Battle of North Borneo

Part of Pacific theatre of the Second World War

A map showing the movements of the main Australian infantry units in North Borneo

Date	10 June – 15 August 1945
Location	North Borneo (Present Day Sabah and Brunei)
Result	Allied victory

Belligerents

Australia

United States

Empire of Japan

Commanders and leaders

Units involved

727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

593rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment'

56th Mixed Brigade

Strength

≈29,000–30,000 men

≈8,800 men (Allied estimate)

Casualties and losses

114 killed or died of wounds
221 wounded

At least 1,234 killed
130 captured

9th Division

727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion

The Battle of North Borneo took place during the Second World War between Allied and Japanese forces. Part of the wider Borneo campaign of the Pacific War, it was fought between 10 June and 15 August 1945 in North Borneo (later known as Sabah). The battle involved a series of amphibious landings by Australian forces on various points on the mainland around Brunei Bay and upon islands situated around the bay. Japanese opposition to the landings was sporadic initially, although as the campaign progressed a number of considerable clashes occurred and both sides suffered relatively significant casualties. Ultimately, however, the Australians were successful in seizing control of the region, although to a large extent the strategic gains that possession of North Borneo provided the Allies with were ultimately negated by the sudden conclusion of the war in August 1945.

Codenamed Operation Oboe Six, the battle was part of the second phase of the Allied operations to capture the island of Borneo. Previously in May a brigade-sized force had been put ashore on Tarakan. A total of 29,000–30,000 men were committed to the operation by the Allies, with the majority of the ground forces being provided by the Australian 9th Division, under the command of Major General George Wootten and consisting of the 20th and 24th Brigades, along with naval support from the United States Navy and Royal Australian Navy and aerial support from the United States Army Air Forces, the United States Marine Corps and elements of the Royal Australian Air Force's 1st Tactical Air Force. Two United States Army units, the 727th Amphibian Tractor Battalion who manned the LVTs and the 593rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment's Boat Battalion, were also attached to the Australians.

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