Battle of Kolombangara
escorted the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to the Middle East in 1940 and was then deployed in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean. "Leander" was subjected to air and naval attack from Axis forces, conducted bombardments, and escorted convoys. In February 1941, "Leander" sank the Italian auxiliary cruiser in the Indian Ocean. In 1943, after serving further time in the Mediterranean, "Leander" returned to the Pacific Ocean. She assisted in the destruction of the and being seriously damaged by torpedoes during the Battle of Kolombangara. The extent of the damage to "Leander" saw her docked for repairs until the end of the war.