Most lost Dido-class ships succumbed to submarines, but HMS Spartan was destroyed by air attack during Operation Shingle at Anzio. She used smoke and gunfire to protect other ships while remaining tied to the defense of the amphibious force, limiting the freedom to maneuver. An Hs 293 guided bomb struck near the funnel and caused destructive flooding and heavy casualties. Fighters were needed to disrupt the aircraft guiding these bombs from range.
Chapter · 2:00:24-2:07:15
HMS Spartan and the guided-bomb threat at Anzio
Spartan's loss to an Hs 293 while shielding the Anzio force shows the guided-bomb threat facing a screening cruiser committed to protecting an amphibious force.