Kuching Airfield,Borneo 1941

[matthew hainer]

Hello,
I am researching the Japanese Invasion of Borneo right now. Were there any British aircraft stationed at Kuching Airfield in December of 1941? If so, what squadron and what was its aircraft complement.

For the Dutch, what was their aircraft unit placement throughout Borneo?

Thank You

[phylo_roadking]

For the Dutch - as of the 30th of November 1941...I know of Dutch Naval Aviation Group GVT-1 with three Dornier Do 24K flying boats at Pontianak, GVT-4 with three Do 24Ks in Sambas, and GVT-7 with three Do24Ks at Tarakan.

I've seen one reference to Walruses of 205 Sqn RAF being based there at Kuching but withdrawn to Singapore in 1941...but in the histories of 205 Sqn I've looked at I've seen no record of Waltuses! They were flying Short Singapores from the late 1920s, and were wholly reequiped with Catalinas by Decenber 7th 1941 - so I'd have to take the earlier note about Walruses at Kuching with the proverbial pinch of salt anyway...

AND the same source - "The War Against Japan" – Volume I - The Loss of Singapore (Chapter XIII) by Major-General S. Woodburn Kirby - noted that there were NO British aircraft stationed in or around Sarawak, Labuan or North Borneo in 1941 a few paragraphs later!

[matthew hainer]

Thank you for the information!

Do you happen to know of what days Kuching airfield and Singkawang airfield were bombed by Japanese Airplanes before their surrender?

Also, if possible what units the Japanese aircraft belonged to.

If I am correct, a squadron of Martin 139 bombers and a squadron of Buffalo fighters was stationed at Singkawang airfield in the begining, but moved to Sumatra. Before these planes withdrew, did they see any action against the Japanese.

[phylo_roadking]

Kuching (the town) was first bombed on December 19th by 15 Japanese bombers but I don't know from what unit/force. A large petrol store in the town was set on fire by this....but the main "damage" done was that the locals "got the hell out of Dodge", and the small British detachment couldn't find enough labour to complete the defences!

Singkawang II was bombed by 24 Japanese bombers on the 23rd, and the bombed-up Dutch strike force there had to be dis-armed (the approaching invasion convoy had been spotted 150 miles away from Kuching that morning before the raid) before it could fly out of the damaged runways; it was pulled out to Palembang on the 24th, so I presume no action against the Japanese between the raid and their withdrawal. Earlier, on the 18th, Dutch aircraft from Singkawang II and Tarakan Island had attacked Japanese ships off Miri, but for no damage.

Incidently - half a dozen Blenheims from Singapore did attack the invasion convoy as it rode at anchor off Kuching, but did only minor damage.

[South]

Good morning Matthew,

For the record, one of Borneo's offshore islands was United States claimed (as part of Phillippines).

Warm regards,

Bob

[matthew hainer]

I thank all of you for the information!

Also South, what island was claimed by the United States?

Of the 3 Do 24k flying boat squadrons on Borneo, what was their fate? Did they simply fly to Sumatra when their current bases became untenable, or were they all destroyed by Japanese aircraft?

Thank you for all your responses

[South]

Good morning Matthew,

I believe the US claimed Borneo island was Palau Banggi, Balabee Strait.

I'm looking at a map and not my notes on this "dormant claim".

Warm regards,

Bob

[David Reasoner]

Of the 3 Do 24k flying boat squadrons on Borneo, what was their fate? Did they simply fly to Sumatra when their current bases became untenable, or were they all destroyed by Japanese aircraft?

GVT.1 Based at Sambas, Borneo and also operated from Kuching and the Natoena Islands. Assigned tender was Poolster. Transferred to Morokrembangan, Java and disbanded January 2, 1942. Dornier Do.24K aircraft were:

X-15 shot down by Japanese bomber December 27,1941 near Midai Island.
X-35 transferred to reserve January 2, 1942 and then to GVT.7; lost to Japanese air attack at Roti Island February 7, 1942.
X-36 transferred to reserve January 2, 1942 and evacuated to Australia March 3,1942. Burned by crew after forced landing on beach in northern Australia.

