Modified LEANDER-Class cruiser ordered from HM
Dockyard Devonport on 1st March 1933 and laid down on 15 August that year for the Royal Navy. The ship was
launched on 9th October 1934 as HMS
APOLLO and build was completed on 13th January 1936. Following a
commission under RN command she was refitted and her single 4in secondary armament was replaced by twin
mountings. During this period arrangements were made for transfer to the Royal Australian Navy and she commissioned
as HM Australian Cruiser HOBART on 28th September 1938. She was deployed with
the RAN until the outbreak of war in 1939. No details of her Heraldic data or motto are available in Admiralty records as these
are property of the RAN.
MEDITERRANEAN 1941 - CORAL SEA 1942
- GUADALCANAL 1942-43 - PACIFIC 1945 - VIETNAM 1967-70*
D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e
(for more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and type name in Site Search)
1 9 3 9
September
Deployed on
shipping defence patrol in Australian waters.
October
Transferred to
4th Cruiser Squadron on Far East Station at Singapore.
November
Convoy escort
and patrol duty in Indian Ocean between Colombo and Aden.
6th - Deployed
in search for German commerce raiders in south of Arabian Sea after
sinking of mercantiles by German
pocket battleship ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE.
December
Deployed on
patrol off Ceylon.
1 9 4 0
January
Escorted French
military convoy in Indian Ocean.
13th - Joined
HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM Cruisers CORNWALL and DORSETSHIRE in
Hunting Force I based at Colombo for
interception duty in Indian Ocean.
30th - Relieved
HM Cruiser KENT and French cruiser SUFFREN as escort for Convoy US1 with
EAGLE during passage in Indian Ocean
to Aden.
February
On release from
US1 took passage to Colombo.
25th - Routine
docking at Colombo.
March
Escorted HM
River Gunboats LADYBIRD and APHIS from Colombo to Aden during
passage to join Mediterranean Fleet.
April
Joined Red Sea
Escort Force with LIVERPOOL for support of military operations in
Somaliland.
12th - Intercepted
Danish merchant ship AFRIKA and sent her with armed guard to Colombo.
18th - Visited
Red Sea ports for diplomatic purposes.
May
Deployed on
patrol in Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
12th - Joined
escort of Convoy US2 and then covered landings of Kings African Rifles at
Berbera.
June
Supported
British military operations in Somaliland.
11th - Under
air attack by Italian aircraft in Red Sea.
13th - Assisted
in AA defence with CARLISLE during Italian air raid at Aden.
19th - Bombarded
Centre Peak W/T Station at Massawa.
30th - Embarked troops at Aden for
landings at Berbera on 1 July.
July
Escorted troop
convoys to Berbera and supported military operations ashore.
August
3rd - Carried
out reconnaissance patrol off Cape Guardafui, Italian Somaliland.
8th - Aircraft
launched to make attacks at Zeila, British Somaliland after Italian
occupation.
Under air attack at Berbera on
return.
9th - Assisted
defence of Tug Argan, British Somaliland with landing party.
15th - Co-ordinated
evacuation of allied troops from Berbera by HM Cruisers CERES , CALEDON,
CARLISLE, HM Destroyers KANDAHAR,
KIMBERLEY, HM Sloops SHOREHAM, AUCKLAND, HM Australian Sloop PARRAMATTA and
auxiliaries. Sustained
slight damage during air attacks.
19th - Assisted
in demolition work. Some of landing party taken prisoner.
(Note: Released later when territory
re-occupied).
21st - Returned
to Aden.
September
Convoy escort
between Port Sudan and Aden and subjected to air attacks.
12th - Escorted
military convoy WS2A from Aden for Red Sea passage with HM Cruiser
COVENTRY, HM Destroyers KANDAHAR and
KINGSTON. Fast Section troopships ANDES, EMPRESS OF BRITAIN and EMPRESS OF
CANADA.
14th - Detached
when mercantiles dispersed when clear of Italian air threat.
October
19th - Taken in
hand for refit at Colombo.
November
Post refit
trials.
16th - Passage
to Aden to resume to Red Sea duties as relief for HM Cruiser LEANDER.
December
12th - Passage
to Australia to rejoin RAN.
1 9 4 1
January
Deployed on
patrol and convoy defence in Australian waters.
4th - Escorted
convoy US9 from Sydney to Fremantle
February
6th - Detached
from US9 and returned to Sydney.
