Battle of Cape Spartivento
As captain of HMS "Manchester" Captain Packer was involved in the Battle of Cape Spartivento. On 27 November 1940 the 18th. Cruiser Squadron attacked and dispersed a superior Italian fleet off the Sardinian coast. Captain Packer, an aggressive commander, suggested in his report that the Admiralty "stow more ammunition for the forward turrets, possibly at the expense of the after turrets" as it was "an experience common to many, if not all, of H.M. ships in action, both in this war and" "the last, and I am willing to prophesy that it is a situation that is likely to continue, that" "the foremost turrets fired many more rounds than the after turrets".