Battle of the Java Sea
Part of World War II, Pacific War
Bombs from Japanese aircraft falling near the Dutch cruiser Java during the battle.
Date February 27, 1942 Location Java Sea Result Decisive Japanese Victory
Combatants
Netherlands United States United Kingdom Australia	Imperial Japanese Navy
Commanders
Karel Doorman † Conrad Helfrich	Takeo Takagi
Strength
2 heavy cruisers 3 light cruisers 12 destroyers	2 heavy cruisers 2 light cruisers 14 destroyers 10 transports
Casualties
5 cruisers sunk 5 destroyers sunk 2,300 sailors killed	4 loaded troop transports sunk

The Battle of the Java Sea was a major naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Allied navies suffered a disastrous defeats at the hand of the Imperial Japanese Navy, on February 27, 1942, and in secondary actions over successive days. The American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA) commander, Admiral Karel Doorman was killed. The aftermath of the battle included several smaller actions around Java, including the smaller but also significant Battle of Sunda Strait. It was the largest surface engagement since the Battle of Jutland in World War I. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... For other uses, see Pacific War (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... HNLMS Java was a Sumatra-class light cruiser of the Royal Netherlands Navy. ... is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Java Sea (Jawa Sea) is a large (310,000 km²), shallow sea in the southern Pacific Ocean. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Netherlands. ... Image File history File links US_flag_48_stars. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... For Combined Fleet, please see that article. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Netherlands. ... Karel Willem Frederik Marie Doorman (April 23, 1889 – February 28, 1942) was a Schout-bij-Nacht (the Dutch equivalent of a Rear Admiral) during World War II. He was originally a naval aviator in the Royal Netherlands Navy but quickly rose through the ranks to become Schout-bij-Nacht in... Temporary grave of an American machine-gunner during the Battle of Normandy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Netherlands. ... Vice Admiral Conrad Emil Lambert Helfrich (October 11, 1886-September 20, 1962) of the Royal Netherlands Navy was a leading Dutch naval figure of World War II. On February 12, 1942, he succeeded Admiral Thomas C. Hart of the United States Navy as commander of the American-British-Dutch-Australian... Image File history File links Naval_Ensign_of_Japan. ... Takeo Takagi (高木武雄 Takagi Takeo, January 25, 1892 – July 8, 1944) was a Vice Admiral of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Takagi commanded forces during the Japanese invasion of the Phillipine Islands, at the Battle of the Java Sea, Coral Sea and Midway. ... Combatants Empire of Japan Vichy France Commanders Akihito Nakamura Takuma Nishimura Maurice Martin Strength 34,000 men 2,000 men Casualties  ? 800 The Invasion of French Indochina ), also known as the Vietnam Expedition, the Japanese Invasion of Vietnam, was an attempt by the Empire of Japan, during the Second Sino... This article is about the actual attack. ... Combatants Malaya Command: Indian III Corps Australian 8th Div. ... Combatants British Army Canadian Army British Indian Army Royal Hong Kong Regiment Imperial Japanese Army Commanders Mark Aitchison Young Christopher Michael Maltby Sakai Takashi Strength 15,000 troops 50,000 troops Casualties 4,500 killed 8,500 POWs 706 killed 1,534 wounded Pacific campaigns 1941-42 Pearl Harbor – Thailand... Combatants Empire of Japan United States Commanders Shigeyoshi Inoue Sadamichi Kajioka Shigematsu Sakaibara Winfield S. Cunningham Strength 2,500 infantry[1] 523 infantry of the 1st Marine Defense Battalion {understrength}, VMF-211, US Navy/US Army personnel, Others[2] Casualties 700-900 dead, 2 destroyers, 2 patrol boats, 20 aircraft... The Netherlands East Indies campaign was the shortlived defence of the Netherlands East Indies by Allied forces, against invasion by the Empire of Japan in 1941-42. ... The New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II. Fighting in the Australian mandated Territory of New Guinea (the north-eastern part of the island of New Guinea and surrounding islands) and Dutch New Guinea, between Allied and Japanese forces, commenced with the Japanese... It has been suggested that Japanese Raids into Indian Ocean be merged into this article or section. ... Combatants  United States  Japan Commanders James H. Doolittle Hideki Tojo Strength 16 B-25 Mitchells Unknown number of troops and homeland defense Casualties 3 dead, 8 POWs (4 died in captivity); 5 interned in USSR all 16 B-25s About 50 dead, 400 injured Lt. ... Combatants  United States  Australia New Guinea[1]  New Zealand  United Kingdom Colony of Fiji[2] Solomon Is. ... Combatants United States Navy Royal Australian Navy Imperial Japanese Navy Commanders Frank J. Fletcher John G. Crace Shigeyoshi Inoue Takeo Takagi Strength 2 large carriers, 3 cruisers 2 large carriers, 1 light carrier, 4 cruisers Casualties 1 fleet carrier, 1 destroyer, 1 oil tanker sunk 543 killed 1 light carrier... