HMS Leander - Guide 183

[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@fabianzimmermann5495]

What exactly did Admiral King say to the Bureau of Ordnance? You mentioned transcripts in the last drydock. Could you read some of the most amusing parts or the parts you can read without being demoniticed?

[@themightynanto3158]

If Indianapolis had been sunk by I-58 when it was carrying parts of Little Boy at Tinian how would history have changed?

[@crispico4727]

Which was more effective, the submarine cruiser, or the submarine aircraft carrier?

[@hondansx1000]

I have a piece of HMS Warspite, would you like to see it?

[@snebbywebby2587]

You mention that the boilers were trunked into a single funnel to make it more difficult to determine the ship's course and bearing. How does the funnel design achieve ths effect and did it ever prove itself useful?

[@Aelvir114]

Fun tidbit: At the end of the war and after the war when they started selling off and scrapping these ships, they began to realize that they actually were going to regret the selling of these ships or the scrapping of these ships. But by the time Ajax was scrapped in 1949 that was already too late. What they had determined though was that the generous hull space on these ships, the long range, and the relatively quick speed made them ideal radar picket ships, but by the time they figured this out it was too late, Ajax had already been scrapped and that was the last remaining Leander at the time.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Naval Treaties: making ship designers to be extra creative to skirt the rules

[@can-chan6119]

Naval Treaties: Ho Ho Ho! You went over your max tonnage! Instead of going under it you went over it! Navies: What are you talking about it’s under!

[@davidtryon6157]

@@can-chan6119 "They're more like guidelines anyway."

[@raymondkisner9240]

Like HOT ROD DISGUISES FAST SUPERHERO NAVAL SHIPS!

[@Philistine47]

Naval Treaties: Making the underdogs in a naval arms race _appear_ competitive for 20 years, leading to their crushing defeat when they declare war on two _actual_ great powers. The Washington Treaty got the Japanese allocation almost exactly wrong: slightly too little to appease the hardcore nationalists, who took it as a deadly insult, but far too much to reflect their actual relative capabilities, giving those so insulted hope that they could overcome the narrow gap in forces in the Pacific.

[@Aelvir114]

Naval Treaties: Also killed the Tosa-class, poor HMAS Australia, nearly every WW1 battleship , made it so Britain’s heavy cruiser were very underarmored, and make the new KGV-class have 14" guns :D There are points where Naval Treaties were being reasonable but a lot of it went too far.

[@captaindusty4884]

"Y" Turret + a gun director of Achilles survives to this day guarding the gates of Devonport Naval Base in New Zealand

[@Persian-Immortal]

It was a gift from the Indian Navy. Anyway, I want to see the turret. I planned to visit Auckland soon.

[@franzfanz]

Right here. www.google.co.nz/maps/@-36.8305909,174.7913521,3a,41.2y,294.64h,90.77t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1swQKZO3N3BDxiIEFKajv1Tw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DwQKZO3N3BDxiIEFKajv1Tw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D296.0766%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

[@soham6649]

@@Persian-Immortal you can see another one of her turrets at the Regiment of Artillery Museum in the city of Nashik

[@Armo1997]

Also a 2nd 6 inch turret from her and some of the 4 Inch turrets survive in India i believe. I Think her mast is also preserved in India.

[@bazwalk]

Davenport ?

[@matthewalker]

The 5th HMAS Sydney was commissioned only a few weeks ago. An interesting topic for the future would be which ship names have been the most popular over the history of the navies.

[@stefanpajung113]

There have been 21 HMS Alert between 1753 and 1947 alone - 16 in commission as regular naval ships, and in addition the RN has hired a lugger and several cutters, which also have borne the name. 13 ships have borne the name of HMS Revenge since 1577.

[@5peciesunkn0wn]

@@stefanpajung113 ah yes. HMS Alert: the siren ship. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

[@MerrimanDevonshire]

Queue the jokes about Enterprise

[@christophervasel4894]

Y'all seem to forget the number of countries that named ships after Prince Eugene

[@manfredlunsen6756]

very interesting question👍

[@soham6649]

The INS Delhi, former HMNZS Achilles was the first capital ship to be inducted in the Indian Navy. One of her turrets can be found outside the Regiment of Artillery Museum in Nashik. Also the Delhi took part in the Graf Spee movie to play herself ie the Achilles.

