Lt. L D KILBEE HKRNVR WAR DIARY Dec 1941: View pages

The weather is fine  and clear,  more helpfuI  to the enemy than us. His air force so far has only operated during the day. No naval craft reported so far. 

Managed to get a bath in one of the craft in dock, followed by  a good breakfast.

Left 1st. Lieut. in charge with instructions to check engines, ammo, guns, D.C.s and torpedoes etc. while I pushed off to the office  to see what was doing.

Discussed various points with C.O. and Captain, re efficiency of Flotilla etc.

Orders to destroy certain C.B.s - carried out.

News not too encouraging - we seem to be withdrawing on the mainland. Increased enemy aerial activity. Three boats ordered (including 08) to Naval Yard and report to S.O.O. for instructions. Proceeded via Sulphur Channel. Received following order - “patrol western limit of harbour and approaches to Yaumati Anchorage - prevent movement of junks”

Patrolled for two hours - enemy aircraft active over the Island.  Went alongside "Tern" for a few minutes and then took the opportunity of fueling from the A.P.C. Installation (the last time).

Tried to get some news from our old friend there, but he seemed to know no more than ourselves. Returned to Kowloon naval yard remaining there with No. 10 until 1600 hours.

Had tiffin in the boat, a jolly good one - full marks to the cook. I have a big appetite these days and nothing like a full stomach if one is fighting.       

Enemy guns on the mainland opened up with renewed vigour, with Stonecutters as the target. First salvoes were all over-landing in the seas to the South, but they soon shortened the range and were hitting the gun positions on the west side with monotonous regularity. One shell appeared to make a direct hit, followed immediately by a burst of flame - the fire continued burning for some time.

Enemy planes dive bombing something on the other side of Tsing Yi  Island. It was "Cicala" - for she appeared through Rambler Channel - zig-zagging - being shelled and bombed at the same time. Poor  old  John,   the enemy seem bent on sinking his   ship — he is   putting up a fine show and deserves a decoration. Suddenly all is quiet and once again "Cicala" pulls through - the planes have gone (probably back to their base to re-load) and she seems to be out of range of the guns.

Returned to Aberdeen at 1630 hours, all quiet. 0ff to sea at  dusk, lay close in shore with No. 10 on west side of Poi Toi. Set  watches, W/T watch with No. 10. Had a good supper and discussed war with C.O.

Depressing news came over the air shortly after 2100 hours - the Admiralty announced the sinking of "Prince of Wales" and "Repulse" - a very very sad blow.

Patrolled southward reported searchlight bearing 135° N.E. Head below horizon.

Received signal addressed to Striking Force - “proceed to investigate  suspicious vessel 135° N.E. Head - and attack if enemy war vessel”.

Now for some action - set a course to intercept and proceeded at full throttle. All hands advised to Action Stations - Torpedoes ready to fire - D.C.'s set - guns ready - quite exciting this is what we have been waiting for. Pray God everything works out well.

It's not to be - just received signal - cancelling previous one and return to patrol area - rather an anti-climax.

No more excitement during the night and returned to base at dawn.     

Used up considerable amount of fuel yesterday - so refueled early - went up to the office after breakfast leaving instructions with 1st. Lieut. to check over bilges, D.C.s, guns, ammo etc. (also had mechanics and stokers change oil) while I made arrangements to embark one torpedo to replace one fired yesterday.

Heard other boats spent busy night evacuating troops near Lye Mun - No. 11 damaged prop and towed round to Aberdeen - hoisted up on slip this morning. At last got some idea of the fighting which has been going on, from one of the Army Officers evacuated. Apparently, we have been carrying out a systematic withdrawal since the first day - apparently with success - inflicting considerable losses on the enemy while ours were almost nil.

What next? Having returned to our 'island fortress'. Presumably we hold out as long as possible, or until we receive aid from elsewhere. No news from the other fronts - I wonder how we are doing in Malaya?

No alarms during the day, in fact there seems to be a lull – enemy  aircraft (at least in the vicinity) conspicuous by their absence.

At sunset proceeded to sea as striking force - quiet night and  returned to base at daylight.

So ends the fifth day - a day of comparative quiet.

Felt refreshed after several hours sleep.

Spend morning ascertaining damage — seems certain only bent prop and possibly shaft, however, can't do anything until No.11 comes off the slip. Most annoying a sheer waste of time.

Went up to the office and had tiffin in the school. Not very good - they don't seem keen to dish out too much food - why!? God only knows - the storeroom is crammed full of the stuff.