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Chester W. Nimitz Frank J. Fletcher Raymond A. Spruance Isoroku Yamamoto Chuichi Nagumo Tamon Yamaguchi â€  Strength 3 carriers, ~50 support ships, 233 carrier aircraft, 127 land-based aircraft 4 carriers, 7 battleships, ~150 support ships, 248 carrier aircraft, 16 floatplanes Casualties 1 carrier... The Netherlands East Indies campaign was the shortlived defence of the Netherlands East Indies by Allied forces, against invasion by the Empire of Japan in 1941-42. ... Combatants Empire of Japan Netherlands remnant forces British Empire Commanders Major-General Kiyotake Kawaguchi Lieutenant-General A.E. Percival (UK) Lieutenant-General Hein ter Poorten (KNIL) The Battle of Borneo was a successful campaign in the Japanese war for control of Southeast Asia, culminating in the subjugation of the island... Combatants Netherlands Empire of Japan Commanders Major B.F.A. Schilmöller (commanding officer) Captain W.F.J. Kroon Sergeant-Major A.J. ter Voert Captain W.C. van den Berg (reserve corps) Captain J.D.W.T. Abbink 1st Lieutenant F. Masselink Captain J.H.A.L.C. de... The Battle of Tarakan took place in January 1942 and was the first stage in the Japanese conquest of the Netherlands East Indies. ... This article concerns the naval and land battles of Balikpapan in 1942. ... The Battle of Ambon occurred on the island of Ambon in the Dutch East Indies, on January 30-February 3, 1942 during the Pacific campaign of World War II. During 1941, as the western Allies perceived the possibility of war with Japan, Ambon was seen to be a strategic location... The Battle of Makassar Strait was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. A fleet of the American-British-Dutch-Australian Command, under the command of Admiral Karel Doorman, was on its way to intercept a Japanese invasion convoy when it was attacked by 37 Japanese... Combatants Britain Netherlands Australia New Zealand United States Empire of Japan Commanders Air Cdre H. J. F. Hunter (bombers) Air Cdre S. F. Vincent (fighters) Lt. ... Battle of Badung Strait Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date 18 February 1942 – 19 February 1942 Place Badung Strait off Bali in the Dutch East Indies Result Japanese victory The Battle of Badung Strait was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on... The Battle of Timor (1942–43) occurred on the island of Timor, in the Pacific theatre of World War II. It involved forces from the Empire of Japan, which invaded on February 20, 1942, on one side and Allied personnel, predominantly from Australia and the Netherlands, on the other. ... Battle of the Java Sea Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date February 27, 1942 - March 1, 1942 Place Java Sea Result Decisive Japanese victory The Battle of the Java Sea was a major naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Allied ships suffered a disastrous defeat... Combatants Netherlands United Kingdom Australia United States Empire of Japan Commanders Hein ter Poorten Hitoshi Imamura Strength Netherlands: 25,000; Britain: about 3,500; Australia: about 2,500; U.S. about 1,000 about 35,000 troops Casualties Netherlands: ?; Britain: ?; Australia: 36 Dead, 60 wounded; U.S.: ? 100+ killed The... Combatants United Kingdom United States Empire of Japan Commanders O. L. Gordon Takeo Takagi Ibo Takahashi Strength 1 heavy cruiser 2 destroyers 4 heavy cruisers 5 destroyers Casualties 1 cruisers sunk 2 destroyers sunk minimal casualties The Second Battle of the Java Sea was the last naval action of the... The French battleship Orient burns, 1 August 1798, during the Battle of the Nile A naval battle is a battle fought using ships or other waterborne vessels. ... For other uses, see Pacific War (disambiguation). ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... A representation of the changes in territory controlled by Allies and Axis powers over the course of the war. ... For Combined Fleet, please see that article. ... is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... ABDACOM Area The American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command, code name ABDACOM, was a short-lived, supreme command for all Allied forces in South East Asia, in early 1942, during the Pacific War. ... Karel Willem Frederik Marie Doorman (April 23, 1889 – February 28, 1942) was a Schout-bij-Nacht (the Dutch equivalent of a Rear Admiral) during World War II. He was originally a naval aviator in the Royal Netherlands Navy but quickly rose through the ranks to become Schout-bij-Nacht in... Combatants Grand Fleet of the Royal Navy High Seas Fleet of the Kaiserliche Marine Commanders Sir John Jellicoe Sir David Beatty Reinhard Scheer Franz von Hipper Strength 28 battleships 9 battlecruisers 8 heavy cruisers 26 light cruisers 78 destroyers 1 minelayer 1 seaplane carrier 16 battleships 5 battlecruisers 6 pre... “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

