Operation Pedestal orders of battle

Last updated

Operation Pedestal orders of battle
Part of the Siege of Malta in the Battle of the Mediterranean
MV Waimarama explodes.jpg
The column of smoke from Waimarama just after she exploded
Date3–15 August 1942
Location
Mediterranean Sea
35°N18°E / 35°N 18°E / 35; 18
Result See Aftermath section
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Strength
Casualties and losses
  • 4 warships sunk
  • 9 merchant ships sunk
  • 1 aircraft carrier damaged
  • 2 light cruisers damaged
  • 3 merchant ships damaged
  • 34 aircraft destroyed
  • 350–550+ killed
  • 2 submarines sunk
  • 1 heavy cruiser damaged
  • 1 light cruiser damaged
  • 1 submarine damaged
  • 48–60 aircraft destroyed
  • c. 100 killed or missing

Operation Pedestal orders of battle refers to Operation Pedestal a British effort to carry supplies to the island of Malta in August 1942, during the Second World War. From 1940 to 1942, the Axis conducted the Siege of Malta. Pedestal was a maximum effort in which Force H, based at Gibraltar, was reinforced with ships from the Home Fleet for the convoy and for Operation Torch, for which Convoy PQ 19, the next scheduled Arctic convoy, was cancelled. [2]

Contents

Despite many losses, enough supplies had been delivered by the British for the population and military forces on Malta to resist, although it ceased to be an offensive base for much of 1942. The crucial supply in Operation Pedestal was fuel, carried by Ohio, an American-owned tanker with a British crew. The convoy sailed from Britain on 3 August 1942 and passed through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean on the night of 9/10 August. [3]

The Axis attempt to prevent the convoy reaching Malta, with bombers, German E-boats, Italian MAS and MS boats, minefields and submarine ambushes, was the last sizeable Axis success in the Mediterranean. [4] More than 500 Merchant Navy and Royal Navy sailors and airmen were killed, nine of the thirteen merchant ships were sunk and the tanker Ohio was severely damaged. [5] It was a costly strategic victory for the British. The arrival of Ohio justified the risks taken; its cargo of aviation fuel revitalised the Maltese air offensive against Axis shipping. [6]

Submarines and torpedo-bombers returned to Malta and Spitfire fighters flown from the aircraft carrier HMS Furious enabled a maximum effort to be made against Axis ships. Italian convoys had to detour further away from the island, lengthening the journey and increasing the time during which air and naval attacks could be mounted. The Siege of Malta was broken by the Allied re-conquest of Egypt and Libya after the Second Battle of El Alamein (23 October – 11 November) and by Operation Torch (8–16 November) in the western Mediterranean, which enabled land-based aircraft to escort merchant ships to the island. [6]

Order of battle, Force F

Force P

Convoy WS.21S [7]
ShipYearFlag GRT Notes
SS Almeria Lykes 1940Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 7,821Sunk by MAS 554, no casualties
MV Brisbane Star 1936Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 11,076
MV Clan Ferguson 1938Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 7,347Sunk by aircraft, 18 killed
MV Deucalion 1914Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 1,796Sunk by aircraft, 1 killed
MV Dorset 1934Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 10,624Sunk by aircraft, no casualties
MV Empire Hope 1941Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 12,668Sunk by aircraft, no casualties
MV Glenorchy 1939Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 8,982Sunk by MS 31, 7 killed
MV Melbourne Star 1936Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 12,806
SS Ohio 1940Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 9,265Damaged by aircraft, 2 killed, sank in harbour
MV Port Chalmers 1933Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 8,535 Convoy commodore A. G. Venables [8]
MV Rochester Castle 1937Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 7,795
SS Santa Elisa 1940Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg  United States 8,380Sunk by S 36, 4 killed
MV Waimarama 1938Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 12,843Sunk by aircraft, 83 killed
MV Wairangi 1935Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 10,796Sunk

