The submarine made the journey alone and took a route that led by Horta, Willemstad, Mazatlán, San Francisco, Honolulu, Guam, Yap, Manila, Ambon and Burma.

The review was held in honour of the Dutch Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands who was than 40 years the head of state.

An unsuccessful attack was made on the Japanese invasion fleet on 10 December 1941 of the north east coast of Malaya.

[4] Afterwards K XIII returned to Surabaya for repairs and was escorted by the destroyer Van Nes where they arrived on 6 January 1942.

[4] Still under repairs the boat was scuttled to prevent her being captured by the invading Japanese forces on 2 March 1942.