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June                        Commissioned for service in the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS PERTH

 

July                         Post refit trials and shakedown in Home waters.

 

August                  Took passage from Portsmouth for Sydney.

                                Retained in West Indies when Fleet mobilised.

 

September             Deployed in West Indies based at Bermuda for trade defence and interception of blockade-runners.

 

October

                4th          Escorted Convoy KJ3 from Kingston with HMS Cruiser BERWICK for part of Atlantic passage

                                to UK.

                9th          On relief by HM Cruiser EFFINGHAM returned to Bermuda.

                11th        Sustained slight structural damage in hurricane.

                24th        Deployed in search for German Battleship DEUTSCHLAND reported to be carrying out commerce

                                raiding activities in West Indies area.

 

November              Deployed in Pacific Ocean for trade protection and interception duties with HM Canadian Destroyers

                                OTTAWA and RESTIGOUCHE.

                25th        Refuelled Canadian destroyers.

 

December              Returned to Caribbean area and met HM Cruiser EFFINGHAM.

                                Took passage to Bermuda with HMS EFFINGHAM.

 

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January                  Interception and trade defence duties based at Bermuda in continuation.

                                Deployed in south Caribbean based at Kingston, Jamaica.

 

February                Caribbean deployment in continuation.

                                Released from RN deployment in West Indies.

 

March                    Passage to Sydney to join RAN.

                31st         Arrived at Sydney

 

April                       Deployed for trade protection off eastern Australia.

 

May

                5th          Part of escort for military Convoy US2 with HM Cruiser LEANDER of the New Zealand Division

                of the Royal Navy, HM Australian Cruisers AUSTRALIA and CANBERRA.

                (Note: This convoy included rms QUEEN MARY, MAURETANIA, AQUITANIA, EMPRESS OF

                BRITAIN and EMPRESS OF JAPAN which were taking ANZAC troops to UK via the Red

                Sea although later diverted via Cape of Good Hope in case Italy entered hostilities.

                Detached in Indian Ocean after call at Fremantle.

 

June                        Trade Protection and interception duties in continuation.

                29th        Escorted rms STRATHMORE TO Bass Strait and resumed patrol.

 

July                         Deployed off eastern Australia.

 

August

                20th        Carried out search for German raider ORION with HM Australian Cruiser ADELAIDE off Gabo Island

                                following receipt of “Raider” signal.

                30th        Part of escort for convoy in Tasman Sea with HM Cruiser ACHILLES OF New Zealand Division

                                of the Royal Navy.

 

 September            Deployed for convoy defence in Australian coastal waters between Sydney and Fremantle.

                Carried out interception patrols off Cocos Islands.

                Nominated for detached service in the Mediterranean.

 

October                  Convoy defence and patrol in continuation.

                                Transfer to Mediterranean Fleet for service with 7th Cruiser Squadron approved.

 

November              Passage to New Zealand for escort of military convoy.

                                Joined escort for convoy US7.

                22nd       Detached from US7 in Tasman Sea to carry out search for German Raider PINGUIN.

                28th        Rejoined US7 at Fremantle for Ocean Escort during passage in Indian Ocean.

 

December              Escorted US7 with HM Australian Cruiser CANBERRA.

                12th        Detached from US7 for service at Aden.

                18th        Joined military convoy WS4 at Aden with HM Destroyer KINGSTON, HM Australian Sloop

                                YARRA and HM Indian Sloop INDUS AS ESCORT DURING Red Sea passage to Suez.

                20th        HMAS YARRA and HMIS INDUS detached.

                23rd        Detached from WS4 at Suez.

                30th        Joined Squadron at Alexandria as relief for HM Australian Cruiser SYDNEY.

 

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January                  Passage to Suda Bay for Squadron duties.

                7th          Deployed with HM Cruisers ORION and YORK IN Aegean Sea to provide cover for the

                passage of convoys to Piraeus and Alexandria.

                (Operation EXCESS –See THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre,

                ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett, THE NAVAL WAR IN THE

                MEDITERRANEAN by Greene and Massignani.)

