CAPT H. Howden, RAN, commanding HMAS HOBART, (cruiser), was appointed Senior Naval Officer at Berbera. Howden successfully directed the evacuation of the port as it was invaded by superior Italian forces. The ships available for the task were HMAS HOBART, HM Ships CARLISLE, CERES, KIMBERLEY, KANDAHAR, CHAKDINA, LAOMEDON, SHOREHAM, VITA, (hospital ship), and AKBAR, (transport ship). Two tugs, ZEILA, and QUEEN, and four barges were manned by HOBART’S crew. The evacuation was completed on the night of 18th August, and the only loss was the tug QUEEN.