Converted to Anti-Aircraft cruiser before the war.

HMS Coventry (Capt. Ronald John Robert Dendy, RN) was taking part in Operation "Agreement", a Commando raid agains Tobruk harbor which ended in a complete disaster for the British due to the unexpectedly tenacious resistance of Italo-German troops and the prompt reaction of Axis' air units in the area.
At 1140 hrs, 14 September, Coventry was north of Marsa Matruh with her escort group (Force "D"), consisting of destroyers Belvoir, Dulverton, Hursley, Croome. The cruiser became the main target for a German group of 16 Ju-88s of I/LG.1 (X° Fliegerkorps)from Iraklion (Crete), under Capt Joachim Helbig. Each plane carried 1 x 500- and 3 x 250 kg bombs.
In a dive-bombing attack, Coventry sustained 4 direct hits, 3 of the bombs detonating in the engineering spaces, while the 4th wrecked the bows.
Coventry went dead in the water and badly on fire with 63 killed. At 1515 hrs, in position 32º48'N, 28º17'E. the ship was scuttled by HMS Zulu.
Sadly, herself was sunk barely 1 hour later by 19 Ju-87s (see her entry)

Commanding Officers:
Capt. Richard Francis John Onslow, OBE, DSC, RN
18 August 1938 – 22 April 1940

Capt. David Gilmour, RN
22 April 1940 – May 1941

Capt. William Power Carne, RN
May 1941 – 16 January 1942

Capt. Ronald John Robert Dendy, RN
16 January 1942 - 14 September 1942