USS Houston sunk off Java

28th February 1942: HMAS Perth and USS Houston are sunk in the Battle of the Sunda Strait as they confront a large Japanese invasion force

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) off San Diego, California (USA), in October 1935.

After the fall of Singapore the Japanese had a clear opening south to the Dutch East Indies - the islands of Sumatra and Java.

The ABDA allies - American, British, Dutch, Australian - attempted to bring together a combined fleet. This disparate collection of …