HMAS Perth and USS Houston - Heroes To The Last

"February 28th, 1942, the HMAS Perth and USS Houston received orders to sail through the Sunda Strait. They would leave at 19:00 hours.

Captain Hector Waller of the HMAS Perth, having seniority over Captain Albert Rooks of the USS Houston, was in command. They expected only to encounter Australian corvettes on patrol.

Unfortunately, just after 22:00 hundred hours, the Japanese 16th Army's 'Western Java Invasion Convoy', entered Bantam Bay, near the northwest tip of Java. This convoy was excorted by the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla and Seventh Cruiser Squadron.

Sometime around 23:00 hundred hours, the Allied ships were sighted by the patrolling Fubuki, which began following surreptitiously. At 23:06, Perth sighted a ship roughly eight kilometers away.

Thinking it was an Australian corvette, Perth challenged, to which the reply was unintelligeible. The ship was soon identified as a Japanese destroyer. Waller reported the contact and ordered forward turrets to open fire.

In the ferocious night fighting that ended after midnight, March 1st, 1942, the HMAS Perth and USS Houston sank.

HMAS Perth sank with 350 of her crew and three civilians. While 324 of the Perth's crew survived the sinking and taken prisoner, 106 would die in captivity before the end of the war.

Of the USS Houston's 1061 aboard her at the time, 107 would die in captivity, and only 261 would survive both sinking and captivity."

Firstly, I apologize for the long introduction, but I felt it was necessary to explain this choice. I also left much of the information pertaining to the actions before the Battle of Sunda Straits. It is unfortunate that I needed to, or this tribute would be twenty minutes long.

Secondly, I owe a thank you to youtube user Snakes3425. Snakes3425 created a tribute to these two vessels before me, and I owe him a thanks, as I may not have discovered the actions of the Perth and Houston had he not created it. I believe his video is probably better and those that viewed this video should probably view his. Thank you again, Snakes.

One may also note the similarity between the HMAS Perth and the HMAS Sydney were both Leander-class light cruisers originally built for the British Navy before being transferred to the Australian Navy. As well, one might note the similarities between the ill-fated USS Indianapolis and the USS Houston. The Indianapolis as a Portland-class heavy cruiser was a variant to the USS Houston's Northampton-class.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• HMAS
• Perth
• USS
• Houston
• Sunda
• Strait
• World
• War
• II
• Two
• WWII
• Pacific

[THEGREATITANICCHICK]

i like it. you know alot about ships. as long as i have studied them i have never even heard of these two

[tcr2006]

As I had mentioned in the paragraphs to the right, I actually owe Snakes3425 a deal of thanks, as I had not heard of these until I saw his video. After doing the HMAS Sydney, I decided to do one on these two, mostly for the HMAS Perth, as to tie into the HMAS Sydney.

[tcr2006]

Sorry for the rather long and drawn out beginning. I thought it would be better explained.

[Chompchompyerded]

The United States has no better ally in the Pacific than Australia, and only one perhaps it's equil (the United Kingdom) in all the world. This battle, more than any other, represents that relationship as our two nations' ships stood together fighting to the very last in the face of a common enemy. I hope that my countrymen will value this alliance, and that they will never again drag Australians into another war based upon a lie as we did in Iraq. You are more important and valuable than that.

[cdfe3388]

After the Perth ran out of 6" warshots, her gun crews continued to fire practice rounds at the Japanese until they were forced to abandon ship. The Houston's secondary battery began firing phosphorus star shells when they ran out of HE ammo. Rarely in naval history has anybody fought so hard in the face of such impossible odds. Yet today the Houston is largely forgotten. I hope the Aussies haven't similarly forgotten the Perth.

[mnscottsman]

My great uncle who I am named after died on the USS Houston, RIP James E Watt

[nikkinou1985]

Hector Waller is my nieces Great Grand Father

[Detourwa]

Just read a new book called Arthur War. Written by one of the sailor on board the Perth. Couldn't put it down.

[Fredelatorsion]

They did at the just moment everything they had to do.

[frankydman]

""For action in the Battle of Sunda Strait. Sunk in action with HMAS Perth against incredible odds. The two ships steamed into a Japanese invasion force and were sunk in the ensuing battle."

[jimmywrangles]

Good video,shame WMG has no soul or sense of honour.

[sr633]

Good men, good ships.  RIP

[carsieplg]

nice vid shame about wmg anyway my grandfather served on hms penelope in the med in ww2 and was sunk of the coast of anzio italy 415 died and 206 survived my grandfather being one she had so many battle scars she was nicknamed pepperpot during the siege of malta looking at history the cruisers and destroyers where the workhorses protecting carriers to islands to even go and hunt down the enemy ships and they always give as good as the got

[kolchack55]

Great video! The courage of the men who served on these two ships will never be forgotten. I think it is wonderfull that there is a forum like youtube.