Platypus III

The Platypus series of missions were carried out during the Second World War by members of the Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD) to support Operation Oboe 2, the Allied landings at Balikpapan, Borneo. Platypus III mission, led by Lt Robert Tapper, was to focus on areas north of Balikpapan to disseminate rumours that a landing of Allied troops would take place in the Tambangongot-Sembodjalama area, some 30 miles NE of Balikpapan on 4 July 1945. The mission organised a low fly over of areas as if making a reconnaissance and dropped a marked map and false operative’s instructions together with beach marks near Semipan.