The Pacific War conquest plan set out by the Empire of Japan for the South Sea lands concluded on March 31, 1942 with the attack on and occupation of Christmas Island. US landings in the Pacific, 1942–1945 The Pacific War occurred in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in Asia. ... Flag of Imperial Japan The Empire of Japan (大日本帝国; Dai-Nippon/-Nihon Teikoku) commonly refers to Japan from the Meiji Restoration until the end of World War II. Politically, it covers the period from the enforced establishment of prefectures in place of feudal domains (廃藩置県; Hai-han Chi-ken) in July 14... In the years after the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5, strategic thinking in the Japanese military was largely divided between the priority of mainland Asia (see North Strike group), and the southern, Pacific Ocean direction. ... March 31 is the 90th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (91st in Leap years), with 275 days remaining, as the final day of March. ... This article is about the year. ...

Situated 300 km south of Java, Christmas Island was important for two reasons: it was a perfect control post for the east Indian Ocean area; and it was an important source of phosphates, which were important in Japanese industry. Map of Java Java (Indonesian, Javanese, and Sundanese: Jawa) is an island of Indonesia, and the site of its capital city, Jakarta. ... In chemistry, a phosphate is a polyatomic ion or radical consisting of one phosphorus atom and four oxygen. ...

At dawn on March 31, one dozen Japanese bombers, supported by two light cruisers and two destroyers, smashed local defenses. The only defences on the island were an old 6-inch gun brought down from Singapore after the First World War, and possibly up to three anti-aircraft guns. The British garrison, which numbered about 100 men, surrendered seven hours later. The Japanese expeditionary corps then disembarked at Flying Fish Cove. A light cruiser is a warship that is not so large and powerful as a regular (or heavy) cruiser, but still larger than ships like destroyers. ... USS Lassen, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). ...

The following day, the American submarine Seawolf torpedoed the Japanese light cruiser Naka, flagship of the Admiral-in-Chief of the expeditionary force, and forcing the Naka to return to Japan for repairs. HMS Vanguard, a Vanguard-class nuclear ballistic missile (SSBN) submarine HMCS Windsor, a Victoria-class diesel-electric hunter-killer (SSK) submarine HMAS Rankin, a Collins-class diesel-electric guided missile (SSG) submarine USS Virginia, a Virginia-class nuclear attack (SSN) submarine A submarine is a specialized watercraft that can operate... The term seawolf can refer to: The fish seawolf, also known as the wolffish or the sea cat. ... A torpedo in Rail terminology refers to a small explosive device strapped to the top of the rail to alert an approaching train of immediate danger ahead. ... The Naka was one of a class of three light cruisers built to serve as flagships for destroyer flotillas. ... A flagship is the ship used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships. ...

From its base at Christmas Island, and other bases in the East Timor and New Guinea area, the Japanese Mitsubishi Ki-46 army plane "Dinah" performed a number of reconnaissance missions over the northern coast of Australia in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, in preparation for Navy plans to invade Australia. The Mitsubishi Ki-46 was a twin-engined reconnaisance plane used by the Japanese Imperial Army in World War II. Its Army designation was Type 100 Command Reconnaisance Aircraft (百式司令部偵察機); the Allied code name was Dinah. This aircraft was first used by the Japanese Army in Manchuria and China, where seven... Motto: Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Nickname: Sunshine State/Smart State Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Governor Premier Const. ... Motto: None Nickname: ? Other Australian states and territories Capital Darwin Government Administrator Chief Minister Const. ... Motto: Cygnis Insignis (Distinguished by its swans) Nickname: Wildflower State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Governor Premier Const. ...

It is thought that the operation may have been a prelude to an Invasion of Australia, because of the island's strategic position and proximity to Western Australia. This article contains information that has not been verified. ... Motto: Cygnis Insignis (Distinguished by its swans) Nickname: Wildflower State Other Australian states and territories Capital Perth Government Governor Premier Const. ...

One of the major buildings destroyed was the radio station, which stood roughly where the post office is today. Fragments of the bombs dropped were still being found into the 1980s in the Post Office Padang.

At the end of the occupation, during which the Japanese had forced many local Muslims to worship at their Shinto shrine, the liberating troops destroyed the shrine at the request of locals.

External Link

• http://www.geocities.com/dutcheastindies/christmas.html