On 23 November "Lance" left Malta with the rest of Force K, after reports of a convoy on passage from Taranto to Benghazi. On 24 November they sighted the German supply ships "Maritza" and "Procidas" with an escort of two Italian torpedo boats. Both merchants were set on fire and sunk. After a brief period docked in Malta, "Lance" returned to convoy escort duties. On 17 December she became involved in the First Battle of Sirte. On 19 December she assisted in rescue operations after several ships of Force K ran into a newly laid Italian minefield. With she escorted the cruiser back to Malta. and were sunk, whilst and were badly damaged.