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CELEBES, AMBON, TIMOR CAMPAIGNS
    The islands of the Celebes, Ambon, and Timor were successively occupied after the first landings at Menado on 11 January. Though containing some natural resources, these strategic locations were key to the Japanese plans to occupy Java and Sumatra. Naval landing troops, including the first paratroopers used by Japan in the Pacific War, quickly overran the local garrisons in the Celebes. The army’s Eastern Detachment occupied Ambon, then moved on to Timor. Airfields from these islands were later used to mount sustained raids against airfields and harbours across northern Australia.

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Campaign name
Celebes, Ambon, Timor campaigns

Campaign dates
January – February 1942

Campaign codename
 Executed as part of H Operation

Campaign overview
Frame 1Jan – Feb 1942
The invasions of these areas were a further stepping-stone towards Java and Sumatra, the main target of operations in the region.
Frame 211 Jan 1942
Over 300 members of the Yokosuka 1st Special Naval Landing Party (SNLP) land at Menado, the first use of Japanese paratroopers in the war.
Frame 311 Jan 1942
The Sasebo Combined SNLP lands in Menado and quickly overpowers the 1,500-strong Celebes Defence Force garrison.
Frame 424 Jan 1942
The small garrison at Kendari is overrun after the Kure 1st SNLP lands. The airfield is soon operational and used in raids on northern Australia.
Frame 531 Jan 1942
Elements of the Eastern Detachment land on the south coast of Ambon, quickly moving on the city and securing the airfields at Halong and Laha.
Frame 61–3 Feb 1942
The Dutch and Australian commanders on Ambon, Col Kopitz and Col Scott, surrender in the face of a superior Japanese force.
Frame 78–9 Feb 1942
The Sasebo Combined SNLP lands at Macassar. The local garrison is defeated and the city is quickly occupied.
Frame 819 Feb 1942
To cover the Timor invasion force, aircraft from Ambon and Kendari participate in the first raids on Darwin.
Frame 920 Feb 1942
The Ito Detachment, from Ambon, and the Yokosuka 3rd SNLP land at Dili in Portugese Timor. The Australian 2/2nd Ind Coy withdraws inland.
Frame 1020 Feb 1942
Paratroopers from the Yokosuka 3rd SNLP land west of Kupang, in Dutch Timor, while army troops land to the south and march overland.

Notes

Campaign strength
Celebes

Navy

Eastern Invasion Force
Rear Adm Takagi Takeo
    Support Group
      5th Squadron
      Haguro, Nachi (minus Myōkō)
      6th Destroyer Squadron, 2nd Platoon
    2nd Escort Fleet
    Rear Admiral Tanaka Raizō
      2nd Torpedo Squadron (minus part strength)
      Sasebo Combined Special Naval Landing Party (Capt Mori Kunizō)
      Kure 1st Special Naval Landing Party
      Other units

1st Base Force Unit
Rear Adm Kubo Kyūji
      1st Base Force (minus part strength)
      Nagara
    2nd Air Unit
    Rear Adm Fujita Ruitarō
      11th Air Flotilla
      Submarine tenders (Chitose, Mizuho)
    Menado Paratrooper Force
      No. 1001 Unit (Yokosuka 1st Special Naval Landing Party)

Ambon

Army

Eastern Detachment
Maj Gen Itō Takeo
    38th Infantry Group Headquarters
    228th Infantry Regiment (Col Doi Sadashichi)
    38th Mountain Artillery Regiment
Navy

Kure 1st Special Naval Landing Party
Cdr Iemoto Yoshiyuki

Escort Fleet
    2nd Torpedo Squadron
    Rear Adm Tanaka Raizō
      Jintsū (flagship)
      8th Destroyer Squadron
      15th Destroyer Squadron
      21st Minesweeper Flotilla
    Support Group
      2nd Air Flotilla
        Sōryū
        Hiryū

Timor

Army

Eastern Detachment
Maj Gen Itō Takeo
    38th Infantry Group Headquarters
    228th Infantry Regiment (Col Doi Sadashichi)
    38th Mountain Artillery Regiment 2nd Battalion (minus one company)

Navy

Timor Invasion Force
Vice Admiral Takagi Takeo
    5th Squadron (Haguro, Nachi, Mizuho, etc.)
    2nd Torpedo Squadron
      Jintsū
      15th Destroyer Squadron
      16th Destroyer Squadron
      6th Destroyer Squadron
      7th Destroyer Squadron (minus part strength)
    Sasebo Combined Special Naval Landing Party (part strength)
    Yokosuka 3rd Special Naval Landing Party

Campaign casualties
Ambon: 100 killed, 195 wounded

Printer version


Campaigns
Malaya
Philippines
Hong Kong, Pacific
Borneo
Celebes, Ambon, Timor
New Britain
Sumatra, Java

Reference links
Show details for Dispositions–DeathsDispositions–Deaths
Show details for CampaignsCampaigns
Sources


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