Battle of Cape Spartivento
On 6 November, "Defender", together with the destroyers , , , , , , "Ilex", , , , and screened the capital ships of the Mediterranean Fleet, which provided distant cover for the passage of Convoy MW3 from Egypt to Malta and Convoy ME3 from Malta as part of Operation MB8. During Operation Collar in late November, "Defender", the anti-aircraft cruiser and four other destroyers sailed from Alexandria to rendezvous with a convoy coming from Gibraltar. After reaching Malta on 26 November, the destroyers joined the battleship , and the light cruisers and of Force D and sailed to rendezvous with Force H, also coming from Gibraltar. The next day, after the British forces had combined, they were spotted by the Italians and the inconclusive Battle of Cape Spartivento was fought.