| Forces | - Holland (cruiser vanguard that engaged the fight): 1 heavy cruiser, 4 light cruisers.
- Sommerville (main body involved in the gun battle): 1 battleship, 1 battlecruiser, 9 destroyers.
- Sommerville/Ark Royal (stayed behind during the gun battle): 1 carrier, 2 destroyers, 12 fighters, 12 dive bombers, 40 torpedo planes.
- Convoy bound to Malta with its escort: 1 light cruiser, 1 anti aircraft cruiser, 3 destroyers, 4 corvettes, 4 freighters.
Total: 1 carrier, 1 battleship, 1 battlecruiser, 1 heavy cruiser, 5 light cruisers, 1 anti aircraft cruiser, 14 destroyers, 4 corvettes, 4 freighters, 12 fighters, 12 dive bombers, 40 torpedo planes | - Iachino (first skirmish with the British): 6 heavy cruisers, 7 destroyers.
- Campioni (overall command): 2 battleships, 7 destroyers.
Total: 2 battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 14 destroyers |