Just before sunset, enemy plane diving low over the dock dropped a  bomb which landed in the boat yard on the West side oi Aberdeen dock -Immediately setting a junk on fire, which burned for some quite considerable time. At the time we had five boats lying all together at the end of the dock – (they were just about to move out as striking  force).

Everyone was handy and in no time all guns were blazing away at the plane. We were certain the bullets were going into him - one could follow the tracers right into the plane. He seemed to wobble and lose altitude disappearing over Applichau in a South Easterly direction when we lost sight of him.

Later that night it was reported that an enemy plane was seen  to crash in our vicinity. One up to the M.T.B.'s!

We claimed having got him (subsequently there seemed to be some  doubt as to whether a plane had been seen to crash - I was never able  to get anything definite on this).

The C.O. gave me leave for the night so that I could get away  and see my wife. She and the baby were often in my thoughts these days, and occasionally I had been able to phone through to her and hear all was well.

Tommy was given leave too, and very Kindly gave me a lift in his father's car as far as Magazine Gap. (His father was driving).

Dropped into the house - found the boy there very worried and wondering what it was all about. Called at the War Memorial Hospital and found out Evelyn was staying in the Government Flats just a few blocks away.

At last found her - full of life and very cheery. Had a fine supper - felt very embarrassed among so many women however the dim lights helped no end .

They were all most anxious to know how the war was going - I of course could not tell them anything - except to reassure one and all that everything was going along fine.

Stanley was shelling the mainland that night and the whine of the shells as they passed over The Peak was most eerie.

Had a grand night. Sleep followed by a hot bath - and fully refreshed - said good bye and returned to the base.

I was most surprised at the cheeriness of our women folk - they were having a pretty nasty job - a job some of them had never had to do before - and they were doing it 100% plus. Later on they  were right in the front line so to speak and put up a fine show - there was nothing but praise for the fine work done by the A.N.S. and V.A.D.s.

Up early the dawn promised a beautiful day - not a cloud in the sky. Spent morning in the office - heard from the E.O. No. 11 due off the slip about noon, so pushed off down to the dock to prepare for hoisting. Finally hoisted about 1 p.m. - inspected damage with E.O. - bent propeller shaft - shouldn't take long - on the slip for a day should do the trick. E.O. pushed off to tiffin and I likewise having mine in the shelter - we had decided that with “Thracian” in dock it would be a wise move.

While eating heard planes about, but they flew off (apparently dropping pamphlets) about 10 minutes later they were back again, and then there was one succession of terrific explosions - the Shelter filled with dust and smoke.

Those near the entrance lifted off their feet by the force of the explosions. The place was soon overcrowded as people rushed in after  the first bombs started falling, making it almost impossible to move. At last shoved my way through and arrived at the steps just in time to give a hand with the wounded, some were pretty badly knocked about, poor chaps. I finally got outside to be met by my stoker who told me that 08 had been hit (he was under the boat at the time and miraculously escaped injury) and was on fire.

By the time I got to the boat she was burning fiercely, with flames shooting out of the conning tower. Hopeless to try and put it out with an extinguisher, to get the dock mobile fire pumps working as soon as possible was the only thing to do. I ran back to the shelter to telephone the school for fire fighting appliances alas to find the phone out of order. What to do next! I  had to make  a quick decision. Spotted a car at the dock gates and jumping in left word to my cox'n to keep an eye on the boat while I drove up to the school for help.

Reported to Cdr. Miller who arranged for fire fighting appliance  and ambulance, which were sent down to the dock immediately. Cdr. Miller told me to remain so that I could give an account of the bombing  direct to Commodore by telephone, which I did. Cdr. Miller asked for more details, I told him as much as I knew of what happened and returned to the Yard. Met my Cox'n outside the dock, on his way to the school. He told me that he and all persons not on the pumps had been ordered out of the dock by S.N.O.A. (Cdr. Montague). I asked him how 08 was, and he told me she was burning fiercely and looked a total loss. Of all the things to happen! Decided to see the C.O. and report the sad news. Took me half an hour to get out to No. 10 lying in South Channel, only to find he had left in the skimmer. Returned to the school where I met Lt. Cdr. Binney and we both pushed off down to the dock. By this time 08 was almost burnt out - she was a mass of charred wood and metal. So ended the  life of 08 - a very sad ending - I felt her loss badly and really found it hard to believe she was no more. A ship no matter what she be - if one's own or one has been in command, becomes very dear  to one, and the loss of my boat was like losing my best friend or relative.

So ended a miserable day (for me at least ). What next!

Tried to drown my sorrows in a few drinks that night - what's  the use anyway.

