Malaya What If

[Fatboy Coxy]

Agreed, but if Phillips is going to choose to go forward to command at what he assesses to be the decisive point, he needs to do so with an empowered deputy and an operations/plans/intel cell behind him. He did quite commendably go forward, and died leading on the field. However, once he was aboard ship he was effectively limited in his ability to command the remainder of Eastern Fleet and allied units, integrate outside enablers, and to reallocate resources. Most accounts I’ve read mention that destroyers were detached to act as couriers and signalers for outbound messages from Phillips to the rest of the naval units outside force z. Worse, by not communicating his changes of plans he was unable to effectively coordinate the tasked RAAF air cover, the movements of DESRON 57, or his own maritime reconnaissance.

if Phillips himself does not choose to remain ashore to coordinate the Eastern Fleet, then it’s incumbent on him as a commander to ensure somebody is fighting the battle under his overall vision and intent. The battle staff at this position is also responsible for advising the commander when the original mission is no-longer viable and developing new courses of action for the commander to allow him to meet the new situation. Whether this takes place aboard the flagship or from a shore station, it’s the communications, coordination, and intelligence that a staff/command post coordinates that enables effective command. In my assessment Phillips failed to consider how to effectively command AND control of his entire force to ensure the highest probability of mission success with the least risk to force.

Hi Amir, Philips left his Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Arthur Palliser back in Singapore to coordinate affairs while he was at sea.

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

1941, Monday 01 December;

The three Bramo 323 Fafnir radial engines, a development of the old Bristol Jupiter, built up power as the flying boat X.32, taxied into clear water. At the controls was Lieutenant Commander Bastiaan ‘Sach’ Sjerp, KM (Koninklijke Marine), commanding officer of Flight GVT 7, taking his Dornier DO-24 out on a long-range reconnaissance flight. This was on the orders of the Dutch High Command, who were working in tandem with the British and Americans, between them putting up an air surveillance umbrella watching for Japanese Naval movements. Their areas of responsibility were well divided, but the areas to be covered were simply huge.

Apart from a general coverage of the Philippines, the Americans took a particular interest over the South China Sea, watching everything northeast of the line Cape Padaran (Indo China), about 35 miles SW of Cam Ranh Bay, to Kudat (Borneo) and onto Sangi Island in the Celebes Sea. The British, who were desperately short on good maritime recon aircraft, would cover the waters as far as Cape Cambodia, and as far south as the Anambas Islands, leaving the Dutch to cover the area south of the Kuantan-Anambas Islands, across to Borneo, and the northern Borneo coastline. The Dutch had agreed this, operating aircraft from Tarakan in the East and Pontianak in the west of Borneo, but with their other commitments across the entire Dutch East Indies, they were stretched exceedingly thin.

From today onwards, American and British PBY Catalina’s, Australian Hudson Mk II’s, and these Dutch flying boats would be conducting flights with an almost clockwork regularity, weather permitting, and of course the weather was very much a factor in all this, it being the monsoon season for the South China Sea’s. That had to be accounted for, the failed hourly radio report, an aircraft not returning, could very easily be caused by the weather, their loss alone not reason for alarm. The long hours of flying brought fatigue and danger, pilot error on a poor landing, a miscalculated navigation causing the aircraft to run out of fuel. And it tested the quality of an aircraft’s construction, the thoroughness of maintenance checks, of engine overhauls. All this would take a toll.

‘Sach’ was aware of the dangers, but was confident in his plane, and himself. Twenty-seven years old, a pilot with four years’ experience flying these waters, he had been promoted and given command of GVT 7 back in August. His aircraft the Dornier DO-24 was much loved and respected by its aircrew, and although older than the PBY Catalina’s now being bought by the Dutch, was preferred, with the reliability of three engines as opposed to two, and a heavier armament, with a 20mm gun in the dorsal turret.

And then there was his crew, seven of them in total, including himself, which was very green, owing to the expansionist efforts of the MLD (Marine Luchtvaartdienst), transferring experience crewmen out, and replacing them with newly trained from the schools at Morokrembangan. So, he had an additional pilot, to watch over for a month or so, before the lad would be given his own plane to fly, both his Navigator and Radio Operator had only been with him since back in August, and two of the three mechanic/gunners had joined two months ago, the third, an old hand who knew just about everything about the plane, was their mentor. Despite them being a mix of Dutch, Eurasian and Javanese, they were all volunteers, keen to learn, and got on well, which bode well for the future.

