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HMS Leander, British light cruiser, WW2

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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2004

HMNZS LEANDER  - Leander-class Light Cruiser  
including Convoy Escort Movements

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net

HMS Leander

(NP/Mark Teadham, click photographs for enlargements)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
if any ads offend, please contact me
 
 

LEANDER-Class cruiser ordered under the 1930 programme from HM Dockyard Devonport on 18th February 1930. The ship was laid down on 8th September that year and launched on 24th September 1931 She was the 5th RN ship to carry the name, introduced in 1780 for a 4th Rate and last used for a cruiser in 1882 which was sold in 1920. Build was completed on 28th March 1933 and she commissioned for service in the 2nd Cruiser Squadron Home Fleet. Although nominated for transfer to the New Zealand Division in 1936 the ship did not go to New Zealand until the next year due to the outbreak of the Spanish civil war. After attending the Coronation Review in 1937 HMS LEANDER took passage to New Zealand via the Panama Canal and was serving in the Pacific in September 1939.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

TENERIFFE 1797 - NILE 1798 - ALGIERS 1816  - BLACK SEA 1854-55 - KULA GULF  1943

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge:  On a Field Blue. an arm in armour holding a lance proper, between

two lotus flowers Silver, over wavelets gold and green.

(Note:  In a Circular frame).

 

M o t t o

Qui Patitur Vincit :    'Who suffers conquers’

 

D e t a i l s  o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

 

1 9 3 9

 

September             Deployed with New Zealand Division.

                3rd          On passage to Fanning Island in mid Pacific (Part of Gilbert and Ellis Group, south

                                of Hawaii with 35 troops to protect cable installation.

                13th        Landed troops with stores and returned to Auckland.

                25th        Sailed to Auckland Islands and Campbell Islands in Southern Ocean to investigate the

                                likelihood of their use by Germany for bases.

October

                1st           Called at Wellington during return passage to Auckland.

 

November              Deployed for further visit to Auckland and Campbell Islands.

 

December              On return remained at short notice for sea in Auckland.

                24th        Transferred to Wellington and remained at short notice.

                                Nominated for escort of military convoy.

 

1 9 4 0

 

January

                5th          Escorted troopships DUNERA II and SOBIESKI to join Convoy US1

                6th          Joined HM Battleship RAMILLIES as escort for US1 during passage to Australia with NZ

                                Army contingent.

                                (Note: mv CANBERRA and other troops ships were in US1)

                11th        On relief by HM Australian Cruisers AUSTRALIA and SYDNEY too return passage to

                                Auckland

 

February                Deployed at Auckland.

                6th          At Waitanga for anniversaries marking New Zealand foundation.

                23rd        At Auckland when HMNZS ACHILLES arrived on return from River Plate victory.

 

March                    Deployed in New Zealand waters.

 

April                       Nominated for escort of military convoy.

                24th        At Wellington waiting for departure of military convoy

 

May

                2nd         Escorted troopships AQUTTANIA, EMPRESS OF BRITAIN and EMPRESS OF JAPAN

                during passage to Australia as Convoy US2 taking second batch of troops of 1st NZ Army

                Division for active service.

                (Note: HM Australian Cruisers AUSTRALIA and CANBERRA also escorted US2).

                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                         Red Sea Force deployment in continuation.

to                            Escorted convoys from Men to Port Sudan area and Suez convoys to Bombay into the Indian

August                  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 BNW 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 HMBERLEY 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 en factory at Banda Abula, Italian Somaliland.

                                After recovery bombarded shore targets firing 98 rounds of 6".

 

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 RAMS I that opened fire when at 3,000 yards range and shots

                fell short.

                Engaged enemy ships which was hit and them 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 BROVKK (captured Norwegian tanker)

                scuttled on approach.).

                8th          At Mauritius with HMAS CANBERRA to refuel.

                10th        Sailed from Mauritius with HMAS CANBERRA to meet H M 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 (5267 grt) 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 MDRE 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 6" 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

 

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.

