| Accession Number | P08071.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Black & white - Digital file JPEG |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c 1942 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Informal outdoor portrait of Sub Lieutenant (Sub Lt) Albert Leonard Ball, HMAS Perth. Sub Lt Ball ...
Description
Informal outdoor portrait of Sub Lieutenant (Sub Lt) Albert Leonard Ball, HMAS Perth. Sub Lt Ball was killed in action on 1 March 1942. On the night of 28 February 1942 the Australian cruiser HMAS Perth, together with the USS Houston, encountered a large Japanese force near Batavia (now Jakarta). By chance, the two cruisers had met the Japanese invasion force assigned to western Java. A fierce five hour fight ensued until, out-numbered and out-gunned, HMAS Perth was sunk at about 12.25 am on 1 March 1942 after being struck by five torpedoes and a number of shells. The Houston, still fighting but ablaze, was also hit by torpedoes and sank shortly afterwards. Of HMAS Perth's company of 686, only 218 (including one civilian and two RAAF personnel) returned to Australia; the remainder were killed during, or soon after the action, or died as prisoners of war.