page_title: HNLMS Java (1921)
section_title: World War II
hierarchical_section_title: HNLMS Java (1921) / Service history / World War II
caption_attribution_description: English: NHHC Photograph Collection, NH 80903. Java steams at high speed, c. 1939.
context_page_description: HNLMS Java was a Java-class cruiser of the Royal Netherlands Navy. She was sunk during the Battle of the Java Sea on 27 February 1942.
context_section_description: As the war with Japan began in December 1941, Java performed convoy duties in conjunction with British forces. On 15 February 1942, the force which Java was a part of was attacked by "Kate" bombers from the carrier Ryūjō although no damage was sustained.
  On 19 February, the ABDA naval forces sailed to Bali to attempt to disrupt Japanese landings there, and the Java took part in the Battle of Badung Strait. In this action, fire was exchanged with the Japanese but the Java took no damage. The Japanese successfully captured Bali while severely damaging the Dutch cruiser Tromp and a Dutch destroyer, and sinking the Piet Hein.
  On 27 February 1942 Java took part in the Battle of the Java Sea. During the evening phase of that battle she was struck by a Long Lance torpedo fired from the Japanese cruiser Nachi. The torpedo detonated an aft magazine and blew the stern off the ship, causing flooding in the aft engine room and setting fire to the anti-aircraft deck. As the ship took on a heavy list to port, the flooding caused the electrical equipment to shut down. The crew abandoned ship and the Java sank about fifteen minutes after being struck by the torpedo. 512 of her crew lost their lives in the sinking.
caption: HNLMS Java in 1939, after her reconstruction
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