HMS Spartan (95)

HMS "Spartan" was a "Dido"-class light cruiser of the "Bellona" subgroup of the Royal Navy. She was a modified "Dido" design with only four turrets but improved AA armament - aka "Dido" Group 2. She was built by Vickers-Armstrongs (Barrow-in-Furness, UK), with the keel being laid down on 21 December 1939. She was launched on 27 August 1942, and commissioned 10 January 1943.

History

Commissioned with a Devonport crew under the command of Captain P.V. McLaughlin, Royal Navy, the "Spartan" was originally intended for service with the Eastern Fleet but after a couple of months with the Home Fleet, she was dispatched to the Mediterranean, arriving at Malta on 28 October 1943 to be temporarily attached to the Mediterranean Fleet. She went on to Taranto to join the 15th Cruiser Squadron on 8 November 1943.

On the night of 18 January and 19 January 1944, "Spartan" carried out a diversionary bombardment in the Terracina area and with HMS "Orion" and four destroyers provided useful supporting fire during the Garigliano River Operations. There was only minor opposition from shore batteries and, during the bombardment, the "Spartan" alone fired 900 rounds.

Operation Shingle, the Anzio Landing which began on 22 January 1944, for which HMS "Orion" and "Spartan" were detailed to provide gun support. There was little opposition and "Spartan" returned to Naples to remain available at short notice.On 27 January she was ordered to report to CTF 81 for anti-aircraft protection duties off Anzio. At sunset on 29 January, the enemy began a glide bomb attack on the ships in Anzio Bay. At the time of this attack the "Spartan" was anchored. Smoke had been ordered in the anchorage but was not fully effective owing to the short time it was in operation and the strong breeze. "Spartan" was making smoke from stem to stern but was not herself covered.

About 18 aircraft approached from the north and circling over land, delivered a beam attack against the ships that were silhouetted against the afterglow. The timing of the attack prohibited the aircraft from being sighted except by very few witnesses, and radar was ineffective owing to land echoes.

By the time the warning had been received and the ships had opened fire in the general direction of the attack, six bombs were already approaching the anchorage, most of them falling into the water. But about 1800(BST) one radio-controlled Hs 293 hit the "Spartan" just abaft the after funnel and detonated high up in the compartments abreast the port side of the after boiler room, blowing a large hole in the upper deck.

The main mast collapsed and boiler rooms were flooded. Steam and electrical power failed, a serious fire developed and the ship heeled over to port. About an hour after being hit she had to be abandoned, and ten minutes later, she settled on her beam ends in about five to six fathoms of water.

Five officers and 41 ratings were posted killed or missing presumed killed, and 42 ratings were wounded.

References

*Colledge
* [http://www.world-war.co.uk/index.php3 WWII cruisers]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4025.html HMS Spartan at Uboat.net]
* [http://home.aut.ac.nz/staff/dhughes/ A history of HMS Spartan]