5th
- Convoy
US2 joined by rms QUEEN MARY, MAURITANIA
and another liner. (Note: HM Australian
Cruiser PERTH also
part of escort of redesignated convoy
now identified
as US3.)
Detached
on arrival at Sydney.
12th
- Rejoined Convoy US3 to escort
troopships in Indian Ocean from
Australia after call at Fremantle.
15th
- Convoy destination of Ceylon changed.
Diverted to Cape of Good
Hope in case Italy entered war
16th
- Re-deployed and transferred to
Mediterranean Fleet. Detached from
US3 and took passage to Colombo. Arrived
at Colombo.
21st
- Passage
to Alexandria with call at Aden.
26th
- Arrived
at Alexandria and joined HM Cruisers
GLOUCESTER, ORION, NEPTUNE and SYDNEY in
7th Cruiser Squadron.
31st
- Transferred
to East Indies Squadron.
June
1st
- Took
Passage to Port Sudan to join Red Sea
Force.
8th
- During
Red Sea Patrol intercepted Italian liner
UMBRIA which was being shadowed by HM
Sloop GRIMSBY.
11th
- Took
off crew of UMBRIA which scuttled at
Port Sudan.
12th
- Passage
to Aden and patrol.
16th
- Searched
with aircraft for Italian submarine off
Aden. (Note: This submarine GALILEO
GALILEI was later captured by HM
Trawler MOONSTONE and taken as Prize
to Aden).
27th
- Deployed
with HM Destroyers KANDAHAR and KINGSTON
in search for submarine reported aground
in Red Sea. Located Italian TORRICELLI
which was
engaged and sunk by gunfire.
Under
air
attack on return passage during which
two aircraft were destroyed.
July
to August
Red
Sea
Force deployment in continuation.
Escorted
convoys from Men to Port Sudan area and
Suez convoys to Bombay into the Indian
Ocean south of Men, with HM Australian
Cruiser HOBART, HM Australian Sloops
YARRA and
PARRAMATTA.
September
Red
Sea
Force deployment in continuation.
6th
- Under
air attack during escort of Convoy BN5
with HM Sloop AUCKLAND. Two aircraft
destroyed.
20th
- Stood
by merchant ship damaged during attacks
on Convoy BN5 with HMS AUCKLAND. One
aircraft destroyed.
24th
- Under
air attack in Red Sea. Deployed as
escort for Convoy BN6 44 ships).
October
Escorted
Convoy
BN7 (32 ships) with HMS KIMBERLEY, HMS
AUCKLAND, HMAS YARRA and HM Indian Sloop
INDUS.
20th
- Under
air attack without damage.
21st
- In
action against Italian destroyers LEONE,
NULLO, PANTERA and SAURO in defence of
Red Sea convoy. Enemy ships escaped
under cover of smoke screen. (Note:
Italian NULLO was later
intercepted by HMS KIMBERLEY and sunk by
torpedoes when under fire from shore
batteries off Horni Island. HMS
KIMBERLEY hit in boiler room and
disabled.)
22nd
- Towed
HMS KIMBERLEY back to convoy and
transferred tow to HM Destroyer
KINGSTON.
29th
- Ship's
aircraft used to bomb Italian positions
at Mogadishu.
November
Red
Sea
convoy defence in continuation. Escorted
Convoys BN8 and BN9.
26th
- Relieved
in Red Sea Force by HM Australian
Cruiser HOBART. Transferred to Indian
Ocean for support of military operations
in
Somaliland.
28th
- Deployed
in Indian Ocean.
29th
- Aircraft
launched for attack on factory at Banda
Abula, Italian Somaliland. After
recovery bombarded shore targets
firing 98 rounds of 6in.
December
Deployed
for
trade defence in Indian Ocean. Passage
to Bombay for routine docking.
27th
- On
completion prepared for trade defence
duties.
28th
- Joined
escort of Indian Ocean convoy to Aden.
1
9 4 1
January
Indian
Ocean
trade defence in continuation.
14th
- Deployed
on interception patrol in Indian Ocean
during passage to Colombo.
21st
- Joined
4th Cruiser Squadron at Colombo.
24th
- Deployed
in search for ss MANADOR after distress
call from position 150 miles west of
Seychelles.
30th
- Returned
to Colombo without success having
refuelled at Addu Atoll.
31st
- Resumed
Indian Ocean patrol.
