Force Z's escort of 10 x Brewster Buffalos from 453 Sqn RAAF arrived on scene at 1318, just in time to witness POW sink.
No. Z Force had no air cover.
Phillips had been advised after arrival in Singapore that he could not expect adequate air cover for his dash north up the South China Sea. He was later advised from Singapore by signal: "Fighter protection on Wed 10th [Dec] will not, repeat not, be possible". He continued to sail north with Force Z.
9 Dec, 1400hrs, Jap sub #165 sighted Force Z.
9 Dec, 1800hrs, Jap spotter aircraft (from Jap cruiser) spotted Z Force.
9 Dec, nightfall, Force Z altered course towards Kuantan. HQ Sing not advised.
10 Dec, 1000hrs, Jap a/c had again located Z Force.
88 bombers (above) prepare to make attacks on Z Force (source postwar analysis:
US Strategic Bombing Survey, Interrogation of Jap Officials, File No. A.131, 14Nov45, p.387.3)
10 Dec, 1030hrs, destroyer HMS
Tenedos signals Phillips "Am being bombed by enemy aircraft".
Because of the turn towards Kuantan, 453 Sqn could reach this range, but Phillips did not request air cover. Both battleships were soon under attack, but Phillips maintained radio silence.
10 Dec, 1204hrs, Captain of HMS
Repulse broke radio silence on his own initiative, and called HQ Singapore; "enemy aircraft bombing".
10 Dec, 1210hrs, 453 Sqn, 11 Buffalos airborne on scramble to 80km east of Kuantan.
10 Dec, 1220hrs, approx time of
Repulse sinking.
10 Dec, 1318hrs, 453 Sqn arrive overhead and witness
PoW roll over and sink.