- HMS Diadem (84)
HMS "Diadem" was a "Dido"-class
light cruiser of the "Bellona" subgroup of theRoyal Navy . She was a modified "Dido" design with only four turrets but improved AA armament - aka "Dido" Group 2. She was built by R. and W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company, Limited (Hebburn-on-Tyne), UK), with the keel being laid down on15 December 1939 . She was launched on21 August 1942 , and commissioned6 January 1944 ."Diadem" served on theArctic convoys and covered carrier raids against the German battleship "Tirpitz" in the early months of 1944, then became part of Force E offJuno Beach during theinvasion of Normandy in June. After the landings she carried out offensive patrols against German shipping around theBrittany coast, sinking, with destroyers, "Sperrbrecher 7" offLa Rochelle on12 August . She returned to northern waters in September, where she covered Russian convoys and carrier raids against German shipping routes along the Norwegian coast, as well as making offensive sweeps herself. In the course of one such sweep, accompanied by HMS "Mauritius" on28 January 1945, the cruiser engaged three German destroyers, damaging "Z31". "Diadem" remained with the 10th Cruiser Squadron until after the war, and served in theHome Fleet until 1950. She was placed in reserve between 1950 to 1956.In 1956 her sale to
Pakistan was agreed, and after a refit she was handed over to thePakistan Navy on5 July 1957, being renamed "Babur". She was later renamed "Jahangir", and converted into a cadets'training ship in 1961.References
*Colledge
* [http://www.world-war.co.uk/index.php3 WWII cruisers]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4023.html HMS Diadem at Uboat.net]
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