 However, if the Australians had responded, it would have shown that the Allies had broken the Japanese secret codes.So the appointed rescue submarine was not told of the sudden urgency of the situation.The orders to the commander of the rescue submarine, HMS "Tantalus", Lieutenant Commander Hugh Mackenzie, were to go to the rescue rendezvous area of
Merapas Island on 7 November 1944, and to remain there until 7 December 1944 if necessary.