Marc Lohnstein Boeken

At the end of 1941, Imperial Japan targeted the East Indies to secure vital oil resources. The Netherlands East Indies Campaign involved intricate operations by both Japanese and Allied forces, marking the first use of airborne troops in the conflict. This illustrated study highlights a lesser-known aspect of the Pacific War. Japan's late 1941/early 1942 campaigns aimed for self-sufficiency, particularly in oil, with the Dutch East Indies as a key target due to its abundant rubber plantations and oilfields, making it the fourth-largest oil exporter globally. Lacking domestic production, Japan deployed a significant naval task force to support amphibious landings across the vast region. The offensive was organized into three groups: western, central, and eastern. Borneo was the first target in mid-December 1941, followed by assaults on Celebes, Amboin, Timor, Java, Sumatra, Ambon, and Dutch New Guinea. Allied forces included British, Australian, Dutch, and American personnel, who established a combined theater headquarters (ABDACOM) on January 15, 1942, to counter the Japanese advances. However, isolated airfields and oilfields were systematically captured by the Japanese, aiming to secure major islands before Allied reinforcements could arrive. This title details the operational strategies and battlefield performances of both sides, illuminating an often-overlooked campaign in the Pacific War.