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 IJA March 23, 1942 |
Location Lat 11° 40' 0N Long 92° 45' 0E Port Blair is located on the eastern coast of South Andaman Island in the Andaman Islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands one of seven Union Territory of India. Today, Port Blair is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Also known as Port Bleras, Portus Blairensis, Port Bleras or Portus Blairensis. Prewar In 1789 the British established Port Blair named in honor of Archibald Blair of the East India Company but two years later moved to Port Cornwallis. During 1857 the British returned to Port Blair and established a penal colony on nearby Viper Island and Ross Island. Between 1896 to 1906 the British constructed Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) as a penal colony for Indian political prisoners where many were detained in solitary confinement and tortured. Port Blair became the largest town and port in the Andaman Islands. Wartime History At the start of the Pacific War, Port Blair was defended by a force of 300 Sikh militia commanded by 23 British Army officers. During January 1942 a Gurkha detachment from the 4/12th Frontier Force Regiment of the 16th Indian Infantry Brigade arrived but were withdrawn on March 10, 1942. On March 23, 1942 the Japanese Navy lands the Imperial Japanese Army 18th Division at Port Blair and occupies the city without resistance. Attacked by Allied aircraft starting in early April 1942 until April 1944. Occupied by the Japanese for the duration of the war until the official surrender of Japan in September 1945. Allied missions against Port Blair April 2, 1942–April 15, 1944 Port Blair Airfield (Veer Savarkar International Airport) Located at Port Blair Port Blair Seaplane Base Located at Port Blair Contribute
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