Ocean escort

Force P, Britain to rendezvous [9]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Nelson Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Nelson-class battleship Flag, Vice-Admiral Edward Syfret
HMS Rodney Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Nelson-class battleship
HMS Kenya Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fiji-class cruiser 10th Cruiser Flotilla
HMS Nigeria Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fiji-class cruiser Flag, Rear-Admiral Harold Burrough, 10th Cruiser Flotilla
HMS Eskimo Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Somali Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Tartar Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Amazon Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Amazon-class destroyerFrom Western Approaches Command
HMS Pathfinder Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy P-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Quentin Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Q-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Malcolm Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Scott-class destroyer From Western Approaches Command
HMS Keppel Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Shakespeare-class destroyer From Western Approaches Command, replaced HMS Lamerton
HMS Venomous Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy V-class destroyer From Western Approaches Command
HMS Vidette Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy V-class destroyer From Western Approaches Command
HMS Wishart Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Wolverine Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer From Western Approaches Command
HMS Wilton Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Bicester Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Bramham Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Derwent Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Ledbury Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Zetland Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla

Operation Berserk

Rendezvous for convoy and escort signalling and manoeuvre rehearsals, 6 to 9 August [10]

Force J

Gibraltar to rendezvous [11]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Eagle Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Almirante Latorre-class aircraft carrier From Gibraltar
HMS Charybdis Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser From Gibraltar
HMS Vansittart Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy V-class destroyer From Gibraltar
HMS Westcott Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer From Gibraltar
HMS Wrestler Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer From Gibraltar

Force K

Freetown to rendezvous [11]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Indomitable Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Illustrious-class aircraft carrier From Freetown
HMS Phoebe Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser From Freetown
HMS Laforey Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy L-class destroyer From Freetown
HMS Lightning Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy L-class destroyer From Freetown
HMS Lookout Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy L-class destroyer From Freetown

Force M

Britain to rendezvous [10]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Argus Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Aircraft carrier Flag, Rear-Admiral Lumley Lyster from Scapa Flow
HMS Victorious Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Illustrious-class aircraft carrier Flag, Rear-Admiral Lumley Lyster from Scapa Flow
HMS Nelson Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Nelson-class battleship Flag, Vice-Admiral Edward Syfret from Scapa Flow
HMS Rodney Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Nelson-class battleship From Scapa Flow
HMS Sirius Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser From Scapa Flow
HMS Buxton Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Clemson-class destroyer From Scapa Flow
HMS Foresight Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy F-class destroyer Minesweeper
HMS Fury Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy F-class destroyer Minesweeper
HMS Icarus Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy I-class destroyer Minesweeper
HMS Intrepid Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy I-class destroyer
HMS Sardonyx Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy S-class destroyer

Force W

Fleet oiler and escorts, Britain to rendezvous [12]
NameFlagTypeNotes
RFA Abbeydale Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fleet oiler
HMS Armeria Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Flower-class corvette
HMS Burdock Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Flower-class corvette

Fleet Air Arm

Sea component [13]
SquadronFlagTypeNo.Notes
801 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Sea Hurricane 16Embarked in HMS Eagle
813 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Sea Hurricane 4Embarked in HMS Eagle
800 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Sea Hurricane —Embarked in HMS Indomitable
806 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Martlet 9Embarked in HMS Indomitable
827 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Albacore 16Embarked in HMS Indomitable
831 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Albacore —Embarked in HMS Indomitable
880 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Sea Hurricane —Embarked in HMS Indomitable
809 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fulmar 8Embarked in HMS Victorious
832 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Albacore 12Embarked in HMS Victorious
884 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fulmar 8Embarked in HMS Victorious
885 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Sea Hurricane 5Embarked in HMS Victorious
Land component [13]
SquadronFlagTypeNo.Notes
828 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Albacore 27Based at RAF Hal Far, Malta
830 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Swordfish 1Based at RAF Hal Far, Malta

Force R

Fuelling detachment [14]
NameFlagTypeNotes
RFA Brown Ranger British-Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary-Ensign.svg  Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ranger-class tanker
RFA Dingledale British-Royal-Fleet-Auxiliary-Ensign.svg  Royal Fleet Auxiliary Dale-class tanker
HMS Coltsfoot Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Flower-class corvette
HMS Geranium Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Flower-class corvette
HMS Jonquil Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Flower-class corvette
HMS Spiraea Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Flower-class corvette
HMS Salvonia Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Ocean-going tug