                9th          Deployed with HMS ORION and HMS YORK as Force “D “and joined HM Aircraft Carrier

                ILLUSTRIOUS, H M Battleships WARSPITE and VALIANT screened by HM Destroyers

                DAINTY, GALLANT, GREYHOUND, GRIFFIN, JERVIS, JUNO, NUBIAN and MOHAWK

                as screen (Force “A”). Passage south of Malta to meet EXCESS convoy.

                10th        Met EXCESS convoy south of Pantelleria.

                (Note: HMS GALLANT struck a mine and was disabled.)

                Under air attacks by German Fliegerkorps 60 miles east of Malta during which HM Aircraft

                ILLUSTRIOUS was hit and sustained major damage.

                11th        Detached from EXCESS convoy with HMS ORION, HM Destroyers JERVIS and JANUS to

                assist HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER and SOUTHAMPTON which had been severely damaged

                in air attacks whilst on passage from Malta to rejoin convoy.

                Took part in rescue of survivors from HMS SOUTHAMPTON which had to be sunk by HMS

                ORION. HM Destroyer DIAMOND also assisted. Landed survivors in Malta and took passage

                to rejoin EXCESS convoy.

                12th        Rejoined convoy and later detached with HMS PERTH and HMS JANUS TO ESCORT three

                                mercantiles to Suda Bay.

                15th        Passage to Malta from Suda Bay.

                16th        Slightly damaged during air attacks on HMS ILLUSTRIOUS which was under repair in Malta

                                Took passage to Alexandria to rejoin Fleet.

                18th        Arrived at Alexandria.

                21st         Took passage to join escort for HMS ILLUSTRIOUS during return passage to Alexandra.

                23rd        Joined HM Battleships BARHAM, and VALIANT as part of screen for HMS ILLUSTRIOUS

                                during passage in eastern Mediterranean

                25th        Arrived at Alexandria with escort for HMS ILLUSTRIOUS.

                26th        Passage to Suda Bay,.

                28th        Deployed for patrol and escort of convoys to Piraeus.

 

February                Returned to Alexandria for refit.

                7th          Inspected by Australian Prime Minister.

                12th        Under refit during which 2pdr Pom-pom mounting was fitted to improve air defence.

                24th        Deployed with HM Destroyers MOHAWK and NUBIAN to escort HM Monitor TERROR

                                which was under tow to Alexandria after being badly damaged in air attacks

                27th        Deployed with HM Cruiser BONAVENTURE, HM Destroyers DECOY, HASTY, HERO

                                and JAGUAR to take troops to Casteloriza in support of landing by Commando units landed

                                on 25th (Operation ABSTENTION)

                                After troops landed carried out patrol north of the island.

                28th        Provided cover for evacuation of troops when operation abandoned. See above references.

                29th        Passage to Alexandria with HMS DECOY and HMS HASTY after call at Suda Bay.

 

March

                7th          Embarked troops at Alexandria for passage to Piraeus (Operation LUSTRE)

                8th          Disembarked troops and took passage to Alexandria.

                17th        Deployed with HMS AJAX and HMS ORION for transfer of troops to Greece.

                19th        After disembarking troops at Piraeus escorted Convoy AG9 in Aegean with RAN destroyers.

                20th        Joined Mediterranean Fleet units with HM Cruisers AJAX and ORION (Operation MC6).

                (Note: Ships of Mediterranean Fleet deployed to cover passage of Convoy MW6 to Malta were

                HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HM Battleships BARHAM ,VALIANT and

                WARSPITE, HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER and YORK with destroyer screen.)

                21st         On release from covering duties for MW6 resumed convoy defence in Aegean.

                26th        Sailed from Piraeus with HMS ORION, HMS AJAX and HMS GLOUCESTER,

                HM Destroyers HEREWARD and VENDETTA (RAN) as Force “B” to meet units of the

                Mediterranean Fleet on passage from Alexandria to intercept major Italian Fleet known to be

                intent on attacks on military convoys in the Aegean.