The flying boat gathered sufficient speed to lift clear off the waters, passing the oil jetty’s at Langkas, climbing over Tarakan Island and heading north east, later turning northwest and then again west, following the coastline past the British ports of Sandakan and Kudat, before finally landing in Victoria Harbour, Labuan Island, where there was a small refuelling facility arranged by the British. A similar flight would be done by another DO-24 coming out of Pontianak, Dutch West Borneo. And so, the watch began.

 

[Parma]

The three Bramo 323 Fafnir radial engines, a development of the old Bristol Jupiter, built up power as the flying boat X.32, taxied into clear water.

Just an extreme tiny nit pick; the RNLN MLD Dorniers were equiped with:
Wright ''Cyclone” GR-1820 F-52 760 hp (the Do24 X-32)
or
Wright “Cyclone” GR-1820-G105A 1000 hp

The Bramo engine type was used by Aviolanda, the Dutch manufacturer, after the Netherlands were occupied by Germany and the Wright' engines were out of supply, for the production of Do24 for the Luftwaffe.

The RNLN had a verry practical approach, since it were the same brand type of engines used by the KLM, and the MLD used the service infrastructure of the civilian KLM. You need to do become inventive if the government give you no budget.

 

[Butchpfd]

1941, Monday 01 December;

The three Bramo 323 Fafnir radial engines, a development of the old Bristol Jupiter, built up power as the flying boat X.32, taxied into clear water. At the controls was Lieutenant Commander Bastiaan ‘Sach’ Sjerp, KM (Koninklijke Marine), commanding officer of Flight GVT 7, taking his Dornier DO-24 out on a long-range reconnaissance flight. This was on the orders of the Dutch High Command, who were working in tandem with the British and Americans, between them putting up an air surveillance umbrella watching for Japanese Naval movements. Their areas of responsibility were well divided, but the areas to be covered were simply huge.

Apart from a general coverage of the Philippines, the Americans took a particular interest over the South China Sea, watching everything northeast of the line Cape Padaran (Indo China), about 35 miles SW of Cam Ranh Bay, to Kudat (Borneo) and onto Sangi Island in the Celebes Sea. The British, who were desperately short on good maritime recon aircraft, would cover the waters as far as Cape Cambodia, and as far south as the Anambas Islands, leaving the Dutch to cover the area south of the Kuantan-Anambas Islands, across to Borneo, and the northern Borneo coastline. The Dutch had agreed this, operating aircraft from Tarakan in the East and Pontianak in the west of Borneo, but with their other commitments across the entire Dutch East Indies, they were stretched exceedingly thin.

From today onwards, American and British PBY Catalina’s, Australian Hudson Mk II’s, and these Dutch flying boats would be conducting flights with an almost clockwork regularity, weather permitting, and of course the weather was very much a factor in all this, it being the monsoon season for the South China Sea’s. That had to be accounted for, the failed hourly radio report, an aircraft not returning, could very easily be caused by the weather, their loss alone not reason for alarm. The long hours of flying brought fatigue and danger, pilot error on a poor landing, a miscalculated navigation causing the aircraft to run out of fuel. And it tested the quality of an aircraft’s construction, the thoroughness of maintenance checks, of engine overhauls. All this would take a toll.

‘Sach’ was aware of the dangers, but was confident in his plane, and himself. Twenty-seven years old, a pilot with four years’ experience flying these waters, he had been promoted and given command of GVT 7 back in August. His aircraft the Dornier DO-24 was much loved and respected by its aircrew, and although older than the PBY Catalina’s now being bought by the Dutch, was preferred, with the reliability of three engines as opposed to two, and a heavier armament, with a 20mm gun in the dorsal turret.

And then there was his crew, seven of them in total, including himself, which was very green, owing to the expansionist efforts of the MLD (Marine Luchtvaartdienst), transferring experience crewmen out, and replacing them with newly trained from the schools at Morokrembangan. So, he had an additional pilot, to watch over for a month or so, before the lad would be given his own plane to fly, both his Navigator and Radio Operator had only been with him since back in August, and two of the three mechanic/gunners had joined two months ago, the third, an old hand who knew just about everything about the plane, was their mentor. Despite them being a mix of Dutch, Eurasian and Javanese, they were all volunteers, keen to learn, and got on well, which bode well for the future.

