Operation Details

K.7

'K-7' was an Italian operation to pass two convoys from Messina in Sicily and Corfu in the Ionian Sea to Tripoli in North Africa (21/23 February 1942).

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Departing from Messina, the first convoy comprised three freighters (5,324-ton Monginevro, 6,142-ton Ravello and 216-ton Unione), escorted by the destroyers Ugolini Vivaldi, Lanzerotto Malocello, Premuda and Nicolo Zeno, and torpedo boat Pallade. Departing Corfu, the second convoy also comprised three vessels (7,000-ton tanker Giulio Giordani, 6,070-ton freighter Lerici and 5,322-ton freighter Monviso) escorted by the destroyers Antonio Pigafetta, Emanuele Pessagno, Antoniotto Usodimare, Maestrale and Scirocco, and torpedo boat Circe.

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Close cover was provided by a force which departed Messina with the heavy cruisers Gorizia and Trento, light cruiser Giovanni delle Bande Nere, and destroyers Alpino, Antonio da Noli and Alfredo Oriani, and distant cover by a force which departed Taranto with the the battleship Caio Duilio and destroyers Aviere, Ascari, Geniere and Camicia Nera.

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A British air attack on 22 February was driven off by the operation’s German air cover, and later on the same day the British submarine P-38 was sunk by Antoniotto Usodimare and Circe as the boat attempted to attack the second convoy. The British submarine Ultimatum tried unsuccessfully to attack the first convoy on 23 February.

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Both convoys reached Tripoli without loss.

Basic Overview

Theater

Nations Involved

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