CO129-590-25 Accounts of events leading up to surrender and subsequent treatment of prisoners- etc 23-4-1942 - 28-9-1943 — Page 163

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I now tumed back to the westward, increasing

again to full throttle. Enemy fires was becoming more intense than it had been at the outset, as they had presumably had time to bring light guns to bear probably mortars and light howitzers in addition to machine guns. Aircraft were still over the harbour but little attention could be spared for them.

When proceeding west fire was maintained on the sunken ships and the Junks in the Bay. Spotting a single motor landing craft retiring northward I altered course towards the H.K. Wahmpoa Dock crane and shot up the craft chiefly with the Bren.

MTB 07 could now be seen retiring towards the end of the boat boom at reduced speed, and as there were no further landing craft to be seen, I also retired in that direction.

The heaviest fire was not encountered but very been fortunately no vital hits were received, and when the boat boom had / reached enemy fire had died down presumably through inability to bring their guns to bar.

By now MTB 07 thed been overhauled and on receiving "Stand by me" I accordingly closed and proceeded westward in company inside the boom using one engine. Preparations were made to take TB 07 in tow if it proved n cessary; attempts to pass a signal by W/T to Aberdeen for assistance were unsuccessful.

After passing through the Sulphur Channel MTB 07 had to be taken in two, but as she did not appear to be in immediate danger of sinking no signal was passed through Davis P.W.S.S. She was accordingly towed through Aberdeen harbour and secured alongside "Robin" at 1000.

When manoeuvring with MTB 07 in tow it was found necessary to cut the port engine as the gear lever had been damaged and the engine could not be stopped. Damage to the patrol tanks had also made itself evident by the fumes, and it was found afterwards that the port tank had been pierced near the bottom. Beyond bullet holes and scars which were soon patched up, there was no further damage and the boat must be considered very fortunate to have capud so lightly.

There were no injuries to personnel but the after gunner had a lucky escape as the butt of his revolver had been knocked out; the whole crew carried on their jobs with admirable calm throughout, and it would not be fair to single out any one member by name.

(sa) A. Kennedy,

Lieutenant,

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