The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The BATTLE OF SUNDA STRAIT - 1942 - Jan 10th, 2003

http://www.microworks.net/pacific/battles/sunda_strait.htm ^ | Vincent P. O'Hara

[MistyCA]

Thanks for your posts.

[MistyCA]

I remember that too, Sam. It's very sad.

[MistyCA]

LMAO! That's a good one! LOL!

[SAMWolf]

Saturday 28th February 1942, following the mauling of the previous night's Java Sea battle, Captain 'Hec' Waller, RAN, had no hesitation in withdrawing to the prearranged rendezvous at Tandjeong Priok (Indonesia).

He was now in command of the last remaining ships. He had one undamaged 6" cruiser and one 8" cruiser, USS HOUSTON, with no guns aft and its ammunition seriously depleted. Day and night they had been constantly shadowed by Jap aircraft. He could only guess at the opposing forces, but thought at least six cruisers and possibly twelve destroyers and also submarines. In fact there was to be considerably more.

Perth's Ship's Company new that there were large Japanese forces north of Java closing in on them as they sailed that afternoon from Tandjeong Priok in company with Houston.

Both ships were critically short ammunition for their main armament and also fuel oil. The Sunda Strait was deemed to be clear of enemy shipping therefore it looked to Captain 'Hec' Waller that he could force his way through to the Indian Ocean before the Japs closed the door.

The night sky was clear with a large moon and the sea like glass, visibility was 6 - 7 miles. At 2306 a vessel was sighted and challenged, it replied strangely and turned away making smoke, it was a Jap destroyer and unknown to Perth had launched nine torpedoes.

Perth opened fire immediately and altered course to bring all guns to bear. More destroyers were sighted northward, then one cruiser and five destroyers. Reports indicated that the first destroyer was sunk but the fight had only just begun.

Destroyers engaged from all directions and it was difficult to judge just how many enemy opposed them. It was soon evident that the odds were overwhelming. In fact they had run into the entire Japanese invasion fleet, consisting of at least two heavy cruisers, a light cruiser with ten destroyers. Also closing from the north were four heavy cruisers, an aircraft carrier and more destroyers. Perth's four 6" turrets went to independent control in a frantic attempt to engage as many of the enemy as possible that surrounded her. The 4" pounded out star shell in an effort to illuminate the enemy. The action was point blank.

The Jap destroyers pressed the attack and managed to illuminate Perth at close range with their searchlights. Shellfire was heavy, the sea around her seemed to be boiling. Houston was hit first and was set afire in the bridge area, her main (8") armament ceased to fire, perhaps her ammunition already expended. Her lighter guns continued to engage, the tracer spitting out horizontally telling all that it was at very close range.

Perth remained unscathed and she launched her torpedoes into the congested sea, multiple hits were observed, and she was taking a toll on the enemy. In an attempt to cover Houston's defenceless stern she started taking hits, by midnight the 6" ammo was all but gone.

Captain Waller made a bid to force a passage through Sunda Straight, two cruisers and two destroyer flotillas barred the way. With the ship making 28 knots the first torpedo struck. In one hour eighty seven torpedoes had been launched at Perth and Houston and now the first hit Perth.

Perth took a mighty blow below the water line, wiping out, apart from one, the entire forward engine room crew. Both the forward 4" mountings were wiped out to a man.

The remaining 4" guns, now out of H.E. ammunition, continued to engage with starshell and nonexplosive practice ammo. The few remaining 6" rounds were fired. Their luck had been incredible to last this long. Another torpedo hit the forward magazine, although empty, the damage spelt the end for her, it jammed the hatches shut trapping the men inside the magazine and causing considerable casualties. Then came the order to "Abandon Ship!" A great roar erupted as a third torpedo struck, from under 'X' turret a huge geyser of water erupted, the ship gave a violent, nervous twitch. Against the ice-white light a mass of figures shot into the air, spinning over like acrobats and rag dolls, some fell into the sea others back on board, some alive, some dead. The shock waves of the explosions killing all those immersed in the water within a certain radius, crushing their insides.

The glare of the searchlights was constant first from one ship then another, she was encircled now. From bow to quarter she was pulverized, with shells continuing to rain down upon her, causing great carnage. A fourth torpedo struck.

Captain Waller continued on at half speed in an effort to stop the ship taking more men with her when she finally went. Then her bows dipped gently down, her stern raised out out the water, only one of her four screws still turning. It was said she did not sink but 'steamed out'. Her much loved Captain last seen in the glare of the flames, on the bridge, giving orders.

Houston, after a similarly heroic performance also went down. Perth's total complement was 681. Of these 353 were lost in action, 4 died ashore and 324 were captured, of these 106 died whilst prisoners of war 53 of them on the infamous Burma-Siam railway.

