Table of Contents
What happened HMS Repulse?
The Royal Navy battleship HMS Prince of Wales and battlecruiser HMS Repulse were sunk by land-based bombers and torpedo bombers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. On their return to Singapore they were attacked in open waters and sunk by long-range torpedo bombers.
How many torpedoes hit the Prince of Wales?
Despite reports to the contrary, Prince of Wales was struck by only one torpedo.
Who Sank Repulse?
Japanese bombers
HMS Repulse (1916)
| History | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Nickname(s) | Repair |
| Fate | Sunk by Japanese bombers, 10 December 1941 (508 lives lost) |
| General characteristics (as built) |
Why didn’t the Prince of Wales spot the Japanese planes in Singapore?
News of British battleships leaving Singapore spread quickly among the Japanese navy, and a flotilla of battleships, cruisers, and destroyers was assembled to respond. Both forces came within 9 kilometers of each other, but due to foul weather neither spotted the other, and the Japanese aircraft were not picked up on the Prince of Wales’ radar.
What happened to Prince of Wales’s Repulse?
On December 2 Prince Of Wales, Repulse, and an accompanying squadron of four destroyers steamed up Johore Straight and entered the great naval base at Singapore, the first capital ships ever to call there. Prince Of Wales was given the best berth, with Repulse moored out in midstream like a poor relation.
Why did the Prince of Wales not use HACS in Singapore?
The Prince of Wales’ HACS was not operating properly, due to the heat and humidity of Singapore. It left them with limited air defense. Phillips believed that air power was only a minor threat to his force as at that point no active battleship had ever been sunk by aircraft.
What happened to Admiral Phillips ships in the Battle of Malaya?
On December 8, Admiral Phillips sortied his two ships in an effort to intercept and destroy the Japanese task forces attacking Malaya. On December 10, Prince of Wales and Repulse were caught in the open sea by eighty-seven Japanese aircraft. Repulse suffered five torpedo hits, Prince of Wales four.