The flying boat gathered sufficient speed to lift clear off the waters, passing the oil jetty’s at Langkas, climbing over Tarakan Island and heading north east, later turning northwest and then again west, following the coastline past the British ports of Sandakan and Kudat, before finally landing in Victoria Harbour, Labuan Island, where there was a small refuelling facility arranged by the British. A similar flight would be done by another DO-24 coming out of Pontianak, Dutch West Borneo. And so, the watch began.

Yes, OTL, the USN PBYs were undergunned, already in the Atlantic PBYs, instead of single.50 cals, were getting dual .50 cals in each blister, and the bow .30 cal replaced with .50 cals for ASW work. Later in the war the blister .50 cals would have gun shields and armor around the cockpit and blisters..

 

[Fatboy Coxy]

Just an extreme tiny nit pick; the RNLN MLD Dorniers were equiped with:
Wright ''Cyclone” GR-1820 F-52 760 hp (the Do24 X-32)
or
Wright “Cyclone” GR-1820-G105A 1000 hp

The Bramo engine type was used by Aviolanda, the Dutch manufacturer, after the Netherlands were occupied by Germany and the Wright' engines were out of supply, for the production of Do24 for the Luftwaffe.

The RNLN had a verry practical approach, since it were the same brand type of engines used by the KLM, and the MLD used the service infrastructure of the civilian KLM. You need to do become inventive if the government give you no budget.

Hi Parma, my apologies your correct, big error on my part.

Both Wiki and Tom Womack's book The Allied defence of the Malay Barrier 1941-1942 have 36 DO-24 K1's delivered, with X-4 being lost in 1940. Of the other 12 aircraft due to be delivered, the order of 60 being reduced to 48, and now designated as K2's, only X-37 was delivered, with more powerful engines, which proved defective, replacement engines hadn't been sent when Holland fell the the German invasion. Could they have been your second engine, the 1000Hp?

 

[Amir]

Hi Amir, Philips left his Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Arthur Palliser back in Singapore to coordinate affairs while he was at sea.

Thanks! I know he was fighting a lash up arrangement without a lot of time to rehearse/coordinate. How does Palliser figure in the air cover shortfall, etc? He was titularly chief of staff, but was he treated as a deputy commander or as the head staff guy?

CofS/XOs/OpsOs frequently get a lot of delegated authority to lead the staff and run the organization in line with the commander’s vision and intent. This can include coordinating beyond the scope of normal staff actions, directing actions , and tasking subordinates if the commander so chooses to allow it. If the commander chooses to go forward or is in a position where he can’t effectively command the entire force this is is especially critical. Conversely, it’s also not unusual for a commander to place his deputy at a point where extra leadership or oversight is needed to ensure the success of a key shaping effort. For example, assistant division commanders were often landed with the initial elements in an amphibious assault while the division commanders remained embarked to better exercise command of the overall effort.

 

[HJ Tulp]

Aaah the Do-24. By far my favourite WWII airplane!

 

[Nevarinemex]

Doubtful, Hart only had 28 total PBYs That amount would be a quarter of the strength of Pat Wing 10. Already there were 3 PBYs at Davo, and another 3 at Palawan. leaving 22 at Olonopgo and Miraivales

Corrected PBY nomenclature.

Point taken.

The quantity of PBY-4's, in the PI, early December 1941, will always be debatable. Several sites have different numbers. None are not dissimilar in size.

I'm using BuAer data for losses. BuAer lists the losses of VP-101 and VP-102 PBY-4's by squadron, their locations and date. BuAer seems to indicate that their records have 18 PBY's in VP-101 being lost in theater. Could some have been inter-VP squadron transfers? Several of the original Consolidated PBY's were disposed by BuAir and apparently enter Australian service. One of the 32 originals was a test bed for armaments.

If the BuAir records are correct, there were 32 original Consolidated PBY-4's. These were the first PBY-4s ordered from Consolidated under contract in December 1937. They have the Bureau number and the manufacturer number listed. They also list the subsequent PBY-3's information which were replacements from VP-22 to VP-102 in 1942. Actually, all Naval Air craft from 1921-59 are recorded.

The information was recently updated, like September 2023. It came from the original card file record system. I will give or post the link when I get back from TDY.

 

[Butchpfd]

Point taken.

The quantity of PBY-3's, in the PI, early December 1941, will always be debatable. Several sites have different numbers. None are not dissimilar in size.

