto
  • 1st Battalion of the 124th Infantry Regiment
• Kaneuji Unit : Major Kaneuji
  • 2nd Battalion of the 124th Infantry Regiment
• Matsumoto Unit : Lieutenant Colonel Matsumoto
  • 3rd Battalion of the 124th Infantry Regiment

[edit] The Dutch surrendered

By March 7, the Japanese had occupied Cilacap; Surabaya was being evacuated and the Japanese troops were converging on Bandung from both west and north. At 9 a.m. on the 8th the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces, Lieutenant General Hein Ter Poorten, announced that the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army in Java surrendered.

At 23:00 the Dutch radio station NIROM (Nederlandsch Indische Radio Omroep Maatschappij) broadcast the last news from temporary transmitter at Ciumbuluit. The reporter Bert Garthoff closed the news with "Wij sluiten nu. Vaarwel tot betere tijden. Leve de Koningin!" (We are closing now. Farewell till better times. Long live the Queen!)

The Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Jonkheer Dr. A.W.L. Tjarda Van Starkenborgh Stachouwer and Lieutenant General Hein Ter Poorten, together with Major-General Jacob J. Pesman, the commander of Bandoeng District, met the Japanese Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General Hitoshi Imamura at Kalidjati that afternoon and agreed to the capitulation of all the troops.

On March 10, Lieutenant General Hitoshi Imamura became the new governor of Java and Madura, thus becaming the highest authority in the occupied Dutch East Indies. He stayed on this position for approximately eight months, until November 11, 1942. Imamura was subordinated to Field Marshall Count Hisaichi Terauchi, the Supreme Commander of the Southern Army, headquartered in Saigon, French Indochina. He was also the governor of the so-called "Southern Territories" (Malaya, Burma, Philippines, Hong-Kong, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo) and directly subordinated to the Imperial Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

On March 12, 1942 the senior British, Australian and American commanders were summoned to Bandoeng where the formal instrument of surrender was signed in the presence of the Japanese commander in the Bandung area, Lieutenant General Masao Maruyama, who promised them the rights of the Geneva Convention for the protection of prisoners of war.

Immediately after this, the widely-spread Japanese troops were reorganized. The 16th Army (2nd Division and 48th Division) was ordered to guard of Java, while the eastern territory (Lesser Sunda islands, Celebes, Ambon and Netherlands New Guinea) became the responsibility of the Imperial Navy. The other units were deployed to other combat areas in Pacific or returned to Japan.

[edit] Guerilla actions

[edit] Consequences

The surrender of Dutch had marked the end of ABDA defense on Dutch East Indies and the collapse of whole "Malay Barrier" (or "East Indies Barrier"). Because the Allied naval force had been destroyed, the access to Indian Ocean and Australia was widely open.

[edit] References

• Australian official history
• References listed at Hyperwar
• L., Klemen, 1999-2000, The Netherlands East Indies 1941-42, "The conquest of Java Island, March 1942" (http://www.geocities.com/dutcheastindies/java.html, the Geocities link can only be added by an established user)

[edit] Notes