Commonwealth Cruiser
One of three ships built for the Royal Navy under the program of enhanced versions of Leander-class cruisers. Perth was handed over to the Australian Navy in 1939. In August of the same year, the ship represented Australia at the New York World's Fair. Perth returned to Australia at the beginning of World War II and was transferred to the Mediterranean from there. Once there, she was engaged in escorting Maltese convoys and protecting Greek waters. Later, Perth returned to Australia again, joined the ABDA squadron, and took part in the Battle of the Java Sea.