Force X

Close escort to Malta (data from Smith [1987] unless indicated) [15]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Cairo Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy C-class cruiser Torpedoed 12 August, Axum, 37°40'N, 10°06'E, scuttled 13 August [16]
HMS Manchester Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Town-class cruiser Torpedoed by MS boat, 36°50'N, 11°10'E, scuttled [16]
HMS Kenya Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fiji-class cruiser Damaged, 12 August, U-boats [17]
HMS Nigeria Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fiji-class cruiser Flag, Rear-Admiral Harold Burrough, damaged, 12 August, U-boat [17]
HMS Ashanti Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Foresight Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy F-class destroyer Torpedoed by aircraft, 12 August, 37°40'N, 10°00'E scuttled 13 August [16]
HMS Fury Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy F-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Icarus Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy I-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Intrepid Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy I-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Pathfinder Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy P-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Penn Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy P-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Bicester Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Bramham Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Derwent Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Ledbury Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer 6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Jaunty Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Assurance-class tug Ocean-going tug

Force Y

Operation Ascendant

Convoy [18]
ShipYearFlag GRT Notes
MV Orari 1931Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 10,350 Reefer ship, empty since Operation Harpoon, returning from Malta to Gibraltar
SS Troilus 1921Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 7,422Empty since Operation Harpoon, returning from Malta to Gibraltar
Escorts [19]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Matchless Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy M-class destroyer Escort
HMS Badsworth Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer Escort

Force Z

Heavy cover and air support (data from Woodman [2003] unless indicated) [20]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Eagle Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Almirante Latorre-class aircraft carrier Sunk by U-73, 38°05'N, 03°,02'E, 11 August 1942 [16]
HMS Indomitable Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Illustrious-class aircraft carrier
HMS Victorious Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Illustrious-class aircraft carrier Flag, Rear-Admiral Lumley Lyster
HMS Nelson Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Nelson-class battleship Flag, Force F, Vice-Admiral Edward Syfret
HMS Rodney Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Nelson-class battleship
HMS Charybdis Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser
HMS Phoebe Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser
HMS Sirius Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser
HMS Antelope Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy A-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Ithuriel Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy I-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Laforey Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy L-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Lightning Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy L-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Lookout Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy L-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Quentin Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Q-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Eskimo Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Somali Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Tartar Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Vansittart Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy V-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Westcott Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Wishart Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Wolverine Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer Sank Dagabur [21]
HMS Wrestler Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Wilton Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Zetland Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer 19th Destroyer Flotilla

Malta Escort Force

Vessels delivered to Malta in Operation Harpoon [22]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Hebe Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Halcyon-class minesweeper 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla
HMS Hythe Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Halcyon-class minesweeper 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla
HMS Rye Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Halcyon-class minesweeper 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla
HMS Speedy Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Halcyon-class minesweeper 14th/17th Minesweeper Flotilla
ML 121Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fairmile B motor launch 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla
ML 126Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fairmile B motor launch 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla
ML 134Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fairmile B motor launch 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla
ML 135Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fairmile B motor launch 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla
ML 168Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fairmile B motor launch 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla
ML 459Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fairmile B motor launch 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla
ML 462Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Fairmile B motor launch 3rd Motor Launch Flotilla

10th Submarine Flotilla

Patrols to intercept Regia Marina vessels [14]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS P31 Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy U-class submarine Patrolling between Malta and Tunisia
HMS P34 Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy U-class submarine Patrolling between Malta and Tunisia
HMS Unbroken Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy U-class submarine Patrolling off Palermo
HMS United Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy U-class submarine Patrolling between Malta and Tunisia
HMS Unruffled Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy U-class submarine Patrolling between Malta and Tunisia
HMS Utmost Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy U-class submarine Patrolling between Malta and Tunisia
HMS P222 Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy S-class submarine Patrolling between Malta and Tunisia
HMS Safari Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy S-class submarine Patrolling off Milazzo

Club Run to Malta

Operation Bellows [23]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Furious Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Courageous-class aircraft carrier 40 of 42 Spitfires, 38 to Malta, 2 early returns [a]
Aircraft delivery [25]
SquadronFlagTypeNo.Notes
—Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Spitfire VB 42Embarked in HMS Furious
823 Naval Air Squadron Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Albacore 4Spare aircraft, embarked in HMS Furious

