 On the following night , 28 February , Perth and Houston were attempting to break through the Sunda Strait to Australia when they encountered a Japanese invasion fleet escorted by four cruisers and twelve destroyers . As senior officer , Waller was in the lead with Perth , and gave the order to fire upon making contact with the enemy ships just after 11 : 00 pm . In the ensuing battle , the Allied cruisers sank four Japanese transports and a minesweeper before they themselves were sunk , shortly after midnight on 1 March 1942 . Having fought to the last of its ammunition , Perth was struck by two torpedoes , losing over 350 of its complement of 680 as it keeled over . According to witnesses , Waller was last seen standing on the bridge after he had given the order to abandon ship , " looking down at the silent turrets " . He was officially listed as missing , presumed killed , and was survived by his wife and sons . Admiral Cunningham described Waller 's loss as " a heavy deprivation for the young Navy of Australia " , and Rear Admiral James Goldrick subsequently called him " the outstanding officer of his generation " . 
