Defending the Malay Barrier: Force Z Sortie Part 3 - 2nd Air Attack

The final phase of the optional Turn 0 arrives. Japanese Land Based Aircraft (LBA) are able to launch further sorties against any disabled or crippled ships. Prince of Wales and Repulse both fall into that category. 

The weather has improved considerably with a Force 4 sea state and clear skies. The slow-moving Force Z were easily spotted by Japanese aircraft and duly launched an attack.

Force Z - in the lead is the Electra with Express on the right and Vampire at top of photo. In the calmer seas, the PoW has managed to increase its speed to 9 knots setting the maximum for the force.

Japanese aircraft are spotted approaching from the south. Each model represents a flight of 3 aircraft. There are 6 flights of Nell bombers carrying heavy bombs. 3 Nell flights with 2 Betty bomber flights carry torpedoes. They are escorted by 4 flights of Zero fighters.

Continued -

The first wave consisted of the high-level bombing run. One stick came close but none of the heavy bombs found their target. The long range AA was similarly ineffective with all aircraft safely completing their mission.

The second wave arrived with 3 Nells targeting the PoW and the 2 Bettys the Repulse, all with torpedoes.

The Zeros made straffing runs against two of the destroyers and both capital ships diverting AA fire. One Zero was damaged but the ensuing reduced AA fire on the attacking torpedo bombers ensured all flights successfully launched their torpedoes without mishap.

With each model representing a flight of 3 aircraft, a total of 15 torpedoes were in the water heading for the slow-moving capital ships. 

The first torpedo spreads find their mark with one each hitting the PoW and Repulse. Both survive but the PoW is perilously close to sinking.

The slow-moving ships, unable to take any evasive action, are sitting ducks for the remaining torpedoes. Two strike the PoW sending her to the bottom. Another strikes the Repulse causing a fire and reducing her to just one hull box keeping her afloat. The crew needed to extinguish the fire to survive. The first attempt failed leaving just half a hull box. The second attempt proved to be their final action. The fire was out of control and the crew abandoned ship. 

The loss of both capital ships gave the Japanese valuable victory points bringing their total to 35 against the allies 33.5. 

This brings to an end the optional turn 0 with the campaign in full gear next turn.

The land campaign is dealt with in the abstract. Malaya is dealt with by what is called the 'Singapore Index'. When the index reaches 5 Singapore falls. Each turn where the invasion is successfully re-supplied (convoys arrive surviving any allied interception) the index increases by 1. The Japanese have successfully launched their invasion landing at Kota Bharu and therefore the index will increase to 1 for the start of Turn 1.