[@John.0z]

As did Cumberland. Although as Cumberland was a training ship by then, she was obviously lacking a few of her WW2 turrets. I thought it was an interesting touch to have the four ships named as "actors" in the credits.

[@Armo1997]

Such an amazing film to essentially reenact the historic battle with ships which were actually there!

[@Archangelglenn]

Okay that's actually kind of cool to know.

[@willytheekid]

HMNZS Achilles returned to NZ after the Battle of the River Plate to a MASSIVE heros welcome back here in New Zealand...then she went to a great new Home in the Indian Navy. So glad they kept her turrets :) ...least we forget

[@comeslittorissaxonici7395]

@@willytheekid She was still "HMS" at that time. Not "HMNZS" until 1941, as there was no seperate NZ Navy till then, it was the NZ section of the RN.

[@barryjones8842]

I think the Leanders were among the most attractive warships built and the RN got a heck of bang for the buck spent on them.

[@tramlink8544]

Achillies no.1 turret is now the gate guard at the RNZN navy base Devonport, i see it daily

[@Rtgv123]

One is in India

[@ianashby1449]

There used to be one of achillies turrets next to the main gate at motet aswell I’ve seen the turret at the navy base in devonport

[@ianashby1449]

Also the ships bell is in Auckland museum

[@robotsretrosspaces]

My grandfather served on the Achillies in the war, nice to see the video

[@jamesclatworthy5054]

It's the same one, they moved it to Devonport as the navy was better able to maintain it​@@ianashby1449

[@mayuri4184]

She is a good girl, taking care of the commander while I am gone.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Ah, yes, the best maid is here

[@julieclark1765]

Hey Belfast how are ya

[@joshthomas-moore2656]

Ironic Belfast turns up in a video that mentions the name Enterprise.

[@mayuri4184]

@@julieclark1765 I am doing well, thank you very much. Her Majesty's maids are in top condition, despite the pandemic.

[@julieclark1765]

@@mayuri4184 good to hear

[@sam8742]

My great grandfather served on the Orion, it's honestly really nice to see comments about peoples family serving on ships of the same class.

[@brucesim2003]

My grandfather served on the Leander from before the war until she was torpedoed at the Kula gulf. He was an engineer who was lucky to be out of the engine room when the torpedo hit. He still had both legs broken. I've had an interest in naval history (WW2 in particular) for about 35 years. I have not once heard of HMS Ajax referred to as Iax (sp?). The greek hero may well have been, but to my knowledge, the ship NEVER was.

[@WalterReimer]

Aiax (pronounced (EYE-ax). Greek doesn't have the letter J.

[@brucesim2003]

@@WalterReimer Greek may not have a J. But the name the R.N. uses is an anglicised version (as evidenced by the presence of the J). Hence Ajax. ;)

[@WalterReimer]

@@brucesim2003 Very true! Perhaps Drach is thinking of a certain Dutch football side. ;-)

[@Holland41]

Agree re. pronouncing Ajax as Eye-ax. I too have a lifelong interest in naval history, also due in large part to my ex-navy father, and he always said Ajax, as did everybody else to my knowledge. Drach you are fantastic, and your work is hugely impressive, but this is really irritating, especially when your pronunciation of other ships' names from the German, Italian and French navies is very patchy.

[@michaelgrey7854]

My Great Uncle died in the same battle when the Leander was torpedoed. Previously he had served on the Archillies but missed out on River Plate as he was training in England. He was chief. Specialty was torpedoes.

[@glennricafrente58]

One of my favorite classes of ships! Middle weight cruisers that fought like terriers all over the world in WWII.

[@tulsatrash]

After hearing so many of these names so much there's finally a 5 minute guide for the class.

[@Lukusprime]

As an American, I had to do a double-take when you said “HMS Enterprise”

[@lewisirwin5363]

Wait til the Brits hear about "USS Victory" :)

[@roscoewhite3793]

Which one? As I mentioned just now, there have been fifteen since 1705.

[@davidrenton]

3 years after , it you watch the intro to the US Star Trek "Enterprise"from the 00's TV series, it goes through a montage of ships named Enterprise, the 1st one being HMS Enterprise, not this one, but Age of Sail

[@steverose7112]

The American “light” cruiser class USS Cleveland were an impressive design. There is a great book written by a regular blue jacket called Pacific War Diary by James J. Fahey. Really interesting read above the life of a regular sailor who served on the USS Montpelier light cruiser.

