In 1941, Pontianac (Pontianak; 109.344E 0.018S) was a small oil port on the west coast of Dutch Borneo, located on the mouth of the Kapuas River. The oil field here produced about 2.1 million barrels in 1940. The port itself could not accomodate ships with a draft in excess of 21 feet.
The Dutch first established a small fortress here in 1778.
The port was protected by about 750 militia of West
Borneo Battalion when war broke out. These retreated before
the Japanese, who occupied the town
on 29 January 1942.
References
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia © 2007, 2010 by Kent G. Budge. Index