Launched on 18 July 1929, HMS Exeter was the second and last York-class heavy cruiser built for the Royal Navy. Commissioned on 22 July 1931, she spent the interwar period in the Atlantic, North America and West Indies Station.
With the outbreak of World War Two, Exeter was sent to the South Atlantic to hunt for German commerce raiders. On the 13th of December, she spotted the German heavy Cruiser Graf Spee and along with the light cruisers HMS Ajax and Achilles fought the Battle of the River Plate. This resulted in severe damage to Exeter, but Graf Spee was forced to find shelter in Montevideo. Subsequent British misdirection, led the captain of the Graf Spee to believe that an overwhelmingly powerful force waited for him if he left port. He therefore scuttled his ship rather than faced certain defeat. In reality only one additional heavy cruiser, HMS Cumberland had arrived.
Exeter was out of action for over a year undergoing repairs following which she scorted convoys for most of 1941. When Japan declared war in December 1941, HMS Exeter was sent to the Far East where she escorted convoys to and from Singapore. When the Japanese prepared to invade the Dutch East Indies, Exeter attempted to intercept the invasion force on 25 February 1942 along with a combined American, Dutch and Australian force. Intercepted by a Japanese cruiser force, Exeter was crippled and forced to withdraw to Surabaya during the First Battle of the Java Sea.
After temporary repairs, Exeter left harbour on 28 February attempting to make for Colombo. Along with her escort of two destroyers, she was sunk during the Second Battle of the Java Sea on 1 March when intercepted by a force of four heavy cruisers and four destroyers.
HMS Exeter anchored off Plymouth, England, during her trials in May 1931.HMS Exeter in drydock.HMS Exeter in a floating drydock.HMS Exeter at DevonportHMS Exeter seen in the mid 1930’s.HMS Exeter in the Panama Canal.HMS Exeter in Lima, Peru.HMS Exeter in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1934HMS Exeter northbound in the Panama Canal.HMS Exeter in the 1930s.HMS Exeter seen in the late 1930’s.HMS Exeter at Montevideo Uruguay in 1934.HMS Exeter off Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, circa in 1939.Aerial view of HMS Exeter Panama Canal Zone circa 1939HMS Exeter after refit Mar 1941HMS Exeter seen in the early 1940’s.HMS Exeter at the Gladstone Dock, Liverpool, England.HMS Exeter at the Gladstone Dock, Liverpool, England.HMS Exeter training her 8 inch guns to starboardHMS Exeter at anchor in Balboa harbour, Panama, on 24 April 1934HMS ExeterHMS ExeterHMS ExeterHMS Exeter
Battle of the River Plate
December 1939 Damage done to HMS Exeter during the Battle of the River Plate.HMS Exeter arriving at Plymouth on 15 February 1940 after the Battle of the River PlateHMS Exeter arriving at Plymouth on 15 February 1940 after the Battle of the River PlateHMS Exeter funnel detail, with shrapnel holes from the Battle of the River Plate
Battle of the Java Sea
HMS Exeter at Sumatra Dutch East Indies early 1942HMS Exeter during the First Battle of the Java SeaHMS Exeter under air attack on 15 February 1942HMS Exeter firing on Japanese aircraft, Java Sea 15 Feb 1942Photo taken by a Japanese plane showing HMS Exeter under attack in the Java Sea in 1942HMS Exeter sinking south of Borneo Dutch East Indies 1 Mar 1942HMS Exeter sinking after two Japanese torpedoes hit her starboard sideHMS Exeter sinking after the Battle of the Java Sea, 1 March 1942
Detailed Photographs
HMS Exeter amidships detail including aircraft catapultsHMS Exeter amidships detailHMS Exeter amidships detailHMS Exeter funnel detail, with shrapnel holes from the Battle of the River Plate
Armament
HMS Exeter’s main 8″ armamentHMS Exeter’s 4″ anti-aircraft gunHMS Exeter’s 5 quad anti-aircraft machine gun mount.
Aircraft
Supermarine Walrus
HMS Exeter’s Supermarine Walrus amphibian aircraftSupermarine Walrus flying boats aboard HMS Exeter in the 1930sSupermarine Walrus being hoisted on HMS ExeterHMS Exeter during the First Battle of the Java Sea
Fairey IIIF
HMS Exeter amidships detail including aircraft catapults