Background

The Japanese invasion of the Netherlands East Indies progressed at a rapid pace as they advanced from their Palau Islands colony and captured bases in Sarawak and the southern Philippines. They seized bases in eastern Borneo and in northern Celebes while troop convoys, screened by destroyers and cruisers with air support provided by swarms of fighters operating from captured bases, steamed southward through the Makassar Strait and into the Molucca Sea. To oppose these invading forces was a small force, consisting mostly of American and Dutch warships, many of them of World War I vintage, under the command of Admiral Thomas C. Hart. The Dutch East Indies, or Netherlands East Indies, (Dutch: Nederlands Indië) was the name of the colonies colonised by the Dutch East India Company which came under administration of the Netherlands during the ninteenth century (see Indonesia). ... The Republic of Palau (also spelled Belau) is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, located some 500 km east of the Philippines. ... State motto: Bersatu, Berusaha, Berbakti State anthem: Ibu Pertiwiku Capital Kuching Ruling party Barisan Nasional  - Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin  - Ketua Menteri Abdul Taib Mahmud History    - Brunei Sultanate 19th century   - Brooke dynasty 1841   - Japanese occupation 1941-1945   - British control 1946   - Accession into Malaysia 1963  Area  - Total 124,450... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Kalimantan. ... Map of Sulawesi pictures by Julianto Halim Sulawesi (or Celebes) is a large Indonesian island. ... USS McFaul underway in the Atlantic Ocean. ... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... Makassar Strait is a strait between the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi in Indonesia. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... For other uses, see Admiral (disambiguation). ... Thomas Charles Hart (12 June 1877 – 4 July 1971) was an admiral of the United States Navy, whose service extended from the Spanish-American War through World War II. Following retirement from the Navy, he served briefly as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut. ...

Japanese cruiser Haguro (pictured) sank HNLMS De Ruyter, killing Admiral Karel Doorman.

