The Battle of Makassar Strait, sometimes referred to as the Battle of the Flores Sea or the Action off Madura Strait, was a battle that took place on February 4, 1942 between the ABDA (American, British, Dutch, Australian) fleet, under the command of the Dutch Admiral Karel … The Battle of Makassar Strait, also known as the Action of Madura Strait, the Action North of Lombok Strait and the Battle of the Flores Sea, was a naval battle of the Pacific theater of World War II.An American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) fleet—under Schout by-nacht (Rear Admiral) Karel Doorman—was on its way to intercept a Japanese invasion convoy reported as bound for Surabaya, … On 13 February, the Allies fought unsuccessfully—in the Battle of Palembang —to prevent the Japanese from capturing the major oil port in eastern Sumatra . The battle came about because of Japanese landings on the Dutch colony of Borneo in January 1942. Infobox Military Conflict conflict=Battle of Makassar Strait caption=USS Marblehead in February 1942, showing bomb damage received in the battle partof=World War II, Pacific War date=4 February 1942 place=Bali Sea, Dutch East Indies… The Battle of Makassar Strait, also known as the Action of Madura Strait, the Action North of Lombok Strait and the Battle of the Flores Sea, was a naval battle of the Pacific theatre of World War II. Although the battle itself was brief and the casualties on both sides were minor, Makassar Strait did have strategic consequences. Makassar Strait is a strait between the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi in Indonesia.To the north it joins the Celebes Sea, while to the south it meets the Java Sea.To the northeast, it forms the Sangkulirang Bay south of the Mangkalihat Peninsula. Welcome to USSMarblehead.com (CL-12) This site is dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S.S. February 4 th marks the 70 th anniversary of the Battle of Makassar Strait, in which an Allied surface fleet was attacked by a large formation of Japanese bombers. His three-year enlistment stretched to six years and eight months. She now operated in the Marianas between Guam and Saipan providing refresher training for carrier pilots, until departing for Hawaii 19 July. On 23 January 1942, a force of four American destroyers attacked a Japanese invasion convoy in Makassar Strait as it approached Balikpapan in Borneo. He joined the U. S. Navy in February 1939 with no idea that war would soon break out.

The Battle for Balikpapan. The expected renewal of the Japanese advance was not long in coming, as a convoy was spotted on the 21 st leaving Tarakan and heading south for Balikpapan, the largest town in the Makassar Straits and the site of an important Dutch oil refinery. After Makassar Strait transferred her air squadron to Shipley Bay (CVE‑85) at Kerama Retto 7 May and departed later that day for Guam where she arrived the 11th. [10] The Battle of Makassar Strait – February 4, 1942 Eighteen year-old Richard Carpenter ran away from home after being expelled from high school, his second offense.