Reserve Escort Group

Reserve destroyers [23]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Amazon Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Amazon-class destroyer
HMS Keppel Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Shakespeare-class destroyer
HMS Malcolm Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Scott-class destroyer
HMS Venomous Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy V-class destroyer
HMS Vidette Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy V-class destroyer
HMS Westcott Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer
HMS Wolverine Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer
HMS Wrestler Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy W-class destroyer

RAF Malta

RAF squadrons at Malta [26] [b]
SquadronFlagTypeRoleNotes
126 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Spitfire Fighter
185 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Spitfire Fighter
229 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Spitfire Fighter
249 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Spitfire Fighter
1435 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Spitfire Fighter
235 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Beaufighter Heavy fighter
248 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Beaufighter Heavy fighter
252 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Beaufighter Heavy fighter
89 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Beaufighter Night fighter
39 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Beaufort Torpedo-bomber
86 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Beaufort Torpedo-bomber
217 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Beaufort Torpedo-bomber
38 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Wellington Night bomber
40 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Wellington Night bomber
159 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Liberator Night bomber
55 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Baltimore Day bomber
69 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force —ReconnaissanceBaltimore, Wellington, PRU Spitfire
203 Squadron Ensign of the Royal Air Force.svg  Royal Air Force Maryland Reconnaissance RAF Middle East Command

Operation MG 3

Convoy MW12a

Port Said [27]
ShipYearFlag GRT Notes
SS City of Pretoria [28] 1937Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 8,049
SS City of Lincoln [29] 1938Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 8,039
MV City of Edinburgh [28] 1938Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 8,036

Escorts, MW12a

MW 12a escorts [30]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Arethusa Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Arethusa-class cruiser
HMS Euryalus Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser
HMS Coventry Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy C-class cruiser
HMS Jervis Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy J-class destroyer
HMS Kelvin Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy K-class destroyer
HMS Pakenham Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy P-class destroyer
HMS Paladin Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy P-class destroyer
HMS Beaufort Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Belvoir Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Dulverton Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Eridge Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Hursley Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Hurworth Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer

Convoy MW 12b

Convoy MW 12b (Haifa) [31]
ShipYearFlag GRT Notes
SS Ajax1931Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 7,540

Escorts, MW 12b

MW 12b escorts [30]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Cleopatra Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser
HMS Dido Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser
HMS Sikh Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer
HMS Zulu Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer
HMS Javelin Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy J-class destroyer
HMS Croome Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer
HMS Tetcott Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Hunt-class destroyer

Operation MG 4

Rhodes diversion, 13 August 1942 [32]
NameFlagTypeNotes
HMS Arethusa Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Arethusa-class cruiser
HMS Dido Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Dido-class cruiser
HMS Sikh Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer
HMS Zulu Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy Tribal-class destroyer
HMS Javelin Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy J-class destroyer
HMS Kelvin Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg  Royal Navy K-class destroyer

Axis order of battle

3rd Cruiser Division

Based at Messina [33]
NameFlagTypeNotes
Bolzano Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Trento-class cruiser 3rd Cruiser Division
Trieste Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Trento-class cruiser 3rd Cruiser Division
Gorizia Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Zara-class cruiser 3rd Cruiser Division
Grecale Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Maestrale-class destroyer
Ascari Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Soldati-class destroyer
Aviere Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Soldati-class destroyer
Camicia Nera Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Soldati-class destroyer
Corsaro Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Soldati-class destroyer
Geniere Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Soldati-class destroyer
Legionario Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Soldati-class destroyer

7th Cruiser Division

Based at Cagliari [33]
NameFlagTypeNotes
Eugenio di Savoia Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Condottieri-class cruiser
Muzio Attendolo Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Condottieri-class cruiser Severely damaged
Raimondo Montecuccoli Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Condottieri-class cruiser
Maestrale Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Maestrale-class destroyer
Lanzerotto Malocello Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Navigatori-class destroyer Minelaying, Sicilian narrows
Vincenzo Gioberti Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Oriani-class destroyer
Alfredo Oriani Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Oriani-class destroyer
Fuciliere Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Soldati-class destroyer

8th Cruiser Division

Based at Navarino [34]
NameFlagTypeNotes
Luigi di Savoia Duca degli Abruzzi Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Condottieri-class cruiser
Giuseppe Garibaldi Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Condottieri-class cruiser
Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Condottieri-class cruiser