On January 23, 1942, a force of four American destroyers attacked a Japanese invasion convoy in Makassar Strait as it approached Balikpapan in Borneo. On February 13, the Allies fought unsuccessfully, in the Battle of Palembang, to prevent the Japanese from capturing the major oil port in eastern Sumatra. On the night of February 19-February 20, an Allied force attacked the Eastern Invasion Force off Bali in the Battle of Badung Strait. Also on February 19, the Japanese First Air Fleet, under Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, attacked and wrecked the port at Darwin in northern Australia which rendered it useless as a supply and naval base to support operations in the East Indies. Japanese cruiser Haguro, c. ... Japanese cruiser Haguro, c. ... Haguro (羽黒) was the last of the four-member Myoko class of heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... HNLMS De Ruyter was a light cruiser of the Royal Netherlands Navy, the lead ship of her class. ... Karel Willem Frederik Marie Doorman (April 23, 1889 – February 28, 1942) was a Schout-bij-Nacht (the Dutch equivalent of a Rear Admiral) during World War II. He was originally a naval aviator in the Royal Netherlands Navy but quickly rose through the ranks to become Schout-bij-Nacht in... is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... is the 44th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Britain Netherlands Australia New Zealand United States Empire of Japan Commanders Air Cdre H. J. F. Hunter (bombers) Air Cdre S. F. Vincent (fighters) Lt. ... Sumatra (also spelled Sumatera) is the sixth largest island in the world (approximately 470,000 km²) and is the largest island entirely in Indonesia (two larger islands, Borneo and New Guinea, are partially in Indonesia). ... [[Media:Italic text]]{| style=float:right; |- | |- | |} is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Indonesian island. ... Battle of Badung Strait Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date 18 February 1942 – 19 February 1942 Place Badung Strait off Bali in the Dutch East Indies Result Japanese victory The Battle of Badung Strait was a naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on... [[Media:Italic text]]{| style=float:right; |- | |- | |} is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy The Imperial Japanese Navy(日本海軍, Nihon Kaigun) at the beginning of World War II contained the worlds largest carrier fleet. ... Chuichi Nagumo (Japanese: 南雲 忠一, Nagumo ChÅ«ichi, March 25, 1887–July 6, 1944) was a Vice Admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy and Commander of the 1st Air Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy for a while. ... Central Darwin, circa 1986 Darwin is the capital of the Northern Territory, and is a city of 109,419 people (2001 census) on Australias far north-western coastline. ...

Shortly before the battle commenced, the odds were not good for the Allied forces. They were disunited (ships came from four separate navies) and demoralized by constant air attacks and the impending fear of doom. In addition, the coordination between Allied navies and air forces was poor.

Battle

A formation of Japanese bombers receiving anti-aircraft fire, seen from the Australian cruiser, HMAS Hobart.

HMS Exeter and HMAS Hobart under air attack on 15 February 1942.

HMS Exeter sinking.

