A British fast force moving toward Singapore combines capital ships with three fleet carriers rather than exposing battleships alone. Its air groups retain strength not spent in the Mediterranean and can exploit British air-to-surface radar and practiced night operations. The three carriers might embark around 160 aircraft, making an estimate of 96 Albacores a deliberately conservative strike figure after fighters and other duties are allowed for. The fighter complement could mix Wildcats, Sea Hurricanes, and Fulmars, while Skuas might add dive-bombing capacity. The Royal Navy's shallow-water torpedo technique, including the wire that made a controlled belly-flop entry possible, offers a means of inflicting heavy losses in confined waters.
Chapter · 59:16-1:04:12
A massed British night strike meets Japan
Ark Royal, Glorious, and Furious could launch roughly 96 Albacores at night against Japanese carriers and Kongo-class battleships approaching the Dutch East Indies.