ADML A.B. Cunningham, C-in-C, Mediterranean, signalled the Battle Fleet: “STUART is dying on us. I am sending her back to Alex”. The ‘dying’ HMAS STUART, (destroyer), shared in the sinking of the Italian submarine GONDAR, before she reached port.
HMA Ships CANBERRA, and SHROPSHIRE, (cruisers), operated in the Indian ocean searching for the German ship ADMIRAL SCHEER, (pocket battleship). Serving in SHROPSHIRE was HRH MIDN Prince Philip of Greece, later to become Admiral of the Fleet, the Duke of Edinburgh.