HMS Penelope
Rommel fights on in North Africa knowing he is perilously close to running out of supplies, especially fuel. Desperate to get deliveries into Libya, the Axis try a new tactic, operating a series of small convoys in the hope that Allied naval and air forces will be too stretched to attack all of them.
One such convoy is spotted early this evening by a patrolling aircraft. Within hours of returning to Grand Harbour, 'Force K' is back at sea, sailing under cover of thunderstorms towards its prey.
The Royal Navy’s radio operators successfully jam Axis signals which could warn the convoy of the attackers' approach.
By the time of the presence of 'Force K' is spotted by the Luftwaffe, it is too late. Despite being hit by shells, Penelope manages to attack 2 abandoned Italian freighters igniting cans of precious gasoline piles high on their decks.