The battle of the Java Sea, fought in February 1942, was the first
major surface engagement of the Pacific War and one of the few naval
battles of the entire war fought to a decisive victory. It was the
culminating point of the Japanese drive to occupy the Netherlands East
Indies (NEI) and, to defend the territory, the Allies assembled a
striking force comprised of Dutch, American, British, and even an
Australian ship, all under the command of a resolute Dutch admiral.
On
February 27, 1942, the Allied striking force set course to intercept
the Japanese invasion force in the Java Sea. In one of the few such
times during the whole of World War II a protracted surface engagement
was fought unmolested by airpower. For over seven hours, the Allied
force attempted to attack the Japanese invasion force, finally breaking
off in the early evening. Some three hours later, the Allied force, now
reduced to just four remaining cruisers and two destroyers, attempted
another attack on the invasion convoy during which Japanese torpedoes
scored heavily, sinking two Dutch cruisers and bringing the battle to a
conclusion. Over the next two days, as the Allies attempted to flee,
five more ships were sunk. From that point on, Allied naval power was
eliminated from Southeast Asia.
In this illustrated title, Mark
Stille tells the full story of the battle of the Java Sea, explaining
how and why the Japanese achieved such a resounding victory, and delving
into the tremendous impact of the battle on the course of the Pacific
War.