HMS Aurora - Bombed off Turkey - October 1943
ARETHUSA-Class cruiser ordered from HM Dockyard Portsmouth under the 1934 Programme on 1st March 1935 and laid down on 23rd July 1935. The ship was launched on 20th August 1936 by Lady Fisher, the wife of the renowned Admiral 'Jackie' Fisher and was the 10th Royal Navy warship to carry the name, first used in 1758 for the Prize ABENOIRE.
The ship was commissioned for Home Fleet service on 9th November 1937 at a cost of almost £1.25M. She is easy to identify as she had a Deck House fitted in the catapult space as no aircraft were carried. Prior to WW2 she was deployed as the Flagship, Commodore (Destroyers), Home Fleet, In November 1941, following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign she was adopted by the civil community of the city of Bradford.
The ship achieved national distinction during her WW2 service, especially in the Mediterranean from 1941 onwards.
B a t t le H o n o u r s
ST. LUCIA 1778 - MINORCA - GUADALOUPE 1810 - CHINA 1900 - DOGGER BANK 1915 - NORWAY 1940 - BISMARCK Action 1941 - MALTA CONVOYS 1941 - MEDITERRANEAN 1941-43 - NORTH AFRICA 1942-43 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943 - AEGEAN 1943-44 - SOUTH FRANCE 1944
Then, as a unit of the 15th Cruiser Squadron, she participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Salerno landings (Operation Avalanche) before moving into the Aegean in October 1943. While escorting British destroyers reinforcing troops on the island of Leros on 30 October, she was attacked by German Junkers Ju 87 and Ju 88 aircraft off Castellorizo, suffering a 500 kg (1,100 lb) bomb hit abaft the after funnel. The explosion and subsequent fire killed 47 crew. Aurora was forced to withdraw to Taranto for repairs which lasted until April 1944.
In August 1944 she was at the Operation Dragoon landings in the south of France, then returned to the Aegean, where she assisted in the liberation of Athens. One notable member of crew was the actor Kenneth More, who used his theatre skills in his role as 'action broadcaster' to describe to the crew below decks via the public address system what was happening when the ship was in action.
30th October 1943
Met HM Destroyers PETARD, BELVOIR and BEAUFORT during their passage with personnel and vehicles for military units at Leros.
During passage to Turkish waters for transfer of troops and despite availability of air cover came under heavy and sustained attacks by Ju87 and Ju88 aircraft, hit by 500 Kg bomb abaft the after funnel.
Extensive damage to after structure including armament with fires caused by detonation of ammunition.
47 personnel killed and 30 wounded, including 6 Royal Marines.
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