World War II - South East Asia 1941-42

Following September 1940 when Japanese forces entered northern Indo-China, the Australian Government had become most concerned about the security of Singapore. From October 1940, the British and Dominion garrison there was steadily strengthened, including the 8^th Division (less one brigade) which arrived in February 1941. In accordance with an agreement with the Netherlands East Indies made in early 1941, Australian battalion groups were landed at Ambon and Timor by mid-December 1941.¹⁰⁷

The Pearl Harbour attack was not the only Japanese operation in early December 1941. Japanese forces landed in Thailand and Malaya and attacked the Philippines. They advanced quickly, capturing Rabaul by 23 January 1942 and accepting the capitulation of Singapore on 15 February. Both Timor and Ambon were overrun by the Japanese by 23 February 1942 ( although some 300 Australians continued to harass them in Timor until withdrawn between December 1942 and February 1943). By 12 March the Japanese had taken Java.¹⁰⁸

Australian casualties in the campaign were 18,940, including 1,789 killed and 1,306 wounded.

WORLD WAR II - SOUTH EAST ASIA 1941-42
World War II - The Middle East	World War II - South West Pacific 1941-42
Following September 1940 when Japanese forces entered northern Indo-China, the Australian Government had become most concerned about the security of Singapore. From October 1940, the British and Dominion garrison there was steadily strengthened, including the 8^th Division (less one brigade) which arrived in February 1941. In accordance with an agreement with the Netherlands East Indies made in early 1941, Australian battalion groups were landed at Ambon and Timor by mid-December 1941.¹⁰⁷ The Pearl Harbour attack was not the only Japanese operation in early December 1941. Japanese forces landed in Thailand and Malaya and attacked the Philippines. They advanced quickly, capturing Rabaul by 23 January 1942 and accepting the capitulation of Singapore on 15 February. Both Timor and Ambon were overrun by the Japanese by 23 February 1942 ( although some 300 Australians continued to harass them in Timor until withdrawn between December 1942 and February 1943). By 12 March the Japanese had taken Java.¹⁰⁸ Australian casualties in the campaign were 18,940, including 1,789 killed and 1,306 wounded.