Lt Laurence D Kilbee HKRNVR CO MTB 08

I had the pleasure of meeting Laurence on several occasions and he gave me an insight to life with the 2nd MTB Flotilla. Sadly he passed away in January 2006

 

December 8th to 25th by Lt. Laurence Dudley Kilbee [ex.MTB 27, 08. & 10]

The allied military objective was to deny Kowloon harbour to the Japanese, and secondly to to deny Japanese troops from deploying to other theatre's of war in the Far East.

Extracts from the diary written by Lt L.D.Kilbee H.K.R.N.V.R. C. O. MTB 08. during his early days in a Japanese P.O.W camp when events during the battle were still fresh in his mind.

On the outbreak of war on the 8th of December, and as the Japanese crossed the border and bombed Kai Tak the Flotilla moved lock stock and barrel to Aberdeen. The operation was completed without mishap, and by sundown all boats were fueled and ready to take up their designated night time positions as a striking force.

8th, 9th, and 10th of December: there was much enemy aircraft activity during daylight in which the Flotilla was involved in one way or another, but unless doing a specific job the boats kept as inconspicuous as possible. HMS Cicala took the brunt of enemy air attacks in the Castle Peak and Cap Shui Mun area. No enemy aircraft appeared at night.

10th December: MTB 08 with MTB 10 went on night patrol off Po Toi, and ordered to investigate suspicious vessel near the Lemmas (N.E. Head). After steaming for half an hour, observed searchlight to the South, made preparations for attacking when signal received to return to patrol off Po Toi. Disappointing outcome made worse by news of sinking of Repulse and Prince of Wales off Singapore.

11th December: A day of non-stop activity for all Naval craft, with APV's involved in battle with junks thought to be carrying Japanese troops. All available vessels, including MTB's ordered to Kowloon Bay to evacuate our troops from the mainland. I had the job in MTB. 08 of picking up Commodore Collinson and his Flag Lieut Cecil Gray, and taking them to Kowloon Bay, where as duty MTB. I ferried them between H. M. Ships Thracian, Indera, and Tern. The bay was a fantastic site, full of every conceivable craft. By the time it was getting dark I took the Commodore back to F.M.O. steps to await further orders. At 1900 hours the Flag Lieut arrived with orders for me to proceed to Stonecutters Island and embark wounded. The Island had been under shellfire for the past 24 hours. I took onboard three stretcher cases, and a number of walking wounded and brought them back to the dockyard. At 2100 hours ordered to sink Tamar, which had been moved to a buoy in the harbour. It was a very dark night with no lights anywhere, so a hazardous operation to fire torpedoes. Apart from trying to avoid junks without lights, and harbour buoys I was fired on from Hong Kong side. I fired one torpedo without success, and on arriving back was met by Cdr Craven, S.O.O who had been trying desperately to contact MTB. 08 to cancel the operation. It had been decided to put charges onboard to sink HMS Tamar

12th December: Evacuation of troops in the Kowloon Bay area continued during the night. MTB 11 damaged but able to return to base. Next day December 13th destroyed C.B's, then proceeded to Kowloon Bay to contact 4 A.V.P's overdue. Passed through Sulphur Channel, found 2 AVP's and told them to return to Deep Water Bay. Went through harbour at 30 knots keeping well to Hong Kong side. Fired on from Holts Dwarf, no casualties. On reaching Lye Mun, spotted 2 remaining A.P.V's and told them to return to Deep Water Bay via Tathong Channel, depressing site, many sunken vessels. One engine breakdown off Collinson, so returned to Aberdeen on 2 engines. Later in the day proceeded to Green Island (engine repaired) to evacuate lighthouse personal. Damaged propeller on uncharted rock. Mount Davis under heavy shell fire. Just before sunset Japanese plane dropped a stick of bombs which landed in dock area. No boats damaged, but one bomb set oil drums alight on dockside, which started fires fanned by strong wind. Worked MTB 08 out of the dock with the aid of AVP Perla, and was towed out to mid stream.

14th December: Remained all day in Aberdeen waiting to go on slip (MTB 11 not ready to come off until next day) December 15th, bad news. Thracian ran aground during the night off N.E. corner of Lamma and had to go into dock, MTB 11 still on slip.

16th December: Worst day of the battle for me and my crew. Having been hoisted onto the slip during the night, biggest air raid on Aberdeen dock this morning, enemy after Thracian. About noon large formation of planes dropped bombs from high level; the target was Thracian our biggest warship. I was in Aberdeen Industrial School building with my crew having lunch. The damage in the dock was extensive and by the time I got there MTB 08 was well on fire and became a total loss. Thracian further damaged, so that evening she was towed out to Round Island (opposite Repulse Bay) and beached.

17th & 18th December: I took over the duties of Base MTB officer. During my time in this job, before I went to MTB 10 as 1st Lieut, I was ordered to take over ML French (R.A.S.C) and embark Cmdr. Peers, C. O. of Thracian and salvage party, and take them to Thracian. I did two such trips.

19th December: During the night and early hours enemy troops began landing in the North Point area. MTB's ordered to attack enemy landing craft. MTB's 07, and 09 led the attack, sinking one landing craft, and inflicting heavy casualties on a number of other enemy craft. 07 was hit twice in the engine room, killing a stoker, and the telegrapher who took his place. Both boats returned to base. MTB's 11, and 12 were next in, 11 withdrew but 12 pressed on and received a direct hit on the conning tower, killing the C.O. Lieut Colls H.K.R.N.V.R., and the 1st Lieut, Sub Lt G. McGill H.K.R.N.V.R. MTB 12 was last seen crashing into the sea wall on the Kowloon side. MTB's 10, 26, and 27 ordered to return to base. For some reason or other 26 missed the signal, and continued the attack. 26 was last seen stopped under heavy fire from the enemy and became a total loss. C.O. Lieut D. Wagstaff and Sub. Lt J. Eager and crew presumed killed. (Subsequently  confirmed)

21st December: H.M.S. Cicala attacked by a number of enemy planes in East Lamma Channel, and finally sunk after putting up a brave fight. One killed, and two wounded including a number of minor casualties. MTB 10 and other small craft picked up survivors during the engagement, during which Lt. R. Godwin N.Z.R.N.V.R. 1st Officer of MTB 10 was wounded and taken to hospital with other casualties.

From then on I was relieved of my duties as Base MTB officer, and took over as 1st officer of MTB 10.

22nd December: Enemy advances across Hong Kong Island from the East; Aberdeen Base and the Peak area are now within range of the Japanese guns and troops closing in. MTB 10 ordered to take ammunition to pier at Stanley Bay for our troops holding out there. Returned safe and sound to Aberdeen. Next day MTB's could only hide by day, and hope for the best as the Japanese troops closed in. I lost touch with my crew as I could not get ashore to get to the Base at Aberdeen.

25th December: Very difficult to know what is happening on shore, but obviously the situation is desperate. Enemy aircraft still active as boats bombed while at anchor on the South side of Apleichou [Aberdeen Island] Island. Surrender came late afternoon. Everyone was on edge waiting for orders. At dusk MTB 10 moved to pier to await VIP's, who were to try to escape under night cover up the coast to Mirs Bay area. I discussed staying in MTB 10 for the escape with my C.O. Cmdr Gandy who insisted I remain back with some of my crew. Finally scrambled ashore to eventually spend nearly four years in various Japanese Prisoner of War Camps.

Lieutenant L.D. Kilbee H.K.R.N.V.R.

August 2000