February
9th
- Returned
to Colombo after patrol.
10th
- Joined
escort of military Convoy US9 as relief
for HM Australian Cruiser CANBERRA in
position 150 miles south of Ceylon.
(Note: Convoy included troopship
AQUITANIA, MAURITANIA and NIEUW
AMSTERDAM).
22nd
- Deployed
in search for German warship ADMIRAL
SCHEER off Maldives.
25th
- Escorted
coastal convoy from Colombo to Bombay.
27th
- Resumed
interception patrol and sighted unknown
vessel off Maldives. Ship proved to be
Italian raider RAMB I
that opened fire when at 3,000 yards
range and shots fell short. Engaged
enemy ships which was hit and then
scuttled. Rescued survivors and took
passage
to Addu Atoll.
28th
- Landed
prisoners and resumed patrol
March
2nd
- Joined
HMAS CANBERRA for joint search.
4th
- Detached
from HMAS CANBERRA but rejoined to
assist in rescue of survivors from two
German supply ships intercepted by
CANBERRA. On completion continued
Joint search. (Note: German Supply
COBURG and KETTY BROVIK (captured
Norwegian tanker) scuttled on
approach.).
8th
- At
Mauritius with HMAS CANBERRA to refuel.
10th
- Sailed
from Mauritius with HMAS CANBERRA to
meet HM Armed Merchant Cruiser CITY OF
DURBAN for a combined search in area
400 miles SE of Madagascar for commerce
raiders and supply ships.
20th
- Detached
to refuel in Mauritius.
21st
- Resumed
search between Mauritius and Madagascar.
23rd
- Intercepted
Vichy French merchant ship CHARLES LD
(5267grt) and boarded. Scuttling charges
thrown overboard and
ship taken to Mauritius by naval party.
27th
- Located
tanker TROCAS reported missing and
escorted her to Mauritius.
29th
- Passage
to Colombo.
April
2nd
- Arrived
at Colombo.
11th
- Escorted
convoy from Madras to Singapore
12th
- Relieved
by HM Cruiser CERES and returned to
Colombo.
14th
- Deployed
for support of military operations in
Persian Gulf.
Escorted
convoy BM7 to Basra.
18th
- Joined
HM Cruiser EMERALD on arrival in Persian
Gulf.
19th
- Covered
landings at Shatt el Arab.
22nd
- When
released from support duties took
passage to Colombo to Join Hunting Group
V. (Note: Group comprised HM Aircraft
Carrier EAGLE, HM Cruisers CORNWALL and
HAWKINS
to search for raiders operating in
Indian Ocean).
29th
- Took
part in search for German raider PINGUIN
south of Maldives.
May
3rd
- Arrived
at Colombo.
6th
- Escorted
military Convoy US10B in Indian Ocean.
(Convoy
included troopships AQUITANIA, ILE DE
FRANCE and MAURITANIA).
7th
- Detached
for interception patrol duty.
14th
- Returned
to Colombo Nominated for service in
Mediterranean.
23rd
- Took
passage to Aden
29th
- At
Aden.
June
1st.
Took passage to Alexandria to join 7th
Cruiser
Squadron. (Note: This deployment was
made necessary because of heavy losses
sustained during operations off Crete.
See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C
Barnett and Naval Staff History
(HMSO-2002).)
4th
- On
arrival 2 pdr pom-pom fitted (Ex HM
Cruiser LIVERPOOL).
13th
- Relieved
HM Cruiser AJAX in support duty of
military operations in Syria. (Operation
EXPORTER) Deployed with HM Cruiser
PHOEBE, HM
Destroyers JACKAL, JANUS, KANDAHAR and
KIMBERLEY. Bombarded shore targets in
Sidon.
14th
- Repeated
bombardment of shore targets. Carried
out search to north near Beirut with HM
Cruiser COVENTRY and destroyers.
Intercepted two Vichy French GUEPARD
Class destroyers which withdrew at high
speed. Under fire, liable to overtake
and withdrew.
15th
- Resumed
patrol with HMS PHOEBE, HMS COVENTRY and
destroyers. Provided further gunfire
support to military advance.
22nd
- Deployed
with HM Cruiser NAIAD, HM Destroyers
JAGUAR and KINGSTON in search close
inshore north of Beirut. Engaged Vichy
French destroyers GUEPARD
and VALNY which withdrew. Sustained
slight damage from unexploded 6in shell.
