In 1941, the island of Timor was divided into two separate colonies each of which had their own governing power : The Portuguese in Portuguese Timor and the Dutch in Dutch Timor. The Australian and Dutch Governments agreed that, in the event Japan entered WWII, Australia would provide forces to reinforce Netherlands Timor.

The Government of Portugal had declined to cooperate with the allies, relying on its claim of neutrality and plans to send 800 soldiers from Mozambique, to defend the territory from any Japan invasion.

Japanese first attacked Timor on January 26 by aircrafts. During the night of February 19-20, the imperial Japanese Armys 228 th Regimental Group, under the command of Colonel Sadashichi Doi, began landing in Timor.

By the end of February, the Japanese controlled most of Netherlands Timor and the area around Dilli in the north-east. However, they could not move into the south and east of the island, without fear of attack. During August, Japanese forces began to burn and/or bomb villages believed to have assisted the Allies, with huge civilian casualties. The commander of the Japanese 48 th Division, Lieutenant General Yuichi Tsuchihashi arrived, to assume control of operations on Timor. Strong Japanese columns moved south – two from Dilli and one from Manatuto on the north east coast. Another moved eastward from Netherlands Timor to attack Dutch positions in the central south of the island. The Attack ended August 19, having secured the central town of Maubisse and the southern port of Becco.

The Japanese had what they called Special Naval Landing Force Units (SNLF) who were something like marines. NAVAL LANDER – The Japanese marines olive green uniform and black leather boots and gaiters were distinctive. On his arm this man wears the rank badge – crossed anchors and a single cherry blossom – of a leading seamen. He carries a Type 96 Nambu light machine gun. Naval Aviator

The Chi-Re was the heaviest Japanese tank in WWII (37t) The Japanese Chi-To Type 4 was the second heaviest in Japan during WWII (30t). During the night on February 19 – 20, light tanks were landed to support the Japanese infantry. They landed on the undefended south west side of the island at the Paha River.

The Australians joined forces with the Dutch in East Timor. A 1,400 strong Australian Army detachment, know as Sparrow Force, arrived in Kupang on December 12, The force was initially commended by Lieutenant Colonel William Leggatt, and was centred on the Australian 8 th Divisions 2/40 Battalion. On Feb 10, Australia lost control of Timor to the Japanese.

Leggatt's men launched a sustained and devastating assault on the paratroopers. By the morning of February 23, the 2/40 th had killed all but 78 of the paratroopers, but had been engaged from the rear by the main Japanese force once again. With his soldiers running low on ammunition, exhausted and carrying 132 men with serious wounds, Leggatt consulted his men and the accepted a Japanese invitation to surrender, at Usua.