Chapter 118 Volume 4, Chapter 8, The Fall of the Dutch East Indies

The short life of the American, British, Dutch, and Australian theaters The importance of China to Americans Wavell's meeting with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in Chongqing Wavell arrived in Batavia on January 10: Headquarters in Bandung Efforts to strengthen the American, British, Dutch, and Australian theaters Japanese advances in January Berlin's insights Wavell faces a storm His report of February 13 and his report of February 16 My memorandum to the chiefs of staff of the armed forces and Telegram to the President, Feb. 17. Wavell recommending redeployment of Australian troops to Burma for an attack on Java. Day: Feb. 28 I intend to reappoint Wavell as Commander-in-Chief of India. Correspondence between me and him he went to The Dangerous Flying of Ceylon The Naval Tragedy Admiral Durman's Solitary Fight The Destruction of the Allied Fleet The Sinking of the Exeter The Last Resistance in Java The Japanese Complete Occupation of the Dutch East Indies.

The governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, India, and China sent tens of thousands of words of telegrams with the most reliable codes, planning to establish the headquarters of the United States, Britain, the Netherlands, and Australia under the Supreme Commander.The personnel are composed in strict accordance with the ratio of the number required by each country, including the three aspects of sea, land and air.There was painstaking debate as to whether a Dutch admiral could be appointed to command the navy as a compromise, how the whole arrangement would be made with the Americans and the British, and what advantages the Australians would gain.All this was easily agreed between the Five Powers and the Three Armies, while the vast areas involved were already occupied by Japan, and the combined Allied fleet was sunk in a desperate battle in the Java Sea.

At the beginning, there were some misunderstandings with Chiang Kai-shek. Although this did not affect the development of the situation, it involved delicate political relations.While in Washington, I had already discovered China's unusual importance in the minds of Americans, even among those at the top.I realize that there is an evaluation criterion that regards China as almost a fighting force comparable to the British Empire, and regards the Chinese army as a factor comparable to the Russian army.I expressed to the President that I think American public opinion is overestimating the contribution that China can make in this all-out war.He didn't take it seriously.China has 500 million people.What if such a large population could flourish and acquire modern weapons as Japan had done in the previous century?I replied, I was only talking about the current war, which is already very difficult to fight.I said, of course I am always willing to help the Chinese, and I will treat them with courtesy, because I admire and love the Chinese as a nation; I feel sorry for their extreme political corruption, but I say, don't expect me to adopt a criterion of evaluation when I think it's totally unrealistic.

When General Wavell was Commander-in-Chief of India, he flew over the Himalayas to Chungking to meet Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.This is in line with the intentions of the Americans. The meeting turned out to be disappointing, however, with Chiang Kai-shek complaining to President Roosevelt of the British commander's apparent lack of enthusiasm for what China could contribute to its own problems.I want to make this point clear. Prime Minister to General Wavell January 23, 1942 1. I am still puzzled by your reasons for rejecting China's help to defend Burma and the Burma Road.I know that you have now accepted the Chinese 49th and 93rd Divisions, but the rest of the Chinese Fifth and Sixth Armies are stationed on the other side of the border.Myanmar appears to be in serious danger of being devastated.When we think of how long the Chinese have persisted in resisting Japan when they were isolated and poorly armed, and when we see what a difficult life we ​​have lived under the Japanese, I cannot understand why we do not welcome the assistance of the Chinese .

2. I must tell you what the Americans think.In the minds of many Americans, China appears to be as important as Britain.The President thinks highly of you, but he seems a little surprised by Chiang Kai-shek's frustration after his meeting with you.The only reason the US Chiefs of Staff insist on putting Burma under your command is because they think you will accommodate China and open up the Burma Road, which is an indispensable measure for world victory.And let's not forget that behind all this looms the shadow of Asian solidarity, which aggravates all the disasters and frustrations we have to deal with.

