27 February 1942

The naval battle of the Java Sea begins with Japanese naval invasion force, covered by large convoy of destroyers, meeting a large Alllied strike force.

Back in Moresby large portions of each of the garrison battalions, 39^th, 49^th and 53^rd, are still being used for laboring tasks. Their unease at their lack of jungle training increases by the day.

26 February 1942

Japanese submarine I-25, the same sub responsible for recent float-plane reconnaissance flights over Sydney and Lord Howe Island, launches a recce flight over Melbourne.

The plane flies over the city and surrounding suburbs and leaves before anti-aircraft emplacements are even aware of its presence.

The Japanese invasion of Java commences, with a naval pincer movement. An invasion force of about 35,000 Japanese splits into two attack forces – east and west groups – and moves into position ready to strike.

25 February 1942

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill seethes at his Australian counterpart John Curtin’s insistence on returning the AIF 7^th Division, about 20,000 troops, to defend Australia. 

Churchill had unilaterally ordered them diverted to Burma. After a furious Curtin challenged him, Churchill relented and the convoy steamed to Colombo, refueled and then headed to Australia.

Churchil privately claims Curtin and the Australians are “the most egotistical, conceited people imaginable”.

Both Curtin’s colleagues and political foes are increasingly disturbed by the profound impact the remorseless pressure is having on his health.

24 February 1942

Moresby suffers its first daylight bombing raid, with two aircraft destroyed at the city’s aerodrome. The raid comes from nine bombers with 3 fighter escorts between 2 and 3pm. No casualties are reported.

Australian Prime Minister John Curtin receives a report advising that Timor has fallen to the Japanese after three days of intense fighting, with most of the Allied troops there surrendering.

23 February 1942

Rumours abound that official casualty numbers of the Darwin bombing on February 19 are a gross underestimate. One priest claims to have personally buried more than the official number of dead of 243.

He believes the rumoured number of around 1100 killed is more accurate. Those involved in the post bombing clean-up agree that the total dead is likely to be above 1000.

The exodus from Darwin continues of rumours of an imminen invasion grow. The prevailing view is that the Japanese would not launch such a devastating raid without following up wih an invasion.