Force H
With the fleet at Mers-el-Kebir neutralised, the naval forces at Dakar became the next target for Force H. The nearly-completed battleship , which had fled from Brest, France to escape the advancing German army, was in Dakar and was to be attacked on 6 July. However, Somerville was ordered to return to Mers-el-Kebir to ensure that "Dunkerque" was in fact destroyed—the attacks carried out by "Hood", "Valiant", and "Ark Royal"—granting "Richelieu" a temporary reprieve. Force H, again including "Resolution", was then sent on 8 July to divert the attention of the Italian "Regia Marina" (Royal Navy) while a Malta convoy steamed to the island. During the operation, the ships made a feint toward Sardinia and "Ark Royal" launched a raid on Cagliari. Force H next supported Operation Hurry in late July and early August. Following the operation, "Resolution" and "Ark Royal" were detached from Force H to finally conduct the attack on "Richelieu". The ships joined the battleship , three cruisers, and ten destroyers as Force M, under the command of Admiral Andrew Cunningham.