Axis submarines

Axis submarines [21]
NameFlagClassNotes
Asteria Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Acciaio-class submarine Patrol, west of Malta
Avorio Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Acciaio-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon
Bronzo Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Acciaio-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon
Cobalto Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Acciaio-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon, rammed and sunk by Ithuriel [21]
Giada Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Acciaio-class submarine Patrol line, Algiers to Balearics, damaged by Sunderlands, 12 August [21]
Granito Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Acciaio-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon
Volframio Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Acciaio-class submarine Patrol line, Algiers to Balearics
Alagi Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Adua-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon
Ascianghi Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Adua-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon
Axum Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Adua-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon, torpedoed Cairo, Nigeria, Ohio [21]
Dagabur Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Adua-class submarine Patrol line, Algiers to Balearics, sunk by Wolverine, 12 August [21]
Dessiè Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Adua-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon
Uarsciek Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Adua-class submarine Patrol line, Algiers to Balearics
Velella Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Argo-class submarine
Brin Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Brin-class submarine Patrol line, Algiers to Balearics
Otaria Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Glauco-class submarine
Dandolo Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Marcello-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon
Emo Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Marcello-class submarine Patrol line, north of Tunisia, Cap Bon
U-73 War ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg  Kriegsmarine Type VIIB submarine Patrol line, Algiers to Balearics
U-205 War ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg  Kriegsmarine Type VIIC submarine
U-333 War ensign of Germany (1938-1945).svg  Kriegsmarine Type VIIC submarine Patrol line, Algiers to Balearics

Light forces

Italian and German motor torpedo boats [35]
NameFlagTypeNotes
MS 16Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motosilurante II Squadriglia MS
MS 22Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motosilurante II Squadriglia MS
MS 23Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motosilurante II Squadriglia MS
MS 25Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motosilurante II Squadriglia MS
MS 26Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motosilurante II Squadriglia MS
MS 31Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motosilurante II Squadriglia MS
MAS 543Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XV Squadriglia MAS
MAS 548Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XV Squadriglia MAS
MAS 549Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XV Squadriglia MAS
MAS 563Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XV Squadriglia MAS
MAS 533Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XVIII Squadriglia MAS, independent minelaying operation
MAS 556Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XVIII Squadriglia MAS
MAS 560Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XVIII Squadriglia MAS
MAS 562Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XVIII Squadriglia MAS
MAS 552Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XX Squadriglia MAS
MAS 554Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XX Squadriglia MAS
MAS 557Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XX Squadriglia MAS
MAS 564Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Motoscafo armato silurante XX Squadriglia MAS
S 30Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Nazi Germany S 30-class Schnellboot 3rd Flotilla
S 36Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Nazi Germany S 30-class Schnellboot 3rd Flotilla
S 58Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Nazi Germany S 30-class Schnellboot 3rd Flotilla
S 59Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Nazi Germany S 30-class Schnellboot 3rd Flotilla

Axis air forces (Sardinia)

Aeronautica Sardegna

Aeronautica Sardegna [36]
GruppoFlagSquadriglieTypeNo.RoleBaseNotes
22° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 359a, 362a Re.2001 28Fighter Elmas
24° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 354a CR.42, G.50 19/16Fighter Elmas
51° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 212a, 213a Z.1007 7Bomber Villacidro
65° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 28a, 124a Ro 37, Ca.314 24Torpedo-bomber Alghero
89° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 228a, 229a SM.84sil 13Torpedo-bomber Villacidro
105° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 254a, 255a SM.79sil 15Torpedo-bomber Decimomannu
108° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 256a, 257a SM.84sil 12Torpedo-bomber Decimomannu
109° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 258a, 259a SM.84sil 12Torpedo-bomber Decimomannu
130° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 280a, 283a SM.79sil 13Torpedo-bomber Elmas
153° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy — C.202 22Fighter—
160° GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy — CR.42 16/9Fighter, Fighter-bomber—
GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 138a Z.501, Ro.43 7/1Reconnaissance Olbia
GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 146a Z.506 12Recce, ASR Elmas
GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 188a Z501 3Recce, ASR Elmas
GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 287a Z.506 7Recce, ASR Elmas
GruppoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 613a SM 66C, Z.506S 5/1 ASR Elmas
—Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Gruppo CR.42, G.50 —Night fighter Elmas

