The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS PIRIE, (LCDR C. F. Mills, RAN), was commissioned. PIRIE was laid down in Broken Hill Pty Co’s Yard, Whyalla, SA, on 19 May 1941, and launched on 3 December 1941. Mrs R. T. Kleeman performed the launching ceremony.
HMAS NIZAM and HMS FOXHOUND, (destroyers), attacked the German submarine U 159 on the surface, 150 miles south- east of Cape Town. The submarine dived and escaped.