Dutch East Indies campaign
Japan lacked native oil sources and could not produce enough to meet even 10% of its needs. The Dutch East Indies stood as the fourth-largest exporter of oil in the world during 1935. Statistics from that year show the colony produced 5,139 kilotons of petroleum. This volume placed it behind only the United States, Iran, and Romania. President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order on the 26th of July 1941 which froze all of Japan's U.S. assets. That same action embargoed all oil exports to Japan. Japan quickly lost 93% of its oil supply following this decision. Military and economic reserves included only a year and a half's worth of oil. The Japanese planned to eliminate the U.S. Pacific Fleet to secure these islands without fear of American intervention. Four fleet carriers named Akagi, Kaga, Hiryū, and Sōryū supported their amphibious assaults. Thirteen heavy cruisers joined four fast battleships in the operation. The goal was to capture the oil fields before they were destroyed by defenders.
In late November 1941 ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy were sent to sea. The KNIL Air Force mobilized for potential conflict with Imperial Japan. On the 4th of December three days after deciding on war policy against America, Britain, and the Netherlands, the Japanese government chose to treat the Dutch as a quasi enemy until actual hostilities occurred. This strategy aimed to prevent preemptive destruction of oil installations. On the 8th of December 1941 the Netherlands declared war on Japan in a public proclamation. By 07:00 that day the East Indies government warned merchantmen at sea to make for the nearest port. The governor general made a radio announcement stating the nation accepted the challenge and took up arms against the Japanese Empire. Instructions had been telegraphed to the embassy in Tokyo at 02:30 before news of Pearl Harbor reached London at 04:00. The declaration of war was finally handed to Japanese foreign minister Shigenori Tōgō by ambassador J. C. Pabst on the morning of the 10th of December. Sweden agreed to handle Dutch interests during the conflict. Japan's own declaration of war did not arrive until the 11th of January 1942.
General Hisaichi Terauchi commanded the Southern Expeditionary Army Group which began the campaign. He sent the 16th Army under General Hitoshi Imamura to attack Borneo. On the 17th of December 1941 Japanese forces landed at Miri, an oil production center in northern Sarawak. A battleship, aircraft carrier, three cruisers, and four destroyers supported this landing. Initial air strikes gained air superiority over key areas. Landings followed at Seria, Kuching, Jesselton, and Sandakan between the 15th of December 1941 and the 19th of January 1942. The plan involved a three-pronged assault southward using Eastern Force, Center Force, and Western Force. The Eastern Force advanced from Jolo and Davao to capture Celebes, Amboina, and Timor. The Center Force targeted oil fields and airfields in Tarakan Island and Balikpapan. Both forces protected the flank of the Western Force attacking Palembang. The Japanese launched their main assault on the 11th of January and landed at Tarakan. By the 17th of January they used Tarakan airfield as a forward base. Balikpapan was captured one week later.
The American-British-Dutch-Australian Command activated on the 15th of January 1942 under British field marshal Sir Archibald Wavell. Lieutenant general George Brett served as deputy commander for the American Army Air Force. Lieutenant general Henry Royds Pownall acted as chief of staff for Britain. Admiral Thomas C. Hart commanded naval forces while lieutenant general Hein ter Poorten led ground troops. Air chief marshal Sir Richard Peirse directed air operations. Forces had differing priorities despite being combined. The British believed defense of Singapore and eastern Indian Ocean entrances paramount. Americans and Australians did not want total penetration of Southeast Asia depriving them of counterattack bases. The Dutch considered Java and Sumatra their second homeland where they had traded for over three centuries. Major Allied forces included two seaplane tenders, seven light cruisers, and 22 destroyers. Perhaps their greatest strength consisted of 25 American and 16 Dutch submarines based on Java. These ships faced central and western prongs of the Japanese assault. Even combined forces could not stop or slow the advancing enemy due to much greater numbers.
On the 8th of March 1942 the Dutch surrendered without condition to Japan at Kalijati Airfield in Subang, West Java. This event became known as the Kalijati treaty. On the 9th of March Lieutenant General Hein ter Poorten surrendered along with Governor General Jonkheer A.W.L. Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer. Ter Poorten's announcement occurred without consulting British and US commanders who wanted to continue fighting but had no choice. Announcer Bert Garthoff gained fame concluding NIROM broadcasts on surrender day with words stating listeners would hear farewell until better days. He declared long live the Fatherland and long live the Queen. Station employees were told by Japanese authorities to carry on as usual. They concluded broadcasts with the Dutch National Anthem surprising many listeners. When the Japanese discovered this they executed three NIROM employees in retaliation. Allied forces did not attempt to retake islands of Java, Sumatra, Timor, or Bali during the war. Most Japanese military personnel and civilian colonial administrators were repatriated following World War II conclusion.
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Common questions
Why did Japan invade the Dutch East Indies in 1942?
Japan invaded the Dutch East Indies to secure oil resources because it lacked native sources and could not produce enough to meet even 10% of its needs. The colony produced 5,139 kilotons of petroleum in 1935, making it the fourth-largest exporter behind only the United States, Iran, and Romania.
When did the Dutch declare war on Japan during the campaign?
The Netherlands declared war on Japan on the 8th of December 1941 following a public proclamation by the governor general. The declaration was handed to Japanese foreign minister Shigenori Tōgō by ambassador J. C. Pabst on the morning of the 10th of December after instructions were telegraphed to Tokyo at 02:30.
Who commanded the Southern Expeditionary Army Group in the Dutch East Indies campaign?
General Hisaichi Terauchi commanded the Southern Expeditionary Army Group which began the campaign against the Dutch East Indies. He sent the 16th Army under General Hitoshi Imamura to attack Borneo while other forces advanced toward Celebes, Amboina, and Timor.
What happened to the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command in early 1942?
The American-British-Dutch-Australian Command activated on the 15th of January 1942 under British field marshal Sir Archibald Wavell but dissolved on the 1st of March less than two months after its inception. Most Allied naval components were crushed in battles of Java Sea, Sunda Strait, and Second Java Sea before the command ended.
When did the Dutch surrender to Japan in the Dutch East Indies campaign?
The Dutch surrendered without condition to Japan on the 8th of March 1942 at Kalijati Airfield in Subang, West Java during an event known as the Kalijati treaty. Lieutenant General Hein ter Poorten and Governor General Jonkheer A.W.L. Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer surrendered along with their forces on that date.