Several Dutch naval vessels destroyed during a battle in 1942 in the Java Sea in Indonesia appear on the seafloor to have disappeared.
It is about the wreck of the cruiser Hr. Ms. De Ruyter and Hr. Ms. Java and part of the destroyer Hr. Ms. Kortenaer,
writes Minister Jeanine Hennis Defense Tuesday to the House.
According to the minister, there are traces found on the seabed sonar images showed the imprint of the ships. The discovery came to light during a diving expedition which was conducted in preparation for the 75th anniversary of the battle.
Allied squadron
Navy ships were wrecked on February 27, 1942, during the Battle of the Java Sea during World War II. The ships were part of an Allied squadron, with ships from the Netherlands, Britain, the United States and Australia.
The ships were to prevent the Japanese forces would occupy the Indonesian island of Java. That day also was the British destroyer HMS Jupiter under.
Karel Doorman
At the battle more than 2,200 people were killed, nine of which definitely on the Dutch side. Among the well-known Dutch Rear Admiral Karel Doorman was killed. The ships are the grave of hundreds of passengers.
American, Australian, British and Indonesian authorities were notified of the disappearance. Further research should reveal what happened to the ships that were found by amateur divers in 2002, happened.
It is likely that the ships are contained in a professional manner. Whoever is responsible for where the wrecks are located at the moment, is still unclear.
Disappearance Dutch war wrecks
At the Battle of the Java Sea more than 2,200 people were killed, nine of which definitely on the Dutch side. © Reuters
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inviolability
Minister Hennis writes that it is very important for the survivors and relatives being traced what happened to the ships. They also emphasized the historical value of the ships for the Netherlands.
Sunken warships enjoy immunity according to Netherlands. Salvaging the wrecks without the consent of the Netherlands would be illegal therewith.
It is not the first time that the wreck of a Dutch warship is disrupted. In 2004 have surfaced previously four wrecks and in 2015 surfaced at an Australian auction parts of a Dutch submarine.
Who is responsible for these violations, the Ministry of Defence does not know.
See also: In short: the Battle of the Java Sea 1942
comments
The War Graves Foundation has been involved fell in informing the relatives of the victims at that time in these places, responds aghast at the possible cull. "For survivors, this should be very impressive. They are all informed by letter. Further research is now being launched," said Wings.
Also, Commander Naval Forces Rob Verkerk reacts shocked. On Twitter, he says: "Loss war Javazee touches me deeply hope that surveys show what happened to the ships.."