3. If I could sum up the lessons I learned in the United States in one word, it would be China. Wavell replied: I did not reject China's help.You said that I have only accepted the forty-ninth and ninety-third divisions now.In fact, when I was in Chongqing on December 23, I accepted it; their delay in moving out was purely a Chinese thing.As far as I know, these two divisions make up the Chinese Fifth Army, with the exception of another division whose quality is of questionable quality.All I ask is that the Sixth Army not be sent to the Burmese border because of supply difficulties.The British troops to be brought to Burma from India and Africa should be sufficient, so long as things go well and as far as transportation can afford.I know what Americans think about the Chinese, but democracies tend to think about things from emotion, not from reason.A general's duty is, or should be, to use his reason to plan.I think I was right in accepting Chinese aid (two divisions of the Fifth Army) and in requesting that the Sixth Army be kept in reserve in the Kunming area; it is a pity that my actions have caused such a misunderstanding.I hope that when you have the opportunity, you can reverse the impression of the President.I also think that the prestige of the British in China is low, and it is difficult to change before we have made some achievements.Nor does it enhance our prestige to admit that we cannot hold Burma without Chinese aid.

Prime Minister to General Wavell January 28, 1942 Thank you.I'm glad we are on the same page.I must seize the opportunity to explain to the President. On January 10, General Wavell arrived in Batavia and established his headquarters near Bandung, the center of the Dutch command.With only a small core of officers isolated by great distances from sources of reinforcement, and with many strongholds fighting fiercely on a five thousand-mile front, he was able to concentrate on , engaged in the complex and urgent business of establishing the first wartime inter-Allied command. Several Japanese victories had threatened the chain of islands that formed the southern flank of the Malaya barrier, the largest of which were Sumatra and Java.To the east, General MacArthur continued his heroic resistance on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines, isolated and helpless.To the west, most of British Malaya had fallen, and Singapore was in jeopardy.In the middle of this main but threatened line of resistance on both flanks of the Allies, other Japanese forces pushed southward through the labyrinth of the Dutch islands.Two Dutch oil ports in Borneo and Celebes, Sarawak and Brunei, have been lost.The enemy army advances step by step, establishing air bases wherever they go to consolidate the results of the battle, and attack the next selected target.Their forces never went beyond the cover of their powerful coast-based air force, or beyond the cover of their sea-based aircraft carriers.The long-planned and far-reaching plan of a militaristic country has been fully realized in this strategic surprise attack.

For Wavell, everything depended on the arrival of reinforcements.Nothing could be done to save the small Dutch garrison guarding important positions on the central islands; and what happened in Singapore we all know.As for the Dutch, since their homeland has been enslaved, they don't have much power.All their strength, exerted from the beginning, has been diminished day by day.Two Australian divisions and an armored brigade from the Middle East were still en route.Three other anti-aircraft regiments had hurried to the deserted airfield in Java.Forty-eight Tornados flew from the Dauntless; two bomber squadrons also flew from Egypt to Sumatra via India.Eight of them finally reached Java.Everything we can grab has been sent.The American Asia Fleet, drawn from the Philippine Islands, was also sent to join the British and Dutch naval forces.The Americans also did their best to transfer aircraft from the air and sea to Allied Command;

But the distance is far away, and the Japanese combat machine is operating quickly and accurately. At the end of January, Kendari on Celebes Island and Balikpapan, a large oil port in East Borneo, fell one after another.Ambon Island, together with its important airfield, was also occupied by the enemy with extremely superior forces.Further east, across the combat areas of Britain, the United States, the Netherlands, and Australia, the Japanese occupied Rabaul on the island of New Britain and Bougainville in the Solomon Islands.This is the first step in their serious attempt to sever Australia's lifeline to the US.In early February, the first Japanese troops landed at Finschhaven, New Guinea, but the situation in other areas prevented the Japanese from controlling these outlying areas for the time being.On the other side, the invasion of Burma is underway.

It's interesting to know what the Germans were thinking at the time.On February 13, Admiral Raeder reported to the Führer: Rangoon, Singapore and most likely the port of Darwin will fall to the Japanese in a few weeks.Only feeble resistance is expected in Sumatra, while Java may hold out for a longer period.Japan is planning to seize this important stronghold of Ceylon in order to defend this position in the Indian Ocean, and it is planning to use its superior naval power to gain command of the sea in this area. Currently, fifteen Japanese submarines are operating in the Bay of Bengal, off Ceylon, and in the straits on both sides of Sumatra and Java.

