The Escape of the 2nd MTB Flotilla, The Final Hours

Lt Laurence D Kilbee H.K.R.N.V.R. [MTB 08 & late of MTB 27]

 

 

MTB 08 blew up on the slip at Aberdeen when hit by a bomb splinter as the IJA bombed HMS Thracian on 16th December 1941

The ships crest was saved by Sub-Lt Lewis Bush HKRNVR who in turn gave it to the Coxswain W Mitchell in Japan. It was sold by David Bond, an ex Clearance Diver in Hong Kong and now specialising in maritime artefacts.

Left: Ships crest salvaged from MTB 09 at NanAo in Mirs Bay 26th December 1941 by Sub-Lt Brewer HKRNVR.

MTB motto: Caudae Spiculum Caveo (Beware the sting in the tail)

 

 

 

 

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Lt Kilbee transferred as C/O to MTB 08 on the 27th April 1940 after having been the C/O of MTB 27. After 08 blew up on the slip at Aberdeen on the 16th December 1941 he briefly took over as MTB Officer in Aberdeen and Officer Commanding the RASC launch ML French before joining MTB 10 as 1st Officer. He was ordered ashore at the point of departure during the escape and was taken as P.O.W. While there he kept a diary and recorded the events of the battle of Hong Kong.

Laurence was a keen sailor being a member of the RHKYC & was one of the twelve members along with Ron Ashby who formed the HKRNVR.

Photo from C J Collingwood's collection ©

For more information on Laurence Kilbee click here.

Lt L D Kilbee's account of the battle, written shortly after captivity while POW.

Laurence Kilbee and fellow officers referred to the highly tuned thoroughbred boats of the Hong Kong Coastal Forces as the "Hong Kong Costly Farce"

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 27, a Thornycroft 55 foot ex Kuamintong CMB Kuai 20 completed 10th September 1938 loaded with depth charges and torpedos getting an XDO inspection in February 1940 with Lt Kilbee as her C/O.

Photo from C J Collingwood's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 27 underway with Lt Kilbee in command in March 1940.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 27 on patrol

 

Photo from C J Collingwood collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 27 alongside.

Photo from C J Collingwood collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 27 loaded with depth charges in lieu of torpedos alongside HMS Robin.

Photo from C J Collingwood collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 27 with crew members alongside

Photo from C J Collingwood collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 08 drawn by Lt Kilbee after being released from Japanese POW in 1945

 

Photo from Laurence Kilbee's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lt L D Kilbee in 1940.

 

Photo from Lt Collingwood's collection ©

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MTB 27 launching a torpedo