[@bigblue6917]

You get the feeling Orion and Neptune loved chasing the Italians around the Med. They must have been very disappointed when Italy surrendered.

[@theenhancer]

And suspicious. They could change sides at any moment.

[@captaindusty4884]

Well, Neptune was sunk by Italian mines with all but 3 crew lost.

[@Billy_The_Dog]

@@captaindusty4884 HMS Neptune was RN, with RN officers, but was crewed by mostly New Zealand enlisted, where as HMNZS Leander and HMNZS Achilles were part of the New Zealand Division and had full NZ crews. I personally had a great uncle who died on HMS Neptune when it sunk during the 2nd Battle of Sirte. They actually hit 3 mines, the first did little damage, but then they tried to reverse out of the minefield and hit a second, killing the engines. Then they drifted into the 3rd, which sunk them.

[@Pusserdoc]

Minor correction to another great presentation: HMAS HOBART actually decommissioned in 1947, having just about having her stern blown off by a Japanese submarine off Espiritu Santo in July 1943, to be out of action for the next 18 months. Although she was converted for training duties, and considered for other roles during the 1950s (as Drachinifel indicates), she never actually recommissioned before being sold to the Japanese for scrap in 1962.

[@John.0z]

I recall her sitting in the Athol Bight reserve fleet for years. The ships of that fleet were always a point of interest for me when on the ferry to Sydney. Then one day she was gone.

[@RangaTurk]

How ironic, Pig Iron Bob strikes again.

[@gnyrinn]

"Åyaks or Ädyaks, depending on which region of Greece you ask," Nice touch.

[@waynemongo]

But Ajax in the Royal Navy! My ears pricked up...

[@andrewbend9655]

There is an entire town in Ontario the that would insist on Eh-jax

[@mostevil1082]

Ajax in English though. Odd that Drach renamed the ship, rather than just mentioning it.

[@brucesim2003]

@gnyrinn: and completely wrong for the subject matter.

[@gnyrinn]

@@brucesim2003 What do you mean wrong? The ship is named after an ancient Greek Hero, whose name has two different pronunciations. In the absence of an audio recording of the ship being christened, ambiguity and speculation on how to pronounce the name are correct and relevant.

[@AmsterdamKayakGuy]

If you have the time, could you make a video about the Dutch submarine force during the second world war?

[@UltimateSacrifice01]

Coincidentally, I just unlocked the Leander on world of warships tonight.. kinda cool to learn the history of it at the same time!

[@unclestone8406]

If you ever try Azur Lane, Leander is one of the easiest to get, and also powerful even beyond her supposedly lowest rarity in the game. She's just a good girl all around ^_^

[@Dr_V]

Whatever you do keep that one in your port after progressing up the line, it's both fun to play and very useful for completing various cruiser missions, especially when you get tired of playing tiers IX-X all the time. I'm also keeping the Fiji for the same reasons.

[@horatiuscocles3399]

Leander is, where the fun with brit CL starts. It was the purest of joyrides to play her, Fiji and Edin.

[@shellshockedgerman3947]

@@unclestone8406 Why bring up Azur Lane? He literally didn't even mention about it.

[@gokbay3057]

@@shellshockedgerman3947 why not? Also he did mention Leander so there is that.

[@fredfarnackle5455]

Another well researched talk on HM Ships. Thanks.

[@johnfisher9692]

Thanks Drach, an great video describing ships which were an excellent design for their role. It's interesting to compare how tough they were and how they stood the tests of battle and sea keeping compared to their opponents who couldn't equal either.

[@admiraltiberius1989]

A Drach video is very much needed this morning. And here it is....lovely how that works out.

[@davemillar3261]

My father was on Leander when she was torpedoed. He was manning an anti-aircraft gun almost directly above where the torpedo hit. They saw it coming and were told to lie down. Those who didn't got broken legs from the upward force of the explosion. There were many New Zealanders in the crew and they held reunions every year until fairly recently. Most if not all have passed on now.

[@maxt7525]

What ship was your father inmate? My father served on one

[@davemillar3261]

@@maxt7525 Dad was on HMNZS Leander when she was torpedoed at the battle of Kolombangara.