Once Rangoon, Sumatra and Java were taken, the last oil wells between the Persian Gulf and the American continent would be lost.Gasoline for Australia and New Zealand can only be shipped from the Persian Gulf or the Americas.Once Japan's battleships, aircraft carriers, submarines, and Japanese naval air force could be based in Ceylon, Britain would have to rely on heavily escorted transport fleets if it wanted to maintain communications with India and the Near East.In that part of the world only Alexandria, Durban and Simonstown remain as repair bases for the large ships of the British Navy. Wavell did his best to weather the storm.He established a main attacking force of the air force in Palembang.At sea, the submarines of the United States and the Netherlands were not without success in attacking various forces attacking the east and west of Borneo.The Japanese invasion of Balikpapan was met with resistance; four American destroyers sank four enemy transport ships.Another transport was sunk by a Dutch aircraft.However, the Air Force's supplies were only sufficient to supplement consumption.On 4 February a small naval air force attempted to interfere with an enemy convoy coming from the Makassar Strait, but was forced to turn back after suffering losses from an air attack; reports came in that a powerful Japanese forces are massing in the Anambas Islands.Our air force at Palembang, mainly Australian squadrons, had sixty bombers and about fifty Tornados, with insufficient ground support and insufficient anti-aircraft protection for lack of ammunition.On February 13th all our bombers were dispatched to bomb a Japanese convoy of twenty-five or more transports from the Yanambas Islands, but without decisive success.We lost seven planes.Seven hundred Japanese paratroopers landed in Palembang the next morning, and a fierce battle for the airfield lasted all day.These paratroopers could have been wiped out sooner or later if they were not supported, but on the 15th a powerful advance echelon of the attacking force appeared.They were transported to the mouth of the river by landing craft.We sent all our aircraft against these ships and landing craft, and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, thereby checking their advance. Since our air power must be weakened, they will continue to attack.Now, our strength in Palembang is only 20 Tornado planes and 40 bombers, many of which are still incapable of combat, not to mention that the airfield as a base has no equipment so far.By night it became apparent that our few troops must withdraw and that all of southern Sumatra would fall to the Japanese.On that day, Singapore also fell. On the eve of this disaster, General Wavell sent us a detailed and urgent report on the possible developments, which I conveyed to the two Dominion Prime Ministers directly concerned. General Wavell to Prime Minister February 13, 1942 The unexpectedly rapid enemy advance on Singapore and another convoy of enemy convoys headed for South Sumatra compelled us to examine our plans for the defense of the Dutch East Indies, in which South Sumatra played an extremely important part.As long as there is enough time, a strong defense can be established after the arrival of Australia's 7th Division bound for South Sumatra.But the defensive positions are not yet ready. The advance infantry brigade of the 7th Australian Division will not be operational until about 8 March, and the division as a whole will not start until 21 March. If South Sumatra falls, it may not be possible to defend Java for a long time.Considering the size of the island, the garrison is weak.The 6th Australian Division now intends to reinforce Java, but this cannot be done before the end of March.The 7th Australian Division would be available for Java if drawn from South Sumatra. From the air force's point of view, defending Java is difficult; losing South Sumatra is even more terrible.Even if air force reinforcements are imminently waiting, our air force will inevitably be depleted quickly and cannot be replenished. Our limited air force not only has to deal directly with the enemy's air force; it also has to strike the enemy's shipping, and thus cannot protect our own shipping. Clearly, the defense of South Sumatra was essential to the defense of Java.Circumstances do not require us to revise our plans now, but they will compel us to do so.If this is the case, then the first thing to consider is the destination of the Australian Army, because most of the well-trained and equipped Australian troops are in this army. We must reinforce Sumatra until it is evidently useless.It may not be cost-effective to reinforce Java in the future. The day after the fall of Singapore, the Supreme Commander again studied the situation within his theater of operations.His well-organized report paints a clear and comprehensive picture of the situation. General Wavell to Prime Minister February 16, 1942 1. You will also surmise that recent events in Singapore and South Sumatra have confronted us with extremely serious and urgent questions of strategic direction. 