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unseen fired 2 torpedoes at enemy but I consider depth may have been inadequate if 40' initial dive took place and 27 then made off at full speed for south point of Lantau, fire being evenly divided be- tween 10 and 27 beyond her, the firing on 11 and 12 having ceased, The firing on 10 and 27 stopped for about 2 minute and then appeared to go on for some time which gave 11 and 12, now on west side of Lafsami Island in deeper water, a chance to attack, and so 11 turned · north for a short time and fired a torpedo at enemy, the range being about 1,400 - 1,500 yards but probably too great to hope for a hit against 2 small torpedo boats or minesweepers, as the enemy appeare to be.
When 10 and 27 got Lafsami Island between themselves and enemy, the firing was masked and all boats proceeded independently to Hamiwan rendezvous. The enemy appeared to have 2 powerful searchlights 3 inch, pompom and some form of .5 tracer gun, and was concluded to be 2 minesweepers surprised resting stopped or nearly stopped off Chung Chai Si. The following signal was sent from Hamiwan by V2 to XDO "Enemy engaged by 11 and 12 and 10 and 27 6 miles west of Lantau South point 2130 to 2200 torpedoes used 1 and 1 and 0 and 2; MTB'S off Hamiwan now T.0.0.0040/16". Orders were then received for 11 and 12 to remain Hamiwan and 10 and 27 to go to Telegraph Bay, returning as usual just before daylight. It should be noted that camouflage painting was probably a good thing but smoke producing apparatus would have been better when escaping from this attack. I find it impossible to state whether a hit was scored by either MTB 11 or 27, the latter being the most probable if a hit was made. A Tokyo newspaper report about this time stated Japanese Naval forces had been engaged in Hongkong waters and suffered losses.
December 16th. On Tuesday, 16th December, 11 and 12 reloaded from torpedo lighter but MTB 27 found that no Thorneycroft type war heads had been sent to Aberdeen by N.A.S.0. so could not reload. A very clear day with THRACIAN in Aberdeen dry dock, so that concentrated Jap bombing attacks started from 0730, not very well aimed till about noon when bombs well straddled harbour. MTB's were scattered as far
In the afternoon as possible without interfering with communications.
a heavy bomb fell near ROBIN, where MTB's 10 and 26 were lying and there was some splinter damage. I understand ROBIN had one or two casualties, MTB 10 had 3 splinters through hull and a Lewis gun de- stroyed and MTB 26 had a revolver on conning house destroyed. Another heavy bomb fell on Aberdeen Dock Head, killed the Lieutenant of the Yard and wounded others; splinters also set MTB 08 on slip fiercely on fire, after which she blew up. The tug GATLING at dockhead was also hit and set on fire, most of the crew being killed. The GATLING whose Chinese crew had ceased to function was manned by merchant service officers (in this case from Messrs. Jardine, Mathieson's float- ing staff) who had volunteered to work on naval craft. The Commodore and Extended Defence Officer Came to Aberdeen to inspect damage. GATLING showed signs of settling near MTB slipway, the Extended Defence Officer, myself on shore from MTB 10 and a Lieut. R.N.R. towed her clear with a small motor boat, other personnel being fully employ- ed fire-fighting and assisting casualties. MTB 08's officers and crew were now allotted to MTB Base Maintenance, base telephone and spare crew duties.
AS
MTB Night patrols this night as follows:- 10 and 09 to Hamiwan, 07 and 26 to Telegraph Bay. THRACIAN this night was taken out of dry dock and beached on Ngan Chan Island, Repulse Bay.
December 17th. Wednesday, 17th December, was cloudy and there were no bomb raids on Aberdeen, but bombing of Hongkong took place with planes very low. There was also shelling of Hongkong until about 1100
when Japanese....
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