The Japanese amphibious forces gathered to strike at Java, and on February 27, 1942, the main American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDACOM) naval force, under Doorman, sailed northeast from Surabaya to intercept a convoy of the Eastern Invasion Force approaching from the Makassar Strait. The ABDA force consisted of two heavy cruisers (HMS Exeter, USS Houston) and three light cruisers (HNLMS De Ruyter (Doorman's flagship), HNLMS Java, HMAS Perth), and nine destroyers (HMS Electra, HMS Encounter, HMS Jupiter, HNLMS Kortenaer, HNLMS Witte de With, USS Alden, USS John D. Edwards, USS John D. Ford, and USS Paul Jones. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... The HMAS Hobart was a Leander class light cruiser which served in the Royal Australian Navy during World War II. Description The Hobart was the second of its class to be modified for Australian service, and the first to be named after the city of Hobart in Tasmania. ... Image File history File links Battle_of_Java_Sea_-_HMS_Exeter_under_Attack. ... Image File history File links Battle_of_Java_Sea_-_HMS_Exeter_under_Attack. ... Five ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Exeter after the city of Exeter in Devon. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Landing ship Rapière Amphibious warfare is the assault of an objective located on land by a force attacking from ships. ... is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... ABDACOM Area The American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command, code name ABDACOM, was a short-lived, supreme command for all Allied forces in South East Asia, in early 1942, during the Pacific War. ... Location of Surabaya in Indonesia Coordinates: , Country Province Area  - City 274. ... HMS Raleigh a Hawkins class cruiser around which the treaty limits for Heavy cruisers were written. ... The fourth and best known of the Exeters, HMS Exeter (68), was a York class heavy cruiser of the Royal Navy that served in World War II. She was laid down on 1 August 1928 at the Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth, Devon. ... The second USS Houston (CA-30) (originally designated CL-30), nicknamed the Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast, was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. ... A light cruiser is a warship that is not so large and powerful as a regular (or heavy) cruiser, but still larger than ships like destroyers. ... HNLMS De Ruyter was a light cruiser of the Royal Netherlands Navy, the lead ship of her class. ... HNLMS Java was a Sumatra-class light cruiser of the Royal Netherlands Navy. ... HMAS Perth, the first to be named after the city of Perth, was a modified Leander class cruiser, laid down by HM Dockyard at Portsmouth on 26 June 1933, launched on 26 July 1934 by the Marchioness of Titchfield, completed in July 1936 and commissioned at Portsmouth on 15 June... HMS Electra, which carried the pennant number H27, was launched on 15 February 1934 at the Hawthorne Leslie shipyard at Hebburn, Tyneside. ... HMS Jupiter (F85) was a J-class destroyer of the Royal Navy laid down by the Yarrow Shipbuilding Company, Limited, at Scotstoun in Glasgow on 28 September 1937, launched on 27 October 1938 and commissioned on 25 June 1939. ... HNLMS Kortenaer was an Admiral-class destroyer, named after 17th century Dutch Admiral Egbert Bartholomeusz Kortenaer. ... The Admiralen Class were eight destroyers built for the Royal Netherlands Navy between 1928 and 1931. ... USS Alden (DD-211) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II, named for James Alden, Jr. ... USS (DD-216) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for John D. Edwards. ... USS (DD-228/AG-119) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for John Donaldson Ford. ... The third USS Paul Jones (DD-230/AG–120) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for John Paul Jones. ...

The Japanese convoy was escorted by two heavy (Nachi, Haguro) and two light cruisers (Naka, Jintsu) and fourteen destroyers (Yudachi, Samidare, Murasame, Harusame, Minegumo, Asagumo, Yukikaze, Tokitsukaze, Amatsukaze, Hatsukaze, Yamakaze, Kawakaze, Sazanami, and Ushio) under the command of Rear Admiral Shoji Nishimura. The Japanese heavy cruisers were much more powerful, armed with ten 8-inch (203 mm) guns each and superb torpedoes. The Exeter was armed only with six of these guns. While the Houston carried nine 8-inchers, only six remained operable after her aft turret had been knocked out in an earlier air attack. Nachi (那智) was the second of the four-member Myoko class of heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy—the other ships of the class being Myoko, Ashigara, and Haguro. ... Haguro (羽黒) was the last of the four-member Myoko class of heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Japanese cruiser Naka (那珂) was one of a class of three light cruisers built to serve as flagships for destroyer flotillas. ... Japanese Light Cruiser Jintsu started life being both laid down and completed at the Kobe Shipyard, Japan. ... The Yudachi was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Samidare was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Murasame (村雨) was a Shiratsuyu Class destroyer sunk overnight March 6, 1943 in the Battle of Blackett Strait. ... The Harusame was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... The Minegumo (峯雲) was an Asashio Class destroyer sunk overnight on March 6, 1943 in the Battle of Blackett Strait. ... Asagumo (朝雲) was a Asashio-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Yukikaze was a Kagero-class destroyer in service with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She was the only member of her class to survive the war. ... Tokitsukaze Favorable Wind) was a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Amatsukaze Heavenly Wind) was a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Hatsukaze Years First Wind) was a Kagero-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Yamakaze was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Kawakaze (河風) was a Shiratsuyu-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Sazanami was a Fubuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Ushio (Japanese, Tide) was a Fubuki class destroyer that served in the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Sino-Japanese War and World War II. It was the only one of the 20 ships in its class to survive World War II. Ushio was built by the Uraga Dock Co. ... The term Rear Admiral originated from the days of Naval Sailing Squadrons, and can trace its origins to the British Royal Navy. ... Shoji Nishimura ( - 1944) was a Japanese Vice Admiral who died in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. ... The torpedo, historically called a locomotive torpedo, is a self-propelled explosive projectile weapon, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater toward a target, and designed to detonate on contact or in proximity to a target. ...

