on 1 May 1925, with Sumatra following on 26 May 1926. Ships Service history Java Java was already outdated technologically by the time she was commissioned in 1925. Java saw action, mostly as a convoy escort, during the Spanish Civil War and during the early stages of World War II. At the outbreak of war with Japan Java was in Dutch East Indies waters where she formed part of the fleet of ABDA command under the command of Rear-Admiral Karel Doorman. She fought in the Battle of Badung Strait in February 1942. During the Battle of the Java Sea on 27 February 1942, she was sunk by a Long Lance torpedo from the Japanese cruiser and sank with heavy loss of life. Sumatra Sumatra also performed convoy duties during World War II and transported part of the Dutch Royal Family to safety in Canada, but due to problems with her propulsion she was unfit for combat duty. In the end Sumatra was scuttled off the coast of Normandy on 9 June 1944 at Ouistreham as part of a "gooseberry" pier to protect an artificial Mulberry Harbour built by the Allies as part of Operation Overlord. Sumatras 150 mm guns were used to replace the guns of the , which were worn out by extensive use. Notes Citations Sources Further reading External links Java-class cruisers Cruiser classes