Location
Lat 5° 46' 0S Long 112° 40' 0E. Bawean Island is located in the Java Sea in Gresik Regency in East Java Province (Propinsi Jawa Timur) in Indonesia. Located approximately 150 km north of Surabaja (Surabaya). Also known as Pulau Bawean.

Second Battle of the Java Sea (The Battle off Bawean Island)
The first phase of the Battle of the Java Sea occurred during the afternoon of February 27, 1942 south southwest of Bawean Island. In the evening, the battle moved to an area west southwest of Bawean Island, with the two Dutch light cruisers Hr Ms De Ruyter and Hr Ms Java were sunk. The second phase was the Battle of Sunda Strait when HMAS Perth and USS Houston were sunk. The third phase occurred two days later on March 1, 1942 when HMS Exeter tried to escape the confines of the Japanese controlled Java Sea but was intercepted north of Bawean Island and participated in the "Second Battle of the Java Sea". This was the final battle in the three day / three battle engagement. This battle might more accurately be called “The Battle off Bawean Island”.

HMS Exeter (68)
Sunk late morning of March 1, 1942 by gunfire and two torpedo from Inazuma and scuttling. Shipwreck discovered February 21, 2007.

HMS Encounter (H10)
Sunk late morning of March 1, 1942 by gunfire and scuttling. Shipwreck discovered February 21, 2007.

USS Pope (DD-225)
Sunk early afternoon, March 1, 1942 by D3A Vals, gunfire and scuttling. Shipwreck discovered December 2008.

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Last Updated
February 28, 2021