[@RocketGurney]

It always amazes me how much effect treaty restriction had on so many designs, and how much innovation (and skirting of the rules) was forced because of them. I often wonder if as much innovation and resourcefulness would have resulted without such restrictions (the many designs the treaties did kill notwithstanding).

[@conmcgrath7502]

I think I get what you're saying, the Graf Spee would be a fine example of a ship that was built under 'rules' but the designers 'bent those rules' a little? I have often wondered why the U-boats (especially in the later years of the war), didn't have a set of small mines that they could release to deter being depth-bombed? Just think about it, the early series of u-boats all had external storage for extra torpedoes, that space could have been used to house 'mini-mines'. Imagine firing a salvo of torpedoes at a convoy and now there is a destroyer bearing down on you, sink fast and release the mines, that destroyer will not be running patterns over your location with mines in the water? Just a thought...... Pax dudes

[@kemarisite]

@@conmcgrath7502 the only rule the Deutschland class was built under was the Treaty of Versailles, which limited them to 10,000 tons. They simply broke that with a standard displacement of 10,600 tons for the first ship and more for later ones. Any treaty is only as good as its enforcement, and the British and French weren't willing to go to war to enforce that provision. Germany was not a party to the Washington Naval Treaty, which would have limited their gun caliber to 8". The Deutchslands were an interesting variant on the heavy cruiser concept, and I wouldn't necessarily want to go one on one with a treaty heavy cruiser, but it is an interesting trade off under the same tonnage limit.

[@maxwellbeer6757]

Con McGrath I would imagine that carrying unarmed torpedoes and primed and ready to fire mines on the outside of your hull are two completely different things. Given that just small underwater explosion next to your pressure hull is fatal to a submarine I would have been very dubious of this if I was a Uboat commander. If it would have worked, I reckon that they would have tried it.

[@theenhancer]

@@conmcgrath7502 An interesting idea, but I think most ships would always prioritize an offense weapon to a defensive one. Consider, if you were a destroyer, would you prioritize depth charges or torpedo nets? For the drag and complexity of the mines, I think I would rather more torpedoes, fuel, etc.

[@conmcgrath7502]

@@maxwellbeer6757 Damn good point sir. I cannot dispute the logic and that is perhaps why it wasn't done. It would seem totally stupid to place volatile devices against the hull (I was reaching for a better phrase, 'self-defeating' would be involved,..... anathema?). Anyway, a definite knee-jerk reaction would be a resounding NO! I still think it might have been 'doable' and bear in mind they would be released prior to any expected bombardment, a 'one-shot' deal but that one shot would make escorts very wary of charging towards a suspected u-boat location. Come to think of it, they could have had 'tube-launched' mini-mines (I can't be arsed to google it), but those torpedoes were big and I postulate that at least five 'mini-mines' could be launched from a single torpedo shaped delivery system. I'm just 'thinking-out-loud' and I realize 'coulda, woulda, shoulda' is hardly relevant but I still wonder, what if? The u-boats had it easy at the start of WW2 but by the end only 1 in ten were surviving a deployment. Anyhoo, thank you for the reply, I shall now turn my evil mind towards 'world domination' and demand ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Pax dude

[@harryfrentz6899]

Something I had been looking forward to! Thanks Drach!

[@Paveway-chan]

2:49 now that's an effing cool name for a cruiser

[@85gamingwot55]

Erik Bergström I see what you did there

[@deathwish3611]

Who disliked the video? Off to the boiler room you go!

[@shadowfire246]

@Jurassic Aviator while only armed with 2 sticks and a rock and they have to share the rock

[@eagletanker]

Stay with the master chief, he’ll know what to do.

