Admiral Beez
Captain
On 25 October 1941, HMS Prince of Wales and the escorting destroyers HMS Electra, Express, and HMS Hesperus sailed from Greenock, destined for Singapore. On the way they collect HMS Repulse. HMS Indomitable is ordered to deploy to Malaya by end of December or early Jan 1942 after her work-up. Let's have Churchill agree to also send HMS Ark Royal with Force Z, with Phillips collecting the carrier at Gibraltar. Along the way, the Admiralty makes a change of plan, instructing Force Z to stop at Ceylon to await HMS Indomitable. Thus, on December 7/8, 1941 Force Z and Ark Royal are at Ceylon with HMS Indomitable enroute. What orders should the Admiralty give Phillips? Should Phillips be replaced by Sommerville or someone more apt?
One unexpected benefit of sailing away with Force Z in late October 1941 is that Ark Royal isn't sunk 14 November 1941, and of course neither are Prince of Wales and Repulse sunk on 10 December 1941. As for the Atlantic and Med, both HMS Illustrious and Formidable re-enter service in early 1942. Until then the Atlantic and MTO will be covered by HMS Victorious, Eagle, Furious and Argus. I'd like to think that HMS Hermes will be sent home to add her limited air cover to the MTO.
One unexpected benefit of sailing away with Force Z in late October 1941 is that Ark Royal isn't sunk 14 November 1941, and of course neither are Prince of Wales and Repulse sunk on 10 December 1941. As for the Atlantic and Med, both HMS Illustrious and Formidable re-enter service in early 1942. Until then the Atlantic and MTO will be covered by HMS Victorious, Eagle, Furious and Argus. I'd like to think that HMS Hermes will be sent home to add her limited air cover to the MTO.
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