Fliegerkorps II, Sardinia

 II. Fliegerkorps (Sardinia) [37]
UnitFlagTypeNo.RoleBaseNotes
I(F) 122Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88, Bf 109F7Long-range reconnaissance Elmas/Catania
I/JG 77 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Bf 109F 13Fighter Elmas

Axis air forces (Sicily)

Aeronautica Sicila

Aeronautica Sicila [38]
GruppoFlagSquadriglieTypeNo.RoleBase
2°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 150, 152, 358 Re.2001 10Fighter Castelvetrano
4°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 14, 15 SM.84 15Bomber Castelvetrano
7°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 76 CR.42, C.200, C.202 3/5/1Fighter Pantelleria
16°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 169 C.200 7Fighter Reggio Calabria
20°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 151a, 352a ,353a C.202 6Fighter Gela
25°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 8a, 9a SM.84 7Bomber Castelvetrano
26°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 11a, 13a Z.1007 5BomberSicilia
29°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 62a, 63a Z.1007 8Bomber Chinisia
30°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 55a, 56a SM.79 10Anti-shipping Sciacca
32°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 57a, 58a SM.79 6Anti-shipping Boccadifalco
33°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 59a, 60a Z.1007 9Anti-shipping Chinisia
83°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 170a, 184a RS.14 16Recce, torpedo-bomber, ASR Augusta
83°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 186a, 189a Z.501, Z.506 12/9Recce, torpedo-bomber, ASR Augusta
85°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 144a RS14, Ro.43 2/1Recce, ASR Stagnone
85°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 197a Z.501, Z.506 10/2Recce, ASR Stagnone
88°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 264a, 265a BR.20 10Night bomber Gerbini
102°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 209a, 239a Ju 87R 15Dive-bomber Castelvetrano
132°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 278a, 281a SM.79sil 15Torpedo-bomber Pantelleria
155°Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 351a, 360, 378a C.202 21Fighter Gela
AutonomoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 173a CR.25 6Torpedo-bomber Boccadifalco
AutonomoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 377a Re.2000 6Fighter Pantelleria
AutonomoFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy 612a Z.506soc 5 ASR Stagnone
IntercettoreFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy — CR.42 8Night-fighter Sciacca
FotograficaFlag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy — C.202 3Recce Reggio Calabria

Fliegerkorps II, Sicily

II. Fliegerkorps, Sicily [37] [c]
UnitFlagTypeNo.RoleNotes
Stab I(F) 122Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88 2Long-range reconnaissance Trapani
I.(F) 122Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88, Bf 109F 7Long-range reconnaissance Catania/Elmas
2.(F) 122Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88 5Long-range reconnaissance Sicily
Stab KG 54 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88 2Medium bomber Catania
KGr 606 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88 20Medium bomber Catania
KGr 806 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88 21Medium bomber Catania
Stab KG 77 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88 3Medium bomber Comiso, Gerbini
II/KG 77 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88 13Medium bomber Comiso, Gerbini
III/KG 77 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88 15Medium bomber Comiso, Gerbini
LG 1 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88-A4/Trop 28Medium bomber Gerbini
I/StG 3 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 87 D 26Dive bomber Trapani
8/ZG 26 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Bf 110 C4 4Heavy fighterex. Kastelli, Crete
1/NJG 2 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Bf 110 12Night fighter Sicily
Stab JG 53 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Bf 109G 3FighterSicily, Pantelleria
II/JG 53 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Bf 109G 15Fighter Sicily
II/KG 26 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe He 111-H6 6Torpedo-bomber Gerbini
I/KG 54 Flag of Germany (1935-1945).svg  Luftwaffe Ju 88 28Torpedo-bomber Gerbini, Pantelleria

