Another early demonstration of the value of air superiority came in this abortive attempt by ABDA to block a Japanese invasion force coming down the Makassar Strait. Sallying forth on the 3rd and heading north through the Strait, the Allies had a fairly sizable naval contingent at their disposal to stop this force. However, on the morning of the 4th, Japanese two-engine bombers began continuous attacks against the Allied ships. They succeeded in damaging two cruisers and forcing the entire squadron to withdraw south to Tjilitjap without ever firing a shot at the approaching Japanese invasion convoy. Makassar fell shortly thereafter.
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