Punjabi Tenacity CBI (id:#66817)

(Franc-Tireur #16 ID: FT328)   [next]   [previous]

British Borneo 1941-12-25 (13 others)

Overview:

As Borneo contained oilfields at Seria and Miri, and a refinery at Lutong, it was an obvious target for Japan. In April 1941, six platoons of infantry from 2/15 Punjab Regiment of the British Indian Army were stationed around Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. They were supported by the Sarawak Rangers, an indigenous force consisting of primarily lban and Dyak tribesmen. These men were trained in jungle warfare and placed under British command. After the fall of Kuching the day before, all available troops and supplies were repositioned around the Bukit Stabar Airfield, which was 7 miles south of Kuching. The airfield was to be held for as long as possible, to ensure its destruction before it was seized by Japanese forces.

Defender: Punjabi (2nd and 3rd Companies, 2/15th Punjab Regiment and Sarawak Rangers)  

Errata (source)