Force Z departed Cape Town Nov 16, 1941, arrived at Ceylon Nov. 26, then sailed for Malaya, arriving at Singapore Dec 2, 1941.
ATL - Force Z arrives in Cape Town three weeks later, Dec 7th. At Simonstown naval yard, 30 miles away is HMS Hermes. What would the RN order Phillips' force to do?
Perhaps escorting a reinforcement convoy to Malaya?