I'm using BuAer data for losses. BuAer lists the losses of VP-101 and VP-102 PBY-3's by squadron, their locations and date. BuAer seems to indicate that their records have 18 PBY's in VP-101 being lost in theater. Could some have been inter-VP squadron transfers? Several of the original Consolidated PBY's were disposed by BuAir and apparently enter Australian service. One of the 32 originals was a test bed for armaments.

If the BuAir records are correct, there were 32 original Consolidated PBY-3's. These were the first PBY-3s ordered from Consolidated under contract in 1937. They have the Bureau number and the manufacturer number listed. They also list the subsequent PBY-5's information which were replacements from VP-22 to VP-102 in 1942. Actually, all Naval Air craft from 1921-59 are recorded.

The information was recently updated, like September 2023. It came from the original card file record system. I will give or post the link when I get back from TDY.

My numbers come from Adm. Hart's Battle Diary, from what I have read, many of Pat Wing 10s records were lost during the retreat and loss of the Langley. She was afterall, the HQ of Pat Wing 10 afloat. Also according to Hart's diary another squadrons worth of replacements were sent to rep l Ace losses.

 

[Nevarinemex]

1941, Monday 01 December;

The three Bramo 323 Fafnir radial engines, a development of the old Bristol Jupiter, built up power as the flying boat X.32, taxied into clear water. At the controls was Lieutenant Commander Bastiaan ‘Sach’ Sjerp, KM (Koninklijke Marine), commanding officer of Flight GVT 7, taking his Dornier DO-24 out on a long-range reconnaissance flight. This was on the orders of the Dutch High Command, who were working in tandem with the British and Americans, between them putting up an air surveillance umbrella watching for Japanese Naval movements. Their areas of responsibility were well divided, but the areas to be covered were simply huge.

Apart from a general coverage of the Philippines, the Americans took a particular interest over the South China Sea, watching everything northeast of the line Cape Padaran (Indo China), about 35 miles SW of Cam Ranh Bay, to Kudat (Borneo) and onto Sangi Island in the Celebes Sea. The British, who were desperately short on good maritime recon aircraft, would cover the waters as far as Cape Cambodia, and as far south as the Anambas Islands, leaving the Dutch to cover the area south of the Kuantan-Anambas Islands, across to Borneo, and the northern Borneo coastline. The Dutch had agreed this, operating aircraft from Tarakan in the East and Pontianak in the west of Borneo, but with their other commitments across the entire Dutch East Indies, they were stretched exceedingly thin.

From today onwards, American and British PBY Catalina’s, Australian Hudson Mk II’s, and these Dutch flying boats would be conducting flights with an almost clockwork regularity, weather permitting, and of course the weather was very much a factor in all this, it being the monsoon season for the South China Sea’s. That had to be accounted for, the failed hourly radio report, an aircraft not returning, could very easily be caused by the weather, their loss alone not reason for alarm. The long hours of flying brought fatigue and danger, pilot error on a poor landing, a miscalculated navigation causing the aircraft to run out of fuel. And it tested the quality of an aircraft’s construction, the thoroughness of maintenance checks, of engine overhauls. All this would take a toll.

‘Sach’ was aware of the dangers, but was confident in his plane, and himself. Twenty-seven years old, a pilot with four years’ experience flying these waters, he had been promoted and given command of GVT 7 back in August. His aircraft the Dornier DO-24 was much loved and respected by its aircrew, and although older than the PBY Catalina’s now being bought by the Dutch, was preferred, with the reliability of three engines as opposed to two, and a heavier armament, with a 20mm gun in the dorsal turret.

And then there was his crew, seven of them in total, including himself, which was very green, owing to the expansionist efforts of the MLD (Marine Luchtvaartdienst), transferring experience crewmen out, and replacing them with newly trained from the schools at Morokrembangan. So, he had an additional pilot, to watch over for a month or so, before the lad would be given his own plane to fly, both his Navigator and Radio Operator had only been with him since back in August, and two of the three mechanic/gunners had joined two months ago, the third, an old hand who knew just about everything about the plane, was their mentor. Despite them being a mix of Dutch, Eurasian and Javanese, they were all volunteers, keen to learn, and got on well, which bode well for the future.

