 The sinking of HMS "Prince of Wales" and HMS "Repulse" on December 10, 1941, led to the east coast of Malaya being exposed to Japanese landings and the elimination of British naval power in the area.By the end of January 1942, the last Allied forces crossed the strait of Johore and into Singapore.In the Philippines, the Japanese pushed the combined Filipino-American force towards the Bataan Peninsula and later the island of Corregidor.