During the next three months, "Panther", now with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla, took part in Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily; she screened major ships from submarine attacks and bombarded Italian targets. In September 1943, "Panther" continued escorting Allied warships during Operation Avalanche and Operation Slapstick, then was sent to the Aegean Sea to protect Allied islands after the surrender of Italy during the Dodecanese Campaign. On 9 October, "Panther" was sailing south of the Scarpento Channel with other Allied vessels; the naval force came under air attack by Junkers Ju 87 Stuka aircraft of I. Group Stuka Wing 3 from Megara airbase at noon. "Panther" received two direct hits, broke in two, and sank less than ten minutes later in position . Thirty-three men aboard "Panther" were killed. Her sinking was the last "Stuka" bomber victory over the British.