[@Kellen6795]

I think we need an extra episode just covering each of these ships careers. I especially want to hear about em chasing Italians around lol

[@kimbaldunsmore4633]

My grandfather served in HMS/HMNZS Leander for the whole of the second war apart from a couple of stints as an instructor at Whale lsland gunnery school in the UK. He was a CPO electrical sailor, veteran of WWl and in charge of electrical maintenance of the two for'ard turrets. He had joined the Royal Navy in 1912, was posted to the New Zealand station after the war, married in NZ and produced my aunt and my dad - that is why l am here today! He was called up from reserves the day before the declaration of war in 1939 and went away for the duration. He transferred to the newly created Royal New Zealand Navy in 1941/2 (The RNZN came to be on 01 Oct 1941 - correction of fact here for Mr Drach). Leander herself saw quite a bit of action in the Pacific, where she sank an armed merchantman ltalian Ramb 1, spent some time hunting German commerce raiders in the lndian Ocean, before being transferred to the Med and was in action against the Vichy French. Later she was sent back to the Pacific and saw action against the Japanese in the Solomons at the Battle of Kolombangara IN July1943 where a Japanese cruiser was sunk but Leander was badly damaged by a torpedo. The damage was so severe that she spent the rest of the war under repair in NZ and the US. She returned to NZ in 1945, and was lastly involved in Cold War operations, notably the Corfu Channel incident in 1946 - l've gone on long enough so will leave you to look that one up.

[@birzky]

Leander was hit by a Japanese "Long Lance" torpedo, 30ft long, three tons, and with a range of 35 miles. Twenty-six of Leander's crew were killed.

[@scottfabel7492]

Thank you again for a wonderful video. These ships had some beautiful lines.

[@cathyhowat5224]

I knew the former Gunnery Officer of Leander when I was a girl. He retired to Picton, New Zealand and was a regular customer at our bookshop and newsagents.

[@richarddavies8004]

How about covering the Abdiel-class minelayers?

[@jamesflynn6827]

Naval Treaty or why most Tier 6-7 in world of Warships are bad.

[@local38on-tv]

Never actually agreed with a comment about a naval treaty

[@noahdavila9819]

💀💀💀💀

[@aethertech]

My Perth and Belfast thinks them be fighting words?

[@ronaldb4885]

But aren't the games generally balanced so you are playing against ships of the same tier +/- 1 ?? The ships in those two tiers may not be very good but you generally play against equally bad ships so it pretty much works out... LOL

[@redshirt5126]

USS Sims: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@rblinson8136]

I had an unfortunate run-in playing War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition with the HMAS Adelaide shooting up a few landing forces near New Guinea. I'd love to learn more about her. Yes, there's Wikipedia, but your commentary is much more entertaining.

[@indyrock8148]

Thanks Drach for the cruisers 👍

[@Orion_Ikuyo]

Orion finally getting love, kind of. This makes me smile :D

[@chuckw1113]

Interestingly, one of duties Achilles/Delhi performed was to play herself in the 1956 movie Battle of the River Plate/Pursuit of the Graf Spee. In that movie Delhi played her former self (Achilles). She and Cumberland were the only ships to do so, with Graf Spee being played by USS Salem, Ajax played by HMS Sheffield and Exeter played by HMS Jamaica.

[@TheRCScotsman]

I Love HMS (HMNZS) Leander. Got a genuine photograph of her, from 1931, on display. She's suuuch a pretty ship! I'd dearly love to own a detailed model, or even an RC model, but they cost thousands.

[@dwaynehicks6838]

Hmas Sydney is an absolute legend in navel terms , pleased she was I'm the allies side , such a sad demise to a great ship and crew .

[@neniAAinen]

>Arethusa targeted commerce protection Arethusa class actually were fleet cruisers first, trade warfare types - second(only if there really was no other choice). Leanders - the other way around. Especially later series, notable for their... castrated fire control facilities.

[@bairdrew]

Just read up about HMS Enterprise that you mention in the video as being a precursor to the Leanders. It had a fairly active career but I do think it's a shame it never got to meet it's large colonial cousin. I can imagine there'd have been some amusement to be had for the crews.

[@jamesberlo4298]

Drach, can you do a video on the heavy Cruiser HMAS Canberra, I think it was a unique & Beautiful Ship?

[@Hadesthief]

My absolute favorite warship design ever

[@DaveSCameron]

I wasn't aware the British had a craft titled HMS Enterprise, thanks again Sir.

[@donincognito189]

The Royal Navy has had fifteen, the first being captured from the French in 1705 and the most recent one still in service as a survey vessel

[@juicysushi]

Selfishly, this is my all-time favourite Drachinifel video purely because I grew up in Ajax, Canada, named after the Leander-class cruiser. Not the most glorious class ever designed, but wonderfully useful. The Toyota Corolla of warship designs.

