Battle of the Tarigo Convoy
Encyclopedia
The Battle of the Tarigo Convoy (sometimes referred to as the "Action off Sfax
") was fought on 16 April 1941 between four British
and three Italian
destroyers during the Mediterranean Campaign
, in World War II. The battle was named after the Italian flagship, the Navigatori class destroyer
, Luca Tarigo; it took place near the Kerkennah Islands
off the Tunisian coast.
Control of the sea between Italy and Libya was heavily disputed as both sides sought to safeguard their own convoys while interdicting those of their opponent. Axis convoys to North Africa were critical to the resupply and reinforcement of the German and Italian armies and British attacks were based on Malta, itself dependent upon convoys.
In mid-April, 1941, a five ship convoy
sailed from Naples
, en route to Tripoli
. It consisted of four German troopships and an Italian ammunition ship. The convoy was escorted by a Navigatori class destroyer
, Luca Tarigo (flagship) and two Folgore class destroyer
s, Baleno and Lampo, commanded by Captain Pietro de Cristofaro. They were delayed by bad weather.
The British had been forewarned of their passage by intercepted messages and, on the 15th, the convoy was sighted and shadowed by a British Maryland reconnaissance plane. Two Italian SM.79
s that were ordered to provide air cover did not arrive, due to the continuing bad weather. On the night of the 16th, the convoy was intercepted by the British 14th Destroyer Flotilla - HMS Jervis
(flagship), HMS Janus
, HMS Nubian
and HMS Mohawk
- commanded by Captain Philip Mack
. At least three of these destroyers were equipped with radar. The encounter took place as the Italian convoy maneuvered around the shallow waters surrounding the Kerkennah Islands.
The Italian convoy was ambushed by the British force after passing off one of the buoys marking the sandbanks nearby. The battle took place at short range, from 2000 to 50 yards between the warships. The British destroyers' radar
enabled them to surprise the Italians in a night attack and destroy the convoy, sinking all the transports and the three destroyers (although the Lampo was run aground and later salvaged after a four month effort). The flotilla commander, Captain de Cristofaro, on board the Tarigo, had his leg shot off and later died of his wounds: he was posthumously awarded the Medaglia d'Oro
(the highest Italian military decoration
). While sinking, the Tarigo, now under the command of the only surviving officer, Ensign Ettore Bisagno, hit HMS Mohawk with two torpedoes. Mohawk was subsequently scuttled
by HMS Jervis and settled on the sandy bottom at a depth of 12 mt. The outcome of the battle marked the end of the relatively unopposed Axis transport to Libya, which they had enjoyed since June 1940.
During April, May and June 1941, Italian divers, disguised as local fishermen, made two attempts to retrieve whatever they could from the Mohawk. Recent sources assert that documents recovered were essential to the later, successful Italian attack on Alexandria
.
Axis casualties are variously reported as 350, 700 and 1800 men, the British lost 43.
Sfax
Sfax is a city in Tunisia, located southeast of Tunis. The city, founded in AD 849 on the ruins of Taparura and Thaenae, is the capital of the Sfax Governorate , and a Mediterranean port. Sfax has population of 340,000...
") was fought on 16 April 1941 between four British
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and three Italian
Regia Marina
The Regia Marina dates from the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 after Italian unification...
destroyers during the Mediterranean Campaign
Battle of the Mediterranean
The Battle of the Mediterranean was the name given to the naval campaign fought in the Mediterranean Sea during World War II, from 10 June 1940-2 May 1945....
, in World War II. The battle was named after the Italian flagship, the Navigatori class destroyer
Navigatori class destroyer
The Navigatori class were a group of Italian destroyers built in 1928-29. These ships were named after Italian explorers. They fought in World War II. Just one unit, the Nicoloso Da Recco, survived the conflict.-Design:...
, Luca Tarigo; it took place near the Kerkennah Islands
Kerkennah Islands
Kerkennah Islands are a group of islands lying off the east coast of Tunisia in the Gulf of Gabes, at . The Islands are low-lying being no more than 13 metres above sea level. The main islands are Chergui and Gharbi. The archipelago has an area of 160 km2 and a population of 14,400...
off the Tunisian coast.
Control of the sea between Italy and Libya was heavily disputed as both sides sought to safeguard their own convoys while interdicting those of their opponent. Axis convoys to North Africa were critical to the resupply and reinforcement of the German and Italian armies and British attacks were based on Malta, itself dependent upon convoys.
