The combat air patrol's first job was to disrupt bomber formations before they reached the fleet. Fighters occupied with escort dogfights would leave the bombers free to continue. Heavy AA would further fragment the raid before medium and light weapons engaged the remaining attackers. Isolated pilots under fire might release weapons early instead of continuing toward the ships. Breaking a massed raid into flights and individual aircraft also gave ships a manageable evasion problem, while attacks from many directions could overwhelm them. Without fighters, Prince of Wales relied on a steady platform for heavy AA while Repulse maneuvered aggressively.
Chapter · 34:53-42:56
How carrier fighters were meant to break up an air strike
Carrier fighters, heavy AA, close-range weapons, and ship maneuver formed successive layers against a coordinated bomber attack.