[@juicysushi]

I know it is, don’t really care though, since the ship kicks ass and the football team are pretty good too.

[@gyrene_asea4133]

No higher praise can be given to a utility vessel.

[@WayneRumble1]

Like to see a review of the Royal Navy insect class gunboats that where in use from ww1 right through to the end of ww2.

[@gshort55]

the great pacific war, how do you feel about it, its naval combat as described, and the ships as described.

[@petertimmins6657]

In the game Atlantic Fleet they have this class of ship available. They offer every hull you named. The graphics are pretty good too in being true to the class as originally designed.

[@Switcharoo12]

I have over 1,000,000 xp on my Leander, I love her! The next ship on my moorings may... may have 1,000 xp, so saying the Leander is my daily driver would be an understatement. She powers and steers like a destroyer but packs a better punch. Plus her 8 torpedoes that can be independently fired is a plus. Leave my lady alone, she's bad ass, and nevermind the thin skin just don't get into more than you can handle.

[@andyjim1734]

In the film Battle of the River Plate HMS Achilles plays itself as it was now Ins Delhi.

[@Niitroxyde]

I like Achilles, she told me how to become a wizard.

[@erict7840]

I want to see a video of Drach singing traditional naval songs

[@roybennett6330]

Friggin in the rigging by the sexpistols!!!!

[@kevinjohnbetts]

'Sea Shanties' Eric. Navies tend to eschew the notion of singing mere songs, leaving that to the oiks in the army. 😁

[@bullettube9863]

A very good video detailing why Britain went with quantity rather then quality. America didn't have an Empire so it built the Brooklyn class to the weight limit with 15 6in guns. Obviously Japan built to a different treaty. Italy and France had different priorities; they didn't need to worry about range so they had more armor etc. Germany was included in the treaty because they lost WW1 and thus were "supposed" to follow it's rules. Only the Royal Navy followed the rules to the letter, not because of honesty , but apparently because they were ruled by bean counters.

[@eclipsekcb9201]

My main ship on WoWs. Amazing ship when you know how to fight with her.

[@darrensmith6999]

Would love to see a video on HMS Hawkins and her class.

[@maxt7525]

Mate could you do one on the Loch class frigates? My father served on one in Korea. Many thanks from Australia 🇦🇺😃👍❤️

[@Deevo037]

Good solid class of workhorses.

[@darrellsmith4204]

Just for grins I took a ride across Lame Michigan on the SS Badger- the last large coal-fired steam ship with a non-turbine engine in the USA. Designed as a rail car ferry and reinforced for ice breaking with steel a couple inches thick, a max speed of 21kt and coming in at 4244 tons, it's practically a WW1 scout cruiser.

[@christianZaal]

Fun post-script. For the movie adaption of The Hunting of the Graf Spree, the Achilles/Delhi and the Cumberland were provided on loan to make the movie, starring as themselves, along with three other veteran WW2 cruisers. Authenticity was achieved thanks to the generosity of the Indian & Commonwealth governments who made the ships available for the movie

[@hawks1ish]

5/7 is still 70% for production cost compared to county class cruisers tho

[@murrybartlett1177]

There is a book Well Done Leander by Jack S Harker who was a Wireless Operator on board. Murray

[@McRocket]

Ajax, Ontario, Canada was named after the HMS Ajax. As for the Sydney? What a sad, sad end she had...sunk by an auxiliary cruiser with ALL hands lost.

[@rogertulk8607]

This was a very interesting and informative video, however, I am certain that no member of the RN ever called the Ajax, the "Ayax."

[@ajvanmarle]

Achilles, after being rechristened as INS Delhi would end up playing herself in the movie Battle of the River Plate.

[@alecblunden8615]

The improved Leaders - the Perth class - flew the identical flag to their older RN half sisters. The RAN adopted a bastardised white ensign when the RN expressed uneasiness at having their pay shot at in the Vietnam War and suggested it was time for the RAN to adopt it's own flag. And, by the way "Ajax" is the Latin, not a Greek, version, which would be Aias.

