08-12-2008, 12:26 AM
Gents,
Here is the second scen of the Japanese eastern tentacle on Java. The night terror at Porong, south of Soerabaja.
viz: "The Advance to Soerabaja"
6 March, 1942
Porong, Java: The main elements of the Japanese 48th Division
had swung south and east from their beachhead at Kragan and overcoming all Dutch resistance, had crossed south of the Brantas River arriving astride the road net south of Soerabaja. On the evening of 6 March, the Japanese Abe Unit advanced north toward Soerabaja. Only a few Dutch battalions were deployed in this area as the Allies were still convinced that the main threat to Soerabaja
was from the west. Although the Allies were able to blow the
railroad bridge across the Porong River, the Japanese were able
to sieze the road bridge intact. With that, there was only the
desperately few Dutch units to retard the advance to Soerabaja.
The action has been described as "pure blind terror" as the
Japanese fought their way north, through Porong. In this action,
US Battery E/131st Field Artillery (Texas National Guard), was
involved in the fighting. Additionally, there is an unconfirmed
report that the Japanese employed US made M3 Stuarts, captured
in the Philippines, here. Maybe.
Cheers and enjoy
Curt
Here is the second scen of the Japanese eastern tentacle on Java. The night terror at Porong, south of Soerabaja.
viz: "The Advance to Soerabaja"
6 March, 1942
Porong, Java: The main elements of the Japanese 48th Division
had swung south and east from their beachhead at Kragan and overcoming all Dutch resistance, had crossed south of the Brantas River arriving astride the road net south of Soerabaja. On the evening of 6 March, the Japanese Abe Unit advanced north toward Soerabaja. Only a few Dutch battalions were deployed in this area as the Allies were still convinced that the main threat to Soerabaja
was from the west. Although the Allies were able to blow the
railroad bridge across the Porong River, the Japanese were able
to sieze the road bridge intact. With that, there was only the
desperately few Dutch units to retard the advance to Soerabaja.
The action has been described as "pure blind terror" as the
Japanese fought their way north, through Porong. In this action,
US Battery E/131st Field Artillery (Texas National Guard), was
involved in the fighting. Additionally, there is an unconfirmed
report that the Japanese employed US made M3 Stuarts, captured
in the Philippines, here. Maybe.
Cheers and enjoy
Curt