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The fact that 'Komet" had not sighted a single enemy ship over the 5 months since she sailed from Germany, was a depressing one for her Captain. The joint expedition of'Komet," "Orion," with their Tanker 'Kulmerland," has already been related in the section that covers "Orion," and her exploits. Now on the 23rd. of December, 'Komet," was once again on her own.

Eyssen now planned to attack Rabaul, using his small fast launch or E-Boat that he carried on board, however, owing to an engine break down this idea had to be disgarded. "Komet" made her way back to Nauru, and signalled in a somewhat quaint and convoluted way to the Administrator:- "I will shoot without regards if you use wireless. If you don't use wireless I only destroy your phosphate pier and oil tanks behind and the lighters. Evacuate this area at Once diminish casualties. If you don't use wireless your station won't be demolished."

Just after gunfire commenced, the oil tanks were set alight, followed by a series of heavy explosions. In Australia, an announcement indicated there were no casualties, but heavy damage was caused to both plant and buildings.

This attack put the Japanese and Germans at loggerheads- it made public the fact that the Japanese were, contrary to International Law, providing facilities for German Raiders. SKL ordered this type of attack to cease and observed that 'Komet" could easily have been a victim herself and been sunk at Nauru.

Good news for Eyssen, on New Year's eve 1940/1941 he learned that notwithstanding his rebuff for his attack on Nauru, he was now a Rear Admiral.

'Komet" was hoping to get supplies from home sent overland via the Trans-Siberian railway, but, at this stage the Russians were playing "hard to get," and they would need to rely only on supply ships "Aistertor," and "Alsterufer."

Fyssen wanted to cover the Panama Australial New Zealand supply route by proceeding to the Galapagos Islands, but his Control vetoed the idea, saying it fell within the Pan American zone of neutrality. Instead, he was told, go to Antartica in the Ross Sea, and operate against the Allied Whaling Fleet.

By the 16th. of February 1941, they were within the ice barrier, and Eyssen found himself totally surrounded by ice bergs, his diary recorded:-" The ice is not dangerous, as it is not freezing solid, but is broken up by the swell, but.... there is always danger to the screw and rudder."

The ship gained an unexpected bonus, by sailing through all this ice, the ship's bottom had become totally cleaned, giving them a smooth hull once again.

Although a Japanese Whaling Factory was met, no Allied ships were sighted, off to Kerguelen to meet up with "Alstertor" for mail and ammunition. At Kerguelen, an opportunity to get off the ship allowed crew members to hunt down rabbits, and collect local cabbages, a relief from the monotony of canned vegetables.

"Pinguin" arrived on the 12th. of March, and then "Adjutant" joined them. Two days later 'Komet" was on her way to the Indian Ocean, to a beat known as Area Siberia, West of Perth, and they took on oil from "Ole Jacob."

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