Portal:Military history of Australia/Units/March 25

The first HMAS Adelaide was a Town-class light cruiser which was operated by the Royal Australian Navy between 1922 and 1946. Adelaide was laid down in November 1915 and was commissioned in August 1922. Although Adelaide was decommissioned and placed into reserve in May 1939 so her crew could transfer to the new HMAS Perth she was reactivated upon the outbreak of war. Adelaide remained on the Australia Station throughout the war where she provided protection against German and Japanese raiders. In September 1940 her presence at New Caledonia was instrumental in ensuring that the island passed to the control of the Free French. HMAS Adelaide was decommissioned in May 1946 and was later sold for scrap.