Allied and Japanese navies battling in Java Sea according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary dated 28 February 1942

Dutch cruiser Hr.Ms. Java

American cruiser USS Houston

British cruiser HMS Exeter

Dutch destroyer Hr.Ms. Kortenaer

An item reported that at 0400 G.C.T. 26 February a Japanese naval force was seen in the Java Sea going to the south. It consisted of 5 cruisers, 9 destroyers and 25 transports. The press reported a naval battle on large scale off Java, Dutch East Indies between the Allied and Japanese naval forces without knowing more details. (1)

Note

1. Battle in the Java Sea (28 February) followed Battle of Sunda Strait (1 March) and Second Battle in the Java Sea (1 March) between the Allied ABDA-squadron commanded by the Dutch rear Karel Doorman and the Japanse fleet, in which the first was destroyed. Among the losses were the Dutch light cruisers Hr.Ms. Java and De Ruyter, Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth, British heavy cruiser HMS Exeter and the American heavy cruiser USS Houston. 

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 80 dated 28 February 1942