Battle of Christmas Island

Battle of Christmas Island
Part of the Indian Ocean theatre and Pacific Theatre of World War II

Christmas Island
Date31 March − 1 April 1942
Location10°29′24″S 105°37′48″E / 10.49000°S 105.63000°E / -10.49000; 105.63000
Result Japanese victory
Territorial
changes
Christmas Island occupied by Japanese forces
Belligerents
Empire of Japan Japan
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Empire of Japan Shōji Nishimura
Strength
Land:
32 infantry
Sea:
1 submarine
Land:
850 infantry
Sea:
3 light cruisers
8 destroyers
1 oiler
2 troop transports
Air:
Unknown aircraft
Casualties and losses
27 captured 1 light cruiser damaged
One British officer and four British enlisted men were killed in a mutiny on 10 March 1942.

The Battle of Christmas Island was a small engagement which began on 31 March 1942, during World War II. Assisted by a mutiny of soldiers of the British Indian Army against their British officers, Imperial Japanese Army troops were able to occupy Christmas Island without any land-based resistance. The United States Navy submarine Seawolf caused severe damage to the Imperial Japanese Navy cruiser Naka during the landings.


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