Balikpapan Taken But No Oil
Japanese forces captured the important Borneo oil port of Balikpapan after Dutch troops destroyed its wells and installations under a scorched-earth policy. The Dutch ignored Japanese threats to execute those responsible, leaving the invaders without access to the area’s oil.
Batavia, Friday.
It has been confirmed that Balikpapan, important oil port in Borneo, is now in Japanese hands. The commander, with a number of troops, cut a way through overwhelming Japanese forces to safety after carrying out a scorched earth policy. All oil was destroyed.
It is revealed that the Japanese, before £25,000,000 damage was done to oil installations, threatened to shoot all troops and civilians participating in destruction.
The following message was handed to the Dutch hostages by the commander of the Japanese landing force at Tarakan, farther north, for delivery to the Dutch commander at Balikpapan:
‘If the Balikpapan garrison demolishes various geological riches in the area, the commander, all Netherlands soldiers under his command, and all Hollanders concerned will be wiped out without exception.’
The ultimatum was ignored and the wells and installations destroyed entirely. The Japanese found no more oil at Balikpapan than at Tarakan.