25th
- Repeated
offensive sweep north of Beirut with HM
Destroyers DECOY, HAVOCK and NORMAN
26th
- HM
Cruisers PERTH and CARLISLE joined as
reliefs. Took passage with COVENTRY to
Alexandria.
July
Deployed
for
transfer of Army and RAF personnel to
reinforce garrison in Cyprus. (Operation
GUILLOTINE). Took passage to Haifa.
19th
- Embarked
Army and RAF personnel at Haifa for
passage to Cyprus with HMS KINGSTON.
20th
- Embarked
troops at Port Said for passage to
Cyprus.
21st
- Passage
to Haifa from Cyprus. (Note: Other
ships deployed on GUILLOTINE included HM
Cruiser NEPTUNE, destroyers of 14th
Flotilla, HM Sloops PARAMATTA
(RAN) and FLAMINGO.)
22nd
- Deployed
with HMS AJAX, HM Destroyers JAGUAR,
JERVIS, KANDAHAR and KINGSTON for patrol
south of Crete as
part of Mediterranean Fleet operation.
24th
- Detached
with HMS JAGUAR to embark troops for
Cyprus at Port Said.
26th
- After
disembarking passengers returned to Port
Said.
31st
- Took
passage to Colombo for return to New
Zealand after embarking RNZVR personnel.
(Note: Signal from Admiralty to NZ Navy
Board was sent in appreciation of the
very significant
contribution made by this cruiser during
service with the fleet in the
Mediterranean at a very crucial stage).
August
Docked
in
Colombo for routine inspections. On
completion took passage to Fremantle.
Escorted
ss CERAMIC from Fremantle to Sydney.
28th
- On arrival in Sydney rejoined New
Zealand Division.
September
5th
- Escorted
troopship AQUITANIA to Wellington
Passage
to Auckland.
8th
- Arrived
at Auckland.
12th
- Taken
in hand for refit in HM Dockyard
Auckland. (Note:
Aircraft facilities removed and
additional close range AA armament
fitted.)
October
Under
refit.
1st
- Royal
New Zealand Navy formed and ship became
HMNZS LEANDER.
W
a r S e r v i
c e
a s
H
M N Z S L
E A N D E R
November
Carried
out
Post refit trials.
8th
- On
completion deployed for escort of ships
on passage between New Zealand and
Equator. Two successive trips were
made before redeployment.
December
Escorted
two
military convoys to Suva.
1
9 4 2
January
10th
- Deployed
on escort and cover of military convoys
to Suva with HMAS AUSTRALIA and PERTH,
and HMNZS ACHILLES.
19th
- Returned
to Sydney with HMAS AUSTRALIA and PERTH.
29th
- Passage
to Melbourne with HMAS AUSTRALIA, PERTH,
ADELAIDE and USN ships.
31st
- Nominated
to join ANZAC Squadron with HMAS
AUSTRALIA for joint operations in South
West Pacific with US Navy.
February
3rd
- Relieved
HMNZS ACHILLES in escort of convoy to
Brisbane.
On
arrival took passage to Suva.
12th
- Joined
ANZAC Squadron at Suva with HMAS
AUSTRALIA, HMNZS ACHILLES, HM Australian
Armed Merchant Cruiser
MONOWAI, US cruiser USS CHICAGO and two
US Navy
destroyers.
14th
- Deployed
on patrol between Fiji and New
Caledonia.
18th
- Deployed
with all Squadron to join Task Force 11
for assault on Rabaul.
20th
- Under
intense Japanese air attacks which
seriously reduced fuel and ammunition
supply. Returned to Suva to re-arm
and refuel.
March
3rd
- Escorted
Convoy PW3034 to Brisbane from Suva with
HMNZS ACHILLES and US cruiser USS
PORTLAND.
17th
- On
return from Brisbane took passage with
HMNZS ACHILLES as escort for ss
WESTRALIA to Etape, New Hebrides with
stores and personnel to build airstrip.
18th
- Remained
at Etape with ss WESTRALIA during
unloading of stores and personnel.
Sailed
for Noumea on completion.
28th
- Deployed
with Squadron as escort for military
convoy to Suva.
April
1st
- Joined
Convoy BT 201 during passage from Panama
and escorted it to Brisbane.
8th
- Arrived
at Brisbane.
10th
- Took
independent passage to Noumea.
