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Osprey Campaign #344
Java Sea 1942: Japan's Conquest of the Netherlands East Indies
A highly illustrated study of the battle of the Java Sea, a key Japanese victory in their advance throughout Southeast Asia.
The battle of the Java Sea, fought in February 1942, was the first major surface engagement of the Pacific War and one of the few naval battles of the entire war fought to a decisive victory. It was the culminating point of the Japanese drive to occupy the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) and, to defend the territory, the Allies assembled a striking force comprised of Dutch, American, British, and even an Australian ship, all under the command of a resolute Dutch admiral.
On February 27, 1942, the Allied striking force set course to intercept the Japanese invasion force in the Java Sea. In one of the few such times during the whole of World War II a protracted surface engagement was fought unmolested by airpower. For over seven hours, the Allied force attempted to attack the Japanese invasion force, finally breaking off in the early evening. Some three hours later, the Allied force, now reduced to just four remaining cruisers and two destroyers, attempted another attack on the invasion convoy during which Japanese torpedoes scored heavily, sinking two Dutch cruisers and bringing the battle to a conclusion. Over the next two days, as the Allies attempted to flee, five more ships were sunk. From that point on, Allied naval power was eliminated from Southeast Asia.
In this illustrated title, Mark Stille tells the full story of the battle of the Java Sea, explaining how and why the Japanese achieved such a resounding victory, and delving into the tremendous impact of the battle on the course of the Pacific War.
The battle of the Java Sea, fought in February 1942, was the first major surface engagement of the Pacific War and one of the few naval battles of the entire war fought to a decisive victory. It was the culminating point of the Japanese drive to occupy the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) and, to defend the territory, the Allies assembled a striking force comprised of Dutch, American, British, and even an Australian ship, all under the command of a resolute Dutch admiral.
On February 27, 1942, the Allied striking force set course to intercept the Japanese invasion force in the Java Sea. In one of the few such times during the whole of World War II a protracted surface engagement was fought unmolested by airpower. For over seven hours, the Allied force attempted to attack the Japanese invasion force, finally breaking off in the early evening. Some three hours later, the Allied force, now reduced to just four remaining cruisers and two destroyers, attempted another attack on the invasion convoy during which Japanese torpedoes scored heavily, sinking two Dutch cruisers and bringing the battle to a conclusion. Over the next two days, as the Allies attempted to flee, five more ships were sunk. From that point on, Allied naval power was eliminated from Southeast Asia.
In this illustrated title, Mark Stille tells the full story of the battle of the Java Sea, explaining how and why the Japanese achieved such a resounding victory, and delving into the tremendous impact of the battle on the course of the Pacific War.
96 pages, Paperback
Published November 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 18, 2021
In 1941 the Japanese needed oil for their war machine, and if it wasn't forthcoming from the US, then the Japanese would just seize it by conquest. That oil that they needed was in the Netherland East Indies. JAVA SEA 1942 explains the naval victories that made that invasion possible.
If one cracks open a book and looks at a map that shows the extent of the Japanese conquest at its height one will see much of the Pacific as well as Asia under their control. The funny thing is, most of that conquest came quickly at the beginning of the war while the liberation of those territories and islands dragged on for years. Why? The book explains many reasons. A big part of it was underestimating Japanese capabilities as well as Allied blunders.
Like other books in this series, there were plenty of photos, order of battle (units), and maps.
I learned some interesting facts. The maximum range of an 8in. naval gun was 32,153 yards. A US torpedo had a range of about 13,000 yards. The Japanese Type 93 torpedo had a range of 43,746 yards! This secret weapon was fast too, at about 36 knots, and because it was fueled by oxygen, it didn't leave a wake. One torpedo hit was enough to sink a ship.
Before closing I think it a fitting tribute to mention the brave little USS Edsail (DD-219). As ordered, this lone destroyer was making a run for it when it ran into the Japanese. It took 84 minutes for the Japanese to finally sink her. Two battleships fired 297 14in. and 132 6in. shells at her and two heavy cruisers fired 844 8in. and 62 5in. shells. It was the 17 Japanese dive bombers that sealed her fate. Eight survivors were pulled from the water, but sadly, they were all beheaded when once ashore.
If one cracks open a book and looks at a map that shows the extent of the Japanese conquest at its height one will see much of the Pacific as well as Asia under their control. The funny thing is, most of that conquest came quickly at the beginning of the war while the liberation of those territories and islands dragged on for years. Why? The book explains many reasons. A big part of it was underestimating Japanese capabilities as well as Allied blunders.
Like other books in this series, there were plenty of photos, order of battle (units), and maps.
I learned some interesting facts. The maximum range of an 8in. naval gun was 32,153 yards. A US torpedo had a range of about 13,000 yards. The Japanese Type 93 torpedo had a range of 43,746 yards! This secret weapon was fast too, at about 36 knots, and because it was fueled by oxygen, it didn't leave a wake. One torpedo hit was enough to sink a ship.
Before closing I think it a fitting tribute to mention the brave little USS Edsail (DD-219). As ordered, this lone destroyer was making a run for it when it ran into the Japanese. It took 84 minutes for the Japanese to finally sink her. Two battleships fired 297 14in. and 132 6in. shells at her and two heavy cruisers fired 844 8in. and 62 5in. shells. It was the 17 Japanese dive bombers that sealed her fate. Eight survivors were pulled from the water, but sadly, they were all beheaded when once ashore.