[@Rtgv123]

One of Leander class cruiser Achilles talked about being wizard in Azur lane. She was literally transferred to country full of wizards ( India )

[@antonysteel8061]

They gave great service

[@legoseller4496]

Yay, now I can go captain my Leander in World of Warships armed with extra knowledge :)

[@okanui]

crewed mostly by Kiwis

[@Deevo037]

A ship full of individuals according to the movie.

[@gregtag874]

How about a discussion of Alistair MacLeans HMS Ulysses also perhaps Douglas Reemans HMS Benbecula

[@sugarnads]

A neighbour of mine was a cook aboard Hobart.

[@jonrolfson1686]

So, there I was, thinking that Eye-Axe was an obscure cognomen which had been adopted by Odysseus/Ulysses in celebration of his encounter with the Cyclops. Thanks for the clarification re HMS Ajax.

[@konst80hum]

If you want to say it greek it's E-as (Αίας). But i assume your tongue would go on strike trying to pronounce that! Lovely video, thank you very much!

[@John.0z]

I cannot help but observe the vast difference between the conceptual opponents these ships faced and at least one of the real opponents at the River Plate. You would have to conclude that they did well.

[@yalelingoz6346]

I've have a ship question that started 4 years ago when looking at a model of the Leander / Perth cruisers. There are raised platforms on the sides of the ship for mounting searchlights and AA guns. And the Leander class seem to gain a few more of them with later refits. (That seems common for this period.) What are these platforms actually called? I'm sure they have a hyper specific name (because navies), but I can't find it, and typing "what are the giant metal soapdish dealies on 1st half of 20th century warships called?" hasn't helped. And were they put to other uses that mounting searchlights, mounting AA guns, and hiding when off duty to skive off work?

[@cutlassteam8643]

Could I suggest a Devastation class guide, please. I was surprised to find no guide on them, considering they were fairly influential.

[@Cancun771]

The next ship I'd like you to review is HMS Plym (K271).

[@127cmore]

I have the Leanders wartime pictures and mementos handed down from family. Leander was nearly sunk by a Japanese torpedo

[@jamesfranklin5541]

Ty

[@ericamborsky3230]

Funny how they made the Arethusa class, an even smaller class of cruisers to fulfill the primary role that the Leander class were intended for in order to free up Leanders for fleet actions only for the Arethusa class to wind up seeing heavy frontline action themselves. Just look at how much use the Royal Navy got out of Aurora and Penelope.

[@GhostMacross01]

Could you please do a talk on the ships used to transport cargo and or passengers in the 1870s to the Interwar period? There is much on the liberty ships of WW2 but frankly on normal merchant ships and liner ships there remain largely inaccessible to the public unless the person knows which website. Or maybe they are available in hardcopy books and manuscripts that was not in libraries. There was talk on steam turbines but were they put on private sector merchant ships? There was talk on using oil mixed with coal but do the liners use them? How much cargo and how volume and cargo was measured as in tons burden. Windjammers and schooners.

[@Colonel_Blimp]

HMNZS Leander had a busy war including chasing French “super destroyers” in the Mediterranean and sinking an Italian merchant raider in the Indian Ocean. At the battle of Kolombangara she was operating with an American force in a night action in the Solomon Is. The Flagship observed torpedoes in the water and ordered a 180 degree turn to port. This was not received by the rear ships and the line dissolved into chaos as ships manoeuvred to avoid collisions. Leander took a long lance torpedo amidships which blew a 600 sq ft hole in her hull. Her executive officer for much of the war was Commander Stephen Roskill who later became the Royal Navy official historian.

[@lomgshorts3]

U.S.S. Indianapolis? A review on that ship would be appreciated. Thank You.

[@bryansmith1920]

Thank you once again for a great video I have a question THAT maybe of interest to other followers In the age of sail I have often read that certain Captains would pay out of their own pockets for Extra powder'n'shell to help practice the guns Could you please do a video as to the validity of this claim Thank you in anticipation

[@7thsealord888]

I have read that, up to the late 19th century, RN officers (especially captains) were largely expected to pay for cleaning, painting and 'dressing up' their ships out of their own pockets (supposedly, an incentive for getting prize money). Obviously, this was a major reason why gunnery practice was so unpopular at that time .

[@bryansmith1920]

@@7thsealord888 Unfortunately that hints at the fact that your captain would be as RICH as Elon Musk is now

[@leftcoaster67]

Great job Drach. Question for you. How did nations like New Zealand, Australia, Canada count in the Naval Treaties? Were they considered "Independent" or because they were "Dominions" did ships flying thier flag count against the UK treaty limits?

