Old battleships turn the Malayan coast into a fire-support line

The Japanese advance depended heavily on the west coast of Malaya, forward airfields, amphibious movement, and a tenuous supply line. Older battleships need not join the main carrier force; their heavy guns could instead support defensive positions and disrupt roads, landing sites, air bases, and logistics. Their presence also makes leapfrogging British positions by coastal landing much more dangerous. Delaying the advance matters because the Japanese reached Singapore historically with food, water, and artillery supplies nearly exhausted.