Liberator Bomber attacks on Balikpapan

Liberator Bomber attacks on Balikpapan. On 1 May, 1945 began the invasion by Australian forces of the oil-rich territory of Borneo, which had been in Japanese hands since 1942. The series of operations started with a landing on Tarakan Island to seize and develop the airfield, followed by landings at Brunei Bay and Labuan in British Borneo on 10 June. The 7th Australian Division landed at the important oil port of Balikpapan (Dutch Borneo) on 1 July. The ground operations were supported in the air by aircraft of the 1st Tactical Air Force, including three squadrons of RAAF Liberator heavy bombers, some of which are shown in this canvas engaged in the pre-invasion pounding of Balikpapan.