WAR SERVICE OF H.M.S. LEANDER

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 81, 11 July 1941, Page 3

WAR SERVICE OF H.M.S. LEANDER

Cruiser’s Busy Time

WORK WITH RED SEA CONVOYS

possibility of a submarine counter-at-tack, and the likelihood of . bombing, we took the Kimberley in tow and, working up to about 12 knots, moved back toward the convoy.

“One air attack was made, a sharp, accurate raid by three aircraft from a grpat height, which dropped a beautiful stick of bombs athwart our bow some 100 yards ahead. Splinters from these dented the ship’s side near the paint shop, but that was fortunately all. We continued our escorting duties towing a powerful destroyer astern, the pair of us making an-interesting anti-aircraft unit.

To have sunk an enemy raider, shared in convoy work, fought off enemy bombers and destroyers which attacked convoys, as well as going to the rescue of a damaged British destroyer, have been among the activities of H.M.S. Leander, one of the cruisers of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, since she left the Dominion in May last year. An account of the cruiser’s work and experiences up to the end of March last is given in a report prepared under the authority of the commanding officer.

“The Royal Air Force later in the day caught the second destroyer in the islands off Massawa, and hit it on the stern with a large bomb It is not surprising, therefore, that we are still waiting for a repeat performance. The Italians, however, broadcast a statement on October 22 which for sheer imagination and barefaced lying has seldom been beaten, and caused the utmost joy in the Leander.”

This statement claimed overwhelming successes for Italian torpedoboats.

Sinking of Ramb I.

H.M.S. Leander was one of the powerful escorts for the second echelon Because of the sudden developments in France, Belgium and Holland, the convoy's route was altered and the cruiser parted company with it, subsequently doing service in the Red Sea.

Attack on Convoy.

The sinking of the Ramb I is. also mentioned in the report, which described how the raider flew the Red Ensign, later replacing it with the Italian naval ensign and opening fire.

"Only once was a Red Sea convoy attacked by surface craft,” says the report. "Early on the morning of Trafalgar Day two enemy destroyers attacked the head of our north-bound convoy, and were immediately engaged by other ships. The Leander, t lie .senior officer, proceeded at full speed to get in touch with the enemy, closely followed by H.M.S. Kimberley. .

“We felt it a gallant effort, tor in a few seconds our turrets had replied and she was overwhelmed, flames pouring out of her gaping' forecastle as her colours came down with a run,” the report adds. „ “The lire for’ard spread rapidly aft, igniting her am munition lockers, magazines, and oil fuel, and an hour after our encounter the Ramb I sank under a vast column of smoke and burning oil. sliding quick ly down, bows first, as the last rounds of her cordite flared up on the poop.

“It was a night with about a half-' moon, very high, with very long visibility, and we were probably firing at five to six miles range. 'Both destroyers appeared to fire torpedoes ami guns wildly, and, without attempting to tight , they fled to the north-west. The only damage reported was a hole in a lifeboat' aboard the convoy commodore’s flagship.

“Over 100 prisoners were rescued from the Italian’s boats, together with the ship’s dog.”

In the account of the Leander’s operations given in a Y dispatch from the N.Z.E.F. official news service, it is mentioned that Italian and German prisoners captured by the Leander refused to believe that the cruiser .was the Leander as they believed ir had previously been sunk.

“The Kimberley correctly estimated that the enemy would make for the Harmil Island channel into Massawa, and made her way to a position to intercept them at dawn. The Leander, of course, had to stand by the convoy, and, as light came, we received the Kimberley’s exultant . signals— first, that she had sighted an enemy destroyer, then that she was engaging,- and that the target was damaged, on fire, and making for the beach under the guns of Harmil Island.

Enemy Destroyer Sunk.

“This was ‘right on the Italians’

doorstep,’ the eastern entrance to Massawa harbour, but the Kimberley finished off the enemy, the destroyer Francesco Nullo, with a torpedo, and, as she turned back, sent some salvos into the shore batteries. She actually silenced two out of three guns, but in the meantime herself received a hit which made it difficult to get away. ‘The news of her damage, of course, caused the Leander to leave the convoy and speed to the Kimberley’s assistance, and we found that by heroic efforts she had steamed out of sight of land before stopping to repair her damage. Somewhat concerned by the