In mid-April, 1941, a five ship convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
sailed from Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, en route to Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
. It consisted of four German troopships and an Italian ammunition ship. The convoy was escorted by a Navigatori class destroyer
Navigatori class destroyer
The Navigatori class were a group of Italian destroyers built in 1928-29. These ships were named after Italian explorers. They fought in World War II. Just one unit, the Nicoloso Da Recco, survived the conflict.-Design:...
, Luca Tarigo (flagship) and two Folgore class destroyer
Folgore class destroyer
The Folgore Class were a group of destroyers built for the Italian Navy in the 1930s. All four ships fought in World War II and were sunk. They were a modified version of the Freccia class destroyers, but had the beam reduced to try to increase speed...
s, Baleno and Lampo, commanded by Captain Pietro de Cristofaro. They were delayed by bad weather.
The British had been forewarned of their passage by intercepted messages and, on the 15th, the convoy was sighted and shadowed by a British Maryland reconnaissance plane. Two Italian SM.79
Savoia-Marchetti SM.79
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero was a three-engined Italian medium bomber with a wood and metal structure. Originally designed as a fast passenger aircraft, this low-wing monoplane, in the years 1937–39, set 26 world records that qualified it for some time as the fastest medium bomber in the...
s that were ordered to provide air cover did not arrive, due to the continuing bad weather. On the night of the 16th, the convoy was intercepted by the British 14th Destroyer Flotilla - HMS Jervis
HMS Jervis (F00)
HMS Jervis was a J-class destroyer of the Royal Navy named after Admiral John Jervis . Jervis was laid down by R. and W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Company, Limited, at Hebburn-on-Tyne on 26 August 1937...
(flagship), HMS Janus
HMS Janus (F53)
HMS Janus , named after the Roman god, was a J-class destroyer of the Royal Navy laid down by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Limited at Wallsend-on-Tyne on 29 September 1937, launched on 10 November 1938 and commissioned on 5 August 1939. Janus participated in the Battle of Calabria in July 1940...
, HMS Nubian
Tribal class destroyer (1936)
The Tribal class, or Afridi class, were a class of destroyers built for the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Australian Navy that saw service in World War II...
and HMS Mohawk
HMS Mohawk (F31)
HMS Mohawk was a Tribal-class destroyer laid down by John I. Thornycroft and Company at Woolston, Hampshire on 16 July 1936, launched on 5 October 1937 and commissioned on 7 September 1938...
- commanded by Captain Philip Mack
Philip Mack
Philip John Mack was an officer of the British Royal Navy.He was born in Paston Hall near Norwich, the son of Paston Mack, a Major in the 12th Royal Lancers, British Army...
. At least three of these destroyers were equipped with radar. The encounter took place as the Italian convoy maneuvered around the shallow waters surrounding the Kerkennah Islands.
The Italian convoy was ambushed by the British force after passing off one of the buoys marking the sandbanks nearby. The battle took place at short range, from 2000 to 50 yards between the warships. The British destroyers' radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
enabled them to surprise the Italians in a night attack and destroy the convoy, sinking all the transports and the three destroyers (although the Lampo was run aground and later salvaged after a four month effort). The flotilla commander, Captain de Cristofaro, on board the Tarigo, had his leg shot off and later died of his wounds: he was posthumously awarded the Medaglia d'Oro
Gold Medal of Military Valor
The Gold Medal of Military Valor is an Italian medal established on 21 May 1793 by King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia "....per bassi ufficiali e soldati che avevano fatto azioni di segnalato valore in guerra" .The face of the medal displayed the profile of the king, and on its reverse was a flag...
(the highest Italian military decoration
Military decoration
A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. They are designed to be worn on military uniform....
). While sinking, the Tarigo, now under the command of the only surviving officer, Ensign Ettore Bisagno, hit HMS Mohawk with two torpedoes. Mohawk was subsequently scuttled
Scuttling
Scuttling is the act of deliberately sinking a ship by allowing water to flow into the hull.This can be achieved in several ways—valves or hatches can be opened to the sea, or holes may be ripped into the hull with brute force or with explosives...
by HMS Jervis and settled on the sandy bottom at a depth of 12 mt. The outcome of the battle marked the end of the relatively unopposed Axis transport to Libya, which they had enjoyed since June 1940.
During April, May and June 1941, Italian divers, disguised as local fishermen, made two attempts to retrieve whatever they could from the Mohawk. Recent sources assert that documents recovered were essential to the later, successful Italian attack on Alexandria
Raid on Alexandria (1941)
The Raid on Alexandria was carried out on 19 December 1941 by Italian Navy forces attacking Royal Navy forces in the harbour of Alexandria.-Background:...
.
Axis casualties are variously reported as 350, 700 and 1800 men, the British lost 43.