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REPORT BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
A. G. SKIPWITH, R.N.
Singapore.
12th December, 1941.
I have the honour to submit, in accordance with Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet signal 0946GH/ 11th December, the following brief narrative of events leading to the loss of H.M.S. PRINCE OF WALES.
2. At the time of the first air attack the squadron was returning to Singapore under the arders of Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Fleet.
3. At 1113 on 10th December fire was opened on eight twin engined high level bombers which attacked REPULSE in close formation.
4. At 1141.5 fire was opened on nine torpedo which attacked H.M S. PRINCE OF WALES from the port side. The ship was hit by a torpedo at 1144 in a position approximately abreast P. 3 and P. 4 turrets. The damage caused by this hit was as follows and the result apparent before the next attack developed.
(a) The ship assumed a list of 11.5o to port and Increased her trim by the stern, the port side of the quarterdeck being awash by 1220.
(b) " B " Engine Room, " Y " Boiler Room, the port Diesel Room and " Y ' Action Machinery Room flooded.
(c) Both propeller shafts stopped.
(d) Steering gear was affected and the ship was never again under complete control, N.U.C. Balls* being hoisted at 1210
(e) The warning telephone system failed.
(f) Power failed at both after groups of 5.25 Inch guns and P 1 turret jammed in training: power failed at P.2.
5. A further torpedo bomber attack developed on the starboard Side at 1220. Three minutes later the ship was hit by two torpedoes, one at the stem and the other in the after part of the ship, starboard side. At the ship was hit by a torpedo abreast B turret on the starboard Side. Amongst other results " A " propeller shaft became jammed, the list was gradually reduced, and the ship settled appreciably.
6 At 1241 fire was opened with remaining 5.25 inch guns, namely S.1, S.2 and P. l, and pom-poms, at a high level bombing formation of eight aircraft. Three minutes later the ship was straddled and a hit sustained on the catapult deck. The armoured deck was not pierced Near misses may have caused further damage.
7. Soon after this attack H.M.S. EXPRESS closed and came alongside the starboard Side of the Quarterdeck. Orders were given by the Captain to disembark wounded and those not required to fight the ship. Finally, the order to abandon ship was passed.
8. As much detailed evidence as possible is being taken.
9. I wish to record that H.M.S. EXPRESS was magnificently handled, remaining alongside until the last possible moment.
10. The officers and ratings whom I saw displayed great courage and steadiness.
11. H.M.S. PRINCE OF WALES heeled over quickly to port and sank at about 1320.
APPENDIX 1.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward herewith a report made by Flt./Lt. Vigors, temporarily commanding 453 Squadron, who took his squadron over to provide fighter cover to H.M. Ships PRINCE OF WALES and REPULSE.
The tributes paid by Flt./Lt. Vigors to the magnificent conduct of the officers and men of the PRINCE OF WALES and REPULSE are tributes which the whole of the personnel under my command would like to join in.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
To : —Commander-in-Chief, Far Eastern Fleet.
SIR,
I had the privilege to be the first aircraft to reach the crews of the PRINCE OF WALES and the REPULSE after they had been sunk. I say the privilege, for during the next hour while I flew around low over them, I witnessed a show of that indomitable spirit for which the Royal Navy is so famous. 1 have seen a show of spirit In this war over Dunkirk, during the “Battle of Britain,” and on the London night raids, but never before have I seen anything comparable with what I saw yesterday. I passed over thousands who had been through an ordeal the greatness of which they alone can understand, for it is Impossible to pass on one's feelings in disaster to others.
Even to an eye so inexperienced as mine it was obvious that the three destroyers were going to take hours to pick up those hundreds of men clinging to bits of wreckage, and swimming around in the filthy oily water Above all this, the threat of another bombing and machine gun attack was imminent. Every one of those men must have realised that. Yet as I flew around, every man waved and put his thumb up as I flew over him.
After an hour, lack of petrol forced me to leave, but during that hour I had seen many men in dire danger waving, cheering and joking as if they were holiday makers at Brighton waving at a low flying aircraft. It shook me for here was something above human nature. I take off my hat to them, for In them I saw the spirit which wins wars.
I apologise for taking up your valuable time, but I thought you should know of the incredible conduct of your men.
Admiralty footnote:-
* N.U C. Balls — “not under control” signal.
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