Exeter joined the Gaspar Strait sortie as part of the American-British-Dutch-Australian force under Dutch Rear Admiral Karel Doorman. An Australian light cruiser, three Dutch destroyers, and six American destroyers accompanied her in the attempt to intercept Japanese forces moving toward the Dutch East Indies. Repeated air attacks damaged the force before the first Battle of the Java Sea, where Exeter was hit again. During the subsequent attempt to escape, she was intercepted and sunk in the second battle. Nachi, Haguro, Myoko, and Ashigara were full-sized Japanese heavy cruisers, placing the Type B ship against precisely the class of opponent the Royal Navy preferred her to avoid.
Chapter · 29:02-30:38
ABDA placed Exeter against full-sized Japanese cruisers
Exeter's final campaign ran from the Gaspar Strait sortie and repeated air attacks to two Java Sea battles and interception by four Japanese heavy cruisers.