Between 17 August 1938-5 may 1940 commander in chief of the Dutch naval air force in the Dutch East Indies, promoted to rear admiral on 16 May 1940, since 17 June 1940 commander in chief of the Dutch squadron in the Dutch East Indies and since 3 February 1942 even tactical commander in chief of the Combined Striking Force (ABDA-command), consisting of warships from the Netherlands, Australia, United Kingdom and the USA. In the battle against the Japanese navy between 27 February and 1 March 1942 were all major allied warships destroyed. For the Royal Netherlands Navy was the battle even disastrous with loosing more as 900 experienced sailors, two cruisers (Java and the flagship De Ruyter) and two destroyers (Witte de With and Kortenaer). After the war four warships were named after Doorman, two aircraft carriers and now our largest warship ever, the joint (logistic) support ship Zr. Ms. Karel Doorman of 1915.
