~ Vintage Framed Photograph Of The WW2 Light Cruiser HMS Birmingham ~
The framed and glazed photograph shows her post-1944 with ‘X’ turret removed following a near-fatal torpedo attack.
~ HMS Birmingham ~
HMS Birmingham was a member of the first group of five ships of the Town class light cruisers.
On 26 April 1940 she shelled and sank the German patrol boat Schiff 37 after Schiff 37 rammed and damaged the destroyer Arrow off Norway.
She served with pride in the hunt for the German battleship SMS Bismarck.
She returned to the Mediterranean and on 28 November 1943 was torpedoed by the German submarine U-407 off the coast of Cyrenaica. The torpedo struck the keel, in line with the ‘B’ turret and right under the seaman boys’ mess deck, killing about seventy men in that compartment. Seriously damaged, and with her bow almost severed, she succeeded in returning to Alexandria where temporary repairs were carried out.
Reaching Copenhagen on 9 May 1945, she took control of the German cruisers Prinz Eugen and Nürnberg after their surrender.
After an extensive post-WWI2 career, Birmingham was paid off at HMNB Devonport on 3 December 1959. By this time, she was the last of her class in service. Thos. W. Ward broke her up in September 1960.
~ Condition ~
Please refer to the images for the condition.
~ Dimensions ~
The frame is 32cm (12.25 inches) wide and 25cm (10 inches) tall.
