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Royal Navy
HMS Encounter
Battle of the Java Sea
by
Ronnie Taylor and Tom Jowett
Keeping their Candle Burning
Japan entered the war on 8th December 1941, Encounter formed part of the the American-British-Dutch-Australian Naval Command formed in January 1942 which was intended to defend the Dutch East Indies from Japanese invasion.
After Singapore fell on 15th February 1942. The Japanese amphibious forces gathered to attack Java. Seeing the Japanese intention, on 27th February the American-British-Dutch-Australian Force was gathered under Rear Admiral Karel Doorman and sailed Northwest from Surabaya to intercept the Japanese approaching from the Makassar Straight to attack Java from the East.
The American-British-Dutch-Australian Naval Command included:-
Heavy Cruisers:- HMS Exeter (Six 8 inch guns) and USS Houston (Six 8 inch guns remaining operable).
Light Cruisers:- HNLMS De Ruyter, HNLMS Java and HMAS Perth
Nine Destroyers:- HMS Electra, HMS Encounter, HMS Jupiter, HNLMS Kortenaer, HNLMS Witte de With, USS Alden, USS John D. Edwards, USS John D. Ford and USS Paul Jones.
The Japanese task force which protected the landing convoy was commanded by Rear Admiral Takeo Takag and include:-
Heavy Cruisers:- Nachi, and Haguro. (Ten 8 inch guns and torpedoes)
Light Cruisers:- Naka and Jints.
Destroyers:- Yudachi, Samidare, Murasame, Harusame, Minegumo, Asagumo, Yukikaze, Tokitsuikaze, Amatsukaze, Hatsukaze, Yamakaze, Sazanami and Ushio.
The prime target of the Allied fleet was to destroy the Japanese landing craft and the Japanese task force which was protecting the landing craft.
Java Sea
On the 27th February at 16.00 the Allied Fleet and the Japanese Task Force met in the Java Sea, Exeter’s shells failed to reach their targets, and Exeter was badly damaged by an enemy 8 inch shell in the boiler room, killing many of the crew. Unable to continue HMS Exeter disengaged.
After Exeter disengaged the Japanese gained the upper hand sinking HNLMS Kortenoer and causing damage to HMS Electra, who was covering Exeter’s withdrawal, fires then raged on Electra causing her to be abandoned. Being exposed to the Japanese Heavy Cruiser fire the destroyers Jupiter and Encounter withdrew, escorting HMS Exeter back to Surabaya. On the way back to Surabaya HMS Jupiter hit a mine and many of the survivors were picked up by the HMS Encounter, who had also picked up survivors from the Kortenoer. On arrival at Surabaya HMS Exeter’s dead were removed for burial.
The Allied Fleet had to disengage at 18.00 with many losses, and returned to Surabaya with a smoke screen laid by US Destroyers.
After emergency repairs were carried out on HMS Exeter, she left for Ceylon on the 28th February, limping towards the Sunda Strait escorted by HMS Encounter and USS Pope. On the 1st March the Second Battle of the Java Sea took place when they were attacked by the Japanese Heavy Cruisers, Nachi, Haguri and Ashigara.
The HMS Exeter stood no chance at her reduced speed. Exeter was soon badly damaged by gunfire and a torpedo from the destroyer Inazuma. Taking on water she began to list to starboard, by noon on the same day she sank along with her supporting destroyer.
HMS Encounter came under attack and sustained major damage which ruptured the fuel supply system. The ship was disabled and without the electric power needed to control main armament. The Captain ordered the ship to be scuttled and she sank in position 04.30S 111.00E
Although the US Pope escaped she soon after sunk by Japanese Aircraft.
About 800 Allied seamen, including the commander of Exeter, Captain O.L. Gordon, became prisoners of war and were shipped to Makassar.
HMS Encounter
Battle of the Java Sea
2nd Battle
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Name
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Rank
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Service/No
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Adcock, Alfred John
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Chief Petty Officer
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C/J 72656
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Astbury, Neville Malcolm
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Able Seaman
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C/JX 185083
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James, Cyril
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Able Seaman
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C/J 111851
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Kingaid, Thomas William
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Able Seaman
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C/JX 167896
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Mascall, Fred Arthur
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Leading Seaman
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C/J 112146
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Mcgee, Vincent
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Leading Seaman
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C/SSX 18753
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Mynard, Leonard
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Canteen Manager
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NAAFI
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Shrives, Edward Henry
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Stoker 1st Class
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D/KX 116540
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