Don't think so Buster, at that time we were at war with Germany, so radio silence was paramount. Apparently she amended a ETA by radio to am 20th Nov (she was on her way back from escorting a troop ship of Australian diggers to the Sunda Straits) and after that nothing. Locals reported large flashes and booms of the coast of Geraldton at night (not sure what day) and as navel command became anxious, and no radio message forthcoming from her, the RAAF sent out a Hudson to where the lights had been seen, no ship, no wreckage. The poor buggers could have been floating around for a couple of days (if any survived) before drowning or eaten. There was futher confusion as the german skipper who had by then been picked up,recorded the battle had taken place SOUTH of PER. A deliberate ploy by him. All in all in took five days for a full seach to take place, which was a bloody disgrace. I will still put my money on a Jap sub involved.
