ABDA's naval command is described as having fallen to a Dutch admiral without enough staff or shipboard space to coordinate a fleet using several languages. Phillips had a flagship and a substantial staff, including personnel left behind in Singapore. Had he survived, he would probably have taken charge in this interpretation. The counterfactual therefore concerns the survival of a command organisation as well as additional fighting ships.
Notable Point · 23:26-24:07
Phillips's staff and flagship could have strengthened ABDA command
The loss of Phillips also removed a senior commander with the staff and flagship space needed to coordinate a multinational fleet.