Perth's final action in Sunda Strait

Perth and Houston encountered the Japanese invasion force for western Java while attempting to escape through Sunda Strait. Perth divided control of her armament to engage several targets, but destroyers attacked from too many directions for every threat to be covered. With ammunition running low, Captain Waller ordered full speed and attempted to force a passage south. Four torpedo hits followed, and Perth sank at 12:25 a.m. on 1 March; Houston went down shortly afterwards. Of Perth's company of 686, only 218 were eventually repatriated. The others died during or soon after the action, or in captivity.