During the night of 11–12 October, "Ajax" intercepted a small Italian force. In a close-range night action (sometimes called the Battle of Cape Passero), two s, "Airone" and "Ariel", were sunk and the destroyer was disabled (later sunk by HMS "York"). Two more warships escaped into a smoke screen. "Ajax" herself was hit by seven shells that destroyed one of her whalers, caused severe damage to the bridge and radar installation and 35 casualties, including 13 killed. She returned to Alexandria on 16 October.