The flying boat gathered sufficient speed to lift clear off the waters, passing the oil jetty’s at Langkas, climbing over Tarakan Island and heading north east, later turning northwest and then again west, following the coastline past the British ports of Sandakan and Kudat, before finally landing in Victoria Harbour, Labuan Island, where there was a small refuelling facility arranged by the British. A similar flight would be done by another DO-24 coming out of Pontianak, Dutch West Borneo. And so, the watch began.

Just curious. Did these planes have Guard frequencies? Are they or can they be modified to operate on similar crystals/oscillator frequencies? If so, perhaps due to atmospherics, the range of radio comms might expand?

 

[Nevarinemex]

My numbers come from Adm. Hart's Battle Diary, from what I have read, many of Pat Wing 10s records were lost during the retreat and loss of the Langley. She was afterall, the HQ of Pat Wing 10 afloat. Also according to Hart's diary another squadrons worth of replacements were sent to rep l Ace losses.

I think that the replacements may have been from VP-22. It appears that they are PBY-3s and some damaged at Pearl. I have the bookmark for the BuAer information. It also has email addresses and links, if interested. Whatever I can share, I will

 

[Belisarius II]

1941, Monday 01 December;

The three Bramo 323 Fafnir radial engines, a development of the old Bristol Jupiter, built up power as the flying boat X.32, taxied into clear water. At the controls was Lieutenant Commander Bastiaan ‘Sach’ Sjerp, KM (Koninklijke Marine), commanding officer of Flight GVT 7, taking his Dornier DO-24 out on a long-range reconnaissance flight. This was on the orders of the Dutch High Command, who were working in tandem with the British and Americans, between them putting up an air surveillance umbrella watching for Japanese Naval movements. Their areas of responsibility were well divided, but the areas to be covered were simply huge.

Apart from a general coverage of the Philippines, the Americans took a particular interest over the South China Sea, watching everything northeast of the line Cape Padaran (Indo China), about 35 miles SW of Cam Ranh Bay, to Kudat (Borneo) and onto Sangi Island in the Celebes Sea. The British, who were desperately short on good maritime recon aircraft, would cover the waters as far as Cape Cambodia, and as far south as the Anambas Islands, leaving the Dutch to cover the area south of the Kuantan-Anambas Islands, across to Borneo, and the northern Borneo coastline. The Dutch had agreed this, operating aircraft from Tarakan in the East and Pontianak in the west of Borneo, but with their other commitments across the entire Dutch East Indies, they were stretched exceedingly thin.

From today onwards, American and British PBY Catalina’s, Australian Hudson Mk II’s, and these Dutch flying boats would be conducting flights with an almost clockwork regularity, weather permitting, and of course the weather was very much a factor in all this, it being the monsoon season for the South China Sea’s. That had to be accounted for, the failed hourly radio report, an aircraft not returning, could very easily be caused by the weather, their loss alone not reason for alarm. The long hours of flying brought fatigue and danger, pilot error on a poor landing, a miscalculated navigation causing the aircraft to run out of fuel. And it tested the quality of an aircraft’s construction, the thoroughness of maintenance checks, of engine overhauls. All this would take a toll.

‘Sach’ was aware of the dangers, but was confident in his plane, and himself. Twenty-seven years old, a pilot with four years’ experience flying these waters, he had been promoted and given command of GVT 7 back in August. His aircraft the Dornier DO-24 was much loved and respected by its aircrew, and although older than the PBY Catalina’s now being bought by the Dutch, was preferred, with the reliability of three engines as opposed to two, and a heavier armament, with a 20mm gun in the dorsal turret.

And then there was his crew, seven of them in total, including himself, which was very green, owing to the expansionist efforts of the MLD (Marine Luchtvaartdienst), transferring experience crewmen out, and replacing them with newly trained from the schools at Morokrembangan. So, he had an additional pilot, to watch over for a month or so, before the lad would be given his own plane to fly, both his Navigator and Radio Operator had only been with him since back in August, and two of the three mechanic/gunners had joined two months ago, the third, an old hand who knew just about everything about the plane, was their mentor. Despite them being a mix of Dutch, Eurasian and Javanese, they were all volunteers, keen to learn, and got on well, which bode well for the future.

The flying boat gathered sufficient speed to lift clear off the waters, passing the oil jetty’s at Langkas, climbing over Tarakan Island and heading north east, later turning northwest and then again west, following the coastline past the British ports of Sandakan and Kudat, before finally landing in Victoria Harbour, Labuan Island, where there was a small refuelling facility arranged by the British. A similar flight would be done by another DO-24 coming out of Pontianak, Dutch West Borneo. And so, the watch began.

