Rear-Admiral Takeo Takagi was tasked with protecting the amphibious landings on Java from allied surface vessels. He commanded a substantial force, two heavy cruiser, two lights cruisers and fourteen destroyers.
The speed of the Japanese advance though South East Asia astonished the allied forces. Very little time was available to muster a defence, fleets were thrown together with what was afloat from each of the allied nations. The result was a brave but inexperienced force.
