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The Japanese first landed on the north - east coast of Malaya
The Japanese first landed on the north - east coast of Malaya -
Midnight, the Japanese attack the island of Timor
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Period: to
The first encounter between Australian and Japanese soldiers
During th 14th and 15th of January, 1942 the Japanese came into contact with Australian forces at a wooden bridge west of Gemas in Malaya.
The Australians mounted a successful ambush at the bridge before withdrawing to link up with their main force for the larger battle at Gemas. -
Japanese capture Rabaul, the capital of New Guinea
Japanese had already captured Rabaul, the capital of the Australian-controlled territory of New Guinea, on 23 January 1942 -
In February, Allied forces on the island of Ambon (Indonesia) surrender
early in February Australian and Dutch forces surrendered the island of Ambon in the Netherlands East Indies (modern Indonesia). -
Japanese aircraft attack Port Moresby
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Period: to
Late February, Java the scene of many sea battles
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British forces in Malaya and Singapore surrender after 70 days of fighting
British forces in Malaya and Singapore surrender after 70 days of fighting -
More than 1000 soldiers forced to surrender in Timor
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Period: to
HMAS Perth lost during the Battle of Sunda Strait and 3000 soldiers taken prisoner
On 28 February-1 March 1942, HMAS Perth was lost during the Battle of the Sunda Strait and during a brief land campaign on Java about 3,000 Australian soldiers were taken prisoner. -
Period: to
Japanese are in control of most of the islands North of Australia
By the end of March 1942, the Japanese had conquered Malaya, the Netherlands East Indies, most of the islands to the north and east of Papua New Guinea, and occupied the main coastal centres of Lae and Madang on the New Guinea mainland.