Operation Excess

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Operation Excess was a sequence of supply convoys to Malta, Alexandria and Greece in January 1941.

On the 6th, convoy Excess (MC 4) left Gibraltar for Malta and Greece, covered by the Gibraltar based Force H. Simultaneously, the Mediterranean Fleet from Alexandria covered more supply ships (convoy MW 5.5) from Alexandria to Malta and then a returning empty convoy (ME 5.5). The cruisers Gloucester and Southampton, detached from the Mediterranean Fleet, carried troop reinforcements to Malta and then continued westwards to meet 'Excess'. Force H then returned to Gibraltar.

The first convoy sailed from Gibraltar on January 6, taking war materiel to the besieged island of Malta. It had a strong naval escort, including the aircraft carrier Illustrious, and became the first action that involved the Luftwaffe in the Mediterranean, after the transfer of X Fliegerkorps to support the Italian Regia Aeronautica.

During an attack on the convoy on 10th January, the Italian torpedo boat Vega was sunk in the Strait of Sicily by the cruiser HMS Bonaventure and the destroyer HMS Hereward. The British destroyer HMS Gallant struck a mine near Pantelleria. Although towed to Malta, Gallant was irreparable, and she was finally lost during Axis bombing in April 1942. Illustrious was seriously damaged by bombs, after emergency repairs in Malta, she reached Alexandria on January 25.

On 11th January, air attacks sank the cruiser HMS Southampton, while returning to Alexandria with empty ships. Its sister ship, HMS Gloucester was damaged, but survived.

No merchantmen were lost during Excess but the Royal Navy lost two cruisers and a destroyer. The Illustrious was out of action for several months and the British had lost their freedom of action in the Mediterranean, as a result of the German intervention.