Battle of Java (1942)
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The Battle of Java was a battle of the Pacific theatre of World War II. It occurred on the island of Java from 28 February – 12 March 1942. It involved forces from the Empire of Japan, which invaded o
An MkV1B light tank of the 3rd Hussars disembarks at Sumatra on 14 February 1942.
The Japanese 2nd Division landed at Merak, 1 March 1942
Japanese bicycle infantry moving through Java.
Japanese invasion of Java, Tropenmuseum collection
The Lost Battalion was the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, 36th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. The men of the battalion, plus the survivors of the sunken cruiser USS Houston, were captured
Battle of Java (1942)
…and three infantry battalions based on the 2/3rd Machine Gun, the 2/2nd Pioneers, and a mixed "Reserve Group". The only U.S. ground forces in Java, the 2nd Battalion of the 131st Field Artillery (a Texas National Guard unit intended for the Philippines) was attached to Black Force. On 27 February, Helfich ordered…
Texas Historical Marker for the Lost Battalion (Jacksboro, Texas)