The Makassar Strait
Makassar Strait, a channel between the islands of Borneo and Celebes. It links the Celebes Sea on the north with the Java and Flores seas on the south. The strait is 450 miles (725 km) long, and from 70 to 250 miles (110 to 400 km) wide. The first big naval battle between United States and Japanese forces in World War II occurred here in January, 1942, off Borneo. In the battle United States aircraft and destroyers damaged Japanese troop transports, but failed to stop Japanese landings on Borneo and Celebes.