 This succeeded only in encouraging the Portuguese to cooperate with the Allies, whom they lobbied to evacuate some women and children.Spence was evacuated to Australia on 11 November, handing over command to Major Bernard Callinan.He was later re-united with the 2/2nd Independent Company, and remained with them until later in the war when he became the commanding officer of the 2/12th Commando Squadron and then later the 2/9th Cavalry Commando Regiment in 1944–45.