Hey Fatboy Coxy: A few days ago, I watched the Movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!" Very tight drama. You know what's going to happen but still the tension builds, and you feel how ominous the coming events will be. I remember sitting at home in 1991 when the first reports from CNN of Coalition air attacks kicking off Desert Storm came in. I had no doubt of the outcome but still my heart was in my mouth. Well, I'm getting a bit of the same feeling now that the start of the Great Pacific War is less than a week away.

Will the Japanese roll over Malaya & Southeast Asia or will the newly invigorated Malay defense force bring them up short? Will the Sun set on the British Empire, or will the Rising Sun be eclipsed? Only you know the outcome the rest of us have to read your history. I still say saving Malaya will be a heavy lift but whatever happens it should be an interesting read. We've had over 200 pages leading up to the curtain going up, but now the big show is about to begin. They didn't call it the Pacific Theater for nothing, there was lots of drama. War has always been the most tragic but compelling of all human endeavors. With that good luck author and on with Act II.

 

[ArtosStark]

" Yes, he reflected, the situation called for a strong man, he knew Layton, Cunningham and Somerville thought of him as a desk-based Admiral, a poor appointment, and what was needed was a fighting Admiral, but as he slid into bed, and switched the bedside light out, Admiral Tom Phillips vowed, he would be that man." Oh oh.................

This is suggesting that at a time when the RN needed a clever but cautious commander they have instead somebody who's trying to prove something. Is that what happened in OTL? Is this why Admiral Philips sallied forth without waiting for air cover?

AIUI Phillips was appointed as a safe pair of hands. Though histories have sometimes derided him as a “desk Admiral” he had plenty of sea experience (as every RN Officer was required to have to advance). He had relatively recent experience in theatre and, as DoP and DCNS he had been well aware of the RN strategic position in the Far East.

A problem for ADM Phillips, is that 300 years of Royal Navy tradition has him duty bound, to lose
his Life, his Force and the entire theatre. A glorious Minorca or Toulon instead?

It wasn’t primarily tradition that brought Phillips North. While it is arguable whether the government or the Admiralty had the correct strategic conception for the defence of Singapore, the fact was that the defence had been set as a major strategic objective in the Far East. To protect Singapore you have to protect all of Malaya to avoid the base being rendered ineffective in combat. To do that with naval power requires the attack of supply and troop convoy forces to keep the enemy off the beaches as much as possible. Based on the then current knowledge of Japanese capabilities and the strategic requirements, Phillips actions were perhaps risky (which is considered daring if they work) but they were a controlled risk with the possibility of completing the strategic objective. And Phillips actually had good reason to believe that if he could avoid detection he could attack a troop convoy and be out of air range before the Japanese could respond. Risky, not stupid.

The bottom line is Phillips was a battleship admiral through and through

Phillips served on destroyers in WW1 and throughout the 1920’s. After a stint as Assistant Director of Plans in the early 30’s he commanded a Cruiser in the Far East. Then he spent a few years as Director of Plans, before commanding the destroyers of the Home Fleet. He returned to the Admiralty when Cunningham went back to the Mediterranean to become Deputy Chief of Naval Staff in his place.

One thing that is not predominant in his background is battleships. He was an example of the strong representation of destroyer officers in RN high command in this period. Cunningham and Ramsey are two other examples.

 

[edgeworthy]

And Royal Navy Destroyer Captains possess what might be described as having the aggressive instincts of a wolverine with a toothache.
In more prosaic terms, if you do not know the location and numbers of the enemy, attack and you will surely find out.

The first two awards of the Victoria Cross in WW2 were to RN Destroyer Captains.
(Being outmatched ten to one is not regarded as grounds for avoiding action)

 

[Belisarius II]

AIUI Phillips was appointed as a safe pair of hands. Though histories have sometimes derided him as a “desk Admiral” he had plenty of sea experience (as every RN Officer was required to have to advance). He had relatively recent experience in theatre and, as DoP and DCNS he had been well aware of the RN strategic position in the Far East.


