Action of 27 February 1941

Action of 27 February 1941
Part of the Indian Ocean theatre of the Second World War

Maldive Islands (orthographic projection)
Date27 February 1941
Location1°0′N 68°30′E / 1.000°N 68.500°E / 1.000; 68.500
Result New Zealand victory
Belligerents
 New Zealand  Italy
Commanders and leaders
Robert Bevan Alfredo Bonezzi
Strength
Light cruiser Leander Auxiliary cruiser Ramb I
Casualties and losses
Leander slightly damaged Ramb I sunk
c. 150 killed
100 captured
of whom: 4 wounded
(1 died of wounds)

The Action of 27 February 1941 was a single ship action between the British cruiser HMS Leander and the Italian ship Ramb I, an auxiliary cruiser. It began when Leander ordered an un-flagged freighter to stop for an inspection. The freighter raised the Italian colours and engaged Leander which sank Ramb I shortly after. About 150 members of the crew were killed and 100 were rescued and taken to Addu Atoll, thence to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Leander patrolled southwards to investigate more reports of commerce raiders.