HERO DECORATED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22475, 9 January 1943, Page 6

HERO DECORATED

Night Naval Battles

Lombok Straits Epic

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands has appointed Lieutenant-Com-mander Edward N. Parker, United States Navy, Knight of the Military Willems Order, Dutch equivalent of the British Victoria Cross. Lieutenant-Commander Parker earned this highest Netherlands military decoration for gallant conduct as commander of a division of destroyers in the battle of the Lombok Straights during the night of February 19-20 of this year, reports the Free Netherlands press agency. Attacking superior enemy forces, consisting of heavy Japanese cruisers and destroyers, he succeeded in inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Dramatic details of this naval engagement fought between Allied and Japanese warships in the Lombok Straits —between the islands of Bali and Lombok—have now been revealed for the first time in connection with the decoration of Lieutenant-Com-mander Parker, who took a leading part. The attack on Bali was destined to be the first stage of the Japanese invasion of Java, as the Japanese landing on Bali on February 18 was intended to enable the Japanese to ferry large forces to Java, without being molested. Although it had been reported that large invasion fleets were already assembled in the Macassar Straits, it was almost impossible to ascertain their strength. Nevertheless, orders to attack were issued to the Netherlands Rear-Admiral Doorman, commanding the Allied striking force. Two Attacks Planned A part of Admiral Doorman's force consisting of two Netherlands cruisers, one Netherlands and two American destroyers, was ordered to proceed to Lombok and engage the enemy before midnight, when they were supposed to be landing. After this another attack was planned by the remaining part of the striking force, consisting of the Netherlands cruiser Tromp and four small American destroyers from the naval base of Sourabaya. The intention of this second attack was to make use of the confusion caused by the first raid. The dramatic plan, however, had one diS7 advantage: the attackers would have to approach in clear moonlight. Therefore, it was practically certain that the Allied ships would be sighted before they could open fire. At 30 knots the Netherlands cruisers De Ruyter and Java, followed by the Piet Hein and two American destroyers, raced along the south coast of Bali to the Straits of Lombok, and, at 9 p.m. on February 19, they met the enemy forces. Exploding shells lit up a number of enemy ships and the small Allied squadron steered right through the mass of enemy cruisers, destroyers and transports, sweeping the enemy decks with their fire and wreaking havoc on transport. Eye-witnesses recounted that the two American destroyers did more than keep up their Macassar Straits reputation by torpedoing several transports and one Japanese cruiser. The Piet Hein lived up to the heroic career Of the Dutch admiral of the 17th century, after whom it was named. Although caught in several searchlight beams and mortally hit, the destroyer pressed home the attack, and, while already sinking, managed to score a torpedo hit on a cruiser, which, blazing from bow to stern, blew up. The remainder of the Allied force broke through and emerged at the other end of the straights. The Japanese had certainly been surprised. Actually they had riot" even bothered to guard the southern entrance of the Lombok Straits. Heavy Losses Inflicted But a little later the same tactics were repeated by the Netherlands cruiser Tromp and four American destroyers. which found the Japanese fleet still without guard at the southern entrance. Daylight was growing fast, and this time the trick was only partly successful. The Tromp was hit with devastating effect by several eight-inch shells, which destroyed her fire control-station, but she continued to fight back and even succeeded in silencing the guns of a large Japanese warship. Meanwhile, the four American destroyers were scoring many hits and causing great confusion among the enemy. The Japanese fleet was not wiped out. but conservative estimates state that at least 20 Japanese transports and warships were sunk off Bali during these engagements. It is certain that at least one heavy eight-inch gun cruiser was sunk. The brilliant action of Admiral Callaghan in the Solomons bears a striking resemblance to the battle which Admiral Doorman’s small striking force fought in the Lombok Straits, showing the world and the enemy the spirit which inspires all Allied navies.