Had breakfast at the school - a very poor one (why this reluctance to use of food stores when there is so much of the stuff - God only knows). Embarked Cdr. Peers and Salvage party and went out to “Thracian”

Remained there for over 3 hours - while party stripped guns, torpedo tubes etc. Ready for “Barlight” to take off at night. Expected to be bombed at any moment. Subsequently heavily bombed about 2 in the afternoon - just 1.5 hours after we had left. Returned to  base at 1230 hours.

Had miserable lunch in the school (if this goes on will arrange    to have my meals in one of the boats). In the afternoon proceeded to “Cicala” in Deep Water Bay - with Boldero  —  who relieved Cdr. G'reer (who assumed temporary command) - returned to base. Several aircraft about. Heavy shelling and bombing off the North shore in vicinity of North Point and Tai Koo.

The tempo of the enemy’s offensive is increasing - air activity  considerable, Jubilee and Mount Davis seem to be getting it. Spent morning at the office - rumours coming in thick and fast. The enemy, it appears, have landed considerable reinforcements and are advancing somewhere near Wong Nei Cheong, also they seem to have infiltrated near Tai Tam.

Had a very unpleasant task to carry out this morning - digging a grave and reading a short burial service for two of our lads who were killed in No. 7 during the attack yesterday. Most depressing but someone had to do it. In the afternoon I drove three severely wounded Chinese to the Queen Mary Hospital. I borrowed an Austin 10 for the job - it was quite an exciting ride - as enemy planes were bombing in the vicinity of Pokfulum Road - the road was in a hell of a mess, bomb craters, telegraph wires down and trailing all over the place.  Handed over my passengers - it must have been agony for them at every jar and bump - and there were many during that short ride - but not a murmur from one of them. Returned to the office. Slept in the school during the night. How I am beginning to loathe the school, the place is just one jumble of humanity, men and officers coming and going - no one seems to know what is happening. I am going to  ask the C.O. if I can join one of the boats tomorrow, anything to get out of this place. Had a very disturbed night - had at least three “stand to's” because the enemy had been reported advancing along the road towards the building.

Did sentry duty for two hours - outside - a really ridiculous situation - there I was armed with a revolver
with no shelter - standing out in the open. If enemy troops were about I should have been killed long before I could have been able to raise the alarm.

Aberdeen is a warm spot these days – the enemy has increased his shelling - it is out of the question to move about the harbour our boats lie on the South side of Applichau and in Waterfall Bay during daylight.
Returned late in the morning - feel much happier after having seen my family - Evelyn was in good spirits and doing a fine job of work. The little one thank God is too young to know anything of what is happening. Relieved to see all the babies at Matilda in good spirits and in a safe place.

Bit of a wrench saying goodbye perhaps the last time I shall see them for a long time.

Had tiffin in No. 10 - in the afternoon loaded ammunition from T. Pier and took it to Stanley. Loaded again at 7 p.m. with more which we safely delivered - we were fired on by enemy but no casualties. Had hectic time loading alongside T. Pier - enemy opened up with long range mortars - had to take shelter - several near misses - only casualties - three ducks - which the crew promptly had cooked and we had an excellent roast duck supper.

Moved out to sea and took up patrol area as striking force. Quiet night and returned to base at dawn. C.O. went ashore - while I took over and refueled etc.

Don't know what is going on - we are completely cut off from the land fighting - and our only means of communication is by W/T. Enemy aircraft active - particularly over Mt. Davis and Pokfulum.

We can only conjecture, the general feeling is that the situation looks ominous - we are busy preparing for a flip when the time comes.  I hope my crew are keeping in touch. It's very difficult to get into communication with them.

Might be able to do something tonight. All codes, C.B.'s etc. destroyed (just using simple one now). M.T.B.'s and "Robin" appear to be the only craft afloat now - the rest, "Tern", A.P.V.'s have all been scuttled. A pity. Have yet to make up my mind (re going). The temptation to go is very strong and I know one's duty - but in this case there are several reasons which counter that.

It will be very hard to have to leave my dear wife and child behind virtually in the hands of the enemy, while I am away and unable  to know what has happened - it will be a terrible weight on my mind.

There is my crew also - if they are left I think I shall remain, anyway I am still hanging on - and will reserve my final decision until the final order comes through. Must have a word with my C.O. and see what he thinks.

No luck tonight, unable to get to Aberdeen - remained in Waterfall  Bay as Striking Force.

Night passed without mishap and returned to South Applichau at dawn. Dispositions 10, 11, 27 South Applichau. 09, 07 at Waterfall Bay.

Just remembered it is Christmas Eve.