 In July 1941 , the Japanese occupied Cam Ranh Bay , which the British fleet had hoped to use on its northward drive . This put the Japanese uncomfortably close to Singapore . As diplomatic relations with Japan worsened , in August 1941 , the Admiralty and the Chiefs of Staff began considering what ships could be sent . The Chiefs of Staff decided to recommend sending HMS Barham to the Far East from the Mediterranean , followed by four Revenge @-@ class battleships that were refitting at home and in the United States , but Barham was sunk by a German U @-@ boat in November 1941 . Three weeks later the remaining two battleships at Alexandria , HMS Queen Elizabeth and Valiant were seriously damaged by Italian human torpedoes . While no more destroyers or cruisers were available , the Admiralty decided that an aircraft carrier , the small HMS Eagle could be sent . 
