On this day in history – 11th January 1942 – Japanese naval paratroopers were dropped over Langoan airfield, near Manado on Celebes Island, Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) – Japan’s first airborne assault of the Second World War.
334 men of the Yokosuka 1st Special Naval Landing Force were transported by Type 96 ‘Tina’ transports 380 miles south from Davao (Philippines), completing the drop over the airfield at 1020 hrs. In this picture, a group of paratroops rush to retrieve heavy weapons from a nearby container, while in the background others advance through discarded canopies across the airfield. The paratroops are dressed in olive green jump suits, and are armed with Type 14 pistols, grenades, and 6.5 mm Type 38 carbines with bayonets and crossed bandoliers.
Manado was defended by 1500 Dutch troops (mainly reservists, home guardsmen and militia) under Major BFA Schilmoller. As the Japanese landed, the defenders were able to inflict some casualties due to a lack of cover on the airfield. However, Dutch positions were soon overwhelmed and the paratroops secured the airfield at 1125 hrs, soon advancing on nearby Kakas. The next day, airborne reinforcements were dropped over the airfield, the town of Manado was seized, and the paratroops linked up with seaborne forces on Lake Tondano.
The Yokosuka 1st SNLF lost 20 men (including 12 lost aboard a plane shot down by mistake) and captured 48 Dutch troops.
By Ibrahim Zamir
Empire of History 