German dive bombing Stukas and torpedo planes stationed in Sicily attacked a British convoy with urgently needed supplies for Greece passing the Straits of Sicily on 10 January. Although suffering heavy losses were the escort vessels of the convoy heavily damaged. The Southampton was so heavily damaged that she was to be scuttled. The damaged Illustrious reached Malta under own power where she was further damaged by attacking dive bombers. Furthermore was the Gallant damaged by a torpedo. It was clear that future pasages were to be more dangerous as had been in the past with only Italian opposition.
Notes
1. C83. Town-class light cruisers preceded by Arethusa-class succeeded by Crown Colony and Dido-classes, laid down by John Brown&Company, Clydebank, Scotland on 21 November 1934, launched on 10 March 1936, commissione on 6 March 1937 and scuttled off Malta on 11 January 1941.
2. 87. Illustrious-class aircraft carriers preceded by HMS Ark Royal and succeeded by Impacable-class. Building ordered on 13 April 1937, laid down by Vickers-Armstrongs on 27 April 1937, launched on 5 April 1939, commissioned on 25 May 1940, decommissioned in February 1955 and sold to be broken up in November 1956.
3. H59. G-class destroyer preceded by E and F-classes and succeeded by I-class, ordered on 5 March 1934, laid down by Alexander Stephen and Sons, Glasgow, Scotland on 15 September 1934, launched on 26 September 1935, completed on 25 Febuary 1935, sunk as a blockship at St. Paul’s Island in September 1943 and scrapped in 1953.
Source
National Archives USA. Record Group 38: Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Series: Secret Naval Attaches Reports. Report dated Naval Attache at Rome dated 3 February 1941 No. 63-41. M975-002.
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