The Italian light cruiser, Bartolomeo Colleoni explodes after a direct hit amidships from a ...

The Italian light cruiser, Bartolomeo Colleoni explodes after a direct hit amidships from a British torpedo. On 17 July 1940 the cruiser and her sister ship, Bande Nere, sailed from Tripoli, North Africa, bound for Leros in the Aegean, where British activities in Greece were causing concern for the Italian navy. On 18 July 1940 the Italian ships were spotted by British aircraft and in the early hours of 19 July, while off Cape Spada, Crete, the Italian squadron, was intercepted by the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney II, and five destroyers including HMS Havock. During the ensuing engagement the Bartolomeo Colleoni was damaged by a shell hit in the engine room which immobilised her leaving her an easy target for torpedo attack by the Royal Navy destroyers. She sank with the loss of 121 sailors and the 550 survivors were rescued by British destroyers.
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• The damaged port side of HMAS Sydney's forward funnel after it was struck by a shell fired from ...
• Unidentified Australian sailors inspecting the damage caused to the light cruiser HMAS Sydney II, ...
• Unidentified Australian sailors inspecting the damage caused to the light cruiser HMAS Sydney II, ...
• The forward six inch guns of HMAS Sydney II showing the blistered paint from the heat of ...
• The forward six inch gun turrets of HMAS Sydney II showing the blistered paint on the barrels ...
• Ammunition barges moored up against the light cruiser, HMAS Sydney II, to replenish the ...
• A No 9 Squadron, RAAF, Seagull V (Walrus) amphibian, which was launched from the light cruiser, ...
• A close view of the tail section, showing the bullet holes in a No 9 Squadron, RAAF, Seagull V ...
• An Italian Savoia Marchetti SM 79 Sparviero, three engined bomber, of the Regia Aeronautica, ...
• A Greek ship commandeered by the Italian navy, burns brightly in the distance after being ...