Orion '44

A Leander-class light cruiser geared to function as a scout within a squadron, yet equally adept at operating independently. Orion '44 spent most of her combat career in the Mediterranean. By the end of World War II, she had earned high honors as one of the most esteemed ships in the Royal Navy. The cruiser took part in the battles of Calabria and Cape Matapan, the battle for Crete, and the defense of Malta. In 1943 and 1944, she covered the Allied landing operations in Sicily, Italy, Southern France, and Greece. In June 1944, on D-Day, the cruiser was the first warship to open fire on enemy positions in Normandy.