Sydney Commemorates the Battle of Cape Spada
26 May 2009
The clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the striking cliffs of Crete, provided a dramatic backdrop for a commemoration of the Battle of Cape Spada held recently on HMAS Sydney’s Flight Deck.
On 19 July 1940, HMAS Sydney (II) was involved in a running battle with the Italian Cruiser, Bartolomeo Colleoni. After her rudder was hard hit by Sydney 2, the Bartolomeo Colleoni stopped dead in the water. She valiantly fought on, but found herself unable to manoeuvre, becoming a prime target for torpedoes from the Royal Navy Destroyer’s Ilex and Hyperion, and sinking not long after in the cool waters off Cape Spada. Fortunately, 555 crew members of the Bartolomeo Colleoni survived and were rescued by the allies but, sadly, 121 sailors were lost with the ship.
Nearly 69 years later, while transiting the Mediterranean on their Northern Trident 2009 (NT09)deployment, Sydney IV paused in the early morning light, in the same spot the battle took place, and held a commemorative service to acknowledge and remember.
During the service, CAPT Peter Leavy, CO Sydney, delivered a poignant speech, reflecting not only on the battle that was hard fought so many years before, but also on the sacrifice that our naval brothers in arms around the world make in serving their country.
“Our reason for gathering here today is simple; to remember those – friend and foe – involved in the World War II Battle of Cape Spada in which led the destruction of the Italian cruiser, Bartolomeo Colleoni in these very waters. In particular we remember the 121 Italian sailors who gave their lives in the service of their country on 19 July 1940 and who now lie at peace in the wreck of the cruiser, directly below us. Gone is the animosity between Italy and Australia - what remains is the honour of those men who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“Those of us assembled here are all well aware of the sacrifice that comes with serving your country. Every year we remember Australia’s fallen at numerous commemoration ceremonies, but today, along with remembering our glorious shipmates of Sydney II, we remember those of our former enemy who fell at our hands. These men paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country and never returned home to their families. They rest in peace directly below us today, so let us now reflect on that, and remember them too,” said Captain Leavy.
Chaplain Russell Smith then led Sydney’s crew in a prayer, followed by the Last Post and one minute’s silence in memory of those that have fallen. The ceremony then concluded with the singing of the Naval Hymn, and the playing of the Italian and Australian National Anthems before a final message from Chaplain Smith.
“While Sydney may now continue her transit through the Mediterranean on the way to Toulon, France, she will never forget the lives of those that have gone before her. We must continue to remember and honour the sailors that lost their lives in battle – no matter where they were from and regardless whether they were an ally or an enemy,” he said.
