When 85 Planes Attacked Two British Warships

In the early days of World War II, the British Royal Navy dispatched two of its most formidable warships, HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, as part of Force Z to deter Japanese aggression in Singapore and Malaya. However, on December 10, 1941, both ships met their tragic fate when they were overwhelmed by relentless Japanese aerial attacks off the coast of Kuantan, British Malaya.

A Secret Mission Turns into Disaster

At dawn, the British task force, led by HMS Prince of Wales under Captain John “Jack” Leach, set sail with hopes of launching a surprise attack on Japanese forces. Their plans were quickly foiled when Japanese reconnaissance aircraft detected their presence. Before the British could react, the Japanese prepared for a full-scale assault.

The first target was HMS Repulse, an aging battlecruiser. A bomb penetrated its port seaplane hangar, shattering the armored deck below. Despite the damage, the ship pressed on, but above, two squadrons of Japanese bombers split into a pincer formation, expertly designed to evade British anti-aircraft fire.

The Japanese Attack in Full Force

As nine Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” bombers closed in, British anti-aircraft gunners fired desperately, switching from controlled bursts to wild flak barrages, hoping to disrupt the attack. However, the Japanese planes were too fast and too well-coordinated. Braving intense fire, they released their torpedoes, targeting HMS Prince of Wales.

Two torpedoes slammed into the battleship, devastating its electrical system and leaving it dead in the water. With its defenses crippled, the ship became an easy target. Another wave of Japanese planes swooped in, machine-gunning as they approached. Torpedoes struck in quick succession—one blew a jagged hole through the hull, another hit directly under the B-turret, and a final one ripped through an unarmored section of the ship.

HMS Repulse’s Valiant Defense

Meanwhile, HMS Repulse fought back with extraordinary skill. Captain William Tennant expertly maneuvered the ship, dodging an astonishing 19 torpedoes. Even bombs dropped from 12,000 feet failed to hit their mark. For a moment, it seemed as if Repulse would escape unscathed.

But the Japanese weren’t finished. At 12:23 PM, another 20 torpedo bombers descended in a coordinated attack. This time, four to five torpedoes found their mark. Explosions ripped through the lower decks, flooding the compartments and destroying the engines. Listing heavily to port, the ship was doomed. Captain Tennant ordered the crew to abandon ship as Task Force Z’s remaining vessels rushed to assist. Climbing onto a nearby raft, Tennant survived, but his beloved ship was lost.

The Final Moments of HMS Prince of Wales

With Repulse sinking, the Japanese turned their attention back to HMS Prince of Wales. A 500 kg bomb struck, sealing its fate. But Captain Leach refused to give up. Rallying his men, he attempted to restore maneuverability and steer the damaged warship back to Singapore. Some stepped forward to assist, but it quickly became clear that the ship was beyond saving.

As hundreds of crew members scrambled onto makeshift gangplanks and ropes, the ship rolled further onto its side. The destroyer HMS Express, attempting to assist, suffered a 20-foot gash in her hull after colliding with the stricken battleship. The situation became desperate.

Leach and Admiral Sir Tom Phillips stood together on the bridge, silently watching their defeat unfold. The last sighting of the two men was at 1:24 PM, as the Prince of Wales rolled over and capsized. Moments later, it was gone.

A Defining Moment in Naval History

The loss of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales was a devastating blow to British naval power in the Pacific. It marked the first time capital ships had been sunk purely by air power while at sea—ushering in a new era of naval warfare. The sinking of Force Z sent shockwaves through the Royal Navy and proved that, without air cover, even the mightiest warships were vulnerable.

This tragic battle remains one of the most sobering moments in naval history, a testament to both the bravery of the British sailors and the lethal precision of Japanese air power.