While patrolling the Makassar Strait, the ABDA Naval Force was attacked by 37 Japanese bombers from Kendari before it could make contact with any incoming Japanese Invasion forces.

The USN light cruiser Marblehead was badly damaged by the air attack suffering several hits. The USN heavy cruiser Houston also suffered damage to her 3rd 8" gun turret which was out of action until her loss. Rear-Admiral Doorman's flagship, De Ruyter, sustained some minor damage from the air attacks.

As a result of these air attacks the ABDA naval forces escorted the badly damaged Marblehead back to Tjilatjap before any Japanese Invasion forces could be attacked.

• Rear Admiral Karel Doorman

The following are the possible Imperial Japanese Naval Forces which the ABDA Naval Forces would have intercepted on their way to invade Makassar.

• The Battle of the Java Sea by F. C. Van Oosten
• Chronology of the War at Sea 1939-1945 by J. Rohwer & G. Hummelchen
• A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy (1941-1945) by P. Dull
• "Long Lancers" by Allyn D. Nevitt, at the Nihon Kaigun website.
• Sea Battles in Close-Up, WWII, Vol. 2, Java Sea by E. Grove
• Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War by E. LaCroix & L. Wells III