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The Panagaean Navy had a lot of weaponry removed from the older pre and semi dreadnoughts. The 10" and 12" guns could be used to arm a pair of new ships. They would be essentially large cruisers but would receive the tag 'battlecruiser' because of the guns they were armed with. It was felt that a ship armed with 9x12" would take up the space as one armed with 12x10". Utilising the same hull and powerplant would shorten the production time. Both ships would have the same dual purpose weapons. These would be twin 4" as the twin 4.5" DP weapons were still 3-4 years away.
As it turned out the twin 4" were very good in a dual purpose capacity. The volume of fire from the guns could put a prodigious amount of metal in the air. The main difference between the two ships was the use of the cruiser bridge on the Avenger and the capital ship bridge on the Illustrious. The two ships spent their war either as escorts to aircraft carriers or flagships to cruiser squadrons. Jobs they were eminently qualified for.
December 1941, and the Japanese are running rampant across the Pacific. RPN Avenger and four heavy cruisers (Force Q) are taking their turn with the anti-piracy patrols in the South China Sea. Admiral Plowman receives orders to try and intercept a Japanese force trying to pass round the bottom of Vietnam and then heading for Malaya. The Japanese transports are escorted by cruisers and destroyers, according to air reconnaissance. Assistance from Admiral Philips and Force Z was to come from its carrier aircraft. (2xCV, 3xBB, 1xBC, 8xDD)
The best laid plans often fail to circumstances beyond their control. The reconnaissance report had said two heavy cruisers and up to a dozen destroyers. The firepower of Force Q should have been enough to handle that. When Force Z launched its spotter aircraft they found that the Japanese force was actually two battlecruisers, two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers and a squadron of destroyers. Admiral Plowman felt slightly outclassed. His report to Force Z requested an immediate air strike to try and balance out the forces before he engaged. Admiral Philips was on his way north to try and intercept another force with capital ships and transports landing troops in North Malaya. An air strike was authorised and sent off as soon as it could be ranged on deck. The strikes orders were, battlecruisers first, then transports, then any other targets of opportunity. The strike arrived to find a combat air patrol of a dozen fighters over the Japanese ships. The Air Commander had foreseen something of that sort happening and sent twenty Griffons with the bombers. The Griffons kept the Zeros off the bombers and allowed the torpedo bombers a free run against the battlecruisers while the dive bombers took on the Troop Transports. In the end, one battlecruiser took two torpedo hits and went in to Camranh Bay for repairs before heading back to Japan for full repairs. One heavy cruiser took a torpedo hit meant for the other battlecruiser and it joined the other damaged ships at Camranh Bay. Two of the four transports were hit, one sunk and one damaged. Other damage to one light cruiser and two destroyers reduced their capabilities but they were still able to stick with the fleet.
Admiral Plowman followed in behind the airstrike to try and catch the Japanese while they were still disorganised. The Japanese commander received a report on Force Q and ordered a torpedo strike against them. 40 torpedoes were launched. Long Lance 24" torpedoes. Admiral Plowman was about to learn a valuable lesson. Weave continually when approaching Japanese light forces armed with torpedoes. The Panagaean ships looked wonderful, battle flags flying, huge bow waves. The Japanese had launched at 28,000 yards at 45 knots. The Avenger in the lead took one torpedo hit, the Lion took two hits and fell out of the line, Panther took three hits and turned out of the line to slowly capsize and sink, Tiger and Lynx avoided the torpedoes and closed up on the Avenger which had had to reduce speed to 20 knots because of its damage. Both sides were exchanging shell fire, the big 14" shells making huge splashes compared to the cruiser and destroyer guns. The Haruna's next salvo comes in - three hits. The Avenger shudders and its speed falls away further. Avengers return fire is doing damage as well the Haruna's next salvo is only six shells and no hits. A second salvo of torpedoes arrive - the Avenger at 12 knots is unable to take avoiding action and receives two more hits. The Avenger has had enough, stopped in the water, steam coming out of the damaged boilers. Down by the bow. Another three 14" hits and the end is in sight. Bangs as the bulkheads collapse from forward to aft until the balance goes and the stern raises out of the sea and the ship spears its way into the depths. Tiger and Lynx withdraw and go to the aid of the Lion. The remaining three ships heading for Singapore and a dockyard for repairs.
The after action reports from the senior Captains all warned that the Japanese 24" torpedo needed new tactics to avoid the disaster that had befallen Force Q. The reports were sat on for weeks as defeatist. Dispersal of the reports around the various Naval Commands, would have saved the ABDA cruisers at the Java Sea battle. Only then were the reports released and new orders sent out to aid in avoiding Japanese long range torpedoes.
