1109 HMS PENELOPE (1940)

HMS Penelope was a British light cruiser of the interwar period and World War II. The keel for this unit was laid in 1934, the launch took place in October 1935, and the entry into service - in 1936. The total length of the unit was 154.3 meters and a width of 15.56 meters. The maximum speed was around 32-33 knots. The ship's on-board armament included: 6 152 mm guns, 8 102 mm AA guns and 8 40 mm AA guns. Until 1940, the unit could operate one seaplane. HMS Penelope was one of the Arethusa-class cruisers. Units of this type were intended for operations in larger groups of Royal Navy ships, and their main intended purpose was to recognize and combat enemy light surface units. The overall structure of the Arethusa-class units clearly resembled the Perth-class cruisers, but with a smaller size, reduced main weapons, and weaker armor. One of the ships of this type was HMS Penelope, which took a very active part in World War II. It began its combat path in this conflict with participation in the Norwegian operation in 1940. Later - in the years 1941-1942 - it was ferry to the Mediterranean Sea and took part in the protection of convoys heading to Malta. It also took part in supporting Allied landing operations in Sicily and at Salerno in 1943. At the beginning of 1944, she also supported the Anzio landing. The cruiser was sunk by the German submarine U-410 on February 18, 1944.