ARTILLERY REGISTER

         
BL 8 inch Mark VIII Gun Barrel
Type of Gun: BL 8 inch Mark VIII Gun Barrel
Location: Navy Heritage Centre, Garden Island, NSW
GPS Location: 33° 51’ 35.08" S - 151° 13’ 47.88” E
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Calibre: 203 mm
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Historical Specifics: HMAS Australia, a 9850-ton heavy cruiser of the British Kent class, was built at Glasgow, Scotland and commissioned in 1928. Her armament included 8 x BL 8-inch (203.2 mm) Mk VIII guns mounted in four twin turrets.

During World War II, Australia took part in the British Navy attack on Dakar, where she was hit by shells from the French cruisers Georges Leygues and Montcalm, saw action during the Battle of the Coral Sea and participated in the Guadalcanal Invasion. She participated in the Leyte invasion in October 1944 and the landings at Lingayen Gulf in January 1945. She was hit by a Japanese plane at Leyte, and five Kamikazes struck her during the Lingayen operation.

Repairs and alterations in 1945-46 reduced Australia's main battery from eight to six eight-inch guns. Australia’s 8" guns were fired for the last time on 6 May 1954. She was decommissioned in August 1955.
         
General Information on Gun Type:

 

         
Additional Photos:

Historical GunNavy Heritage Collection NH 52682

     
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
 

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