The ABDA force engaged the Japanese in the Java Sea, and battle raged intermittently from mid-afternoon to midnight as the Allies tried to reach and attack the troop transports of the Java invasion fleet, but they were repulsed by superior firepower. The Allies had local air superiority during the daylight hours, because Japanese air power could not reach the fleet in the bad weather. The weather also hindered communications, making cooperation between the many Allied parties involved — in reconnaissance, air cover and fleet headquarters — even worse than it already was. The Japanese also jammed the radio frequencies. Exeter was the only ship in the battle equipped with radar, an emerging technology at the time. For other uses, see Radar (disambiguation). ...

The battle consisted of a series of attempts over a seven hour period by Doormans Combined Striking Force to reach and attack the invasion convoy; each was rebuffed by the escort force with heavy losses being inflicted on the Allies.

The fleets sighted each other at about 16:00 on February 27 and closed to firing range, opening fire at 16:16. Both sides exhibited poor gunnery and torpedo skills during this phase of the battle. The only notable example of gunnery was Exeter being critically damaged by a hit in the boiler room from an 8-inch shell. The ship then limped away to Surabaya, escorted by Witte de With. The Japanese launched two huge torpedo salvoes, 92 in all, but scored only one hit, on Kortenaer. She was struck by a Long Lance, broke in two and sank rapidly after the hit. Electra, covering Exeter, engaged in a duel with Jintsu and Asagumo, scoring several hits but suffering severe damage to its superstructure. After a serious fire started on Electra and its remaining turret ran out of ammunition, abandon ship was ordered. On the Japanese side, only Asagumo was forced to retire because of damage. is the 58th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Type 93 was a 610 mm (24 inch) diameter torpedo of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ...

The Allied fleet broke off and turned away around 18:00, covered by a smoke screen laid by the 4 destroyers of U.S destroyer squadron (DesRon) 58. They also launched a torpedo attack but at too long a range to be effective. Doormans force turned south towards the Java coast, then west and north as night fell in an attempt to evade the Japanese escort group and fall on the convoy. It was at this point the ships of DesRon 58, their torpedoes expended, left on their own initiative to return to Surabaya. Location of Surabaya in Indonesia Coordinates: , Country Province Area  - City 274. ...

Shortly after, at 21:25, Jupiter ran onto a mine and was sunk, while about 20 minutes later, the fleet passed where the Kortenaer had sunk earlier, and Encounter was detached to pick up survivors. Doorman's command, now reduced to 4 cruisers, again encountered the Japanese escort group at 23:00; both columns exchanged fire in the darkness at long range, until De Ruyter and Java were sunk, by one devastating long lance salvo. Doorman and most of his crew went down with De Ruyter; only 111 were saved from both ships. Only the cruisers Perth and Houston remained; low on fuel and ammunition, and following Doormans last instructions, the two ships retired, arriving at Tanjung Priok on February 28. The Type 93 was a 610 mm (24 inch) diameter torpedo of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... Aerial view of Tanjung Priok Tanjung Priok (also Tandjung Priok) is a northern suburb of Jakarta, Indonesia, and the citys main harbour. ... February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Although the Allied fleet did not reach the invasion fleet, the battle did give the defenders of Java a one-day respite.