GVT.4 Based at Sambas, Borneo. Transferred to Morokrembangan, Java and disbanded January 27, 1942. Dornier Do.24K aircraft were:

X-13 transferred to GVT.5 and lost to Japanese air attack at Roti Island February 7, 1942.
X-14 lost in night landing accident on Songei River, Balikpapan January 23, 1942 during evacuation flight.
X-21 transferred to GVT.5 and lost February 25, 1942 to Japanese fighter attack during recce/minelaying sortie over Bali and Lombok Straits.
X-19 replacement for X-14, lost January 25, 1942 during night landing attempt at Soerabaya, Java.

GVT.7 Based at Tarakan, Borneo from December 6, 1941. Dornier Do.24K aircraft were:

X-32 lost to Japanese air attack at Roti Island February 7, 1942.
X-33 damaged in landing accident on January 30, 1942 and transferred to Morokrembangan, Java for repair. Destroyed there by Japanese air attack February 5, 1942.
X-34 lost December 17, 1941 in forced landing after being damaged by Japanese fighters off Miri, Borneo while attacking invasion convoy.
X-35 replacement for X-34, lost to Japanese air attack at Roti Island February 7, 1942.

Source: The Dutch Naval Air Force Against Japan by Tom Womack, ISBN 0-7864-2365-X.

David

[matthew hainer]

Thank you David, I'm going to purchase that book.

On the 19 Decenber 1941, GVT.7 from Tarakan bombed the Japanese Task Force off Miri, Borneo, sinking the Destroyer Shinonome. Were the the flying boats escorted by any fighters, and did any Dutch Martin 139 bombers take part in the attack, because I seem to recall from somewhere that a Japanese Navy fighter was shot down defending the convoy.

Thank you

[matthew hainer]

What Squadrons were stationed at Samarinda II from the begining of the war to its surrender to the Japanese?

This is what I have:
1-VI-G.I with 11 Martin 139 bombers
I-1.VI.G.V with 4 Brewster Buffalo's
II-1.VI.G.V with 4 Brewster Buffalo's.

At any time were aircraft transfered from other airfields to Samarinda?

[hoot72]

For the Dutch - as of the 30th of November 1941...I know of Dutch Naval Aviation Group GVT-1 with three Dornier Do 24K flying boats at Pontianak, GVT-4 with three Do 24Ks in Sambas, and GVT-7 with three Do24Ks at Tarakan.

I've seen one reference to Walruses of 205 Sqn RAF being based there at Kuching but withdrawn to Singapore in 1941...but in the histories of 205 Sqn I've looked at I've seen no record of Waltuses! They were flying Short Singapores from the late 1920s, and were wholly reequiped with Catalinas by Decenber 7th 1941 - so I'd have to take the earlier note about Walruses at Kuching with the proverbial pinch of salt anyway...

AND the same source - "The War Against Japan" – Volume I - The Loss of Singapore (Chapter XIII) by Major-General S. Woodburn Kirby - noted that there were NO British aircraft stationed in or around Sarawak, Labuan or North Borneo in 1941 a few paragraphs later!

I live on Labuan Island and after going through the Imperial War Museum archives and also reading some interesting documents I was alerted to last summer, Labuan did not have an airport or airfield. They did have a fuel storage dump for sea planes only which was destroyed just prior to the Japanese landing on Labuan in January 1942.

Thank you.

[hoot72]

Good morning Matthew,

I believe the US claimed Borneo island was Palau Banggi, Balabee Strait.

I'm looking at a map and not my notes on this "dormant claim".

Warm regards,

Bob

Pulau Bangi belonged to the North Borneo Company and was under British rule prior to WW2. Never American nor the Philippines.

Thank you.

[South]

Good morning Hoot 72,

That formerly contested island was Palmas (also known as Miangas).

~ Bob
eastern Virginia, USA

[hoot72]

Good morning Hoot 72,

That formerly contested island was Palmas (also known as Miangas).

~ Bob
eastern Virginia, USA

Def. not anywhere near Pulau Banggi.

[South]

Good morning Hoot,

I only vaguely remember what was discussed.

The US/Philippines did have a dormant claim to an island around waters of Borneo.

Had written this on 29 Nov 11 and my MPH maps are packed away for now.

Do you know which island it was ?

~ Bob
eastern Virginia, USA