 

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,

                                HMNZS ACHILLES and HMAS PERTH.

                19th        Returned to Sydney with HMAS AUSTRALIA and HMAS PERTH.

                29th        Passage to Melbourne with HMAS AUSTRALIA, HMAS PERTH, HMAS 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, HMAS 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 cut patrol off Guadalcanal anchorage off Lung Point with TF64 ships.

                                Escorted enpty 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                  Under repair

to

February

 

March                    Post refit trials and prepared for operational service.

                                Took passage to Espiritu Santo to rejoin US Task Force.

 

April                       Deployed on escort duty between Pearl Harbour, Bora Bora and Noumea

to

May

 

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 24" 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 enable 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                  Permanent repair arranged in US Navy Dockyard, Boston, Mass.

to                            Under repair to allow passage.

October

 

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                  Under repair.

to                            (Note: Reverted to RN control in May)

December              "X" Turret was removed and replaced by Quadruple Pom-Pom mounting)

                                Some preparatory work to fit new radar and change secondary armament was done.)

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Under repair and refit

to

June

 

July                         Carried out Port Refit trials

 

August                  Prepared for return passage to UK on completion of trials.

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS LEANDER sailed from Boston on 27/8/45 and after call at Montreal to embark gold reserves took  passage to UK. She arrived at Rosyth in September and refit work was continued in a Tyneside shipyard during 1946. Further work was undertaken at Portsmouth before she was re-commissioned in September 1946 for service in 1st Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet. The ship escaped with no damage when, in company with HM Cruiser MAURITIUS, HM Destroyers SAUMAREZ and VOLAGE, the ships entered an Albania minefield off Corfu. Fleet service in the Mediterranean ended in December 1947 when she returned to pay off at Chatham and reduce to Reserve status. Placed on the Disposal List she was sold to BISCO for demolition by Hughes Bolcow in December 1949. Before being towed to the breaker’s yard the ship was used as a trials target and arrived at the Blyth in January 1950.

 

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS LEANDER

by Don Kindell

 

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above

 

Date convoy         Joined convoy           Convoy No.           Left convoy           Date convoy

sailed                     as escort                                                                                  arrived

 

23/06/40                 02/07/40                     BN 001                   10/07/40                 12/07/40

17/07/40                 26/07/40                     BN 002                   03/08/40                 05/08/40

31/07/40                 03/08/40                     BS 002                    09/08/40                 09/08/40

10/08/40                 15/08/40                     BN 003                   21/08/40                 23/08/40

18/08/40                 21/08/40                     BS 003                    25/08/40                 26/08/40

25/08/40                 01/09/40                     BN 004                   08/09/40                 11/09/40

05/09/40                 08/09/40                     BS 004                    13/09/40                 13/09/40

10/09/40                 19/09/40                     BN 005                   23/09/40                 26/09/40

20/09/40                 23/09/40                     BS 005                    28/09/40                 28/09/40

23/09/40                 04/10/40                     BN 006                   09/10/40                 11/10/40

05/10/40                 11/10/40                     BS 006                    13/10/40                 13/10/40

10/10/40                 16/10/40                     BN 007                   23/10/40                 26/10/40

20/10/40                 unknown                   BS 007                    28/10/40                 28/10/40

25/10/40                 03/11/40                     BN 008                   06/11/40                 11/11/40

04/11/40                 unknown                   BS 008                    12/11/40                 12/11/40

18/11/40                 18/11/40                     BN 009                   22/11/40                 25/11/40

19/11/40                 23/11/40                     BS 009                    26/11/40                 26/11/40

27/12/40                 27/12/40                     BN 012                   09/01/41                 09/01/41

03/01/41                 unknown                   BS 012                    12/01/41                 11/01/41

11/04/41                 11/04/41                     BM 006                  12/04/41                 16/04/41

03/06/43                 03/06/43                     BT 203/1                11/06/43                 14/06/43

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

return to Contents List 
 

further editing and formatting is required

 

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revised 6/04/10


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