RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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Brian James
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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Name Ship,Bellona Sub Class,of the Dido Class Light AA Cruisers,HMS Bellona.
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Brian James
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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Dido Class Light AA Cruiser HMS Hermione escorts HMS Ark Royal and HMS Nelson, September 1941.
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Brian James
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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Dido Class Light AA Cruiser HMS Argonaut.On December 14th 1942, Argonaut was heavily damaged when the Italian Marcello-Class Submarine RM Lazzaro Mocenigo struck the Cruiser with two torpedoes from a spread of four,causing serious damage. The bow and stern sections of the cruiser were effectively blown off and the steering wrecked. Though only three crew members were killed, the damage was so severe that German authorities mistakenly believed the she had been sunk.The ship was patched up and limped to Algiers for more temporary repairs. She then sailed for the United States, where she underwent a seven-month reconstruction, completed in November 1943.
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Brian James
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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Dido Class Light AA Cruiser HMS Diadem pictured c1948.
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greendragon
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

Unread post by greendragon »

HMS Diadem took part in number of the Biscay patrols together with 2-3 destroyers one of them the Polish Navy Piorun. I think the DDs were detached from the 10th DF.
The cruiser was not very popular among the destroyers because the commanding Admiral kept them rather on lash, limited the destroyers born-in feeling of "freedom movement", bothered them with plenty of signals etc.
The Polish changed her name Diadem to "Dziadem"in Polish spelling which more or less meant an unkind old fart.

In a beautiful summer day 1944 the ships went close to Biarritz and paraded slowly along the coast.
Everyone with binoculars was watching the spa for any signs of civilian life but it actually looked empty and deserted as it of course was in WW2.
The only invitation they got was howling of coastal battery heavy shells and towers of water around the ships followed after some time with noise of firing guns.
Diadem ordered immediate turn to open sea and flank speed which the team executed.
A PL navy officer saw the cruiser and destroyers like bunch of boys who raided the apple garden to steal some fruits and being noticed run away chased by an owner.
It was much more dangerous than stealing apples and the Polish noticed that all the time Piorun was straddled on both sides by heavy shells.
Apparently the Germans aimed at Diadem but for some reason the shells close straddled ORP Piorun.
No zigzagging was ordered and it was probably the reason they - also HMSs - were not hit.

Regards

GD

Anyway in my weird sense of beauty (I also like these fourstackers !) the Didos' (early ships with slanted masts and stacks) were the most beautiful warships of WW2.
designeraccd
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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A few views of 3 different DIDOs....... :) Almost as sleek as the USN ATLANTAs!!! ;) DFO
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Brian James
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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Original profile plan from Harland & Wolff,Belfast of Bellona Sub Class,Dido Class Light Cruiser HMS Black Prince.
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Brian James
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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Dido Class Light Cruisers in action.
RN Convoy From Alexandria to Malta meets and engages Italian Warships in the Mediterranean, HMS Cleopatra throws out smoke to shield the convoy as HMS Euryalus elevates her forward 5.25-inch guns to shell the Italian Fleet,March 22nd 1942.
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Brian James
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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The ill fated Dido Class Light AA Cruiser HMS Bonaventure pictured in 1940.She was torpedoed off Crete by Perla Class Submarine RM Ambra on March 31st 1941 with the loss of 139 of her 480 crew. 310 survivors were rescued by HMS Hereward and HMAS Stuart.
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Brian James
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Re: RN Cruisers: Dido Class

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Dido Class Light AA Cruiser HMS Argonaut pictured c1942.
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