Netherlands Cruiser HNLMS Tromp

The lead ship of her class of two light cruisers (the other being HNLMS Jacob van Heemskerck), HNLMS Tromp was designed as a destroyer flotilla leader. Laid down on 17 January 1936, she was launched on 24 May 1937. After commissioning on 18 August 1938, she undertook cruises in the Mediterranean and European waters before heading to the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia).

With the outbreak of hostilities against Japan, Tromp was assigned to the Combined Striking Force, ABDA Command, in January 1942. This was a combined force of Australian, British, Dutch and American forces. Badly damaged when hit by eleven 5-inch shells from the Japanese destroyer Asashio during the Battle of Badung Strait, Tromp retired to Australia for repairs. Tromp’s return fire during the battle hit two Japanese destroyers, killing four men on Asashio and seven on Ōshio.

Once repairs were complete, Tromp conducted convoy escorts around Australia, New Guinea and the Indian Ocean for the remainder of the war. Raids and shore bombardments were also undertaken at Sabang and Balikpapan.

Post war, Tromp took part in reasserting Dutch control in the Netherlands East Indies, before retuning to Europe. After a major refit, Tromp was mainly used as a training and accommodation ship until she was decommissioned n 1955. She was sold for scrap in 1969.