March
Convoy defence
in continuation.
April
Escorted troops
ships with AUSTRALIA and ACHILLES from Wellington, NZ to Sydney.
May
Convoy defence
in continuation.
June
Under refit at
Sydney prior to detached service.
20th - Transferred
to Mediterranean and took passage to Suez.
July
12th - Assisted
in re-floating and salvage of troopship GLENEARN at Port Tewfik.
August
Joined 7th
Cruiser Squadron in Mediterranean Fleet.
12th - Embarked
troops for passage to Tobruk0 to relieve some of garrison, with HM Cruiser
minelayers ABDIEL, LATONA, HM
Australian Destroyers NAPIER and NIZAM.
20th - Took
part in transfer of Army and RAF personnel to Cyprus and Haifa from Egypt with
HM Cruisers LEANDER, NEPTUNE,
Destroyers of 11th flotilla, HM Sloops FLAMINGO and
PARAMATTA (RAN) (Operation
GUILLOTINE).
September
Deployed with
Squadron for Fleet duties.
October
Deployed on
support of military garrison at Tobruk with HMAS NAPIER, HMAS NIZAM and
Mediterranean Fleet ships.
21st - Bombarded
Bardia-Tobruk road.
November
Squadron duties
in continuation.
December
7th - Escorted
Supply Ship HMS BRECONSHIRE from Malta to Alexandria.
9th - Under air
attack at Tobruk with HM Sloops FLAMINGO and YARRA (RAN).
10th - Recalled
to rejoin RAN after Japan entered war and took passage to Colombo.
18th - Diverted
to carry out patrol in Maldives area following reports of unrest.
24th - Joined
escort for military convoy BM9A with HM Cruisers DURBAN and DRAGON for
passage to Singapore from Bombay.
1 9 4 2
January
Transferred to
ABDA Command for convoy defence.
3rd - Arrived
at Singapore with convoy BM9A. (See WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO)).
7th - Sailed
from Singapore and diverted to join HM Destroyers TENEDOS and STRONGHOLD as
as escort for military convoy MS1 on
passage from Australia.
25th - Joined
Malaya section of reinforcement military convoy MS1 for escort to Singapore.
29th - Nominally
transferred to ANZAC Force with HM Australian Cruisers AUSTRALIA, CANBERRA
ADELAIDE and PERTH.
30th - Under
unsuccessful air attacks in Banka Strait.
February
2nd - Passage
to join Western Striking Force based at Tanjong Priok.
Rescued survivors from ms NORAH
MULLER.
5th - Patrolled
Banka Strait with HM Cruiser EXETER, HM Destroyers JUPITER and
ENCOUNTER to cover passage of Dutch
cruiser JAVA escorting two troopships to Palembang.
7th - Relieved
HM Cruiser DANAE and HM Sloop SUTLEJ (RIN) with HM Destroyer
ENCOUNTER for patrol.
Joined Evacuation Convoy EMU on
passage to Bombay.
10th - Relieved
HM Cruiser CORNWALL as escort for Military Convoy JS1 taking Australian
troops from Middle East to Java.
11th - Detached
to search for Japanese invasion craft reported on passage to Sumatra.
14th - Sailed
with Dutch cruisers DE RUYTER, JAVA, TROMP and HM Cruiser EXETER with
destroyer screen to intercept Japanese
invasion convoy in Banka Strait. Under heavy air attacks.
17th - Deployed
with EXETER for escort of JS and SJ Australian military convoys as far
as Sunda Strait.
25th - Deployed
with HM Cruisers DANAE, DRAGON, HM Destroyers SCOUT and TENEDOS
in Western Striking Force when HM
Cruisers EXETER and PERTH (RAN) transferred
to Soerabaya.
Remained with HM Cruisers DANAE,
DRAGON, HM Destroyers SCOUT and TENEDOS
in the Western Striking Force when
HM Australian Cruisers EXETER and PERTH transferred
to Soerabaya.
(Note: Ship did not sail with
Western Striking Force because delay in refuelling from
RFA WAR SIRDAR.)
26th - Carried
cut unsuccessful search with HM Cruisers DANAE and DRAGON for Japanese fleet
reported in South China Sea heading
for western Sumatra.
27th - Carried
out offensive sweep through Sunda Strait with HMS DANAE, DRAGON and destroyers.
28th - As no
enemy force was sighted took passage to Trincomalee since no fuel was available
and air
support was unavailable.
