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)
Date 27 February 1941 Location off Maldives, Indian Ocean 1°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.