2. Geography.Java (long) is five hundred miles about the distance from London to Inverness. The northern coast is almost entirely accessible for landing. 3. The scale of the enemy's invasion and possible combat operations.If there are transport and escort ships, the enemy may send four divisions to attack Java in the next ten to fourteen days; Two or more divisions may be reinforced in a month.The largest air strikes may involve 400 to 500 fighters (including those launched from aircraft carriers) and 300 to 400 bombers. Our forces to deal with the enemy's invasion of Java are as follows: (1) Navy.There can be up to three to four cruisers and ten or so destroyers as a combat force.This force would be weak if deployed on both threatened ends of the island.If they are concentrated, it will be difficult to reach the key point due to the distance.Wherever it is, it will be hit hard by the Air Force. (2) Ground forces.There are currently three weak Dutch divisions.The British Imperial Forces consisted of a battalion of the 3rd Hussars Brigade with light tanks and about 3,000 Australian soldiers scattered among the various units.There are also thousands of Royal Air Force ground crews, some of whom are unarmed.On the American side: a field artillery regiment, but not fully equipped. (3) Air Force.There are currently about fifty fighters, sixty-five medium bombers or dive bombers, and twenty heavy bombers. The landing on Java in the near future can only be prevented if the local naval and air forces are superior.The above facts show that this advantage is simply impossible to obtain.Once the enemy landed, there was now nothing to prevent them from quickly occupying the main naval and air bases on the island. The first batch of airlifted Australian troops will not arrive in Java until the end of the month.Not to go into battle until March 8th.The entire division could not be shipped and put into action until March 21st.The remaining division of the corps will not arrive until mid-April. Conclusion: In the war against Japan, Burma and Australia are of paramount importance.The fall of Java, though a severe blow in every respect, was not yet fatal. Therefore, there is no need to try to reinforce Java in order not to weaken the defenses of Burma or Australia. The main question at present is where is the destination of the Australian army. If the situation is all right and it is possible to station troops on the island and meet the Japanese under favorable conditions, then I will not hesitate to advocate a risky operation, as I did with Greece the year before.I thought then that we had a good chance of stopping the German aggression, and whatever the outcome, I still thought it appropriate to take the risk.In the present circumstances, I must say that, in my opinion, the risk of action is inappropriate both from a tactical and a strategic point of view.I am also fully aware of the various political aspects involved. On this matter, I made the following memo: Prime Minister to General Ismay, Transfer to the Chiefs of Staff Committee February 17, 1942 I believe that it is impossible to act contrary to General Wavell's main opinion.Personally, I agree with him.The best way seems to be: (1) If the Australian government agrees, the Australian pioneer will be transferred to Burma. (2) Next, ship the 70th Division to Burma via Bombay in ships originally reserved for the 2nd Australian Division.When passing through Ceylon, leave a brigade behind. (3) Return the remaining two divisions to Australia as soon as transport becomes available. (4) Send convoy W.S. No. 17 to secure Trincomalee with additional anti-aircraft artillery units, and send the remainder of this convoy to Rangoon. I have no idea what General Wavell intends to do with the forces available in Java.Is it to make them fight to the end with the Dutch to delay the fall, or is there another attempt to transfer them elsewhere?In my opinion, this is more debatable than the previous issues. I said to President Roosevelt: 1. Wavell's telegram concerning the new situation created by the fall of Singapore and the forced landing of the Japanese on Sumatra, I forgive you.We will discuss our situation today at the National Defense Council and tomorrow at the Pacific Warfare Council, and we will inform you of our recommendations.Effective resistance in Sumatra and Java should have good prospects, otherwise, the question of whether to transfer all reinforcements to Rangoon and Australia will arise?It appears that the Australian government is keen to request that two of their divisions be transferred back to Australia.I cannot refuse for long.The third division currently in Palestine will probably also be withdrawn one after another.In my opinion, the most important place at the moment is Yangon, the only one that can guarantee the connection with China.You also know that Wavell has correctly moved the British Armored Brigade which was due to arrive there on the twentieth of this month.Tomorrow, the chiefs of staff of the armed forces will tell you the results of our discussions through military channels. 