[@popefang]

HMAS Perth (HMS Amphion) did spend many months in the Mediterranean 1940-1 after serving in the western Atlantic in 1940. She saw a great deal of action before transferring to the ABDA command in the Pacific. Thoroughly recommend this book www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/8685795-cruiser HMAS Sydney (HMS Phaeton) is extensively covered by Drach here kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZSyk6qKmceYd7s HMAS Hobart (HMS Apollo) fought at the Battle of the Coral Sea and at Guadalcanal

[@alt7488]

i have that book ,it's a good read . also for a laugh research the scrap iron flotilla, Captain Waller and their exploits in Greece

[@popefang]

@@alt7488 Cheers I have been meaning to follow up the Vampire and flotilla

[@russdority6295]

My uncle Jack Lewis was killed on the Perth.

[@popefang]

@@russdority6295 I assume you have read 'Cruiser' by Mike Carlton. p.654. I hope you had a chance to know him

[@tunemaki_izlasitrlv6835]

My favorite tier 6 non premium in world of warships.

[@roboticus71]

It's my favorite for operations. Most versatile and fun to boot.

[@TheRCScotsman]

It's my favourite ship in the entire game. Tech ships, premiums, the lot!

[@edgarhielema6806]

Please do a video on Ulithi.

[@kidmohair8151]

elegant brit cruisers

[@jessemarcus]

Have you done a video for HMCS Ontario?

[@edwarddunne2758]

Would it be possible to do a video on Operation Stonewall and the Battle of the Bay of Biscay?

[@ThePommyAdmiral]

I'm assuming you mistook Neptune for Leander or forgot to add Leander to the list of sunken Leanders? Leander was torpedoed during WW2 while serving under the (not established) Royal New Zealand Navy. Achilles I believe also served with the NZ navy during WW2. I have relatives who served and died on Leander.

[@haydenstripreports3495]

Leander survived the war and was sold for scrap in 1950 Edit: mixed up Leander and Achilles

[@karlfulton4854]

So wss the Leander the same claa of ship as the Exeter and Ajax? ( I think the Cumberland was bigger wasn't she? ).. Not that this question has anything to do with anything.. or the Plate battle.. just curious

[@Drachinifel]

Leander, Ajax and Achilles are all the same class. Exeter is a York class, which is a small heavy cruiser relatively to the County class HMS Cumberland in much the same way as the Leander's are to the Towns.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

But what would really happen when a signatory member country designed and commissioned 1 or more ships that were over the weight limit? Was there like an international highway truck scale that could weigh these ships for all to see? I didnt think there would be an "international scale" that would weigh each ship when commissioned or at a later date. Besides, even if a ship was overweight, what would realistically be done about it? Could other countries demand to see a questionably large ship be somehow weighed??

[@RedwihteGame]

What's the name of the first ship in your intro? I can only think of the Northampton class cruiser, but they had one turret on the aft which therefore eliminates this theory. Great video!

[@Aelvir114]

The Chilean Navy and the Indian Navy both wanted Ajax, but the sale to the Indian Navy was cut short apprently due to Winston Churchill's disapproval of selling it to them. Apparently, he felt that "such an important vessel would be better off broken up to preserve her history" Of course, this is the same guy who, after the war, only wanted to preserve HMS Rodney.

[@dovetonsturdee7033]

I would doubt that, simply because Ajax decommissioned in February, 1948. Between July 1945 & October, 1951, Clement Attlee was Prime Minister & a Labour government in power. Whether Churchill disapproved or not was, to be honest, irrelevant. Ajax' sister ship, Achilles, rejoined the RN from the RNZN in September, 1946, and was sold to the Indian Navy in July, 1948.

[@bigblue6917]

enough for a game of cards 👍

[@racerx660]

WW1: HMS New Zealand takes on the High Seas Fleet and has lots of fun. :-) WW2: NZ decides to give the Germans a chance and decides that a Leander vs Graf Spee was a much fairer fight. Meanwhile Aust show why we gave them a penalty timeout in WW1 for Jutland.

[@geoffburrill9850]

QnA. Please do video on HMS Exeter and HMS York cruisers.