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Leslie Smith account of the sinking of the Latona
On route to Tobruk October 1941
On the 24th of October 1941,I boarded H.M.S Latona, a mine laying Cruiser,Which was anchored at the port of Alexandria. At first light we set sail for the Besieged town of Tobruk, as part of a convoy.
As the ship sailed along I noticed that we where being followed by a high flying enemy reconnaissance plane that followed the the convoy most of the day
High command had planned that we were to be the last convoy to travel to Tobruk for a period of time, as the brightness of the moon made the convoy open to attack. from enemy aircraft.
At 7.00pm Enemy aircraft could be heard in the night sky, the Pompoms (anti aircraft guns) immediately started firing on the Latonas deck, the noise from the them made me feel uneasy about remaining on deck, so I decided to go below, hoping that the stern of the ship would be the safest spot.
During the next couple of hours with the noise of the Ak ak. And enemy dive-bombers dropping bombs which where falling close by,I wondered if I would survive to see the evening out
While sitting down in the stern of the ship the nightmare intensified; there was a huge explosion and a flash of light. then complete darkness, I put my hand in my pocket and pulled out my flashlight, and on shining it round found the metal ladder, in the stern, from which myself and others climbed back upon to the deck.
When we arrived on deck there was a huge fire rageing amid ship, the Latona had taken a direct hit, the Latona was carrying a large stock of ammunition the situation was grave as the whole ship could explode at any moment.
The Captain shouted the orders through the Tannoy to, abandon ship when ready, the captain also said that Army personnel which amounted to thirteen including myself, where to leave first when a rescue ship arrived.
The first ship to arrive was the H.M.S Encounter, the Army personnel which included myself,climbed over and lined the outer edge of the rail of the ship in hope of rescue.
The Encounter came in alongside, and immediately came under attack from enemy aircraft, some men jumped from the Latona missing the Encounter completely, and finished up landing in the sea, I watched them drift of into the darkness.
The Encounter under attack herself had no other option and withdrew from the Burning Latona..
Deciding not to jump was a decision which saved my life, at the time I had been expecting to go down with the ship, which seemed a easier and quicker way to meet my maker, than floating around in the sea for hours.
I had been thinking about returning below ship when I realised that my steel helmet was missing, while looking for my helmet, I noticed another ship Coming towards the Latona, this ship was H.M.S Hero, the Hero lived up to its name, she came in, bow to bow with the Latona, I headed towards the bow of the ship and crossed over to the Hero to apparent to safety
Enemy aircraft again attacked, a bomb hit the Hero, and she pulled away from the Latona leaving many unfortunate souls still onboard the burning ship.
When I arrived on board I realised the Hero was full of Polish troops, I by now was totally exhausted, I found a place to stretch out, and heard a explosion in the distance I presumed it was the Latona going to its final resting place at the bottom of the Mediterranean,.the word started going around the Hero that she too was sinking, by now I was past caring, if the end was to come I thought so be it. I was so exhausted at this point I fell into a deep sleep.
The next thing I remember was the warmth of the sun on my face, and the sound of the ships engines, the Hero was damaged but still sailing, back in the direction of Alexandria for repair. Of the Thirteen Squadies I had left with from Alexandria.I was one of the lucky six who had survived, how many sailors on the Latona had perished I did not know.
A short time later I would repeat the, the voyage to Tobruk, fortunately second time around the journey in complete darkness went without incident.

N.B web site information gained 2004.
25th October 1941
Whilst running supplies to the garrison at Tobruk, Libya, fast
Minelayer HMS Latona is attacked and bombed by German aircraft North
of Bardia at 32 15N 24 14E.
The cargo and the ship's ammunition explode, causing the death of (4 officers, 20 ratings and 7 soldiers) but the remainder are taken off
by HMS Hero and Encounter. There are 37 casualties. (Alex Gordon)

N.B Dads account says Other army personnel Jump and fall in sea,did some of the seven die when they missed jumping across to Encounter, rather than when ammunition exploded.?.
story from diary of Les smith
Born 1915 died 2001

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