Battle of Morotai
Morotai Island, North Maluku, Indonesia
What happened
US and Australian forces landed on Morotai, defended by a small Japanese garrison. Allied troops came ashore on the southwest corner of the island. The roughly 500 Japanese defenders were far outnumbered and withdrew inland, so there was little fighting at first. The Allies secured their goals within about two weeks and built airfields.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Morotai became a major Allied base. Its airfields were the closest to the Philippines and supported the landings at Leyte.
What came next
Morotai also supported the Borneo campaign. In September 1945 the Japanese Second Army surrendered there.
Did you know?
Private Teruo Nakamura, a Taiwanese Amis soldier in the Japanese army, kept hiding on Morotai until he was found in December 1974.
Timeline
- 15 September 1944Allied landing on Morotai.
- 25 October 1944The Leyte landing begins in the Philippines.
- 9 September 1945The Japanese Second Army surrenders at Morotai.
- 18 December 1974Teruo Nakamura is found.