A return to Singapore would give Phillips an opportunity to challenge the lack of fighter cover. The imagined exchange exposes different meanings of 'air support': naval officers meant fighters, while the air command's refusal concerned unavailable strike aircraft. Agreeing on separate language for fighter defence and an air strike would address that misunderstanding. Phillips would also be expected to call up other ships as the landings continued, instead of trying to conduct the campaign with his two capital ships alone.
Notable Point · 9:36-11:00
Phillips's return could clarify requests for fighter cover
The counterfactual return to Singapore creates a chance to resolve the air-support misunderstanding and summon reinforcements.