catechists; 14 schools with 740 pupils; 2,600 baptisms; about 1,000 catechumens. British power The British had obtained the island of Labuan in 1846; they gradually extended their power over the petty rulers of the northern part of Borneo until, in 1888, the British protectorate of North Borneo was formally acknowledged. English speaking missionaries being desired in the British part of Borneo, the Propaganda (19 March 1881) confided the mission of North Borneo and Labuan to the Society for Foreign Missions of Mill Hill, from England. The first prefect Apostolic appointed under the new administration was the Rev. Thomas Jackson. The society continued in charge of the mission. During the Second World War, the British realised they were unable to defend the colony from the powerful Imperial Japanese Navy. They destroyed the airfields, and especially the oil fields there and in Brunei before the Japanese landed on 16 December 1941. The small British forces surrendered. In 1943, the Chinese population of about 50,000 rebelled against Japan and seized some towns. They were overwhelmed with many executed. Australia sent special operation forces, which trained and armed local militia units and aided the landing of an Australian division in June 1945. Japanese forces numbered about 31,000, and held out until October 1945, long after the Emperor had surrendered. Diagram References Further reading WorldStatesmen- Malaysia historical context (see Labuan and Sabah sections); not worked in here History of Borneo British rule in Malaysian history Former colonies in Asia Former countries in Southeast Asia Borneo, British History of Brunei History of Sabah History of Sarawak History of Malaysia (1945–1963) British Malaya Labuan 1848 establishments in Asia 1963 disestablishments in Asia Borneo Borneo 19th-century establishments in Malaysia 1960s disestablishments in Malaysia 1840s establishments in Southeast Asia 1960s disestablishments in Southeast Asia Brunei–United Kingdom relations Malaysia–United Kingdom relations