² On receipt of advice that the escort from Bombay to the Gulf of Aden would be one ‘C’ class cruiser and one armed merchant cruiser the New Zealand Government stated that it was not satisfied that the strength of the escort was sufficient and asked for an assurance that it would be increased, particularly for its passage from the Gulf of Aden through the Red Sea. This request was granted, and the escort through the Red Sea to Egypt consisted of the Ajax (6-inch cruiser, 6985 tons), two destroyers, and an anti-aircraft cruiser.