December 10, 1941. HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, steaming in open waters, fell to Japanese aircraft — the first capital ships actively sunk solely by air power. The news hit Churchill like a thunderbolt: across the vast Pacific and Indian Ocean, Allied ships were few and scattered. A turning point in naval warfare, and a sobering moment in history. ⚓ #navyhistory #worldwarII #worldofwarships | World of Warships