Sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse
December 10th, 1941
December 10th, 1941
How Long Ago?
83 years, 3 months, 4 days ago
Location
Near Malaya
Category
Military & Warfare
War/Conflict
World War II
People
- Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
- Vice Admiral Sir Tom Phillips
Links & References
- World War II
- Royal Navy
- British Malaya
- Imperial Japanese Navy
- HMS Prince of Wales (53)
- HMS Repulse (1916)
- Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse
- Torpedo bomber
Tags
Sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse
The Royal Navy battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers while on a mission near British Malaya. The ships were part of a larger fleet intended to confront Japanese advances in Southeast Asia. Despite their heavy armament and armor, both vessels were located by the Imperial Japanese Navy and met with relentless aerial attacks. Within hours, the two capital ships succumbed to multiple torpedo strikes, marking a significant loss for British naval power in the region.
Sunk by Japanese torpedo bombers on December 10, 1941.
HMS Prince of Wales was the newest battleship.
Weak air cover contributed to the ships' vulnerability.
The event highlighted the shift to air power in naval warfare.
What Happened?
HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse were dispatched to the South China Sea in December 1941, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, to bolster British naval strength in the area against the threat posed by Japanese expansion. The British hoped to deter further Japanese advances in Malaya and protect vital shipping routes. Under the command of Vice Admiral Sir Tom Phillips, the ships were sent without adequate air cover, as their escorting aircraft carrier, HMS Indomitable, was delayed in getting to the region. On December 10, 1941, the Japanese launched a coordinated attack involving over 80 aircraft, including torpedo bombers, against the two capital ships.Despite their formidable defenses and enhanced anti-aircraft measures, the Prince of Wales and Repulse were overwhelmed by the aircraft attacking in waves. The first torpedo hit Prince of Wales at around 12:18 PM, causing severe damage. Though attempts were made to counterattack, they were hampered by the lack of air support. Within approximately two hours, the ships sustained multiple hits and began to sink. Around 840 crew members lost their lives, marking not only the loss of these premier vessels but also a strategic embarrassment for the Royal Navy. The event showcased the growing dominance of air power over traditional naval strength in modern warfare.
Why Does it Matter?
The sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse serves as a crucial turning point in naval warfare, illustrating the effectiveness of air power against battleships—a trend that would dominate World War II. This incident highlighted the vulnerabilities of surface ships in the face of aerial attacks and influenced naval tactics and design for years to come. The significant British loss weakened their naval presence in Asia and demonstrated the rapid expansion of Japanese military capabilities, contributing to the wider strategic shifts in the Pacific theater.
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