Location
Atauro Island is located roughly 25 kilometers north of Dili on Timor Island. In the local language, Atauro means "goat" due to the large number of the animal kept on the island. Also known as Ilha de Ataúro in Portugues. In Indonesian known as
Pulau Atauro or Pulau Kambing (goat). Prewar and during World War II part of Portuguese Timor. Today located in the Dili Region of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (East Timor).
Wartime History
During late February 1942 occupied by the Japanese for the duration of the Pacific War until the official surrender of Japan in September 1945.
Postwar
After the August 11, 1975 coup by Portuguese Governor Mário Lemos Pires fled from Dili to Atauro to broker an agreement between the East Timorese factions. On December 7, 1975 at 3:00am, NRP João Roby (F487) and NRP Afonso Cerqueira (F488) anchored near Atauro Island detected approaching targets on radar and embarked the Portuguese authorities and fled to Darwin. On December 10, 1975 Indonesian forces occupied Atauro Island.
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Last Updated
March 20, 2022
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