28th
- Joined
Task Group 12.2 with USS LAMSON, HMNZS
ACHILLES, US Destroyers USS HELM and USS
HENLEY.
Escorted
Convoy PW2059 off Pago Pago for
passage to Vila.
May
5th
- Carried
out night patrols in New Hebrides.
19th
- Re-deployed
for support of planned assault
operations.
28th
- Landed
troops troops from Vila at Espiritu
Santo to occupy island.
June
1st
- Sailed
from Vila with US destroyers to join SW
Pacific Force at Suva.
4th
- Joined
Convoy PW2076 and escorted some ships to
Suva.
11th
- Deployed
for escort of convoys from Auckland and
Fiji.
July
Pacific
convoy
escort in continuation.
August
Transferred
to
Pago Pago and escorted convoy from San
Francisco to Noumea.
September
Transferred
to
Task Force 64 based at Espiritu Santo.
Passage
to join Task Force.
12th
- Joined
Task Force on arrival.
14th
- Deployed
on escort duty with convoy to Tonga.
18th
- Carried
out patrol off Guadalcanal anchorage off
Lung Point with TF64 ships.
Escorted
empty merchant ships from Guadalcanal
to Espiritu Santo.
October
Task
Force
64 convoy escort and support in
continuation.
10th
- Joined
convoy south of Fiji and escorted to
Auckland.
November
Passage
from
Auckland to Noumea.
December
6th
- At
Auckland.
16th
- Passage
from Noumea to Espiritu Santo to join
TG16.6.
19th
- Withdrawn
from operational service for repair of
cracked plating of fuel tank.
Took
passage to Auckland. On arrival, taken
in hand for repair by
HM Dockyard, Auckland.
1
9 4 3
January
to February
Under
repair
March
Post
refit
trials and prepared for operational
service. Took passage to Espiritu Santo
to rejoin US Task Force.
April
to May
Deployed
on
escort duty between Pearl Harbour, Bora
Bora and Noumea
June
Nominated
for
transfer to Task Force 18.
17th
- Passage
to Espiritu Santu.
Joined
Task Force at Espiritu Santo.
July
Task
Force
deployment in continuation.
7th
- Replaced
US cruiser USS HELENA after she had been
lost in Battle of Kula Gulf.
11th
- Rejoined
TF18 off Savo Island and deployed on
patrol off Guadalcanal for the
interception of Japanese troopships
attempting to reinforce garrison on
Munda, New Georgia.
12th
- Refuelled
at Tulagi and joined USS HONOLULU, USS
ST. LOUIS and destroyers for
continuation of interception patrol off
Guadalcanal.
13th
- During
deployment in Guadalcanal area took part
in Battle of Kolambangara in Gulf .
Casualties: 3 killed; 24 Missing and 8
injured.
14th
- Arrived
at Tulagi.
15th
- Under
temporary repair off Tulagi with
combined US/RAN force. Engaged Japanese
cruiser JINTSU and destroyers HAMAKAZE,
KIYONAMI, MIKAZUKI, YUGURE and
YUKIKAZE. (Note: Although JINTSU was
sunk, the torpedoes fired failed to hit
any destroyer.) Hit by 24in LONG LANCE
torpedo on port side amidships causing
extensive damage and wrecking No 1
Boiler Room. Considerable flooding
and fuel supply contaminated by sea
water. Good
damage control enabled steam to be
maintained from No 3 Boiler Room and
ship was able to return to base. (Note:
Hole in A Boiler Room measured 3m
x 6m.)
21st
- Passage
to New Zealand via Espiritu Santu.
29th
- Arrived
at Auckland for further repair.
August to
October
Permanent
repair
arranged in US Navy Dockyard, Boston,
Mass. Under repair to allow passage.
November
23rd
- Took
passage via Panama for refit and repair.
December
14th
- Panama
Canal transit.
23rd
- Arrived
at Boston for repair and refit
1
9 4 4
January to December
Under
repair. (Note:
Reverted to RN control in May)
X
Turret was removed and replaced by
Quadruple Pom-Pom mounting. Some
preparatory work to fit new radar and
change secondary armament was done.
S
e r v i
c e
a s
H M S L E A
N D E R
1
9 4 5
January
to June
Under
repair
and refit
July
Carried
out
Port Refit trials
August
Prepared
for
return passage to UK on completion of
trials.