"Barham", two cruisers, and three destroyers also assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet were designated Force F as part of Operation Coat, one of a complex series of fleet movements in the Mediterranean. The battleship and the other ships of Force F were tasked to ferry troops to Malta, before continuing on to Alexandria. "Barham" was loaded with 600 troops, including the men of 12 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, Force F departed Gibraltar on 7 November, escorted by Force H, rendezvoused with the main body of the Mediterranean Fleet three days later and unloaded their cargo at Malta later that day. While sailing eastwards, the aircraft carrier was detached from the main body to attack Taranto on the night of 11/12 November, damaging three Italian battleships. "Barham", now assigned to the 1st BS, and "Malaya" were detached to refuel at Souda Bay, Crete, before sailing for Alexandria, reaching there on 14 November.