Karel Doorman

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Karel Willem Frederik Marie Doorman (April 23, 1889 – February 28, 1942) was a Schout-bij-Nacht (the Dutch equivalent of a Rear Admiral) during World War II.

He was originally a naval aviator in the Royal Netherlands Navy but quickly rose through the ranks to become Schout-bij-Nacht in 1940.

In early 1942, he was made commander of the combined American, British, Dutch and Australian (ABDA) fleet in the Dutch East Indies, a force consisting of cruisers and destroyers.

In February 1942, he was ordered by Admiral Helfrich (Admiral Thomas Hart's successor in ABDA) to undertake offensive action against the Japanese invasion and led his fleet into the battle of the Java Sea against a much stronger Japanese task force. This battle proved a disaster for the Allies.

Doorman became a Dutch maritime icon because of his supposed last words to the fleet: „Ik val aan, volg mij!” ('I'm attacking, follow me'). In reality, he only issued the command All ships follow me to prevent confusion when the damaged HMS Exeter sailed back to harbour on its own. Doorman just wanted to indicate that his ships should follow him and not the Exeter.

Karel Doorman died when his flagship De Ruyter was struck by a Japanese torpedo and sank. There was time to escape the sinking flagship but Doorman chose to go down with her in accordance with the old naval tradition.

Several ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy have been named Karel Doorman.de:Karel Doorman ja:カレル・ドールマン nl:Karel Doorman simple:Karel Doorman