It wasn’t primarily tradition that brought Phillips North. While it is arguable whether the government or the Admiralty had the correct strategic conception for the defence of Singapore, the fact was that the defence had been set as a major strategic objective in the Far East. To protect Singapore you have to protect all of Malaya to avoid the base being rendered ineffective in combat. To do that with naval power requires the attack of supply and troop convoy forces to keep the enemy off the beaches as much as possible. Based on the then current knowledge of Japanese capabilities and the strategic requirements, Phillips actions were perhaps risky (which is considered daring if they work) but they were a controlled risk with the possibility of completing the strategic objective. And Phillips actually had good reason to believe that if he could avoid detection he could attack a troop convoy and be out of air range before the Japanese could respond. Risky, not stupid.


Phillips served on destroyers in WW1 and throughout the 1920’s. After a stint as Assistant Director of Plans in the early 30’s he commanded a Cruiser in the Far East. Then he spent a few years as Director of Plans, before commanding the destroyers of the Home Fleet. He returned to the Admiralty when Cunningham went back to the Mediterranean to become Deputy Chief of Naval Staff in his place.

One thing that is not predominant in his background is battleships. He was an example of the strong representation of destroyer officers in RN high command in this period. Cunningham and Ramsey are two other examples.

Thanks for giving a balanced view of the man's career. He wasn't the cartoon image some histories have painted him to be. I didn't literally mean that Phillips had spent his career in battleships just that he was an adherent of the big gun club. I can't find the quote right now but as near as I can remember he once said about battleships, (It's an amazing feeling to have a ship that can hunt down and kill any prey.) Today Submariners say there are only submarines & targets. Phillips belonged to a school that believed battleships still reigned supreme.

 

[steamboy]

So TTL's Force Z is

Prince of Wales
Repulse
Cornwall
Exeter
4 x DD

Thats a bit more AA guns available for sure and more targets to attack or draw off fire.
And as always great writing!

 

[Belisarius II]

So TTL's Force Z is

Prince of Wales
Repulse
Cornwall
Exeter
4 x DD

Thats a bit more AA guns available for sure and more targets to attack or draw off fire.
And as always great writing!

Adding Corwall & Exeter won't do much. The Japanese aircraft would ignore them, and 8 more 4" AA guns won't help much. In a surface battle they could come in handy, though they both were very light in armor protection, and Exeter only had 6X 8" guns. Now if you could get a Southhampton there that would be another story.

 

[GarethC]

Adding Corwall & Exeter won't do much. The Japanese aircraft would ignore them, and 8 more 4" AA guns won't help much. In a surface battle they could come in handy, though they both were very light in armor protection, and Exeter only had 6X 8" guns. Now if you could get a Southhampton there that would be another story.

They might do a fair bit if Phillips finds Ozawa in the night though, where otherwise the unanswered fire of his Takaos might be expected to damage the capital ships' upper works, radars, and directors, and mission-kill them.

 

[Parma]

Hi Parma, my apologies your correct, big error on my part.

Both Wiki and Tom Womack's book The Allied defence of the Malay Barrier 1941-1942 have 36 DO-24 K1's delivered, with X-4 being lost in 1940. Of the other 12 aircraft due to be delivered, the order of 60 being reduced to 48, and now designated as K2's, only X-37 was delivered, with more powerful engines, which proved defective, replacement engines hadn't been sent when Holland fell the the German invasion. Could they have been your second engine, the 1000Hp?

It was just a tiny nit pick
As I can find the most Dutch versions were of the K1 type that is with the 760hp (or 875 hp different sources) engines. There were 37 aircraft delivered at 10 May 1940. Of which 29 K1 type (F52 type engines)
As far as I understand only eight Do24 were delivered with 1000 hp engines before the Germans attacked the Netherlands 14 May 1940. But sources differ.
The Wright Cyclone engines were also used in the MLD Fokker-T.IV floatplanes/torpedo bombers and the Glenn Martin B10/139 bombers of the air division of the KNIL. Again a sign that the Dutch Royal Navy and KNIL were more practical than the army militairy in the Netherlands.

Due to the RNLN MLD designation with an X, they were called X-boats, strangely not airplanes.

 

[fester]

Hi Admiral Jellicoe, I used https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-06CL-Capetown.htm

So TTL's Force Z is

Prince of Wales
Repulse
Cornwall
Exeter
4 x DD

Thats a bit more AA guns available for sure and more targets to attack or draw off fire.
And as always great writing!

Not the AA guns per se but extra detachable platforms with range that can scout