Ajax

H.M.S. Ajax

(Neptun 1146)

Class: Leander (1st group) - 5 cruisers of 1929-31
Displacement: 6,985 tons
Dimensions: 522 (pp) 554.5 (oa) x 55.75 x 15.5 ft
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, SHP 72,000 = 32.5 knots
Armor: Main belt 2-4in, deck 2in, turrets 1in, DCT 1in
Armament: 8-6in (4x2), 8-4in AA (4x2), 12-.5in AA (3x4) guns, 8-21in TT (2x4); 1 aircraft
Complement: 570

Service: Served on the America and West Indies Station from completion, then part of South American Division in Sep 1939. Operating off the River Plate, she intercepted the German merchantmen Carl Fritzen, Olinda, and Ussukuma. As part of Force G she participated in the hunt for, and action with, Admiral Graf Spee, being hit seven times during the Battle of the River Plate, 13 Dec 1939. Under repair to Jul 1940, then joined the 7th C.S. in the Mediterranean. On 11/12 Oct she engaged Italian forces, sinking the torpedo boats Airone and Ariel, and badly damaging the destroyer Artigliere, which was later sunk. Participated in Battle of Cape Matapan and the evacuation from Crete, removing the last troops on 29 Apr 1941. Hit by bombs from Ju87's of III/StGr2 on 21 May. Covered Syrian operations in Jun, joined Force K at Malta in Nov, but withdrawn Feb 1942. Refitting in England, May-Oct 1942, then returned to Mediterranean. Damaged by bombs again, necessitating repairs in New York, Mar-Oct 1943. Returned to Med again, then to Normandy with Force K at Gold Beach, and at landings in S. France. Operated in Aegean during reoccupation of Athens and the communist uprising in Greece. Laid up postwar, she was broken up in Nov 1949.