When Britain's "Force Z"—consisting of the battleship Prince of Wales and the battlecruiser Repulse—was quickly defeated by Japan's land-based aircraft from southern Vietnam, Kongō's battlegroup withdrew from Malayan waters.
Da Storbritanniens "Force Z" — der bestod af slagskibet Prince of Wales og slagkrydseren Repulse — hurtigt blev besejret af Japans land-baserede fly fra det sydlige Vietnam, trak Kongō's kampgruppe sig tilbage fra malaysisk farvand.