                27th        Owing to delay during passage of Mediterranean Fleet remained in south of Aegean.

                28th        Came under fire from Italian battleship VITTORIO VENETO and withdrew with ships

                                of Force “B” out of range but remained in contact.

                28th        After arrival of Mediterranean Fleet took part in the Battle of Matapan.

                                (For details see Naval Staff History, MATAPAN by SW Pack and above references.

                29th        Resumed defence of military convoys to Greece in Aegean.

                                (Part of Operation LUSTRE –Reinforcement of allied forces in Greece.)

 

April                       Returned to Alexandria.

                12th        Deployed with HM Cruisers AJAX and ORION to cover offensive sweep by destroyers

                                of Mediterranean Fleet off Ras-el-Tin.

                19th        Escorted supply ship HMS BRECONSHIRE with HM Destroyer HOTSPUR to Malta

                                from Alexandria.

                20th        Joined Mediterranean Fleet units providing cover for passage of Convoy ME7/

                empty supply ships from Malta.

                Deployed with HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HM Cruisers AJAX and ORION

                as Force “C”and detached with four destroyers as screen for passage to Tripoli area.

                21st         Deployed with Force “C” to provide cover for bombardment of Tripoli by Force “B”

                (Operation MD2 – Force “B” bombarded targets and comprised HM, Battleships

                WARSPITE, BARHAM and VALIANT, HM Cruiser GLOUCESTER with screen of

                nine destroyers.)

                24th        Deployed with HM Cruiser PHOEBE to cover passage of Convoy AG13 to Pireaus and

                                carried out patrol in Kithera Channel.

                26th        Carried out offensive sweep off Nauphlia, Greece with HMS ORION, HMS PHOEBE and

                HM Destroyer DEFENDER.

                Embarked troops at Nauplia.

                27th        Covered passage of evacuation Convoy GA14 with HMS PHOEBE, HM Destroyers HASTY

                                and DECOY.

                28th        Took part in evacuation of allied troops at Kalamata with HMS PHOEBE, HM Destroyers

                DECOY, HASTY, KANDAHAR, KIMBERLEY and KINGSTON.

                Withdrew when fires ashore silhouetted ships and forced to leave many soldiers behind.

                29th        Covered final evacuation Convoy GA16 during passage through Kasos Strait to Alexandria

                with HM Cruiser CARLISLE, HM Sloop AUCKLAND, HM Destroyers KANDAHAR,

                KINGSTON, DECOY and DEFENDER.

 

May

                6th          Sailed from Alexandria with HMS FORMIDABLE, BARHAM, VALIANT, WARSPITE,

                AJAX, ORION, HM Minelaying Cruiser ABDIEL and HMS BRECONSHIRE to give

                cover for passage of Convoy MW7 to Malta (Operation MD4).

                9th          Remained off Malta with Fleet units and joined TIGER Convoy.

                (Note: TIGER Convoy was bringing tanks and supplies to Eighth Army in Egypt from

                UK. See above references,)

                10th        Took up position to north of TIGER convoy to provide cover during passage to Alexandria.

                14th        Deployed with HM Cruisers NAIAD and PHOEBE, HM Destroyers GREYHOUND and

                                HASTY as Force “D” to cover passage of reinforcement convoy to Crete.

                20th        During patrol of Crete with HMS NAIAD, HM Destroyers NUBIAN, JUNO, KANDAHAR

                and KINGSTON to intercept invasion craft came under air attack and by torpedo boats which

                were repelled.

                21st         Under air attacks in Kaso Strait and reinforced by HM Cruisers CALCUTTA and CARLISLE.

                22nd       In action against invasion convoy south of Milo and under heavy and sustained air attacks.

                Hit on Bridge structure which destroyed fire-control electrical circuits.

                Took passage to Alexandria for repair.

                23rd        Taken in hand for repair.

                28th        On completion rejoined Fleet units off Crete for evacuation of allied troops

                Deployed with HMS CALCUTTA, HMS COVENTRY, HMS PHOEBE, HMS HASTY.