Aftermath

Analysis

German reports on 17 August claimed that all the tankers in the recent Mediterranean convoy had been sunk and none of the transports had reached their destination (assumed to be Egypt). The Allies had lost thirteen vessels, including nine merchantmen, one aircraft carrier (Eagle), two cruisers (Manchester and Cairo) and a destroyer (Foresight) but the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy had saved Malta. The arrival of about 29,000 long tons (32,000 short tons) of general cargo, together with petrol, oil fuel, kerosene and diesel fuel, was enough to give the island about ten weeks' supply beyond the few weeks that the existing stocks would last. Axis propaganda broadcasts made extravagant claims but a Kriegsmarine report noted the incomplete and contradictory evidence, allowing only a provisional conclusion. The arrival of four merchant ships and a tanker was unsatisfactory, because the revival of Malta as an offensive base would affect Axis supply routes in what might be the "decisive phase of the struggle for North Africa". Supermarina reached the same conclusion and Generale Giuseppe Santoro, deputy chief of staff of the Regia Aeronautica, wrote that the British had achieved a strategic success by bringing Malta back into action "in the final phase of the struggle in Egypt". [39]

In August, with Malta still besieged, 35 per cent of Axis convoy shipping to North Africa was lost. Later that year, Admiral Eberhard Weichold summed up the Kriegsmarine view,

.... To the continental observer, the British losses seemed to represent a big victory for the Axis, but in reality the facts were quite different, since it had not been possible to prevent a British force, among which were five merchant vessels, from reaching Valetta.... Thanks to these new supplies Malta was now capable of fighting for several weeks, or, at a pinch, for several months. The main issue, the danger of air attack on the supply route to North Africa, remained. To achieve this objective no price was too high, and from this point of view the British operation, in spite of all the losses, was not a defeat, but a strategical failure of the first order by the Axis, the repercussions of which will one day be felt...

— Weichold [40]

In 1994, James Sadkovich wrote that Operation Pedestal was a tactical disaster for the British and that it was of a magnitude comparable to the German attack on Convoy PQ 17 about a month earlier. [41] In 2000, Richard Woodman called Operation Pedestal a strategic victory, raising the morale of the people and garrison of Malta, averting famine and an inevitable surrender. [42] In 2002, Giorgio Giorgerini wrote that the operation was an Italian success; Italian submarines had adopted more offensive tactics and sunk a cruiser and two merchantmen, damaged two cruisers and the tanker Ohio. [43] In 2002, Jack Greene and Alessandro Massignani called the convoy operation the last Axis victory in the Mediterranean but that it was a tactical not a strategic success. The arrival of Ohio justified the convoy despite the loss of nine of the merchant ships (one in Valletta harbour). Axis shipping had been suspended during the operation, partly because the transport Ogaden had been sunk off Derna on 12 August, by HMS Porpoise and after Ohio arrived, Axis ships had to make longer journeys. On 15 August, Lerici was also sunk by Porpoise and on 17 August, Pilo was sunk by aircraft and the tanker Pozarica was sunk on 21 August. [44]

Casualties

In 2003, Ian Malcolm listed 160 men killed on Eagle, 132 on Manchester, 52 on Nigeria, 50 on Indomitable, 24 on Cairo, five on Foresight and three men on Kenya. Merchant Navy casualties were 83 on Waimarama, eighteen on Clan Ferguson, seven on Glenorchy, five on Melbourne Star, four on Santa Elisa, one each on Deucalion, Ohio and Brisbane Star. [5] Ohio never sailed again and the British lost the carrier Eagle, the cruisers Manchester and Cairo and the destroyer Foresight. The carrier Indomitable, the cruisers Nigeria and Kenya and three destroyers were damaged and under repair for some time. On the Axis side, the Italian cruisers Bolzano and Muzio Attendolo were damaged and were not operational for the rest of the war, the Italian submarines Cobalto and Dagabur were sunk, the Italian submarine Giada and the German E-Boat S 58 were damaged. [45]

Fliegerkorps II sent 650 sorties against Pedestal from 11 to 14 August and claimed twelve aircraft shot down for eighteen losses. Total Axis losses were 62 aircraft, 42 Italian and 19 German, including losses on the ground and those shot down by their own side. Royal Navy gunners and FAA fighters claimed 74 aircraft shot down, against post-war data that they destroyed 42 Axis aircraft, 26 from the Regia Aeronautica and 16 Luftwaffe aircraft. [4] The FAA lost 13 aircraft on operations and 16 Sea Hurricanes when Eagle was sunk, the RAF lost a Beaufighter, five Spitfires and a Sunderland was shot down by Giada. The Allies could not risk such losses again and another large convoy to Malta was not attempted until November 1942, when the re-capture of airfields in Egypt and Libya after the Second Battle of El Alamein made it much easier to provide land-based air cover. [45] [d]