In all the Japanese had lost fifteen ships and could not believe that a Battleship was not present. A report in the Syonan Times in Japan in 1942 read - In the terrific battle in Sunda Strait many ships on both sides were sunk. It must be remembered, however, that the lighter Nipponese ships were fighting a superior force which included a battleship".The Japan Times made a similar admission.

[Pippin]

Hi, Misty! :^)

[MistyCA]

Allied Naval Forces (ABDA)

CA Houston* (USN) (696 killed, 368 saved)
Captain Albert H. Rooks
CL Perth* (RAN) (375 killed, 307 saved)
Captain Hec Waller

Note: After the sinking of the Houston and Perth, the Dutch Destroyer Evertsen was caught by the IJN Destroyers Murakumo & Shirakumo as it tried to avoid contact with the IJN forces in the Sunda Strait. The Evertsen was caught in searchlights just off the island of Dwars in de Weg in the Sunda Strait at 2:00 AM on March 1st, 1942. The IJN DD’s hit her seven times causing a fire in the after magazines which caused her Captain to order the Dutch DD beached.

[MistyCA]

Imperial Japanese Naval Forces (IJN)

Sentai 7, Section 2—Captain Shakao Sukiyama
CA Mikuma—Captain Sukiyama
(6 killed, 11 injured)
Launched 6 torpedoes
CA Mogami
Launched 12 torpedoes
Desron 3, 1st Fleet—Rear Admiral Kenzaburo Hara (Escort Commander)
CL Natori (F)
Launched 4 torpedoes
Desdiv 12
DD Shirakumo—Commander Toyoji Hitomi
Launched 9 torpedoes
DD Murakumo—Commander Hideo Azuma
Launched 9 torpedoes
Desdiv 11
DD Fubuki—Commander Masao Yamashita
Launched 9 torpedoes
DD Shirayuki—Commander Rokorou Sugawara
1 killed, 11 injured
Launched 9 torpedoes
DD Hatsuyuki—Commander Junnari Kamiura
Launched 9 torpedoes
Desdiv 19
DD Shikinami—Commander Akifumi Kawahashi
Launched 1 torpedo
Desron 5, Desdiv 5, 3rd Fleet
DD Asakaze
Launched 6 torpedoes
DD Hatakaze
Launched 6 torpedoes
DD Harukaze
3 killed, 15 injured
Launched 5 torpedoes
Torpedo Boat Division 21
TB Hatsukari
TB Chidori
2nd Base Force
ML Shirataka
1st Minesweeper Div.
MS W2*

Transport Force
Trans. Sakura Maru* (7167 tons)
Trans. Ryujo Maru* (8370 tons) also known as Shinshu Maru (later refloated)
General Imamura (Commander in Chief, 16th Army)
Trans. Horai Maru* (9192 tons)
Trans. Tatsuno Maru* (6960 tons) (later refloated)
Another (23) transports were also anchored in the same area (Landing Area C) carrying units of the 2nd Infantry Division, 16th Army, No. 3 Sentai. Another (29) Transports make up the rest of the Western Java Invasion Force. Of these another (6) are located further southwest of St. Nicolaas Pt. (Landing Area B) just out of sight of the ABDA Cruisers. These (6) transports are carrying units of the 2nd Infantry Division, 16th Army, No. 2 Sentai.

*sunk in this action

Sources:
1. The Battle of the Java Sea by F. C. Van Oosten
2. Chronology of the War at Sea 1939-1945 by J. Rohwer & G. Hummelchen
3. A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy (1941-1945) by P. Dull
4. Nihon Kaigun website at: http://www.skypoint.com/~jbp/kaigun.htm
see Allyn Nevitt’s ‘Long Lancers’ page.
5. Sea Battles in Close-Up, WWII, Vol. 2, Java Sea by E. Grove
6. Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War by E. LaCroix & L. Wells III.

[MistyCA]

Hi there!

[Pippin]

How are things in Minnesota?

[SAMWolf]

Australian Decimal Silver Coins

[Pippin]

KEWL!

[SAMWolf]

Hey, aren't you supposed to be working like I'm supposed to be? LOL!

[Pippin]

Getting ready to get off and go home! LOL! :^)

[SAMWolf]

Have a nice weekend. I have 2 1/2 hours to go.

[SAMWolf]

<5 Minute Windows Media player Interview with USS Houston survivors

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

Sam,I've mentioned this before, but definitely read "Prisoners of the Japanese" by Gavan Dawes, the crew of the Houston is featured prominently. Also, I seem to have been dropped from the ping list. Thanks.

[The Real Deal]

Sam, thanks for posting the story about Justin. I took the time to send his mother an email. How sad that her son was taken so early in life.

[SAMWolf]

I seem to have been dropped from the ping list.

Sorry about that, I'll let antiJen know to check the ping list.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Real Deal.

The original story of Justin's day in the Army was posted a while back, it's such a sad ending to post this story.