 |
 |
Ambon |
|
On 17 December 1941, the 2/21st Battalion arrived at Ambon in accordance with a British agreement with the Dutch to provide battalion groups to defend the Islands in the event of Japan's entry into the war. The force was known as 'Gull' Force and joined 2600 largely indigenous Dutch troops on the island. It was one of three battalions belonging to the 8 Divisions 23rd Brigade, the others sent to Rabaul and Timor. On 6 January 1942 the Japanese began to strafe and bomb the airfield and port area. Unsure of what the role of the battalion was to be its commander, Lt-Col. L. N. Roach, requested a definitive role be forwarded to him. His frank assessment that given his shortage in heavy weapons that he would be overrun in a day was not well received and he was relieved of command on 14 January. The Japanese invasion of the island commenced on 30 January when infantry and marines landed. The Dutch commander, Lt-Col J. R. L. Kapitz, detailed the Australians to defend the Laha airfield on the west side of the bay and to defend the town of Ambon situated on the Laitimor Peninsula at the eastern end. The Japanese landed above the town and overwhelmed the Dutch unit there and moving quickly to effectively isolate the Australian forces south of the town. The Australians resisted for three days falling back to the tip of the peninsula before surrendering. At Laha on the other side of the Island, Australians under the command of Major H. Newbury resisted until 2 February. Some of these men managed to escape the island in small craft and, by island hopping, reach Australia. The rest were captured and slaughtered. It was claimed this was done in reprisal for the sinking of a minesweeper by a Dutch mine in the bay on 1 February. Natives told Australians after the war that Driver Bill Doolan had fought alone with a Bren Gun and killed more than 80 Japanese soldiers before being killed. The Island became a POW camp, set up in the barracks at Tan Tui, for the Australians for the rest of the war. Allied bombings devastated the camp in February1943 and August 1944. It was also bombed in 1942. In September 1945, the remaining 302 survivors were rescued by the navy after the Japanese surrender. |
|
|