80 years ago, Japanese planes ended the battleship era for good

HMS Prince of Wales arrives at Singapore, December 4, 1941.Lt. H.J. Abrahams/Royal Navy
On December 10, 1941, Japanese land-based aircraft sank Royal Navy ships Repulse and Prince of Wales.
The attack effectively destroyed Allied naval power in the area and paved the way for Japan's conquest of Southeast Asia.
The sinkings highlight the weaknesses of battleships, and navies soon stopped building them altogether.
Eighty years ago today Japanese aircraft shocked the naval world with a devastatingl