HMAS Australia (II)

HMAS Australia was one of two 10,000 ton County Class Heavy Cruisers ordered by the Australian Government as part of a five year naval development program begun in 1924. She was built to the Kent Class design of County Class cruisers, her Australian sister ship being HMAS Canberra. She was paid off into Reserve on 24 April 1938 and then recommissioned at Sydney on 28 August 1939. HMAS Australia served with distinction in the battles of The Coral Sea, Leyte Gulf and Lingayen Gulf, suffering heavy damage and many casualties on two occasions.