Battle of Kalijati

Battle of Kalijati
Part of Battle of Java in the Dutch East Indies campaign

KNIL vehicles destroyed during the battle
Date1–3 March 1942
Location
Kalijati, Subang, West Java
06°31′44″S 107°39′24″E / 6.52889°S 107.65667°E / -6.52889; 107.65667
Result Japanese victory
Belligerents
Netherlands
 United Kingdom
 Japan
Commanders and leaders
Jacob Pesman Toshinari Shōji
Units involved
KNIL
Royal Air Force
16th Army
3rd Air Division
Strength
Initial: 530
Counterattack: 4,500
1,200
Location within Java

The Battle of Kalijati occurred between 1 and 3 March 1942 during the Dutch East Indies campaign between invading Japanese forces and the Dutch colonial forces. It was fought over control of the Kalijati Airfield in Subang.

Following their unexpected landing, Japanese forces commanded by Toshinari Shōji moved rapidly and seized the airfield on the same day it landed before the Dutch command could deploy reinforcements. The following day, Dutch forces launched a counterattack in an attempt to retake the airfield, which nearly succeeded but eventually failed. The second, larger Dutch counterattack on 3 March was intercepted by Japanese air support which successfully prevented the majority of the Dutch units from launching the assault, forcing a Dutch retreat back to Bandung.