#lightcruiser

HMS Edinburgh was a British light cruiser of the Royal Navy, launched in 1938 and commissioned in 1939. She was the last ship of the Town-class cruisers and was designed for speed, long-range patrols, and protection of merchant convoys during the Second World War. Armed with twelve 6-inch guns and equipped with anti-aircraft weapons and torpedo tubes, HMS Edinburgh was one of the Royal Navy’s most modern cruisers at the outbreak of war.

During the early years of the war, Edinburgh served in the North Atlantic and Arctic waters. Her duties included escorting convoys, protecting shipping routes, and intercepting German naval forces. She also took part in operations against German-occupied Norway including the raid on the German-occupied Lofoten Islands, on 4 May 1941.

In April 1942, while escorting Convoy QP 11 from Russia back to Britain, she was struck by two torpedoes fired by the German submarine U-456. Although badly damaged, the cruiser attempted to return to safety with assistance from British destroyers. However, she was attacked again by German destroyers in the Barents Sea. After fierce fighting and further torpedo damage, the order was given to abandon ship.

HMS Gloucester enters Malta during the late 1930s. Note the neutrality markings on her turrets for recognition during the Spanish Civil War. Gloucester was sunk during the Battle for Crete on 22 May 1941.

HMS Southampton was the lead ship of the Southampton subclass of the Town-class light cruisers, launched in 1936 and commissioned in March 1937. Her main armament consisted of twelve 6-inch guns mounted in four triple turrets, supported by anti-aircraft weapons and torpedo tubes.

At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, Southampton served with the Home Fleet and participated in patrols in the North Sea. She was involved in operations against German naval forces and helped intercept enemy shipping. In 1940 she took part in the Norwegian Campaign, supporting Allied troops during the fighting around Norway. Later that year she joined Force H in the Mediterranean, where British naval forces attempted to protect convoys and challenge Italian naval operations.

She participated in the Battle of Cape Spartivento in November 1940 and carried out bombardments and convoy escort duties around Malta and North Africa. However, increasing German air power posed a serious threat to British warships operating in confined Mediterranean waters.

HMS Fiji was the lead ship of the Fiji-class (also called the Crown Colony-class) of light cruisers. Commissioned in 1940.

Alberico da Barbiano was a Giussano-class light cruiser of the Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy), commissioned in the early 1930s and lost in combat during World War II. Designed to match fast destroyers, her conception reflected Italian naval doctrine that emphasised speed and offensive firepower over armour protection.

Built by Ansaldo at Genoa, Italy, Alberico da Barbiano was laid down on 16 April 1928, launched on 23 August 1930, and commissioned on 9 June 1931. Her overall dimensions were 169.3 m in length, 15.5 m beam, and 5.3 m draught. Standard displacement was approximately 6,571 tonnes, rising to 6,954 tonnes at full load. She was powered by six boilers feeding two shafts producing about 95,000 shp, intended to yield a design speed of 37 knots; during trials she briefly exceeded this, reaching over 42 knots under forced power.

As built, Alberico da Barbiano carried eight 152 mm/53 calibre main guns in four twin turrets, providing significant punch against surface opponents. Secondary armament comprised six 100 mm guns, while anti-aircraft defence included eight 37 mm guns and eight 13.2 mm machine guns. The cruiser also had four 533 mm torpedo tubes. She carried two seaplanes (initially CANT 25AR, later Ro.43) with a single catapult for reconnaissance.

Armour was deliberately light, with a 20 mm deck, 24 mm belt, 23 mm turret plating, and a 40 mm conning tower, characteristic of Italian light cruisers prioritising agility over protection.

In the late 1930s, Da Barbiano served in the Spanish Civil War, escorting Italian shipping supporting Nationalist forces. With Italy’s entry into World War II in June 1940, she joined the 4th Cruiser Division. On 9 July 1940, she participated in the Battle of Calabria (Punta Stilo) against the British Mediterranean Fleet. Through summer operations she performed convoy escort and minelaying missions, but her class’s light protection spurred her brief reassignment as a training ship on 1 September 1940, returning to active service on 1 March 1941.

HNLMS De Ruyter (1935) was a light cruiser of the Royal Netherlands Navy commissioned on 3 October 1936. De Ruyter was intended to operated with two other light cruisers Java and Sumatra in defence of the Netherlands Eat Indies.