Exeter's six eight-inch guns were mainly responsible for seriously damaging the Admiral Graf Spee in the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939. I had informed Rear Admiral PALLISER that the Dutch Rear Admiral, Commanding SOURABAYA Naval Base, had recommended to me that, in view of the large concentration of Japanese naval forces in the JAVA SEA, it would be wiser to await developments before sailing. As a result of her final speed of 26 knots the ship still had slight headway when abandoned and without doubt this was instrumental in reducing casualties, since the water around the ship was alive with splashes from the enemy gunfire. Chance to cause fire – 15%. (b) After return to SOURABAYA information was received that aircraft had reported a Japanese 8 inch cruiser on fire. Her ultimate fate was not seen because of smoke, but a Japanese officer subsequently stated that this destroyer"s stern was blown off killing 70 men. 16. ‘The fire of the enemy’s 11 inch guns at a range of 13 miles was very accurate; this emphasises the necessity of zigzagging (speed permitting) to throw out the enemy’s ranged plot. Firing on both sides was necessarily intermittent, targets being engaged by "EXETER" whenever seen clear of smoke, and it was seldom that it was possible to spot on more than four to five salvos. "EXETER" engaged the third destroyer which was hit and dropped out of line. The main armament reporting that this cruiser was now within gun range, EXETER opened fire at approximately 27,000 yards, this being outside DE RUYTERS's extreme range. and then more slowly until the main engines had to be stopped. The above mentioned enemy ships namely, 2 ASHIGARA or ATAGO class cruisers, 2 SENDAI class cruisers, and 12 ASASHIO class destroyers composed the enemy force during daylight on 27th February as far as could be seen from EXETER although officers from HOUSTON and PERTH subsequently stated that 6 or more enemy cruisers were present. document.write(">- Contact RAL"); (likely from the cruisers Haguro or Nachi). She was launched 13th July 1929 as the fifth RN ship to bear this name, introduced in 1680 for a 3rd Rate 70 gun ship. 29. During the voyage she stopped three times to bury her dead at sea. 23. Ajax from those of H.M.S. Six out of the eight boilers were put out of action with the following main results:-. Damage caused in Boat deck, upper deck and boiler room vent casing by the eight inch shell which entered B boiler room; some flooding of underwater compartments aft by hit or near miss referred to in para. In 2016 came the sad news that HMS Exeter and other ships which constituted War Graves had been illegally salvaged. Temporary failure of the High Power system putting the main armament out of action. This signal is believed to have been the result of a decision made at BANDOENG, since I had, in telephonic conversation with Rear Admiral PALLISER that morning from the Dutch naval headquarters, been warned to be prepared for such orders in spite of the fact that, at the time, six of "EXETER"'s eight boilers were out of action. Maximum AP shell damage - 4550. By dusk of 1st March 1942 the survivors from all three ships, spread out miles apart, were clinging to wreckage in the waters of the Java Sea. 3. Throughout the action the enemy had spotting aircraft up consisting of single float seaplanes and one large type monoplane was also seen. The reason for selection of the rear and not the leading cruiser was the fact that HOUSTON next astern of EXETER, was already engaging the leading cruiser and, in view of the difficulties of signalling together with the time that would be lost during the change over, it was considered better to accept the situation as it was found and engage the right-hand ship although this meant crossing fire with HOUSTON. These were engaged by "EXETER"'s A/A armament as opportunity offered. The enemy appeared to be unaffected by this attack. These proved to be 2 four funnel SENDAI class cruisers, each leading a flotilla (or division) of 6 ASASHIO type destroyers. The Guardian has the full report. HMS Exeter after refit in 1941. Until this boiler room could be entered and thorough examination made, it was not possible to say how soon, if at all, other boilers could be put in working order. Instructions were received for ships to be ready to sail at 1800, which prohibited cruisers from completing with fuel since no oilers were available and time was insufficient to proceed to oiling berths inside a basin. An enemy report was made when it was seen that evasion was no longer possible and two other reports were made subsequently during the action. The five enemy destroyers were by this time nearly abeam to starboard and just within effective range of "EXETER"'s four inch armament, which engaged them, as did the 8 inch armamsnt when other targets were obscured by smoke. 14,000 yards, but on being engaged turned away to the Westward under smoke. Exeter, the fourth ship of her name to serve in the Royal Navy, was laid down on 1 August 1928, launched on 18 July 1929 and completed on 27 July 1931. Exeter was damaged before it could be catapulted, and petrol sprayed over the ship; fortunately it did not catch on fire. Exeter were killed by splinters ricocheting under the side of the bridge roof. O.L. It was not clear what was their target but the majority of these torpedoes were seen to be running on the surface in the direction of the Japanese destroyers. Does not stack with the same skill. This is the report by the Captain of Exeter, covering the Battle of the Java Sea, in which Exeter was sunk, and Captain O.L.Gordon RN was taken a POW by the Japanese. It had been intended to alter course to 290 degrees at 0400, but shortly before this three ships, two large and one smaller, were sighted to the Westward in the light of the setting moon distant about 10 miles, steering to the S.S.W. 41. (b) Cruising formation and destroyer screening. Temat poświęcony pancernikowi V tieru premium Exeter Hit Points 29,400 Main Battery 203 mm/50 BL Mk VIII3 х 2 pcs. 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