Celebes (Sulawesi) is a large, irregular, mountainous island located just east
of Borneo in the Netherlands East Indies.
The island was formed by the collision of the Asian Plate with the
Australian and Pacific Plates, producing ophiolites that were a rich source
of nickel. The island was conquered
by Japan early in the Pacific War
and became its chief source of nickel for armor
plate. The island remained in Japanese hands throughout the war.
The chief cities were Menado at the tip of the notheast
peninsula; Kendari on the east
coast of the southeast peninsula; and Makassar
on the west coast of the southwest peninsula. The chief nickel mines
were at Soroaka, in the central
part of the island, and Pomalaa on
the west coast of the southeast peninsula.
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia (c) 2008 by Kent G. Budge. Index
