"An engagement occurred, the results of which are inexplicable. All, I mean all of our ships were sunk, and one or maybe two or three destroyers. The British returned to base
having slaughtered us. "
--Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister
Introduction
Following the British victory in April's action off Kerkennah Bank (the "Battle of the Bouys"), the Royal Navy did not base significant naval units at Malta for some time. The disastrous losses of the Crete battles as well as the need to support British Army in the Western desert following the initial appearance of Rommel's Afrika Korps kept the remaining units of the Eastern Mediterranean fleet quite busy. However, the convoy traffic between Southern Italy and North Africa remained a tantalizing target, one that potentially could do more to stop the rampages of Erwin Rommel than the so-far feeble efforts of the British Army.
No less a personage than Winston Churchill was making suggestions about placing a blockship (a vessel sunk to block naval traffic) in the channel at Tripoli. He even suggested the sacrifice of one of Admiral Cunningham's battleships, the Barham, in the effort. However, something more substantial was needed to make a real dent in the supply train of the Afrika Korps.
An initial attempt to provide Malta with a striking force of cruisers and destroyers was stillborn when HMS Jersey was mined just outside of the Grand Harbor, and the rest of the force unable to enter port. Returning to Gibraltar, the force would have to wait to return to Malta until after the actions near Crete.
Strike Force K
Following the "Tiger" convoy in the spring of 1941, and at the personal direction of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, a small striking force of surface ships was established at the naval base in Malta's Grand Harbor. Designed to interdict the flow of supplies to Rommel's Afrika Korps in North Africa, the Malta Striking Force (which was designated Force "K" by the Admiralty) quickly began to achieve results.
Initially composed of fleet destroyers, they worked closely with the bombers and submarines also based at Malta to attack the numerous convoys plying the shipping lanes between Italy and North Africa. Though driven out of Malta by the continuous aerial bombardment that summer, Force "K" was reestablished at Malta in the fall of 1941 with the basing of a small cruiser/destroyer force. Composed of a pair of cruisers and destroyers respectively, it quickly developed into one of the most effective units in the history of the Royal Navy.
Alerted by Allied intercepts of German naval "Enigma" cipher traffic (know as the ULTRA secret), as well as the breaking of Italian naval codes, Force "K" was set to pounce on any Axis shipping traffic that might come its way. On the nigh of 8th/9th November, 1941, it sortied to intercept a critical convoy of supplies to North Africa. Guided by a Wellington scout bombers (equipped with ASV air-to-surface radar), it intercepted the convoy shortly after midnight. Location: 150 nautical miles East-Northeast of Malta (37' 00+ North, 18' 10+ East), November 9th, 1941, 0050 Hours Local (GMT minus 4).
Operational Situation: An Italian supply convoy bound for Tripoli is intercepted by the British Force "K" operating from Malta. The British have advance warning from "Ultra" intercepts of German and Italian naval codes, and excellent air reconnaissance.
Tactical Situation: The Italian convoy (known alternatively as the "Beta" or "Duisburg" Convoy) of seven ships (German and Italian) is steaming in two columns, with a close escort force of six (Italian) destroyers. A distant (Italian) covering force of two heavy cruisers and four destroyers is steaming a zigzag course four thousand yards astern of the convoy. With the help of radar, the British force of two light cruisers and two destroyers has maneuvered into firing position undetected, achieving tactical surprise at a range of only 4,000 yards.
Environment: Visibility 50% (very good 20,000 yards -- Aurora sighted the convoy at a range of 16,000 yards, 3/4 moon bearing 100 degrees, 45 degrees above the horizon). Wind from NNW at Force 3. Seastate 2. Clouds: one tenth cumulus, nine tenths light cirrus. Sunrise at 0619 Hours Local Time.
Axis Forces
A convoy with close escort and covering force as follows: Close Escort - 10th Destroyer Flotilla - Mastrale (Flagship - Captaino di Viscello Bisciani), Fulmine (Capitino di Corvetta Milano), Grecale (Captanio di Fregata Groppello), and Libeccio (Captanio di Fregata Tagliamonte - all Grecale Class DDs), Oriani (Captanio di Fregata Chinigo Oriani class), Euro (Captanio di Corvetta Fulgosi -Turbine class). Convoy - Tankers Conte di Misurata (Captain Mario Penco 5,014 tons, 4 hold with fuel oil) and MinatitIan (Captain Guido Incagliati - 7,599 tons, 4 holds (3 with fuel oil and 1 with gasoline)), Transports Duisburg (Captain Arno Ostermeir - 7,389 tons, 5 holds (3 with various stores, 1 with vehicles, and 1 with assorted cased ammunition)), San Marco (Captain Paul Ossemberg - 3,113 tons, 3 holds (2 with various stores and 1 with cased ammunition)), Maria (Captain Angelo Pogliani - 6,339 tons, 5 holds (3 with assorted stores, 1 with vehicles, 1with cased ammunition), Sagitta (Captain Domenico Ingegneri - 5,153 tons, 5 holds (1 with various stores, 3 with drummed aviation spirit, and 1 with vehicles)), Rina Corraldo (Captain Guglielmo Schettini - 5,180 tons, 6 holds (3 with assorted stores, 1 with vehicles, 1 with drummed aviation spirit, and 1 with cased ammunition)). Covering Force 3rd Cruiser Division (Admiral Brivonesi Commanding) Trento (Flagship - Captaino di Viscello Parmigiano) and Trieste (Captaino di Viscello Rouselle - both Trento class CAs), 13th Destroyer Flotilla Granatiere (FlagshipCaptaino di Vascello Capponi), Fuciliere (Captaino di Fregata Feroni), Bersagliere (Captaino di Fregata De Angioy), and Alpino (Captaino di Fregata Calosi - all Aviere class).
Axis Orders: Protect the convoy, and proceed South as far as possible by daybreak.
Axis Victory Conditions:
Decisive: no tankers and no more than ten thousand (10,000) tons of transports sunk or disabled (50% damage or more) at the end of the scenario.
Tactical: At least one tanker and fifteen thousand (15,000) tons of transports still operational at the end of the scenario.
Allied Forces
Force K - Aurora (Flagship Captain W.G. Agnew) and Penelope (Captain A.D. Nichol - both Arethusa class, 2nd Group CLs), Lance (Lieutenant Commander R.W.F. Northcott), and Lively (Lieutenant Commander W.F.E. Hussey - both L-class DDs).
Allied Orders: Intercept the convoy and sink or disable the tankers (top priority) and transports.
Allied Victory Conditions:
Decisive: sink or disable (50% damage or more) both tankers and at least 15,000 tons of transports.
Tactical: sink or disable at least one tanker without the loss of any ship. Any other result is considered a draw.
Setup
Italian convoy and close escort steaming at 9 knots, course 1701. Covering force at 12 knots, course 170'. British force at 20 knots, course 065', in line ahead: Aurora (Flag), Lance, Penelope, Lively). See map for initial positions.
Special Rules: The Allied player can acquire target and fire on any ship(s) in the convoy force (only) on the first turn.
Historical Outcome
All seven ships of the convoy and the destroyer Fulmine were sunk Euro and Grecale were damaged, and Libeccio was sunk the next day by the British submarine Upholder while rescuing survivors. Admiral Brivonesi and Captain Bisciani wert relieved of command. No British ships were damaged, and all returned safely to Malta, Captain Agnew was knighted, and the Admiralty ordered Agnew to have his crews "splice the mainbrace."
Variations: None
Notes: None
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