What to do if you are Dutch
Well, what a question? Being Dutch in late 1941, early 1942 poses a problem; you don’t speak English and you use a different signaling system. So you add command control issues to any Allied force you combine with. But, you are too weak to operate on your own.
Let us look at what being Dutch in late 1941 gives us to fight with (and it is not much). You have;
CL HrMs De Ruyter; three 5.9” D12 & one 5.9” D24 with no rapid fire.
CL HrMs Java; three 5.9” D12 & one 5.9” D24 with no rapid fire.
CL HrMs Tromp; three 5.9” D12 with no rapid fire & 2 triple TT
DD HrMs Evertsen, Van Ghent, Van Nes, Banckert, Kortenaer, Piet Hein & Witte de With; two 4.7” D12 & 2 triple TT
There is no situation where you have an advantage if Japanese heavy cruisers are present (and they will almost always be present). Everything I’ve said about the British needing to join with the Americans at Surabaya applies to you and then some.
Now I’m assuming you are not playing an option where you have BCs. With that in mind, on GT2 transfer to Surabaya. On GT3 don’t take the Dutch reinforcements. Why not, you might very well ask? Here is why; they are armed with 4” which is only ½ EDR damage; rather (now that the ABDA is formed) give your CD to the ANZACs so they can both sortie and take their reinforcements (three N class DDs, three 4.7” D12 & 1 quintuple TT along with radar). You can combine with the USN now and sortie in their sweep using their CD. From now on your ships are filler, allowing the USN and later the RN to sortie full strength sweeps from Surabaya against the EAF.
If you are playing a BC option; it’s a totally different story. Now, you are a bad ass and you should sortie from Batavia against the EAF central axis every turn. You want daylight engagements (shun the night) no matter what.