When did the sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse occur?
The sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse occurred on the 10th of December 1941. The flagship Prince of Wales sank at 13:18 while the battlecruiser Repulse sank at 12:33.
Questions about Sinking of Prince of Wales and Repulse
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why were the Royal Navy ships unable to defend against Japanese air attacks in Malaya?
Humidity in Malayan waters caused surface search radars to break down and anti-aircraft ammunition to deteriorate quickly before the engagement. Crew fatigue increased significantly due to the lack of air conditioning on board these vessels, which further reduced operational effectiveness.
Who commanded Force Z during the naval engagement off Kuantan?
Admiral Sir Tom Phillips commanded Force Z when it sailed without adequate air support. He decided to sail despite knowing fighter cover was limited and rejected proposals from Flight Lieutenant Tim Vigors for daytime aircraft protection.
How many sailors died during the loss of Prince of Wales and Repulse?
Total casualties numbered 840 sailors lost between the two ships. Casualties aboard Repulse reached 513 out of 1,309 crew members while the rest perished on the flagship Prince of Wales.
Where are the wrecks of Prince of Wales and Repulse located today?
Repulse lies in 183 feet of water while Prince of Wales rests in 223 feet after the war ended. Both wrecks sit nearly upside-down on the seabed off Kuantan where divers mark the sites with buoys attached to propeller shafts.