The opening chapter of E.H.Larive's autobiography 'The Man Who Came In From Colditz' (p. Hale, 1975) describes in detail the craft's demise.

[1] On 22 February 1932, Van Galen left Surabaya, for a trip to Shanghai, to look after Dutch interests in the region.

[2] On 16 November 1935, Van Galen, her sister Witte de With, and the cruiser Sumatra, made a visit to Saigon.

[3] On 23 August 1936, Sumatra, her sister Java, and the destroyers Van Galen, Witte de With and Piet Hein, were present at the fleet days held at Surabaya.

[4] On 16 August 1937, the ship was again sent to Shanghai, because of rising political tension in China.