Buckley's Chance PTO (id:#67300)

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Babau, West Timor 1942-02-22 (8 others)

Overview:

The battle for Timor now centered around the villages of Babau and Oesau. At Babau, the Australians were fighting a rearguard action against the Japanese amphibious force which had landed along the southwest coast of West Timor. This would be the third time this ground would b fought over. A lengthy defense of Babau and its environs would allow the Australians greater tie and greater freedom for their assault on Oesau, further inland and to the east of Babau. In the action targeting Oesau, the men from Sparrow Force not involved in the rearguard action at Babau were looking to dislodge Japanese defenders, consisting of Naval paratroopers and a company of regular infantry. Australian success was crucial at Oesau to ensure the Allied forces would not become surrounded. However, the Japanese defenders at Oesau proved resilient and the rearguard action around Babau would have to continue longer than anticipated.

Defender: Australian (Company D, 2/40th Battalion, "Sparrow Force")  

Errata (source)