 After the Japanese invasion of Borneo commenced in mid-December, the scorched earth policy was brought into play and Crosland assisted with the destruction of the oilfields at Miri and Seria and the landing ground at Kuching.When the Japanese arrived at Kuching on 24 December 1941, the Punjabis were ordered to withdraw into Dutch West Borneo to join forces with the Dutch troops there.Crosland commanded two platoons, and they joined up with the rest of the battalion at Sanggau on 29 December.