Destroyers diverted to Padang to embarked
refugees from Singapore for passage to Ceylon.
(For details see WAR WITH JAPAN
(HMSO).
March
Passage to
Australia from Ceylon.
April
6th - Under
refit at Sydney.
15th - Nominated
for service with ANZAC Force ships as part of US Navy Task Force 44 in SW
Pacific.
Passage
to join TF44.
May
Deployed in sea
area north of Australia on anti-invasion patrol.
4th - Joined
combined Task Forces 11 in south of Coral Sea with HMAS AUSTRALIA, US
Navy Cruiser USS CHICAGO and two US
Navy destroyers. (See WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).)
5th - Joined US
TF17 in Hervey Bay with TF11 ships. Nominated for service as a Support Group for combined
Forces as Task Group 17.3 in view of impending action with Japanese invasion ships
7th - In action
in defence of Tulagi with US TG17-3 and under heavy air attacks.
(Battle of Coral Sea - See
above reference for details).
8th - Detached
to refuel in Brisbane.
June
Deployed on
convoy escort between Australia and SW Pacific islands.
14th - Sailed
from Brisbane with HMAS AUSTRALIA and HMAS CANBERRA in US TF44
for amphibious operations.
July
19th - Met US
Amphibious Force off Wellington, NZ.
22nd - Part of
Task Group 62.2 for escort of military convoy to Fiji area.
28th - Preparation
for assault landings on Guadalcanal with Task Force 62 (South Pacific
Amphibious Force)
as Task Group 62.2.
31st - Joined
US 4th Fleet Task Force TF44 on formation with HMAS AUSTRALIA, US cruise USS
PHOENIX and five USA Navy
destroyers. (Operation
WATCHTOWER - See WAR WITH JAPAN.)
August
7th - Took part
in covering eastern approaches during approach of US assault ships on Tulagi
with USS SAN
JUAN.
8th - Provided
naval gunfire support during landings. Under air attacks.
Deployed for patrol to cover
anchorages with US cruiser SAN JUAN screened by two US Navy
destroyers.
9th - Not
present at Battle of Savo Island when Japanese warships attacked ships of TG62
in anchorage. (Note:
HMAS CANBERRA was sunk in this engagement. See above reference and THE SHAME
OF SAVO.)
19th - Passage
from Noumea with HMAS AUSTRALIA and three destroyers (Task Force 44) to join
US Task Force 61 off Guadalcanal.
21st - Deployed
with TF61 and patrolled SE of Solomon Islands with same ships.
24th - Deployed
with HMAS AUSTRALIA, US Navy cruisers USS MINNEAPOLIS and USS NEW
ORLEANS as screen for US Navy
aircraft carrier SARATOGA during air attacks on Japanese
Diversion Force.
Later came under heavy and sustained
air attacks. (See WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).)
31st - Joined
reformed TF44 with HMAS AUSTRALIA, US Navy cruiser USS PHOENIX and three
US Navy destroyers for passage to
Brisbane.
September
Passage to
Brisbane on release from WATCHTOWER to refuel.
4th - Under
minor repair at Brisbane.
7th - Sailed
from Brisbane with HMAS HOBART, US Navy cruiser PHOENIX and five US Navy
Destroyers to join for support of
operations by TF44 against Japanese invasion in New Guinea.
11th - Rejoined
Task Force 44 at Milne Bay for patrol duty off New Guinea ships to intercept
destroyers evacuating
Trobriand Islands. (Note:
The interception was not successful)
October
Under refit at
Sydney.
November
Deployed on
support of US operations in SW Pacific.
December
Deployed on
patrol in Coral Sea as part of Task Force 44.
1 9 4 3
January to February
Task Force 44
deployment in continuation.
March
Nominated for
service with TF74. (Ships
of TF44 had been transferred to US 7th Fleet.)
15th - Joined
TF74 with HMAS AUSTRALIA, US Navy cruiser PHOENIX, HM Australian Destroyers
ARUNTA, WARRAMUNGA and seven US Navy
destroyers of DESDRON 4 for duty with US 7th
Fleet in support of amphibious
operations in SW Pacific. Released from detached service for refit.
25th - Taken in
hard for refit at Sydney. Aircraft facilities removed and 20mm Oerlikon weapons
fitted to improve close range defence against air attack.
April
14th - Refit
completion.
On
completion of post refit trials deployed for convoy escort and patrol based at
Brisbane.