Aftermath

Battle of Sunda Strait

Main article: Battle of Sunda Strait

Perth and Houston were at Tanjung Priok on February 28 when they received orders to sail through Sunda Strait to Tjilatjap. Material was running short in Java, and neither was able to rearm or fully refuel. Departing at 21:00 on February 28 for the Sunda Strait, by chance they encountered the main Japanese invasion fleet for West Java in Bantam Bay. The Allied ships were engaged by at least three cruisers and several destroyers. In a ferocious night action that ended after midnight on March 1, Perth and Houston were sunk. A Japanese minesweeper and a troop transport were sunk by friendly fire, while three other transports were damaged and had to be beached. Battle of the Java Sea Conflict World War II, Pacific War Date February 27, 1942 - March 1, 1942 Place Java Sea Result Decisive Japanese victory The Battle of the Java Sea was a major naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II. Allied ships suffered a disastrous defeat... Aerial view of Tanjung Priok Tanjung Priok (also Tandjung Priok) is a northern suburb of Jakarta, Indonesia, and the citys main harbour. ... February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Sunda Strait The Sunda Strait is the strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. ... Cilacap or Tjilatjap is a sea port on the southern coast of the island of Java in Indonesia. ... February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Teluk Banten also known as Banten Bay or Bantam Bay, is a bay in Banten province, near the north west tip of Java, Indonesia. ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Java Sea

Main article: Battle of the Java Sea(II)

After emergency repairs the badly damaged Exeter left for Ceylon; she departed Surabaya at dusk on February 28 and limped towards Sunda Strait, escorted by Encounter and Pope. However all three ships were intercepted and sunk by the Japanese heavy cruisers Nachi and Haguro on the morning of March 1. Combatants United Kingdom United States Empire of Japan Commanders O. L. Gordon Takeo Takagi Ibo Takahashi Strength 1 heavy cruiser 2 destroyers 4 heavy cruisers 5 destroyers Casualties 1 cruisers sunk 2 destroyers sunk minimal casualties The Second Battle of the Java Sea was the last naval action of the... Location of Surabaya in Indonesia Coordinates: , Country Province Area  - City 274. ... February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Nachi (那智) was the second of the four-member Myoko class of heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy—the other ships of the class being Myoko, Ashigara, and Haguro. ... Haguro (羽黒) was the last of the four-member Myoko class of heavy cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ... is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Bali Strait

Further information: USS Alden (DD-211)

The 4 U.S destroyers of DesRon58, Edwards, Ford, Alden and Jones, were also at Surabaya; they left at nightfall February 28 for Australia. After a brief encounter with a Japanese destroyer in the Bali Strait, which they were able to evade, they reached Fremantle safely on March 4. USS Alden (DD-211) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II, named for James Alden, Jr. ... February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Bali Strait is a strait between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Java. ... Fremantle is a city located within the Perth metropolitan area on Australias western coast, at the mouth of the Swan River, 19 kilometres south from Perths Central Business District. ... is the 63rd day of the year (64th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Consequences

A further two American, and one Dutch, destroyers were sunk as they attempted to escape to Australia. The main ABDA naval force had been almost totally destroyed: 10 ships and approximately 2,173 sailors had been lost. The Battle of the Java Sea ended significant Allied naval operations in South-East Asia in 1942, and Japanese land forces invaded Java on February 28. The U.S. and Royal Air Force then started to retreat to Australia. Dutch troops aided by British remnants fought fiercely for a week. Many allied POWs were executed on the spot by the Japanese, who were on a very tight schedule because of logistical problems. The decisive factors seemed to have been air power and luck. Eventually the Japanese won this battle of attrition and ABDA forces surrendered on March 9. February 28 is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... “RAF” redirects here. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ... is the 68th day of the year (69th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

