Battle of Cape Spartivento

27 November 1940, South of Sardinia

Inconclusive; both sides withdrew

The Italians call it the Battle of Cape Teulada. Admiral Campioni sailed with Vittorio Veneto and Giulio Cesare to catch Force H while it was escorting a convoy for Malta and Alexandria. Somerville, joined by Ramillies from the east, turned to attack. The cruisers fought a running gunnery action at long range for about an hour: Berwick was hit twice and the Italian destroyer Lanciere crippled. Vittorio Veneto fired a few salvoes at the British cruisers, and Ark Royal's Swordfish attacked her without scoring. Campioni, who had orders not to risk his fleet against equal forces, withdrew towards Naples; Somerville, with the convoy to protect and the Sardinian coast close, gave up the chase. A board of inquiry was sent from London to examine his conduct, and cleared him.