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.
