The air-support misunderstanding around Force Z

Two squadrons of Brewster Buffalo fighters are described as available and waiting for orders. The proposed explanation is a mismatch in service terminology. Naval experience in the Mediterranean and Home Fleet had made air support mean fighter cover, with strike support referring to bombers. RAF usage in the Far East is described as retaining the older meaning in which air support meant bombers. The fighters' position is corrected to well forward of Singapore, close enough that an early call could have brought them to the action. A call made at radar detection is judged potentially late for the first attack but capable of interfering with later waves. An actual message reporting the air attack is said to have been sent, though it was not received in time to help.