“HMNZS Leander was to see more dramatic action in the Pacific War. In July 1943, fighting alongside US ships, the cruiser confronted a Japanese force in the night-time Battle of Kolombangara. After helping to destroy a Japanese cruiser, the New Zealand vessel was hit hard by one of the enemy's feared ‘Long Lance’ torpedoes. The crew performed superbly to save their ship, but 26 seamen were killed. Eventually sent to America for repairs, the Leander would never fight under the New Zealand ensign again.”

[extract from HMNZS Leander, nzhistory.govt.nz/war/hmnzs-leander]