Memorial Day Commemoration For Dutch Soldiers In The Battle of Java Sea

SURABAYA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 27: (L-R) Eddy Supriyanto, Representative of the East Java Governor; John McDaniel, Chief of the Political and Economic of the United State Consulate General in Surabaya; Commander Patrick Stahli, Deputy Defense Atthace of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Lily Jessica Tjokrosetio, Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Surabaya; Glen Askew, Consul General of Australia in Surabaya; Ivy Kamadjaja, Honorary Consul of the United Kingdom in Surabaya; and Zainal Abbas Gandrung's families pose together during Memorial Day Commemoration for Dutch Soldiers in the Battle of Java Sea at Kembang Kuning Netherlands War cemetery on February 27, 2026 in Surabaya, Indonesia. This ceremony commemorates the spirits of 915 Dutch Marines and other naval personnel who died in the Battle of Java Sea against Japan on February 27, 1942 during World War II in Indonesia. The battles between American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) alliance warship and Japan resulted in the sinking of three Dutch's ships, Hr. Ms. Java, Hr. Ms. Kortenaer, and Hr. Ms. De Ruyter. Karel Doorman Monument built in 1954 at Ereveld Kembang Kuning Surabaya cemetery contains the graves of about 5,000 people (Dutch and Indonesian) whose serving in The Royal Netherlands Navy and The Royal Netherlands East Indies Army. (Footage by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)