Battle of Badung Strait: ABDA’s Night Counterattack at Bali

Dale and Christophe discuss the February 1942 Battle of Badung ("Bong/Barong") Strait in the Netherlands East Indies, framing it within Japan’s rapid early-Pacific-War offensives after Pearl Harbor and the sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, and Japan’s drive to seize oil and strategic airfields. They explain ABDA Command under Dutch Rear Admiral Karel Doorman as a multinational, unevenly coordinated force facing Japanese air superiority, refined night-fighting doctrine, and Type 93 “Long Lance” torpedoes. Japan lands troops from the 48th Infantry Division on Bali on February 19 and moves to secure Denpasar airfield, prompting Allied surface counterattacks in confined waters. U.S. Clemson-class destroyers fire torpedoes without confirmed hits and withdraw; Dutch cruisers De Ruyter and Java with destroyers fight Japanese escorts, suffer damage, evade torpedoes, and also withdraw, leaving Bali secured and foreshadowing the Battle of the Java Sea. The episode closes honoring Medal of Honor recipient PFC Charles N. DeGlopper (killed June 9, 1944, near La Fière, France).