Brian Sanders (British, B. 1937) "Battle of Java Sea - Sinking of the de Ruyter" Artist notes in margins. Oil on Canvas. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting originally appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the Republic of the Marshall Islands 29c Battle of the Java Sea 1942 stamp issued February 27, 1992. After a triumphant sweep through Malaya and Burma, the Japanese imperial war machine turned its sights toward Java, a Dutch East Indies island rich in manganese and oil. On February 27, 1942, a massive Japanese task force engaged the Allied Combined Striking Force commanded by Dutch Admiral Kar Koorman. Hampered by language and communication problems, the hastily-organized Allied effort lacked air support -- a fatal error. Doorman and his flagship were lost almost immediately. The rest of the strike force struggled to withstand the Japanese juggernaut, but the battle was over in two days. The enemy destroyed all but five of the 15 Allied warships, securing for Japan a resounding victory and another island stepping stone toward Australia. Image Size: 13.25 x 16.5 in. Overall Size: 17.25 x 20.25 in. Unframed. (B13567)