                HMS JANUS, HMS JERVIS and HM Auxiliary GLENGYLE as Force “D””

                30th        Embarked 6,000 troops with ships of Force “D” from Spakhia and under air attacks.

                                Took passage without serious damage.

                31st         Under further air attacks during return passage to Alexandria.

                                Sustained damage to Forward Boiler Room.

 

June

                2nd         Taken in hand for repair at Alexandria.

                25th        On completion took passage to join support operations with Fleet units off Syrian coast.

                                (Operation EXPORTER).

                26th        Relieved HM Cruiser LEANDER and took part in offensive sweep to intercept Vichy

                                warships

 

July                         EXPORTER deployment to support military operations in continuation.

                7th          Bombarded Vichy shore battery at Abney, Damour.

                                Took passage to Alexandria and bombed by RAF aircraft without damage.

                12th        Whilst at Alexandria nominated for return to RAN service following Japanese threat

                                of attacks.

                18th        Sailed from Alexandria for passage to Sydney.

 

August                  On passage.

                12th        Rejoined RAN and taken in hand for refit.

 

September             Under refit.

 to

November

 

December              Post refit trials.

                8th          Deployed with HM Australian Cruiser CANBERRA for patrol in Tasman Sea.

                12th        Escorted US troop convoy with HMAS CANBERRA for final part of passage to Australia.

                19th        Escorted US troop convoy to New Caledonia with HMAS CANBERRA and

                                HM New Zealand Cruiser ACHILLES.

                22nd       Return passage to Sydney with HMAS CANBERRA and HMNZS ACHILLES.

                29th        Escorted military convoy ZK5 from Sydney to Port Moresby, New Guinea with

                                HMAS AUSTRALIA, HMAS CANBERRA, HMNZS ACHILLES and two RAN

                                Sloops.

 

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January                  Nominated for service with ABDA Command. for convoy defence.

                13th        Escorted ss RANGATIRA with HMNZS ACHILLES.

                29th        Transferred to ANZAC FORCE with HM Australian Cruisers AUSTRALIA, ADELAIDE, CANBERRA

                                and HOBART under overall US Navy command.

                31st         Took passage to Fremantle for convoy defence duties.

 

February

                15th        Escorted military Convoy MS4 for passage to Singapore.

                21st         After fall of Singapore detached from MS4 and took passage to join the Western

                                Striking Force of ABDA Command in East Indies.

                24th        Joined HM Cruiser EXETER, HM Australian Cruiser HOBART. HM Destroyers

                                JUPITER, ELECTRA and ENCOUNTER at Tanjong Priok.

                25th        Transferred to Eastern Striking Force at Soerabaya with same ships except HMAS

                HOBART which had been damaged in air attacks.

                (See WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).

                27th        Joined Combined Striking Force comprising Dutch cruisers DE RUYTER and JAVA,

                HMS ELECTRA, US Cruiser HOUSTON, HM Destroyers ELECTRA, ENCOUNTER

                and JUPITER, Dutch Destroyers DE WITTE and KORTENAER, US Destroyers JOHN

                D EDWARDS ALDEN, and JOHN DF FORD.

                In action with Japanese warships covering passage of invasion convoys to Java during

                which the Flagship DE RUYTER. HMS EXETER and Dutch destroyer KORTENAER

                were sunk. Both USS HOUSTON and HMS EXETER were badly damaged and unable

                to contribute to further action.

                Took over command of allied ships after loss of DE RUYTER.

                (Battle of the Java Sea. See above reference for details.)

                Withdrew from action and took passage to Java.

 

March

                1st           In action with Japanese cruisers MOGAMI and MIKUMA escorting invasion fleet with

                destroyers, two of which were sunk. Later ship was disabled by surface gunfire and

                three torpedoes. A fourth torpedo struck the ship whilst being abandoned and she

                then sank. Over 300 of ships company lost their lives and 307 became prisoners of war.

                Sadly 105 of these died in captivity. For details see WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO)

                (Casualty List - note on casualties)