The Massive Forgotten Naval Battle of WW2

Just moments before the infamous attack at Pearl Harbor, another little-known storm was building over 6,000 miles away on the distant shores of Kota Bharu in Malaya.

Whispers of nearby Japanese troop movements had earlier reached British ears on the Malay Peninsula, fueling unease. But on December 7, 1941, the British put a potentially vital defensive operation on hold, hesitant to act without American backing. Little did they know that the US would soon have its own hands full.

As midnight broke the next day, British-Indian soldiers, the guardians of Malaya, caught sight of three looming Japanese ships. The British were about to become the first Allied fighters in the Pacific Theatre… before the war had even really started.

[LarryWater]

This was not a naval battle. It’s an amphibious assault.

[Outlier]

My father was a veteran of the US Navy in WWII and fought the Japanese for nearly four years. He had the greatest respect for them. He often said the American Navy's biggest mistake was underestimating the Japanese.

[bryansammis]

Sadly, the British Indian army prime units were sent to North Africa. And what was left behind was considered more as an employer of the poor that a frontline combat force

[robkarnis]

I have been an avid follower of this channel, but the decreasing accuracy, needless drama in presentation, and (in this case) the use of a completely unrelated bait shot for the thumbnail has caused me to completely re-evaluate the relevance and usefulness of this site.

[davidreeves-turner]

Why is there a cut-off picture of HMS Vanguard leaving Portsmouth on her way to scrapping used as a thumb-nail for this? Totally un-related!

[charleswade]

This history of WW2 would make a great movie.

[pdg]

Wow. This was a naval battle like no other! Amazing how that battleship was cut in half and yet still kept fighting. What a slugfest! Never seen so many salvos launched with such great effect. Oh. Wait. It was a land battle between foot soldiers. Never mind.

[spellman]

Excellent video, as always. Thanks.

Crappy title. "... Massive ... Naval Battle ..." This appears to have been a medium sized land battle, with some air action. The only naval operations described were transport. And the thumbnail shows a ship blown completely in half. Please don't do this. Please bring your high standards of video creation to the titles and thumbnails.

Thanks

[maxsothcott]

HMS Vanguard being towed out of Portsmouth Harbour in August 1960 for scrapping in Scotland - the ultimate click bait image!

[MrShoki]

There was no Hurricanes on Malaya 1941 the 4 squadrons present was equipped with Brewster Buffaloes

[DeeDeevanGogh]

*Error*
_During that early time period in regards to the war scenario the Brits were concerned in having the USA approval, but it was not Churchill's ultimate concern._
*He was more worried at that time about his Commonwealth allies meaning Canada Australia etc.*

[andreidescult]

@darkDocsSeas very interesting and informative video on the Malayan campaign, but please don't do this: 100% unrelated title and thumbnail.
There is no warship featured in the story and the few japanese transports that landed soldiers definitely don't qualify as "naval battle".

[justnotgd]

Naval Battle? Looks like a ground battle? I am confused.

[Golden-dog]

naval battle???? THIS WAS A LANDING FORCE

[SATO_FDR]

Don’t forget the battle of Leyte Gulf!

[lychan]

Such was Churchill's caution not to give the Japanese and Thais any excuse that the British provoked them to the fight,
i.e. a pre-emptive British move towards Thailand to prevent Japanese ships from landing its troops in Malaya.
That Operation Matador was thus never implemented by the dithering Commander of British Forces in the Far East, Air Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham.

[johnschofield]

The movie " To End all Wars" clearly shows what these men endured after surrender.

[andrewtadd]

I love how they have used a photo of HMS Vanguard being towed out of Pompey when she a had little detour into Old Portsmouth by the Still and West. The old girl's only battle before heading to the scrapyard 😢

[glennaisbett]

FFS, WW11 started in 1939 for most of the Allies!!!

[khourymg]

Is it Ma-LAY-a or Ma-LIE-a? I always pronounce it the first way.