Evening star., 1941-12-12
Brown
Continued From Page AID

Japs started with torepdo bombing
instead of initial high-level bomb
ing. In the first attack, one torpedo
hit the wales in the after part. Some
survivors believe the Wales was hit
twice in the initial attack. Then
followed two more torpedo attacks,
both successful. The final attack
on the Wales was made by high
level bombers around 10000 feet.
When that attack came, the Wales
was sinking fast and everyone threw
himself down on deck. Most OF
the guns were unmanageable as a
result of the list and damage.
I jumped into the water from the
Repulse at 1926. While I was in
the water, the Wales continued fir
ing for some time. The Wales suf-
fered two direct hits by bombs on
the deck Like the attack on the
Repulse, the Japs few across the
length of the Wales in single line,
each bomber dropping stick. One
officer said "a child of six could see
some of them were going to hit"
Admiral Watches on Turret.
During the entire action, Admiral
Tom Phillips. communicative chief
of the Far East Fleet, and Capt.
Leach, skipper Of the Prince of
Wales, were on the bridge. While
the torpedo bombers were rushing
in toward the Wales dropping tin
fish and machine cunning the decks,
Phillips clambered on the roof of
the bridge and also atop the gun
turret to see better and to direct all
phases of the action. When it was
apparent the Wales was badly hit,
the admiral issued an order to the
flag officer for the destroyer then
living alongside close by, Signal
Singapore to send tugs to tow us"
Evidently up to that moment Phillips
was not convinced that the Wales
was sinking. Last order issued by
Phillips came at approximately 1:15.
1t said, Blow up your life belts"
Later the ship was under water.
Phillips and Leach were the last
from the Wales to go over the side
and they slid into the water to-
gether.
It's probable that their reluctance
to leave the ship until all possible
men had left meant their death,
since it's most likely they were drawn
down by the suction when the Wales
was on its side and then settled at
her stern with her bow rising into
the air. Swimming about a mile
away. living on top of a small stool,
I saw the bow of the Wales.
When Phillips signaled to ask
Singapore to send tugs, the Wales
already had four torpedoes in her.
Like the Repulse, the Wales gun
crews were very cool and although
many guns were no longer effective,
the crews stood beside them. When
the final high-level bombing attack
came, only three guns were capable
of firing except the 14-inchers which
naturally did not go into action.
Tremendous Suction.
I had not met Phillips but last
week when I visited the Wales at
the naval base, I had a long talk
with Capt. Leach. He is a jovial,
CUIlNlNldl, SlllAllllS OlllOSA WIZ So'S
me the impression of greatest klndll-
ness and ability. The Wales carried
complement of 1,7OO. The Repulse,
1850 officers and ratings.
When the Wales sank, the suction
was so great it whipped off the life
belt of one officer more than so feet
away. A fortunate feature of the
sinking of both the Repulse and
Wales was that neither blew up.
Since the tide was strong and
there was an extremely powerful
suction from both ships, it was ex-
tremely difficult to make any pro-
gress away from the ship in the
thick oil. The gentle, quiet manner
in which these shell-belching dread
naughts went to their last resting
place was a tribute of gratitude
from two fine ships for their fine
sailors