Portal:Military history of Australia/Units/January 4

HMAS Shropshire arriving in Sydney in November 1945 carrying long serving Australian soldiers
HMAS Shropshire arriving in Sydney in November 1945 carrying long serving Australian soldiers

HMAS Shropshire was a Royal Navy heavy cruiser of the London sub-class of County class cruisers which was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in 1943. HMS Shropshire was laid down in February 1926 and completed in September 1929. The ship saw action with the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans during the first years of World War II before being commissioned into the RAN on 20 April 1943. In RAN service HMAS Shropshire saw action off New Guinea and took part in the Battle of Surigao Strait and the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf. Shropshire was present at Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender and remained in service until she was paid off to reserve on 10 November 1949.