January 29, 2020
"JAVA SEA 1942" offers a concise, comprehensive account of the combat actions at sea in and around the Netherlands East Indies from late February to early March 1942 that resulted in a decisive Japanese victory against a combined ABDA (American, British, Dutch, and Australian) naval force, and secured Japan’s control of the Netherlands East Indies with its considerable oil reserves. The book also contains a wealth of photos, battle diagrams, and illustrations that add to the reader's understanding of what was the first major surface engagement of the Pacific War.
November 13, 2023
This book definitely is informative on the subject of the Netherlands East Indies Campaign of 1942. At least from a naval perspective. Very little text is devoted to the air or land campaign. For the naval aspect though it is all here. Facts and figures about the ships that were present as well as those that did not survive the campaign, complete with casualty figures. It illustrated the plight of the Allied naval forces in and around the Netherlands East Indies in the early days of World War II. It also illustrated the plight of the Allied command structure. Hampered by not only communications difficulties but different agendas. Still, for a broader understanding of the entire situation, the reader may want to read a more in depth narrative of the battle. But if the reader is just curious about the naval campaign and who was here and what happened to them? This book certainly fills that need.
May 16, 2021
Excellent Detailed Review
Mark Stille, the author, is a veteran scholar of WWII. His ability to organize and and explain detailed occurrences comes through as he works his way through the complex happenings swirling around the contest at the Java Sea. The weapons are discussed in detail as are the various commanders on both sides. The book tells us about each commander’s history up to the battle, and lets us know what happened to them after the battle. The reader will find a very complete review of the people in command during the several engagements around Java and the Netherlands East Indies.
IMO, the best parts of the book examines the strategy of each side. The scrambled and almost incompetent Allied response to the approach of the Japanese is amazing. The inexcusable Dutch refusal to get together prior to Pearl Harbor with the UK, US, or Australians for mutual defense had extreme repercussions when the battle came. The loss of life from the poor Allied decisions was very high, and those lives lost accomplished nothing in military terms. Reading about how badly the Allies prepared for the Japanese attack is almost sickening. Another total debacle was the British defense of Singapore, but this is right up there with that collapse. Osprey has a good book about that as well.
A good read and good history. Buy it.
AD2
Mark Stille, the author, is a veteran scholar of WWII. His ability to organize and and explain detailed occurrences comes through as he works his way through the complex happenings swirling around the contest at the Java Sea. The weapons are discussed in detail as are the various commanders on both sides. The book tells us about each commander’s history up to the battle, and lets us know what happened to them after the battle. The reader will find a very complete review of the people in command during the several engagements around Java and the Netherlands East Indies.
IMO, the best parts of the book examines the strategy of each side. The scrambled and almost incompetent Allied response to the approach of the Japanese is amazing. The inexcusable Dutch refusal to get together prior to Pearl Harbor with the UK, US, or Australians for mutual defense had extreme repercussions when the battle came. The loss of life from the poor Allied decisions was very high, and those lives lost accomplished nothing in military terms. Reading about how badly the Allies prepared for the Japanese attack is almost sickening. Another total debacle was the British defense of Singapore, but this is right up there with that collapse. Osprey has a good book about that as well.
A good read and good history. Buy it.
AD2
December 24, 2020
Excellent summary
Well written and enjoyable, the only reason I didn't give it five stars was it really could use more maps. As the author writes about this force or that coming through this straight or sea or channel it would have very much added to my enjoyment and understanding if there had been more maps. The NEI is not an area that I am intimately familiar with the geography so ultimately I found another book from Osprey, this one on the air war in the same time frame and location that had decent maps, and kept referring back to it.
But the book is definitely worth your time and I highly recommend it.
Well written and enjoyable, the only reason I didn't give it five stars was it really could use more maps. As the author writes about this force or that coming through this straight or sea or channel it would have very much added to my enjoyment and understanding if there had been more maps. The NEI is not an area that I am intimately familiar with the geography so ultimately I found another book from Osprey, this one on the air war in the same time frame and location that had decent maps, and kept referring back to it.
But the book is definitely worth your time and I highly recommend it.
December 10, 2019
Greta read about the early victories of the japanese in the NEI theater
Great account of the naval battles of the combined allied fleet against all odds in the NEI theater. It took pains in explain the reason of the early Japanese success in battle. It also shows that the peace time tonnage restriction in shipping was not followed to the detail by the japanese
Great account of the naval battles of the combined allied fleet against all odds in the NEI theater. It took pains in explain the reason of the early Japanese success in battle. It also shows that the peace time tonnage restriction in shipping was not followed to the detail by the japanese
November 20, 2020
Good review. Good photos and maps. An excellent source for information on the Java Sea 1942 Campaign. Makes research on this campaign easier.
October 4, 2020
Excellent concise history of the sea battles which lead to the occupation of the Netherlands East Indies and its fast oil reserves. If you don't want to read 300+ page books about the same subject, this is your book.
January 29, 2020
Histories of the early Pacific war, when an Allied victory was still iffy, always intrigue me. This account focuses primarily on the naval campaign in the Netherlands East Indies and does a very good job of sketching the awkward command structure and ramshackle collection of assets the Allies had to work with in the face of overwhelming opposition.
March 28, 2025
An excellent book about an overlooked naval campaign. Although on paper the fleets were evenly matched, yet the Allies suffered from faulty intelligence, divided leadership, defective equipment, and obsolete ships, while the Japanese held an overwhelming advantage with their training, ships, and air superiority.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews