Evening star., 1942-03-19

against air attacks throughout the
day. But at approximately $3.50
O'Clock that Friday afternoon. when
the fleet was midway between the
island of Bawean and Soerabaja,
the signal came that a Catalina
had observed a squadron consisting
of two cruisers, four destroyers
and many transports" (the latter
referring apparently to the 40
transports seen Thursday in Macas-
sar Strait. This squadron was
put so miles away at $50 degrees,
that is, slightly west Of directly
north.
Admiral Helfrich's order came
from his Bandoeng mountain head
quarters to attack Immediately.
The Allied ships swung north. Ad-
miral Deoorman elected that his
formation should be arranged as
follows:
The British destroyers Electra
and Jupiter, which were heavier
armed than the Americans, led a
column of cruisers with a mile OF
open water between. Next came Ad-
miral Deoormans 6,500-ton flag
ship, the De Ruyter, followed at 500
yard intervals by the 8,400-ton Ex-
eter, the 9,059-ton Houston, the
7,O0O-ton Perth, the 6,670-ton Java
The plan was to engage the Japs
on the starboard side. The Hous-
tons commander requested place
midway in the cruiser line because
only the two forward turets' 8-inch
guns were serviceable, the single
stern turret being still out of action
due to the Jap bombers' high-level
bombing attack of Kangean Island
north Of Bali, four weeks before.
U. S. Destroyers in Reserve.
Two Dutch destroyers, the Korte-
naer and the Witte de With,
steamed parallel with the cruiser
line on the portside, about 2 miles
away. They had orders to prepare
to act as an escort for any cruiser
which should become disabled
through enemy fire. The British
destroyer Encounter was at port
side of the columns end. about a
mile away. The line of American
destroyers, being reserved for tor
pedo attacks, brought up the rear,
their lighter armament making
them more suitable as an anti
submarine screen than an inter-
ception force. The entire column
was making about % knots when
1t entered battle.
When action was joined the Jap
force, reported as two cruisers and
four destroyers, proved to consist
of at least eight cruisers, at least
two being of the 10,O0O-ton Natl
class, with probably, most of the
others being of the 8,500-ton
Mogami class, plus at least 13 and
probably more destroyers. Thirty
odd transports fled north. Firing
began at $4,000 yards and Mogami
class cruiser, hit by the Houston
or Exeter, began laying a smoke
screen.
But after five minutes of find
ing themselves at a disadvantage
through the enemy's heavier fire.
power, the Allies moved closer Ad-
miral Deoorman gave the order
for a 90-degree starboard turn,
closed range by 5000 yards and
then with another 90-degree turn,
this time portward, brought the
battle lines parallel again at 10000
Jap Destroyer Hit.
Now the battle was joined at its
hottest. Columns Of water arose
around the Allied vessels. The de-
stroyers, counting IS greenish white
spires after single Jap broadsides
knew the cruisers were within range
of Is 6-inch guns carried by the
Mogami class. The Perth scored a
hit on Jap destroyer and the De
Ruyter demolished another war
ship, believed to be a cruiser.
Destroyer observers saw the De
Ruyter's big guns slowly swing
around, after a big black puff of
smoke silhouetted a sinking Jap
and begin firing at the next ship
The Jap destroyer f1otillas attack
was frustrated barely in time be-
cause four spent Jap torpedoes blew
up harmlessly in the water, their
apparatus for spontaneous destruc-
ton exploding them a few yards
away.
Even though Jap fire power ex-
ceeded Allied by two to one and Jap
spotter planes were undisputed over
head, the battle went favorably for
Admiral Deoormans force until a
Jap shell hit the British cruiser
Exeter in the engine room. No ex-
plosion was noticeable, but clouds of
white steam were seen issuing just
aft Of the rear funnel. Its speed
faltered and fell away.
AS the following Houston pounded
down on him, the Exeter's COM
mander made full 90-degree port
side turn, breaking out of line in or
der not to impede the other vessels
movements. However, the Houston,
the Perth and the Java, seeing the
new maneuver, likewise turned to
port
Kortenaer TorpedOed.
Admiral Deoorman'S flagship, the
De Ruyter, followed the example,
and so did three British, two Dutch
and several American destroyers.
The battle had been opened at 4:14
O'Clock. The Exeter was hit about
$40. The Dutch destroyer Kor-
tenaer, which had been ordered to
escort whichever cruiser was first
damaged, changed its course to &C
company the stricken Exeter.
The Allied fleet, which had been
proceeding Indian file with Dutch
destroyers, and the Encounter
parallel on the portbeam, was now
steaming abreast and away from the
enemy. But even as the helm swung
over the destroyer, the Kortenaer
received torpedo on the starboard
side. An earlier destroyer attack
having been repelled, the nearest
Jap warship was then $4,000 yards
away, an impossible range for any
normal torpedo. 1t is, therefore,
reasoned that Jap submarines must
have stolen in beneath the surface