During the Second World War, "Liverpool" gained four battle honours and was seriously damaged in two attacks by Italian torpedo bombers. The cruiser operated variously with the naval stations in the East Indies and China and with the Mediterranean and Home fleets. While assigned as flagship to the China Station in January 1940, the cruiser instigated a diplomatic incident with Japan when she intercepted the liner "Asama Maru" off the coast of Japan. "Liverpool" took part in the battles of the Espero Convoy and Calabria, the Arctic Convoys, and Operation Harpoon during the Malta Convoys. On 14 June 1942, during Operation Harpoon, "Liverpool" suffered an air attack and had to undergo repairs and refitting at Rosyth, Scotland for the remainder of the war.