RFA War Sirdar (War Class Oiler)

Convoy                 Depart                                             Arrive

MS.1      Melbourne 1st January 1942 – Singapore 31st January 1942

On the 27th February 1942, orders were issued to clear all remaining British Auxiliary craft from Batavia, around midnight the Australian Sloop HMAS Yarra, with the Indian Sloop HMIS Jumna sailed escorting a convoy for Tjilatjap.  Early on whilst passing through the Sundra Straits, RFA War Sirdar was bombed and ran aground.

Attempts were made to re-float her, but because of the imminent threat from Japanese forces, she was abandoned.

The ship was captured by the advancing Japanese forces, who repaired her and re-named her Honan Maru,  she was serving as a Japanese tanker, when on the 29th March 1945, when she was spotted by the American submarine USS Bluegill, and sunk in position 12 39’ N  109 28’ E.