Hello, and thank you for listening to The History of World War II podcast, Episode 284,

The Fall of Java, Part 3.

Last time, after the battles of Java Sea and Sunda Strait, the Japanese were clear to

land their troops at various points on Java.

The last major holdout of the Dutch East Indies, as we have seen the western part of the

island that held the capital Batavia was occupied by March 9th.

As for the city of Bandung, on the far edge of the western half, roughly south of Erich

X-10, where the political and military allied leadership were stationed, that was about

to go the same way.

To be sure the Japanese were losing more men than they had to, but at the moment speed

was more important than casualties.

For by March 8th, Lieutenant General Haiyingtei Porten, the overall Allied commander, was

already sending out, feelers for surrender.

But Lieutenant General Hitoshi Imanura, the 16th Army's commander and the commander of

this invasion, one of the victory by force of arms.

As for the invasion of Eastern Java, that would be carried out by the 48th Division, commanded

by Major General Yujitsu Tsushihashi, who it turned out, was an officer worth his salt.

The 48th Division left Luzon Island in the Philippines on February 8th, but as the

Battle of Java Sea held up the invasion for 24 hours, the Sakaguchi detachment was able

to join them.

Despite the Allied fleet's best efforts, the 48th Division, in their numerous transport

ships, were anchored of Kraghan, located about 70 miles or 112 kilometers west of Surabaya,

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