H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. Repulse (Force Z)

Project Description

In December 1941 the Japanese had made their move for domination in the pacific this created problems for Britain as her colonies were in danger of being overrun. Winston Churchill a Thurmont believer in the Royal Navy believed that he could buy time by sending a battle fleet to deter the Japanese; however the aircraft carrier which was meant to go with the battleships, to provide air cover developed problems and could not sail.

For unclear reasons the order was still given to sail, the battleships were on their own. This would lead to both H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. Repulse being sunk by overwhelming Japanese air power. The crews of both ships put up one of the most heroic fights of World War 2, this was a battle unfortunately they could never win. This showed once and for all that the notion battleships were invulnerable at sea to be complete folly, unfortunately many fine British sailors paid the ultimate price before people in power realised what was obvious to many long before this action.

My painting depicts the earlier stage of this battle and shows the Prince of Wales being dealt a devastating blow as she received a torpedo hit next to her propellers which crippled the ship and left Repulse to fight as the only mobile unit with her escorting destroyers.

This painting is now available through the Arcs of fire gallery in Falmouth (please contact the gallery for the price of the original or prints)