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| Location Lat 3° 43' 0S Long 128° 11' 60E Ambon Island is located in Molucca Island Group (Molucca Islands). To the north is Ceram (Seram) and to the east is Haroekoe Island (Harakoe). During the Pacfic War, known as "Amboyna" by the Japanese. Known to the Allies as "Ambon" or "Ambonia" to the Allies. Prewar and during the Pacific War located in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Today located in Maluku Province (Moluccas Islands) in Indonesia. Prewar Ambon Island was a Portuguese settlement founded in 1521, taken over by the Dutch in 1605, alternating between British and Dutch administration until in 1814 restored to the Dutch. Wartime History On January 15, 1942 the last remaining Dutch fighter aircraft were shot down leaving the airspace open. On January 16, 1942 a daylight raid destroyed Hudsons and inflicted casualties on the ground. On January 24, 1942 when the Japanese landed at Kendari, thirty-five aircraft carrier aircraft from Soryu and Hiryu attacked Ambon. Two other carriers, Shokaku and Zuikaku were supporting the attack against Rabaul. After January 28, 1942 the last few remaining serviceable Hudsons were evacuated. No air or naval support would defend Ambon. Japanese Landings On January 30, 1942 during the night two Japanese forces landed on Ambon: Japanese Special Navy Landing Force (SNLF) at Hitu-Iama and a Japanese Army regiment on the southern coast at Laitimor. Only a few Dutch detachments were in the area to defend. At Hitu-Iama on the north coast the defenders were quickly overwhelmed. Other landings occurred around Hutumori, here the Japanese split westward to the town, and northward to Paso using captured Ambonese compelled to act as guides. By February 2, the defenders had been pushed down upon the coastline of the bay with Japanese naval ships and seaplanes machine-gunning the roads and it became apparent that officers and men were exhausted from continual fighting. On February 3, 1942 in the morning the Japanese occupied Laha and Scott concluded that if he stayed in this position he would be bombed and strafed, he therefore dispatched the battalion medical officer, Captain Aitken, to obtain terms of surrender with the enemy. Afterwards, Ambon was occupied by the Japanese for the remainder of the Pacific War. Paso Dutch defensive fortifications were located at Paso. Ambon (Ambon Town, Amboyna, Amboina) Located on the north coast of the Laitimor Peninsula, includes the Ambon War Cemetery. Halong Locate to the northeast of Ambon, on the nothern side of Ambon Bay. Liang Located on the coast along Ambon Bay. Prewar airfield at this location Laha Located on the coast along Ambon Bay. Prewar airfield at this location PBY-5 Catalina Bureau Number 2309 Number 16 Pilot Bull landed February 15, 1942 off Hila village on the north coast of Ambon Contribute
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 Map Aug 4, 1944 Map Fallingrain |
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