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References

• Brown, David (1990). Warship Losses of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-914-X. 
• D'Albas, Andrieu (1965). Death of a Navy: Japanese Naval Action in World War II. Devin-Adair Pub. ISBN 0-8159-5302-X. 
• Dull, Paul S. (1978). A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1941-1945. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-097-1. 
• Hara, Tameichi (1961). Japanese Destroyer Captain. New York & Toronto: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-27894-1. - Firsthand account of the battle by the captain of the Japanese destroyer Amatsukaze.
• Hornfischer, James D. (2006). Ship of Ghosts: The Story of the USS Houston, FDR's Legendary Lost Cruiser, and the Epic Saga of Her Survivors. Bantam. ISBN 0-553-80390-5. 
• Lacroix, Eric; Linton Wells (1997). Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-311-3. 
• Morison, Samuel Eliot (1958 (reissue 2001)). The Rising Sun in the Pacific 1931 - April 1942, vol. 3 of History of United States Naval Operations in World War II. Castle Books. 0785813047. 
• Parkin, Robert Sinclair (1995). Blood on the Sea: American Destroyers Lost in World War II. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81069-7. 
• Schultz, Duane (1985). The Last Battle Station: The Story of the USS Houston. St Martins Press. ISBN 0-312-46973-X. 
• van Oosten, F. C. (1976). The Battle of the Java Sea (Sea battles in close-up; 15). Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-911-1. 
• Spector, Ronald (1985). "The Short, Unhappy Life of ABDACOM", Eagle Against the Sun : The American War With Japan. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-394-74101-3. 
• Whiting, Brendan (1995). Ship of Courage: The Epic Story of HMAS Perth and Her Crew. Australia: Allen & Unwin Pty., Limited. ISBN 1-86373-653-0. 
• Winslow, Walter G. (1984). The Ghost that Died at Sunda Strait. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-218-4. - Firsthand account of the battle by a survivor from USS Houston
• Winslow, Walter G. (1994). The Fleet the Gods Forgot: The U.S. Asiatic Fleet in World War II. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-928-X. 
• Stephen Roskill The War at Sea 1939-1945 Vol II (1956 ) ISBN (none)
• Samuel Eliot Morison History of United States Naval operations in World War II : Vol III The Rising Sun in the Pacific (1948)
• Eric Groves Sea Battles in Close-Up WWII Vol 2 (1993) ISBN 07110 2118 X
• Donald MacIntyre The Battle for the Pacific (1966)
• Niek Koppen (Director). (1995) Slag in de Javazee, De (The Battle of the Java Sea) [Documentary film]. Netherlands: NFM/IAF. — 135 minute documentary of the battle. Won the "Golden Calf" award for "Best Long Documentary" at the 1996 Nederlands Film Festival.

RAdm Samuel Eliot Morison (1887-1976), USN historian Samuel Eliot Morison, RAdm, USNR (July 9, 1887 – May 15, 1976) was an American historian, notable for producing scholarly works that were both authoritative and highly readable, an ability recognized with two Pulitzer Prizes. ... The History of United States Naval Operations in World War II is a 15-volume account of the United States Navy in World War II, written by eminent historian Samuel Eliot Morison and published by Little, Brown and Company between 1947 and 1962. ... Stephen Wentworth Roskill (1 August 1903 - 4 November 1982) was an officer in the Royal Navy and, after his retirement, served as the official historian of the Royal Navy from 1949 to 1960. ... RAdm Samuel Eliot Morison (1887-1976), USN historian Samuel Eliot Morison, RAdm, USNR (July 9, 1887 – May 15, 1976) was an American historian, notable for producing scholarly works that were both authoritative and highly readable, an ability recognized with two Pulitzer Prizes. ...

External links

• CombinedFleet.com: Tabular history of Japanese ships involved in the battle. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.
• Battle of the Java Sea: 27 February 1942 by Vincent P. O'Hara. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.
• Battle of Sunda Strait: 28 February-March 1 1942 by Vincent P. O'Hara. Retrieved on 2006-05-31.
• Details on the battle and sunken ships from a diving site. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.
• Details on the battle and the report from the captain of HMS Exeter. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.
• US Navy report of the battle from 1943.. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.
• The Java Sea Battle. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.- Short synopsis of the battle but has some good pictures.
• Navweaps.com order of battle.. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.
• Australian War Memorial description of the battle with some pictures.. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.
• Gill, G. Hermon (1957). Chapter 15-16 (PDF). Official Histories – Second World War; Volume I – Royal Australian Navy, 1939–1942. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved on 2006-05-17.
• Fall of the Dutch East Indies (HTML, Flash). Animated histories of Pacific battles of World War II.
• United States Strategic Bombing Survey (Pacific) - Naval Analysis Division (1946). Chapter 3: The Japanese Invasion of the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies, and Southeast Asia. The Campaigns of the Pacific War. United States Government Printing Office. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.

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