-11-
180
At about 0940 MTB 27 and 26 ¡roceeded with orders
to enter Hongkong harbour and shoot up Japanese landing craft in the same way as previous subdivisions, but on entering Sulphur Channel MTB 27 (senior boat) was called up by Mt. Davis Signal Station and told to wait off Green Island but MTB 26 neglected to wait until 27 had received this signal and carried on at full speed into Hongkong harbour in execution of the original orders and was not again seen and believed sunk. TB 27 was later ordered by XDO through Mt. Davis to return to Aberdeen and did so.
The following signal was received during the afternoon. "To V2 from Commodore Hongkong.
"The attack carried out by Flotilla was most gallant
and an inspiration to everybody. Regret losses incurred but like you proud of their devotion to duty 1435/19. "
The MTB's now remaining were five only with the following defects-
07 engines to be repaired, hull leaks and holes to be
stopped. W/T to be repaired and torpedo outriggers straightened.
09 one fuel tank smashed, one outrigger smashed.
10 two engine starters for repair.
11 hull shot holes to be tingled and W/T repaired.
27 no torpedo armament as spare warheads for this type
not at Aberdeen.
The maintenance staff were thus very fully employed when orders came from Commodore through SNO Aberdeen to scuttle all ships except effective MTB's Lewis gun firing was heard on adjacent hill ridges and preparations made to evacuate Industrial School Aberdeen and there was some mortar shelling of Aberdeen Dockyard side. I understand the army had to fall back considerably and the Japanese temporarily occupied Shu Son Hill. All available HKR. N. V. R. personnel (after scuttling, many officers of APV's were available but the Chinese crews had gone) and R. N. personnel was armed and sent out to reinforce the military.
MTB's and H. M. 3. CICALA and ROBIN did not scuttle and signal later came ordering CICALA and ROBIN not to scuttle. The Aberdeen harbour after scuttling was a pathetic sight, fortunately petrol lightors remained. Unfortunately the small S/S M TCHLOCK with 10 MTB torpedoes and pistols had been scuttled, although the torpedo lighter remained.
During this night MTB's lay in Aberdeen Channel but were frequently employed. An MTB was ordered to attack reported gunboat towing 25 junks west of Stonecutters and MTB 10 went out, found nothing but S.E. from Stone cutters S. W. point saw silhouette to the S. E. which might be stopped steamer at long range or gunboat stopped at close range, and as 10 was in a patch of deep water (over 40' for initial dive) discharged one torpedo. No effect and ship was concluded to be steamer moored in harbour and was in fact S.S. APOEY at No.13 Buoy out of range.
/on MTB 10's return.
•