What if: Force Z (HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse) and a carrier named HMS Indomitable

  It might well have provided an effective defence against the historical attack, which came in waves and had no fighter escort.  However a more powerful attack, covered by a decent number of fighters would probably cause a lot of damage.  Furthermore, unless the force was in position off Kota Bharu, Pattani or Songkhla AND willing to attack Japanese forces landing at those ports, its unlikely to affect the invasion of Malaya.  Or to be able to more and delay the invasion of the DEI given what forces were available historically for that operation.

  I think latest research is that Force Z was an Admiralty decision and that Churchill wanted a larger force of older ships.  However there was growing concern that Japan was going to attack, especially after the establishment of the economic boycott after the Japanese occupation of southern FIC.  There was possibly also the fear that Japan would attack just the British and Dutch colonies and the US would continue to stay neutral.  Its just that the Japanese were underestimated in terms of the quality of their forces and when they might attack.  [Although with the former they were struggling in China and had lost heavily to the Soviets in Mongolia so considering how the Soviets then struggled against the Finns and were getting hammered by the Germans this probably wasn't just racism.]

The problem with Indomitable was, even without her grounding off Jamaica, she wasn't scheduled to complete her work-up until Jan 10 1942. So she won't be joining the Eastern Fleet for a while.

Over on the BC board, we had a discussion on "What Should have been sent East in '41?'

www.tapatalk.com/groups/alltheworldsbattlecruisers/what-should-have-been-sent-east-in-41-t8559.html

I made a map based on one over on the WWII Cruiser site



of RN dispositions in October of 1941. Unfortunately, I left Ark Royal off the OOB; she should be at Gibraltar. I think Pound and the Admiralty were very challenged to create an Eastern Fleet. But who could have foreseen just how bad that last quarter of 1941 was going to be for the RN? Ark Royal lost 14 November, Barham lost 25 November, Prince of Wales and Repulse lost 10 December, Queen Elizabeth and Valiant mined 19 December. Also subtracted, Indomitable aground 3 November, 15 December Illustrious and Formidable collide returning from repairs in the US. In the space of a month the RN went from where Prince of Wales and Repulse could be 'spared' to being short of both capital ships and carriers. The only positives were Warspite completed repairs in December and Duke of York joined the fleet in November.

I think the main advantage a carrier with Force Z would have been to provide Phillips with would be indigenous recon. He had asked the RAF for recon on the 9th and fighter cover on the 10th. When he sortied, he was informed neither would be available.

I've heard Repulse and Prince of Wales had four Walrus each aboard. I haven't seen that in print, and I think if they had, he would have used them for recon and not asked the RAF. I do know Phillips didn't launch a Walrus until he was off Kuantan, when Admiral Palliser had erroneously signal that landings were taking place. He had sent a destroyer to reconnoiter the harbor while the Walrus was assigned to look for enemy activity inland. That warning also left Force Z in the danger area longer than they should have been. The Japanese might have missed them if they had been farther south.

I know the subject of the Zero fighters based in Indochina could have escorted the Nells and Betties in their attacks on Force Z. That may be, but I would think those fighters would be committed to reducing the airfields in northern Malaya, and thus would not have been available, or not available in large numbers.

My thoughts,