Notes

  1. ↑ Furious made another Club Run. On 17 August 32 Spitfires were dispatched, 29 arriving at Malta. Furious returned to Gibraltar on 19 August. [24]
  2. ↑ On 10 August the RAF had 141 aircraft in Malta and on 14 August 186 were available. [17]
  3. ↑ Serviceable aircraft only. [37]
  4. ↑ In 1956, the official history gave FAA losses of 13 aircraft in action and 16 when Eagle was sunk, the RAF lost five aircraft and 35 Axis aircraft were shot down, including losses over Malta. [46]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Smith 1987, p. 226.
  2. ↑ Roskill 1956, p. 288.
  3. ↑ Roskill 1957, p. 298; Playfair 2004, pp. 324–325.
  4. 1 2 Greene & Massignani 2002, p. 261.
  5. 1 2 Malcolm 2013, pp. 74, 143, 146, 215, 228.
  6. 1 2 Roskill 1956, pp. 341–346.
  7. ↑ Smith 1987, p. 226; Woodman 2003, pp. 374–376; Hague 2000, pp. 192–193.
  8. ↑ Roskill 1956, p. 303.
  9. ↑ Woodman 2003, p. 499; Smith 1987, p. 229.
  10. 1 2 Woodman 2003, p. 499; Smith 1987, p. 227.
  11. 1 2 Smith 1987, p. 227; Woodman 2003, p. 499.
  12. ↑ Smith 1987, p. 229.
  13. 1 2 Smith 1987, p. 231; Woodman 2003, p. 499.
  14. 1 2 Woodman 2003, p. 379.
  15. ↑ Smith 1987, p. 228.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Brown 1995, p. 67.
  17. 1 2 3 Roskill 1956, Map 304–305.
  18. ↑ Woodman 2003, p. 379; Jordan 2006, pp. 148, 166.
  19. ↑ Smith 1987, pp. 227, 229.
  20. ↑ Woodman 2003, pp. 381, 499.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rohwer & Hümmelchen 2005, p. 186.
  22. ↑ Smith 1987, p. 230; Woodman 2003, p. 379.
  23. 1 2 Woodman 2003, p. 279.
  24. ↑ Roskill 1956, p. 308.
  25. ↑ Smith 1987, p. 231.
  26. ↑ Smith 1987, p. 232.
  27. ↑ Woodman 2003, p. 385; Jordan 2006, pp. 129, 130.
  28. 1 2 Jordan 2006, p. 130.
  29. ↑ Jordan 2006, p. 129.
  30. 1 2 Woodman 2003, pp. 385, 500.
  31. ↑ Woodman 2003, pp. 221, 385; Jordan 2006, p. 148.
  32. ↑ Rohwer & Hümmelchen 2005, p. 187.
  33. 1 2 Smith 1987, p. 233.
  34. ↑ Greene & Massignani 2002, pp. 255–256.
  35. ↑ Smith 1987, p. 234; Rohwer & Hümmelchen 2005, p. 187.
  36. ↑ Smith 1987, p. 236; Dunning 1998, pp. 190, 271.
  37. 1 2 3 Smith 1987, p. 237.
  38. ↑ Smith 1987, pp. 236–237; Dunning 1998, pp. 190, 271.
  39. ↑ Greene & Massignani 2002, pp. 261–262.
  40. ↑ Martienssen 1949, p. 132.
  41. ↑ Sadkovich 1994, p. 297.
  42. ↑ Woodman 2003, p. 456.
  43. ↑ Giorgerini 2002, pp. 333–339.
  44. ↑ Greene & Massignani 2002, pp. 260–261.
  45. 1 2 Rohwer & Hümmelchen 2005, pp. 186–187.
  46. ↑ Playfair 2004, pp. 321–322.

Bibliography

Further reading

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