Both destroyers departed the area and subsequently rendezvoused with the oiler off Christmas Island to transfer the "Langley" survivors to the oiler. At 1020 on 27 February, three Japanese twin-engined bombers attacked Christmas Island. One singled out "Whipple" and dropped a stick of bombs which missed the rapidly dodging destroyer. The three ships headed south to get out of Japanese land-based aircraft range and completed transferring the survivors to On 28 February, "Whipple" began transferring "Langley" crew members to "Pecos", completing the task by 0800 on 1 March. While one destroyer transferred personnel, the other circled and maintained an antisubmarine screen. When the transfer was completed, the two destroyers parted company with the oiler. Changing course in anticipation of orders to retire from Java, "Whipple" prepared to send a message relative to these orders when the destroyer's chief radioman heard a cell for help over the radio from "Pecos", then under attack by Japanese bombers near Christmas Island.