2. A battle in Libya is imminent, and Rommel will probably take the offensive.We hope we can achieve good results.The preliminary air battle yesterday was well fought. General Wavell did not expect that the invasion of Java, our last stronghold, would begin before the end of February; with the strength he had and the reinforcements he might have, there was little prospect of victory.He therefore suggested that all Australian troops en route be transferred to Burma.On the 18th the beautiful island of Bali, just east of Java, fell; and a few days later the island of Timor, our only remaining base for air communication with Australia, was taken.At this time, Admiral Nagumo's fast aircraft carrier fleet, famous for the Pearl Harbor incident, now consisting of four large aircraft carriers, supported by battleships and cruisers, appeared in the Timor Sea; on the 19th, A devastating bombardment was carried out on the densely packed ships in Darwin Harbour, causing a large number of casualties.For some time after this short-lived campaign, the port of Darwin had lost its value as a base. We all now know that the date of the Japanese attack on Java was February 28.On the 18th, the Western Combat Detachment, consisting of fifty-six transport ships and a powerful escort ship, left Cam Ranh Bay in French Indochina.On the 19th, the Eastern Combat Detachment, consisting of 41 transport ships, also left Hele Island in the Sulu Sea for Balikpapan, arriving on the 23rd.On the 21st, our joint staff informed General Wavell that Java should be defended to the end by the troops already on the island and no additional reinforcements would be sent.He also received orders to withdraw his headquarters from Java.Wavell replied that he believed that the US, British, Dutch and Australian commands should be disbanded rather than withdrawn.This was agreed upon. With the events fully developed, I saw that the end was in sight. Prime Minister to General Wavell February 20, 1942 1. The overall plan for defending the American, British, Dutch, and Australian theaters was obviously affected by the rapid advances of the enemy forces in all respects.It had been decided to fight to the finish for Java with existing forces and some on their way, and to send major reinforcements to Burma and India.The President is planning to let the United States take care of Australia's side, while we concentrate all our forces to defend or recover Burma and the Burma Road. Of course, this refers to doing everything possible to prolong the Java War of Resistance.He also recognized the critical importance of Ceylon, as it was the only way for our Navy to come back. 2. I speculate that if General MacArthur gave up (Cory Jidor), he might not come to take care of Australia.You have not told me where your headquarters will be moved if you have to evacuate Java. 3. It is my own opinion that you resume as Commander-in-Chief of India and return General Hartley to his Northern Command.From this central point you can animate our entire war against Japan. [1] Sir Alan Hartley was appointed Commander-in-Chief of India when General Wavell went to the American, British, Dutch, and Australian Commands. On February 21st I received a pessimistic reply from General Wavell. I am afraid that the defenses of the United States, Britain, the Netherlands, and Australia have collapsed, and the defense of Java cannot last long.Defense has always depended on air combat.No force thrown in now will be enough to prolong the struggle; the question is mainly what you would rather save. I don't see this headquarters serving any purpose anymore. Finally, talk about yourself.I am the same as in the past, where you think it is most appropriate to send me, I am fully willing to make the best effort there. I have failed you and the President here, and a better man may have won. If you think my transfer to India will do the best job, of course I will.But you'd better seek the Governor's opinion first, talk about whether my prestige and influence can still be maintained after this defeat, because these two points are extremely important in the East, and then talk about Hartley and his successors in the United States. What is the difficulty with Northern Command. It makes me sad to think of leaving these strong and brave Dutchmen.I'd love to stay in the North and fight with them, if you think it will help. Best wishes.I'm afraid you are in a very difficult time, but I know your courage will carry it out splendidly. As far as I can see, I have always followed the principle that military commanders should be judged not by their effectiveness, but by the quality of their hard work.I have no illusions about the theaters of the United