In spite of secret agreements between the two, and the exchange of military liaison officers, the Japanese invasion of the NEI, which began in January 1942 with a landing at Tarakan, was swift and overwhelming. Like nearly every aspect of the Allied commitment in the Pacific, these efforts were too little, and too late. For this reason, contacts between military officials of the NEI and Australia had begun by 1940. At the same time, it was obvious to all nations in the region that the oil- and resource-rich Indies would be a crucial objective for Japan if it was to wage a successful war against the United States. The colony continued to operate as an independent Dutch state, and was at pains to demonstrate its neutrality in any Pacific conflict. Although nominally at war with Germany, the NEI was in no position to engage in military operations of any kind, and beyond impounding enemy merchant vessels in its ports, no action was taken.

After the German invasion and occupation of the Dutch homeland in May 1940, the Netherlands East Indies ( NEI) was alone and isolated.

Pacific conquest call of war 1942