May
Deployment in
Australian waters continued.
June
Nominated for
detached service with US Navy.
10th - Joined
Task Force 44 as part of reorganisation on US Pacific Fleet
(Note: Other ships in TF44 included
USS CHICAGO and nine US Navy destroyers designed
as DESDRON 4.)
24th - Deployed
in Task Force 44 with HMAS AUSTRALIA, HMAS CANBERRA, HMAS ARUNTA,
HMAS WARRAMUNGA and US Destroyer
LAMSON to cover US landings on New Georgia.
(Operation CARTWHEEL).
July
4th - Detached
with Task Force 74 to refuel in Flinders Group.
16th - Deployed
with Task Force 74 to reinforce naval support off New Guinea after recent
losses.
(See WAR AGAINST JAPAN (HMSO).)
20th - Hit on
port side aft by torpedoed from Japanese submarine Ro-106 (111) during assault
landings in
Solomons. Power
and steering failed with structural damage.
Took on list and escorted to
Espiritu Santo by HMAS WARRAMUNGA and HMAS
ARUNTA.
21st - Under
temporary repair at Espiritu Santu.
August
Temporary
repair in continuation.
21st - Took
passage to Sydney and Paid off.
September
1st - Taken in
hand for repair at Sydney.
40mm Bofors mountings with Fire-control radar fitted
in place of 20mm Oerlikons. 4in mountings repositoned.
Tripod masts fitted.
Twin Hazemere radar controlled
mountings fitted for pom-pom weapons.
October to December
Under repair.
1 9 4 4
January to November
Under repair.
December
7th - Re-commissioned.
Post Refit trials.
1 9 4 5
January
Worked-up for
operational service at Melbourne.
February
On completion
of work-up and storing prepared to resume operational duties.
6th - Passage
to Manus.
16th - Sailed
to rejoin Task Force 74 with HMAS WARRAMUNGA as TASK Group 74.3 for
support of Luzon landings (Operation
VICTOR I).
Provided
naval gunfire support.
26th - Bombarded
Japanese positions before landings in Cebu area (Operation VICTOR II).
March
Support
deployment in continuation.
April
Transferred for
support Borneo landings with US 7th Fleet ships and took passage
via Mondoro Strait, Sulu Sea and
Sibutu Passage.
26th - Intercepted
rafts taking Japanese to Borneo.
28th - Bombarded
Japanese positions south of Tarakan with USS PHOENIX, USS BOISE,
HMAS WARRAMUNGA and five US
destroyers of DESDRON 21 (Operation OBOE I)
deployed as Task Group 74.3.
30th - Released
from OBOE I.
May
4th - Sailed to
join HM Cruiser NEWFOUNDLAND, HM Australian Destroyer ARUNTA and
HM Australian Destroyer WARRAMUNGA
to support military operations in New Guinea.
10th - Bombarded
Cape Hoem with HMAS ARUNTA.
11th - Bombarded
Dove Bay before landings (Operation DELUGE).
12th - Provided
naval gunfire support at Wewak with HMS NEWFOUNDLAND during landings by 6th
Australian Division.
June
5th - Sailed
from Morotai to join invasion force off Brunei.
8th - Bombarded
targets at Brunei.
9th - Released
from Naval Gunfire Support duty in Solomons.
10th - Covered
minesweeping operations and provided naval gunfire support prior to landings at
Brunei with Task Group 74.3
(Operation OBOE VI).
17th - Joined
HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE (RAN) at Tawi Tawi, Borneo and formed Task Group 74.2.
27th - Commenced
bombardment of enemy shore batteries at Balikpapan with HMAS SHROPSHIRE
and ships of Task Group 74.1 before
landings of 7th Australian Infantry Division.
July
1st - Took part
in pre-assault bombardment after escorting assault ships for landings at
Balikpapan.
Provided
further naval gunfire support during landings with HMAS SHROPSHIRE and
HMAS ARUNTA (Operation OBOE VII).
9th - Withdrew
from assault area and went to Subic Bay for R&R period.
August
Deployment with
US Task Force in continuation.
17th - Passage
to Japan via Manila and Okinawa.
31st - Joined
Commonwealth warships with HMAS SHROPSHIRE, HM Destroyer BATAAN (RAN),
HMAS WARRAMUNGA and RAN minesweepers
for formal Japanese surrender ceremony.
September
2nd - Present at surrender ceremony. Passage to Sydney to refit.
