Secret

Thursday 29th January 1942

(Continued)

Enemy Activities.

A Japanese submarine operating off Madras sank S.S. Mary Luckenbach.

Commander-in-Chief East Indies stopped all sailings south of Madras (1403/29.

Convoy ULU was attacked by enemy aircraft in Banka Straits without damage.

PADANG was again heavily bombed by enemy aircraft and 4 merchant vessels in harbour sunk.

Own Operations and Movements

Convoy B.M.11, with the two remaining brigades of the 18th Division, and the R.A.F. ground personel of three fighter squadrons, arrived Singapore without incident.

ABDIEL satisfactorily completed mining operations off the Andaman Islands.

Rear Admiral MALAYA reported that Singapore Dockyard would close down on 30th January.

Admiralty message 2127A/26 received, suggesting that Admiralty Floating Dock X should be removed, unescorted if necessary, and the risk of loss on passage accepted. This message was passed to Rear Admiral MALAYA, but the project was considered obviously impractable, in view of the time and the tugs required.

Commander-in-Chief Netherlands Naval Forces in the East Indies was asked if possible to send a small oiler to VEERENS Bay or Tanah Bala for the use of escorting cruisers in the Indian Ocean.

MALAYA.

Our forces commenced to retire towards Singapore Island, the rear guard beating off a strong attack in the centre.

 Turn Page