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| Location Lat 10° 29′ 11″ S Long 105° 38′ 21″ E Christmas Island is located in the Indian Ocean between Indonesia and Australia. Borders Flying Fish Cove at the northeast end of the island. To the north 200 miles away are Java and Sumatra. To the southeast 960 miles away is the nearest point on Western Australia in Australia. Prewar In 1897, the British established the Christmas Island Phosphate Company to mine phosphate and imported Chinese laborers. In 1900, the first phosphate was exported with Japan the biggest customer. Christmas Island was British colonial set up a phosphate mining operation on the island, the Christmas Island Phosphate Company in 1897, and imported Chinese labor to work there, with first exports beginning in 1900, with Japan being the biggest customer. Wartime History Prior to World War II, the Dutch and British had an agreement to develop a seaplane base on Christmas Island, but it was never used at the start of the Pacific War due to inadequate Dutch resources. At the start of the Pacific War, most women and children were evacuated. On January 20, 1942 Japanese submarine I-59 torpedoed and sinks MV Eidsvold off off Flying Fish Cove. Afterwards, Japanese aircraft conducted bombing raids against Christmas island and warships conducted shore bombardment. On March 7, 1942 Japanese warships including Kongō and Haruna plus destroyers bombard Christmas Island. On March 31, 1942 the Japanese bombarded the island then land a force of 900 personnel including the 21st Special Base Force, 24th Special Base Force and 102nd Construction Unit. Before the landings were completed, the British surrendered. With the remaining Europeans imprisoned, the Japanese spent the first few weeks searching for the 1,000 Malays and Chinese who had fled to the jungle. Most returned and were forced to work. Japanese attempts to utilize the phosphate mine were thwarted by acts of sabotage by islanders and Allied submarine attacks. By 1943 the Japanese were unable to maintain the island's food supplies, but solved this crisis by sending half the island's population to prison camps in Indonesia. Occupied by the Japanese until the official surrender of Japan in September 1945. Today After the war, the island was administered by Singapore, and 1948 by the Australian and New Zealand governments, with the island being acquired by Australia in 1958, it is still used for phosphate mining. Contribute Information Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 18, 2026 |
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