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

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.