Portal:Military history of Australia/Units/December 20

HMAS Australia (III) was a County class heavy cruiser operated by the Royal Australian Navy. Australia was laid down on August 26, 1925, launched on March 17, 1927 and commissioned on April 24, 1928. HMAS Australia was one of the RAN's few major units during the 1930s and saw active service around the world during World War II. Australia first saw action off Dakar in September 1940 and escorted convoys and patrolled the Atlantic and Indian Oceans during 1941. Following the onset of the Pacific War, Australia was re-deployed to the South West Pacific Area where she took part on the Battle of the Coral Sea. From August 1942 until mid-1944 Australia provided supporting fire and surface protection for Allied land forces. HMAS Australia was damaged by the first-ever kamikaze attack while operating off the Philippines on October 21, 1944. While Australia returned to service in January 1945 she was hit by further kamikazes and was under repair at the end of the war. Following the end of the war, Australia served as a training ship until she was paid off for disposal on August 31, 1954.