Operation Halberd

Operation Halberd
Part of the Battle of the Mediterranean of the Second World War
An Italian torpedo bomber on fire and crashing during Operation Halberd, just beyond is HMS Ark Royal
Date 27 September 1941 Location Southwest of Calabria, Mediterranean Sea 37°31′0.12″N 10°46′0.12″E / 37.5167000°N 10.7667000°E / 37.5167000; 10.7667000 Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom Netherlands Poland	Italy
Commanders and leaders
James Somerville	Angelo Iachino
Strength
1 aircraft carrier 3 battleships 5 light cruisers 18 destroyers 8 submarines 9 merchantmen 66 aircraft	2 battleships 3 heavy cruisers 2 light cruisers 14 destroyers 11 submarines 8 torpedo boats 130 aircraft
Casualties and losses
8 killed 1 battleship damaged 1 merchantman scuttled 4 aircraft destroyed	83–90 killed 1 submarine sunk 21 aircraft destroyed

Operation Halberd was a British naval operation that took place on 27 September 1941, during the Second World War. The British were attempting to deliver a convoy from Gibraltar to Malta. The convoy was escorted by several battleships and an aircraft carrier, to deter interference from the Italian surface fleet, while a close escort of cruisers and destroyers provided an anti-aircraft screen.

The Italian fleet sortied after the convoy was detected, but turned back after learning the strength of the escorting force. Air attacks by Italian bombers and fighters damaged several ships, and forced one of the merchant vessels to be scuttled. The rest of the convoy arrived at Malta and discharged their cargo.