11 Dec 1941, Lt. L D KILBEE HKRNVR WAR DIARY Dec 1941

Refueled, inspected bilges  — engines ,  torpedoes,  D.C. s,  guns and ammo  O.K .

Had breakfast and lay in South Channel.

Went over to the Office during the morning and returned to boat  for lunch.

Planes quite active.

Just finished tiffin when the air was rent by the sound of gun fire - ran up on deck just in time to see the H.K.R.N.V.R. Fleet of A.P.V’s steaming out to sea from Deep Water Bay - their 6 pounder guns blazing away. I couldn't see what they were firing at as the shoulder of land on the S.E. corner of Applichau obstructed my view.

Signal came through that fleet of junks believed carrying enemy troops was approaching the Island from the direction of Lamma - A.P.V.s  to intercept and sink them.

Heard later that our ships played merry hell with them - they definitely had troops onboard - not a single junk got away. "Thracian" was in the party as well - shelling enemy positions on Lamma Island.

The whole Flotilla was ordered to Kowloon Bay to await further orders. Arrived about 1530 hours. Doesn't look too good - it appears we are to evacuate the mainland and retreat to our Island fortress.

The Bay is a beehive of activity - all kinds of ships - "Thracian", "Indira", M.T.B.s, gunboats, A.P.V.s, launches, tugs, ferries, etc., the enemy air force should be over any minute - but wonder of wonders, not a single aircraft came over from the time we arrived to dark.

Incredible!

Detailed to embark Commodore and remain under his direct orders for rest of the day.

Escorted him to "Thracian", "Cicala", "Indira" and "Tern", and returned to Naval yard just before 1800 hours.

Commodore said little, carrying on in his usual quiet and completely unruffled way which he has. Just the man to have in command in a tight corner - a perfect Cruiser captain when in action I should imagine.

Remained alongside F.M.O. steps for further orders.

Naval yard seemed quite deserted - the basin empty without its pre-war hum of activity. It is now within range of the enemy's guns - and will be in for a pasting before long.

At 1900 hours Flag Lieut. came aboard with orders to proceed to Stonecutters and embark wounded.

Arrived at dusk, to hear enemy had kept up a heavy bombardment of this Island for the last 48 hours. I gathered the Island (Stonecutters) of no strategic importance now and evacuation of personnel would take place that night after all guns etc. had been completely destroyed. Embarked 3 stretcher cases and several minor casualties and returned to Naval Yard - disembarking wounded on arrival.

Remained at F.M.O. Steps for further orders.

Received order from S.O.O. to sink “Tamar" by torpedo. Got under way - a foul night - black as ink with a strong N.E. wind which whipped up the sea, making it uncomfortable and wet.

Several large junks about carrying no lights. Did two dummy runs. Not much room to manoeuvre - however, by steaming close up to Holts Wharf before running in to fire, just managed to fire at the minimum range of 500 yards. S.T. reported stbd. torpedo ready to fire and handed me the key and stops. Set depth at 8 feet.

Ran in at 1250 revs and fired - increased to full throttle – turned  away to Port - narrowly missing one of the harbour buoys. Waited for the explosion but nothing happened (while running in was fired on by machine gun somewhere in direction of China Fleet Club).

Dreadful thought that I had miscalculated and failed to hit the  target, however, the probable answer was that the torpedo had hit bottom and buried itself in the soft mud.

Returned to F.M.O. to report to S.O.O. expecting a minor rebuke - however, Cdr. Craven was relieved to hear that the torpedo failed to explode - soon after leaving he had been frantically endeavouring to contact me by V.S.  to  cancel  his  order  -  so alI ended successfully -  both parties being satisfied.

Received order to embark two officers ex U.S. vessel in Cosmopolitan Dock - proceed and disembark at dock - re-embark and return to Naval yard. Strict order from Commodore not to endanger my boat in any way and to return immediately if enemy troops were in vicinity.

Wet passage across harbour, very dark. On approaching shore in vicinity of dock fired on by rifle, from buildings on water front, could not be certain if by enemy or rioters, however, decided risk too great to go alongside and returned to Naval Yard. Soon after 2200 hours received instructions to proceed towards Stonecutters and endeavour to contact ferry evacuating personnel, which was long overdue.

Picked up ferry half way across - hailed her and enquired if all was well - on receiving a reply in the affirmative returned to Naval Yard to await further orders.

Beginning to feel weary. No wonder, for we have been on the go day and night since the show began with very little sleep.

Half an hour after midnight told to return to base. Arrived Aberdeen dock at 0100 hours and for the first time had several hours sleep. Quite a hectic day, on the move since early morning.