A part of the Italian fleet, retreating to Taranto after the battle of Cap Gavdo (see), is taken by surprise and destroyed in a night combat off Cape Matapan.
Place: Creta
Allied
Axis
Forces
Cunningham (Force A, coming from Alexandria): 1 carrier, 3 battleships, 9 destroyers.
Cattaneo (Crudiv 1): 3 heavy cruisers, 4 destroyers.
Losses
nil.
3 heavy cruisers, 2 destroyers lost.
Webmaster's question(s) and remark(s): Were the British destroyers 9 during the night fight ? Where was Widham-Priddel's Task group during that night ?