H.M.A.S. CanberraPrint Page 
The plaque commemorates H.M.A.S. Canberra which was sunk in August 1942 during World War Two.
At the start of World War Two, H.M.A.S. Canberra was initially used for patrols and convoy escort around Australia. In July 1940, she was reassigned as a convoy escort between Western Australia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. During this deployment, which ended in mid-1941, H.M.A.S. Canberra was involved in the hunt for several German auxiliary cruisers. The cruiser resumed operations in Australian waters, but when Japan entered the war, she was quickly reassigned to convoy duties around New Guinea, interspersed with operations in Malaysian and Javanese waters. H.M.A.S. Canberra later joined Task Force 44, and was involved in the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Tulagi landings.
On 9 August 1942, H.M.A.S. Canberra was struck by the opening Japanese shots of the Battle of Savo island and was quickly damaged. Unable to propel herself, the cruiser was evacuated and sunk in Ironbottom Sound by two American destroyers.
Location
| Address: | Birdwood Avenue, Shrine Reserve, Melbourne, 3000 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.830139 Long: 144.973276 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | Multiple |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 09-August-1942 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 09-August-1942 |
Dedication
H.M.A.S. Canberra
Sunk 9 August 1942
