British Mediterranean Operations
A five ship supply convoy from Gibraltar to Alexandria (Operation TIGER) coincided with reinforcements for the Mediterranean Fleet, six ship convoy MW-7 from Egypt to Malta, and 48 more Hurricanes flown off the British carriers Ark Royal and Furious (Operation SPLICE). The only loss was the 9,200 long tons (9,300t) cargo ship Empire Song, which hit a mine and sank with a cargo of 57 tanks, 10 aircraft and several trucks.
TIGER was transporting tanks (Matildas and the new Crusader tanks) needed for the operations in North Africa, these had been intended to be sent via the Cape but were diverted via the Mediterranean at Churchill's insistence. Over 200 tanks reached Alexandria on 12 May.