Rakkasan Butaï PTO (id:#58897)

Tactiques (Tactiques # 6 ID: TAC45)   [next]   [previous]

Palembang, Sumatra, Indonesia 1942-02-14 (7 others)

Overview:

Under terrible pressure, Malaysia, Borneo, Sulawesi and almost all of the Philippines had fallen into Japanese hands. Next were the Dutch Indies. Sumatra would ensure bases for air support and the mission of capturing one of the airfields at Palembang was assigned to the Paratrooper Brigade of Colonel Kume. The task would not be easy however. A composite force of Dutch and artillery AA regiments of the RAF spread itself around the two airfields and a refinery. On February 14th, at 1130 hours, the Japanese planes flew over the drop zones. Suddenly, a multitude of small black flakes and tracers framed the transport fleet. Quickly one, then two planes were shot down in flames. Nevertheless the detachment assigned to capture P1 airfield landed safely in two sections, one of 60 men in a portion of cleared jungle to the north of the objective, and a second section of 80 men to the south.

Defender: British / Dutch (Mixed Defense Battalion: RAF Antiaircraft Regiment and Dutch Infantry)  

Errata (source)