Engaged in the Battle of the Sunda Strait, HMAS PERTH, (cruiser), and USS HOUSTON, (cruiser), were attempting to force their way through the Sunda Strait when they encountered a Japanese invasion force protected by several warships. In the ensuing battle a number of Japanese ships were sunk or damaged, but PERTH and HOUSTON were also sunk, with heavy loss of life. PERTH’S Commanding Officer, CAPT H.M.L. Waller, DSO and Bar, RAN, was killed in this action. He was later awarded a posthumous MID. Over half of PERTH’s ships company lost their lives in the battle and the rest were captured and made POWs in the ensuing weeks, including PERTH’s navigator LCDR J.A. Harper, RN.
HMAS WOLLONGONG, (minesweeper), attempted to tow the British tanker WAR SIRDAR off Jong Reef, Agentium Island. The tanker was later abandoned.
CMDR G.L. Cant, RAN, in HMAS MARYBOROUGH, commanding the six corvette strong auxiliary naval patrol in Sunda Strait, decided to return to Tjilatjap to refuel, but was ordered to return to Sunda Strait with MARYBOROUGH, TOOWOOMBA, BALLARAT, and GOULBURN.