Karel Doorman
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Image:Doorman, KWFM.jpg Karel Willem Frederik Marie Doorman (April 23, 1889, Utrecht – February 28, 1942, Java Sea) 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.
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 during the Battle of the Java Sea.
Several ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy have been named Karel Doorman.de:Karel Doorman id:Karel Doorman ja:カレル・ドールマン nl:Karel Doorman simple:Karel Doorman
