Battle of the Tarigo Convoy

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Battle of the Tarigo Convoy
Part of World War II
Date April 16, 1941
Location Mediterranean off the Kerkennah Islands, Tunisia
Result Decisive Allied victory
Combatants
RN Ensign United Kingdom Kingdom of Italy Italy
Commanders
Captain P J Mack Captain Pietro de Cristofaro
Strength
4 destroyers 3 destroyers
Casualties
1 destroyer sunk
41 killed		 3 destroyers sunk
5 merchant ships sunk
1800+ men lost
Mediterranean Campaign
Mers-el-Kebir – Calabria – Spada – Taranto – Spartivento – Matapan – Tarigo – Crete – Duisburg – Bon – 1st Sirte – 2nd Sirte – Harpoon – Pedestal – Torch – Skerki – Sicily

The Battle of the Tarigo Convoy (sometimes referred to as the Action off Sfax) was fought on 16 April 1941 between the British and Italian Navies as part of the Mediterranean Campaign of World War II. The battle was named after the Italian flagship, the Navigatori class destroyer, Luca Terigo. The battle took place near the Kerkennah Islands off the coast of Tunisia

The Italian force was covering a convoy comprising five merchant ships sailing from Naples to Tripoli. It was commanded by Captain Pietro de Cristofaro and consisted of

It was intercepted by a force of four British destroyers of the 14th Destroyer Flotilla commanded by Captain P J Mack comprising:

The British destroyers were equipped with Radar which enabled them to surprise the Italians and destroy the convoy, sinking all the merchant ships and the three destroyers (although the Lampo was run aground and salvaged). The Tarigo managed to torpedo HMS Mohawk (subsequently scuttled). Captain de Cristafaro had his leg shot off and gave the order to torpedo the Mohawk: he was posthumously given the Medaglia d'Oro (the highest Italian decoration for valour).

Italian Losses were about 1800 men, The British lost 41 men.

[edit] References

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