INTRODUCTION

At the commencement of this history of HMAS Shropshire, given to the Royal Australian Navy by the British Government in 1942 to replace HMAS Canberra sunk in 1942, I mention that I have read as many books as I could buy or borrow, and written by industrious and knowledgeable men. However, I have discovered that facts given in their personal writings purporting to be correct have varied slightly from writer to writer.

To be fair to them and to the future readers, and from my point of view the dates and times taken from the ship's log, the captain's reports of proceedings, the commodore's reports of proceedings, the engineer's log, the war reports and various diaries will be as correct as the records allow.

While it is not possible to check the absolute truth of all facts, happenings and reports, the story of the 'Battle Tour' of HMAS Shropshire experienced by those who served in and on board Shropshire, carrying out their daily duties, sometimes arduous, sometimes boring, sometimes frightening but never dull, should serve to remind them of a job well done.


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