British Chiefs of Staff Committee discussed in January 1942 possible Japanese attack on the Dutch East Indies

De Ruyter. Drawing by L. Müller, Onze Vloot April 1936

Java©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Tromp©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

American USS Houston©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

British HMS Exeter©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

HMAS Hobart sister ship of Perth©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

In their meeting discussed the British Chiefs of Staff Committee a report dated 17th January 1942 of the Joint Intelligence Sub-Committe dealing with the possible attack by Japanese forces on the Dutch East Indies. Together with the United Kingdom, Australia and the USA were the Netherlands united in the ABDA Command.

According to that report:

“There are ample shipping facilities avaialbe for transporting the necessary forces for an attack on Southern Sumatra and Java. The naval escort required for such a force would have to be on a considerable scala as some Allied light forces are already based on the Netherlands East Indies and Singapore. Provision will also have to be made for minesweeping, and the maintenance required for the naval forces will be considerable if they encounter resolute resistance. As the battle area moves south Dutch submarines will doubtless be concentrated in the Java Seas and may be reinforced by American submarines.”

For an attack on Southern Sumatra and Java was estimated that a Japanese naval foces was needed consisting of “10 cruiser;  3-4 aircraft carriers, 30-40 destroyers; and necessary attendant small craft. These forces are now available in the area”.

“An attack on Java and Sumatra is likely to be supported, at any rate in the initial stages, by three or four aircraft carriers which would enable some 150 to 200 ship-borne aircraft to be operated.”

The Royal Netherlands Navy possessed at that moment over 3 light cruisers Hr.Ms. De Ruyter, Java and Tromp and further more destroyers, submarines and smaller vessels. Australian, American and British warships were added to the Allied naval force. An Allied Squadron commanded by the Dutch rear admiral Karel Doorman was destroyed in the Battle of the Java Sea and the next two days by Japanese forces. The Tromp heavily damaged in the Battle of Badung Strait already escaped to Australia but the Dutch cruisers Hr.Ms. Java and De Ruyter, the British HMS Exeter, American USS Houston and Australian HMAS Perth and a bunch of destroyers all sunk. The Dutch East Indies Army surrendered on 8 March 1942 announced the next day.

Source

The National Archives. CAB 79-17-20. War Cabinet. Chiefs of Staff Committee. Minutes of meeting held on Monday 19 January 1942 10:30 a.m.