Sparrow Force

liverpool annie · Dec 23, 2008

Have you guys heard of this ??

Australia's 'invasion' of Portuguese East Timor (now Timor Luru Sae) on December 16, 1941, was the first time in history that Australia violated another country's neutrality. Aussie troops (Sparrow Force) invaded Dutch West Timor and the 2/2nd Independent Company landed on the shore near Dili, the capital of Portuguese East Timor and so pre-empt a Japanese takeover. They proceeded immediately to surround the airport. Well armed, and expecting to do battle with the Portuguese military, they approached the administration building, guns at the ready.

Suddenly the main door opened and out stepped a civilian Portuguese official who tipped his hat and in perfect English said "Good afternoon". Dumbfounded, the troops stared at each other in disbelief. Not a shot had been fired. Unknown to Sparrow Force , the Australian and Portuguese governments had previously agreed to a peaceful 'invasion' of the island to help protect the inhabitants from a possible Japanese invasion which did in fact take place two months later, on February 20, 1942.
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Lesser Known Facts of WWII 1941

John · Dec 23, 2008

Hello Annie
a little bit more about the sparrow force of WW2

Fall of Timor: Overview

liverpool annie · Dec 23, 2008

John said: ↑

Hello Annie
a little bit more about the sparrow force of WW2

Fall of Timor: Overview
Click to expand...

Oh ! I remember now John .... Father Phillip Kennedy was there .... and I was trying to find out about him some time ago ! ... I didn't connect it !!

Thanks for the site !

Annie

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