What if Prince of Wales and Repulse survived and were available to ABDA Command?
Short answerTheir presence could draw more Eastern Fleet units forward and give Admiral Phillips a flagship large enough to coordinate British, Dutch, American, and Australian staffs.
NotesPrince of Wales offers enough staff space for a multinational headquarters. Phillips could bring British, Dutch, American, and Australian liaison officers together aboard one flagship. That arrangement would give ABDA's disparate navies a stronger centre for planning and coordination. The survival of both capital ships could also encourage reinforcements intended for the Eastern Fleet to move forward sooner.