JAVA SEA BATTLE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 61, 10 September 1945, Page 6

JAVA SEA BATTLE

SURVIVOR'S ACCOUNT OF h SINKINGS

Rec. 12.20 p.m. TOKIO, September 9. An Australian medical officer who survived the Java Sea battle estimated that the majority of the 250 survivors which a Japanese destroyer picked up were from the cruiser Perth and the remainder from the American cruiser Houston. He estimated, that there were only 350 other survivors of the battle, but he did not say whether any of these were Australians.

The final action occurred at 10 p.m. as the ships sped for the Sunda Straits after a running battle with an overwhelmingly superior enemy force. Two unidentified ships were located and opened fire. Then, out of the darkness, a green light flickered. The Perth knew this was not a friendly recognition signal. The Houston's # guns th^u opened up and the enemy replied with, shots which came from three directions. It was seen that the enemy comprised eight cruisers and twelve destroyers, screening a landing force which was discharging troops at Bantan Bay. The Perth and Houston were short of ammunition, as they had not had time to re-arm after firing their fore and aft guns as they ran. After a 20-minute furious exchange, the Perth had only 20 rounds. She had already taken several hits forward when a torpedo, crashed into the forward en-fine-room, killing the key officers. The erth slowed down, and then a second torpedo crashed .into. her. Shells also scored direct lifts. Her captain gave t'je-order to abandon ship. A third and fourth torpedo crashed into the Perth, which capsized and sank.

The Houston, whose guns were in action to the end, continued firing for 20 minutes .after the Perth sank. The Jppanese fired 100 torpedoes, four of which hit the Perth and four the Houston. Some survivors managed to swim ashore, but the natives handed them over to the Japanese for ten guilden for each.