CO129-590-25 Accounts of events leading up to surrender and subsequent treatment of prisoners- etc 23-4-1942 - 28-9-1943 — Page 155

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bombing .d shelling of Abordeon and 2 determined bombing attack on HM.S. CICAL which had been firing on enemy batteries on hills above Repulse Bay★ At about 1000 nine bombers attacked CICALA and the ninth scorod hits with a straddle of 5 bombs which holed her but did not explode to any great extent. MTB 10 received signal to all MTB's from SNQ Aberdeen 'CICALA on fire tako off crew"

and proceeded alongside taking off all officers and crew, and on consulting with the Commanding Officer, Lieut. Commander Boldoro, R.N. (retd.) LTD 09 was instructed to hasten the sinking of CICAM with depth chargos and this was done. After putting crew of CIGALA (some wounded) on shore at T-hoad pior, MTB 10 proceeded down Aberdeen Channel to contact the flotilla and at the narrowest part came undor sholl fire which wounded the First Lioutonant, who was landod, and Chior Petty Officer Gilbert Thums D/J 96352 late Coxswain of the CICALA, takon in his place, together with a telegraphist from CICALA to cope with V2's W/T work, As I had boon Commanding Officer of CICLLA from May 1940 to April 1941 I was woll acquainted with this Chior P.0. and found him of great assistance to me particularly in his choerful and tactful attitude to officors and ratings. I recommend him for Warrant Rank: under the A.F.0, which allows such promotion to C.P.0's within 3 years of pension.

In the afternoon Japanoso vore reportòd along Abordéon Industrial School Road, and ratings on shore wore sont to ruinforco. Tho S..0. X. instructed V2 to stand by for special mission with Mr. 7.W.K. MTB's crews loaded spocial iron rations, arms, storos and equipment for this purpose.

HIS ROBIN under S.1.0.A.novod inshore in Aberdoon Channel and fired 50 rounds from 12 pdr. at ridge whence enemy gun had shelled: Aberdeen Channel. MTB's lay to the west of Abordeon Island carrying out the following duties. MTB 10 wont to T-hood pier to carry army ammunition to Stanly but it did not arrive. MTB's 07, 09, 11 and 27 rocoivod the following alam dial. Boats in harbour from Holts wharf passing wort of Dockyard + ind wont in * attack. Thoy entered harbour but found no boats, 11 and 09 firing somo rounds at drifting lightor only. After this 07 and 09 anchored at Sandy Bay

and 10, 11 and 27 at Tolograph Bay.

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The following signal had boon sont by Commodoro to S.N.O.. (R) XDO. V2. 'Should you be forced to withdraw from Aborded send all you have afloat including ammunition and petrol to Sandy and Tolograph Bays Try to send M.T.B. Oil in vevo 1540/20".

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December 22nd. On Monday, Decumbor 22nd, tho Robin was divebombed by a stick of 9 bombs but not seriously hit. MTB10 was not alongside at the timoi but waiting at T-hoad pior for military ammunition and anti-tank minus which woro talon to Stanloy military pior, hero the Sorgeant-Mjor in chargo a the garrison asked for 3.7 howitzor ammunition. On return, MIB 10 was slightly fired on by some form of 0.5′′ machino gun. At 1800 having arranged for same the 3.7 howitzer ammunition como dom in lorry to T-head pior and loading on to MTB 10 commenced; but tho sholling from fiold guns on a commandine riago. to the east increased so much that one-third of cummunition was taken to log on MTD 07 lying out of sight. Thero verò no casualtios in MB 10 with tho oxception of eno livo duck designed for Christmas killing, which was killed by a splinter earlier than intendod. Some morter firo wrecked glass in Industrial School. Other "TB's this day prepared stores and arms for possible escopa.

At 1900 MB 10 and 07 procooded to Stanley pior after dark

the ro was sono very slight sniping at the pior but tho ammunition was delivorod without troubla. The chief European guorilla londor, Mr. F.W.K. romained on boord MTB 10.

December 23rd. On Tuesday, Decombor 23rd, MTB's collected stores and arms and clothing for possible oscapo overland. Somo MTB's lay outsido harbour after collecting stores but for tho sako of communications MTB 10 remained. There was considerable sholling of the harbour from fioldguns on commanding ridgo. I understand the Canadian troops loft Bonnott's Hill this day which was thon hold by the Novy.

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Docombor 24th. On Wednesday, December 24th, MTB's 10, 07 and 11 were in harbour

reminder to the west of Abordeon Island or in Telegraph Boy During tho foronoon shelling of the harbour vas again considerable. F.W.K. proccoded to Hongkong for inform tion and returned to MTB 10 and all

MC.