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The invasion of Christmas Island as told by the Japanese

Whilst there are various newspaper articles about the fall of Christmas Island to the Japanese, this article comes with a twist. It is told by the Japanese themselves.

HOW CHRISTMAS ISLAND FELL: OCCUPATION OF STRATEGIC POINT VIVIDLY DESCRIBED

Tokyo, May 6 1942

How our forces occupied Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, a strategic point in the Allies’ communication line between Australia and India, in blitzkrieg fashion – within an hour after the attack was made at dawn of March 31 – was described by a war correspondent of the Naval Press section.

The correspondent wrote: “As our transport fleet was convoyed by naval units up Flying Fish Cove guarding the entrance to Christmas Island, at 7 a.m. (Tokyo time) on March 31, the entire Island was dimly visible through the morning mist.

“At 7.50 a.m. tension gripped our troops on the transport, as one of our destroyers signalled ‘Caution needed. Three enemy submarines in the neighbourhood.’ Simultaneously, our destroyers sped in all directions discharging depth charges, while the transports reached Flying Fish Cove, on scheduled time without any enemy attack.

‘As our air units at 8 a.m. commenced bombing military establishments on the Island, the flagship of the fleet ran up the signal ordering the landing units to prepare for instant operations.

‘However, ominous silence reigned. The sight of the white flag thrilled our troops who saw through their binoculars that the flag was flying from the top of the piers and buildings.

“The landing operations were completed without hindrance as the Indonesian natives on the shore directed our troops to the best landing points, The landing party then signalled to the flagship for the completion of the landing operations. It was exactly 10.05 a.m.

“Immediately the party was divided into two units which occupied all important points of the Island, rapidly taking over the enemy barracks and phosphate plant (phosphate industry is the only important industry on the island).

“A few minutes later, the parties’ headquarters were established in a residential quarter at a rocky point. At the main fortress I saw 27 Indian troops led by a Lieutenant.

“When our troops completed their operations, the Chinese, Indians and other inhabitants who fled into the interior returned en masse upon seeing no fighting.”

National Library Board, Singapore Syonan Shimbun, 7 May 1942, Page 3
After the fall of Singapore in 1942 the Japanese ran their own English propoganda paper from the newspaper offices of The Straits Times. It was known as the Shonan Times and then Syonan Shimbun.

 

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Christmas Island Archives was selected for preservation by the State Library of Western Australia. It is now listed in perpetuity on PANDORA, Australia’s website archive established by the National Library of Australia.

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An ammunition cave used by the Japanese during the An ammunition cave used by the Japanese during their occupation of Christmas Island in WW2. The circular opening in the wall is where I believe a ventilation pipe was inserted. Its purpose was to keep a stable temperature and extract noxious fumes. Its use as an ammunition cave may have predated WW2. To find out more about this cave read Helena van der Riet's excellent thesis "The Archaeology of the Japanese World War II Occupation of Christmas Island". It can be found on my website (see link in my bio) under the "Documents" section. 
#christmasisland #cave #ammunition #ww2 #ww2history #worldwar2 #worldwar2history #japaneseoccupation #ww2japanese #christmasislandarchives
I love Victor Purcell's observations of human beha I love Victor Purcell's observations of human behaviour on Christmas Island in 1926. The European community caused him the most angst.
#christmasisland #christmasislandhistory #history #islandlife #colonial #straitssettlements #christmasislandarchives
An old water tank near South Point located along t An old water tank near South Point located along the old railway track. I understand that a couple of years ago it was totally overgrown by the jungle and was invisible until it was cleared.
#christmasisland #ruin #relic #industrialrelic #watertank #colonial #christmasislandarchives
Back in 2020 as we were leaving the Old European C Back in 2020 as we were leaving the Old European Cemetery my sis-in-law @mily_barrett spotted this now 72 year old engraving in the concrete path. A nice little reminder from a long gone workman that he was once doing a job there.
"1.7.1951
Pipe Repar" ... 
The last seen letter is partially obscured. The word repair has likely been misspelt?
#christmasisland #history #christmasislandhistory #relic #cemetery #path #oldpath #christmasislandarchives
A sad end for Norman Howard. His gravesite lies in A sad end for Norman Howard. His gravesite lies in the Old European Cemetery on Christmas Island. His story and the mystery loss of his headstone lead to a surprising misidentification of his gravesite. Read about it now on my website. See bio for link. Look under “latest updates” for “Norman Howard - turning in his grave”.
"In memory of Norman Howard
European Overseer
Aged 32
Died 6.3.24"
#christmasisland #straitssettlements #christmasislandhistory #cemetery #headstone #gravesite #grave #colonialhistory #christmasislandarchives
Straits settlement 1 cent coins that I found parti Straits settlement 1 cent coins that I found partially buried. The verdigris colour of one of them caught my eye. How I came to be in that specific spot to find them is another whole story LOL. I donated them to the Island's Tai Jin House museum.
Left top to bottom:
Tails side “Straits Settlements 1936”.
Head side “George V King and Emperor of India” 
Right top to bottom:
Tails side “Commissioners of Currency Malaya 1939”
Head side “George VI King Emperor”
There was another 1 cent coin found along with these as well and was dated 1943. 
I am not sure if such a small denomination would have been used for gambling? However, it has been told that on the Island when Straits Settlement coins were no longer a viable currency they would be saved and then scattered/given as offerings to the good brothers during the Hungry Ghost month. I found these coins during that very month in an area that metal detectorists had been over previously. Perhaps the coins were revealed to me 🙂
#christmasisland #christmasislandhistory #christmasislandrelic #relic #relichunting #indianoceanislands #ghostmonth #straitssettlementscoins #straitssettlements #oldcoins #christmasislandarchives
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