AIR SUPPORT
Attack On Prince Of Wales
And Repulse
WHY FIGHTERS WEKE LATE British Official Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, October 7. In reference to the statement by Admiral Hart that the R.A.F. planes were only 30 minutes away from the Prince of Wales and Repulse when they were sunk, but failed to go to their help, informed quarters state that Admiral Sir Thomas Phillips, who was in command, was told before he sailed that reconnaissance planes would be available, but fighter support was doubtful because of the Japanese capture of aerodromes. Two hours after the departure of the ships, Admiral Phillips was advised by radio that fighters would not be available.
He returned to a place that could be reached by lighters after he was found bv Japanese reconnaissance aircraft, but no call for fighter assistance was made until the action was in progress. Three or four fighters were then available, and left within seven minutes and flew 150 miles to the scene of the action, but both ships had by then been sunk.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 238, 8 October 1942, Page 5
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175AIR SUPPORT Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 238, 8 October 1942, Page 5
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