"Holbrook" was operating between Brisbane, Melbourne and Fremantle in February thus escaping the air attack on Darwin 19 February 1942 that sunk convoy mates "Meigs" and "Admiral Halstead". The ship departed Fremantle on 22 February in convoy MS.5 escorted by that was bound for Colombo, Ceylon with troops and supplies eventually destined for India and Burma. The convoy comprised "Holbrook", the Australian transports and with two ships attempting to deliver fighters to Java—, carrying twenty-seven crated P-40 fighters, and with assembled fighters. "Sea Witch" and "Langley" broke from the convoy in an unsuccessful attempt, during which "Langley" was sunk, to deliver the aircraft to Java during the Japanese invasion. "Phoenix" was relieved as escort by and the convoy safely made port.