HMS Ajax

HMS Ajax was a 7,220 ton, Leander-class light cruiser. She was built at Vickers shipyard, Barrow-in-Furness, England, and launched on 1 March 1934.

Ajax was 554 ft. (169 m) long and had eight 6-inch (152 mm) guns.

At the beginning of WW2 she was stationed off the River Plate in South America, where she intercepted the German merchantmen Carl Fritzen, Olinda, and Ussukuma. Ajax was the flagship of Commodore Henry Harwood's Force G during the hunt for the German pocket battleshipAdmiral Graf Spee. Group G consisted of:

• HMS Exeter 6 x 8 inch guns
• HMS Ajax 8 x 6 inch guns
• HMS Achilles 8 x 6 inch guns

The Graf Spee was also launched in 1934 but was nearly 70% heavier at 12,100 tons and had six 11-inch (279 mm) guns. However at 610 ft. (186 m) she was only 10% longer than Ajax, hence the term pocket battleship.

On December 13, 1939, Graf Spee was found by the British, Battle ensued during which the Exeter was badly hit and had to retire. Ajax was hit seven times during the Battle.

After taking spectacular-looking but actually relatively superficial damage, the Graf Spee entered the neutral port of Montevideo, Uruguay, for repairs. and later scuttled herself.

The Town of Ajax, in Ontario, Canada, was named after the cruiser following the Battle of the River Plate. The town has streets named after members of the ship's company. Harwood Avenue is the town's main north-south street.

After being repaired Ajax saw more active service in the Mediterranean and the Channel.

Exter was sunk after being damaged in Battle of the Java Sea..

HMS Achilles survived the war and was then sold to the Indian government. She took part in anexation of Goa in 1961