States, Britain, the Netherlands, and Australia. Now I only intend to save Burma and India.We solemnly and properly ask Wavell to bear the burden of this tempestuous calamity, and I admire him for his composure and resolute reluctance.Some people will find some reason to decline politely, or make impossible conditions before accepting a difficult and hopeless task, because failure to complete the task will only ruin their reputation in public.Wavell's conduct was in the best traditions of the Army.Therefore, I replied: Prime Minister to General Wavell February 22, 1942 When you are no longer in command of the US, UK, Netherlands, and Australia theaters, you should go to India.We ask that you resume your command as Commander in Chief and continue the war against Japan from this main base. You may need a second-in-command to share your day-to-day duties.This problem can be solved after you arrive in Delhi.All other considerations are secondary. I want you to understand that the President and the Joint Staff in Washington, and me and all your friends here, appreciate your ability to command operations in the American, British, Dutch, and Australian theaters of operations with distinction and unfavorable conditions. , made a high evaluation. Wavell replied: We are tentatively scheduled to leave here on February 25th.I am most grateful for your magnanimous letter and for the trust you have placed in my hands again in the Indian Military Region.It would help the most if Hartley could stay on as deputy commander in chief. On the 25th, he called again: Tonight, I will go to Colombo with Pierce.From there I will fly to Rangoon or Delhi, as Hartley telegrams me. Wavell and Pierce left Bandung by plane.The American pilot who flew the plane for the Supreme Commander said to a person who entered the cockpit: Hey, I only have this map of the railway line, but it doesn't matter. I heard that we are going to a place called Seron [1]. It is marked on the map.They flew nearly two thousand miles to Seron.Wavell had an unusual experience in the air.He encountered no fewer than six or seven fatal incidents, but he was not injured.People think he is Jonah on the plane [2]; however, Jonah always survives and the plane returns safely.This time the plane caught fire in the air, but the flames were extinguished after some rescue efforts by the crew on board.And did not wake up the commander-in-chief. 【1】Saylon is a mispronunciation of Ceylon.Ceylon is now called Sri Lanka.translator 【2】For the story of Jonah, see the Old Testament Book of Jonah.Jonah is usually used as a metaphor for a person who has suffered a misfortune and narrowly escaped death.translator Wavell received the following telegram in Ceylon. Prime Minister to General Wavell February 26, 1942 Please consider whether this important place of Ceylon needs a first-class soldier to command the armed forces and also manage civil affairs; whether Bonnard is a suitable candidate.We don't want another Singapore. General Bonnard assumed command of the garrison on March 6. I sent the following telegram to those who remained in Java to fight with the Dutch: Prime Minister to Air Force Major General Maltby February 26, 1942 I extend my best wishes to you and to all the British officers and men who remain in Java, and wish you success and honor in this present pitched battle.Every day is precious, and I know you will do everything in your power to prolong this fight. Dutch Admiral Helfric now commanded the dwindling Allied naval forces.The staunch Dutchman never despaired, but continued to attack the enemy fiercely, regardless of the overwhelming strength of the opposing force. He deserves to be the heir to the famous seafarers in Dutch history.In order to cope with the opponent's dispatch of a large number of transport fleets to invade Java on the sea, he organized two main attacking forces. One force on the eastern front was in Surabaya (Surabaya), commanded by Admiral Durman; A force on the western front was at Tanjung Priok, a seaport in Batavia, and consisted of the British fleet.The British fleet is composed of cruisers such as HMS Hobart (Australia), HMS Danne, and HMS Dragon, and destroyers such as HMS Reconnaissance and HMS Tenedos. It has gone out several times to search for the enemy; on the 28th, it was ordered to withdraw to Colombo arrived safely in a few days.Due to Tanjung Priok's lack of fuel and constant air raids, the main western front force retreated at this time.Had they joined Admiral Durman's main force on the Eastern Front, they would have met the same fate. Meanwhile Durman sailed from Surabaya on the Dreter at 6:30 p.m. on the 26th.Accompanying them were heavy cruisers such as Exeter (UK) and Houston (USA) whose rear guns failed; light cruisers such as Java (Netherlands) and HMS Perth (Australia); and nine destroyers, of which the British Three, the United States four, and the Netherlands two.Admiral Helfrick's order to Durman was: You must continue to attack until the enemy collapses.This would have been a sound principle, and the convoys of the Japanese attacking convoy would have been a handsome prize; but, in this case, it ignores the overwhelming superiority of the enemy, total air supremacy, and the deployment of the main attacking force in the west. fact.Admiral Durman also lacked a common code for his communications. His orders had to be translated by an American liaison officer on the bridge of the USS Dreter before they could be issued.His urgent appeal for the protection of several fighter jets remaining in Surabaya went unanswered.On the night of the twenty-sixth he searched for the enemy, but found nothing; early in the morning he returned to Surabaya to refuel the destroyers.No sooner had he sailed into port than he received urgent orders from Admiral Helfrick to attack the enemy forces found west of Bawean Island. Durmans then put out to sea again with his weary troops; and an hour later, just after four o'clock in the afternoon, the battle broke out.In the beginning, it was fairly evenly matched.The long-range artillery battle brought no losses to either side, and a series of torpedo attacks by Japanese destroyers also failed.After half an hour of fighting, one enemy ship was hit and set on fire, but a short time later one of the Exeter's boiler rooms was hit; slowing down, she turned around and headed back to port.The ships behind it did the same.Around the same time, the Dutch destroyer Cortona was torpedoed and sunk.Admiral Durman retreated to the southeast, and the full-scale fighting was suspended, except for the destroyer Ilectra, which attempted to launch a torpedo from the Japanese smoke screen, but was intercepted by three Japanese destroyers and finally sank. After being forced to stop for a period of time, the Exeter was finally able to sail at a speed of fifteen knots, and was later ordered to sail back to Surabaya under the protection of the remaining Dutch destroyers. Admiral Durman, after reorganizing his dispersed and reduced fleet, led them around the enemy's flank, hoping to strike at the enemy's convoys.The scuffle continued intermittently.The enemy had now been reinforced, and had learned all of Durman's movements from the air.After the American destroyers fired all their torpedoes, they were called back to Surabaya.The British destroyer Jupiter ran into a mine laid by the Dutch warship that day and sank immediately, losing a lot of lives.After 10:30, when Admiral Durman was moving forward, he encountered two Japanese cruisers. After a fierce battle, both Dutch cruisers were torpedoed and sunk. The outstanding Dutch hero also died.The Perth and Houston, which escaped without incident, sailed straight to Batavia and arrived in the afternoon of the next day. We still have to hear this story.That night, after refueling, the Australian and American cruisers left Batavia in an attempt to pass through the Sunda Strait.By chance they sailed into the middle of the main body of the Japanese attack force on the western front, and the transport ships of that force happened to be landing the loaded troops at Banten Bay, at the western end of Java.Those cruisers sank two transport ships while the troops on the Japanese transport ships were coming ashore; in this way, they retaliated before they were destroyed.The 307 officers and men on the Perth and the 368 officers and men on the Houston survived, but were interned in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps.Both Australian and American captains went down with the ship. Meanwhile, the wounded Exeter and the only surviving British destroyer, HMS Engagement, returned to Surabaya, which soon became untenable.Although every route of retreat was guarded by the enemy with heavy troops, the two warships sailed out to sea.The four American destroyers that had engaged in the battle the previous day had exhausted their torpedoes.Nevertheless, they proceeded on the night of 28 February and slipped through the narrow Bali Strait; encountering only one enemy patrol ship on the way, they ignored it.By dawn they were out of danger and headed south, finally reaching Australia.對於噸位較大埃克塞特號來說，這條航路是行不通的，在二月二十八日晚，它同會戰號和美國的驅逐艦波普號一起進發，希望穿過巽他海峽前往錫蘭，次日早晨，這支小艦隊被發現了，四艘游弋中的日本巡洋艦在驅逐艦和飛機的支持下，就向目標咄咄進逼。在勢不可當的炮火壓迫之下，這艘在一九三九年普拉特河口戰役中出名的埃克塞特號，不久就動彈不得了，中午前終於受到魚雷致命的打擊。會戰號和波普號都被擊沉了。兩艘英艦上的五十名軍官和七百五十名海軍士兵，連同波普號上的倖存者都被日本人俘虜去了。 我們的海軍部隊就這樣被摧毀了，爪哇也三面受到敵人緊密的包圍。為了補充迅速衰竭的空軍力量，兩艘美艦運載五十九架戰鬥機，以作最後的殊死的努力。其中一艘舊的飛機供應艦蘭利號在駛近的時候遭到空襲，被擊沉了；另外一艘安全到達，但是，到這時候，甚至已經沒有辦法把裝箱的飛機運上岸了。在最高司令部解散之後，盟軍的全部隊伍都交給荷蘭人指揮，以供保衛爪哇之用。蒲爾頓將軍指揮著二萬五千名荷蘭正規軍，後來，西特韋爾少將指揮的英軍分遣隊也參加了這支守備隊。英軍分遣隊由三個澳大利亞營、第三騎兵旅的一個輕坦克營以及由英國皇家空軍後勤單位四百五十人和美國炮兵部隊後勤單位若干人臨時湊成的一支武裝部隊。荷蘭方面大概有十個空軍中隊，但是他們的飛機有許多是不能用的。英國皇家空軍在撤出蘇門答臘之後，組成了五個中隊，其中只有四十來架飛機是好的。另外還有美軍剩下的轟炸機和戰鬥機約二十架。 保衛爪哇的任務就落在這支實力薄弱的隊伍身上。爪哇的北岸長達八百哩，有無數可以登陸的灘頭。來自東西兩方的日軍運輸船隊運來了四五個師。日子再也拖不下去了。根據三月八日荷蘭方面的決定，上萬名英國人和美國人（包括五千名空軍及其優秀的指揮官莫爾特比以及八千多名英軍和澳軍官兵）都投降了。 在爪哇，我們曾經決定和荷蘭人一起堅持戰鬥到底。雖然沒有勝利的希望，但是至少推遲了敵人多次向新目標的進攻。日軍至此完全佔領了荷屬東印度群島。