Battle of Cape Passero ( 1940 ) The Battle of Cape Passero ( 1940 ) , was a Second World War naval engagement between the British light cruiser and seven torpedo boat s and destroyer s of the " Regia Marina " , southeast of Sicily , in the early hours of 12 October 1940 . It took place in the aftermath of a British supply operation to Malta . Background . In October 1940 , the Mediterranean Fleet mounted a resupply operation to Malta from Alexandria , designated " MB6 " . The convoy had four cargo ship s escorted by two anti - aircraft cruiser s and four destroyers . The screening force was led by Vice - Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham ' s flagship , , and included three other battleship s , two aircraft carrier s , six cruisers , and 16 destroyers . The only remarkable incident during the convoy was some damage to the destroyer when she ran into a minefield . The merchantmen reached their destination on 11 October . Until then , bad weather had prevented the intervention of the Italian Fleet . An aircraft spotted the returning ships shortly after they had left Malta . Meanwhile , HMS " Ajax " was detached from the other cruisers for a scouting mission . The engagement . The Italian commander — Admiral Inigo Campioni — ordered a force of destroyers to Cape Bon , in case the British warships were going to Gibraltar . In Campioni ' s view , it was too late for the Italian battleships and cruisers to operate against the convoy . A flotilla of four destroyers and three torpedo boats were , at the same time , patrolling between 35° 45 ’ N and 35° 25 ′ N , at about apart , in full moonlight . The Italian destroyers — all Soldati - class — were the " Artigliere " , " Camicia Nera " , , and " Geniere " . The torpedo boats were the Spica - class " Ariel " , " Alcione " , and " Airone " . Torpedo boat action . At 01 : 37 , " Ajax " was sighted by " Alcione " , steaming eastward , away on the port side . At 01 : 48 , the three torpedo boats were closing the British cruiser at full speed . The cruiser was completely unaware of the enemy approach . At 01 : 57 , " Alcione " fired two torpedoes from a range of . Captain Banfi , commander of the Italian formation , ordered the flagship " Airone " to open fire on the enemy with her guns , followed by her sister ships . Three rounds hit home , two on the bridge and the third below the waterline . " Ajax " had realized she was under attack , and opened fire on the nearest torpedo boat — " Ariel " — while at full speed . " Ariel " was shattered by the salvos and sank 20 minutes later , although she may have been able to fire a torpedo . Captain Mario Ruta , his second in command , and most of the crew were killed . " Airone " was the next Italian ship to be hit . She managed to launch two torpedoes before being disabled , catching fire almost immediately , her bridge and upper deck machine - gunned by " Ajax " at short range . She sank a few hours later . Banfi was among the survivors . Then " Alcione " — the only Italian warship undamaged — broke contact at 02 : 03 . Destroyer action . Meanwhile , after manoeuvering during the fighting , " Ajax " resumed her course to the eastward . At 02 : 15 , her fire - control radar detected two Italian destroyers , whose commander — Captain Carlo Margottini — had sighted the firing from the south . A radio malfunction had prevented Margottini from attacking in full strength , when three of his destroyers had headed north - west , instead of north as ordered . " Aviere " was battered by a sudden broadside from the British cruiser , forestalling a torpedo attack , and was forced to withdraw southwards , heavily damaged . " Artigliere " managed to fire a torpedo and four full gun salvos at before being hit and crippled . The torpedo missed , but four rounds struck two of " Ajax " ’ s secondary gun turrets and disabled her radar . After unsuccessfully firing at " Camicia Nera " , " Ajax " broke off the action . She had fired 490 rounds of different calibres and four torpedoes . Thirteen of her ship ' s company had been killed and more than 20 wounded , while the cruiser required a month of repairs before she returned to active service . The disabled " Artigliere " — with her commander and most staff officers killed — was taken in tow by " Camicia Nera " . They were surprised at first light by the cruiser , which drove off " Camicia Nera " before sinking " Artigliere " . The survivors were rescued the next day by the Italian Navy . Aftermath . This action had been the " Regia Marina " ’ s first experience of the Royal Navy ' s superior skills and equipment in night actions . The extensive use of starshell s , searchlights and incendiary rounds by the Royal Navy had to be countered , before the Italians could close the technical gap . They also suspected the enemy ' s use of radar , but at this time it was only speculation . They concluded that poor Italian air surveillance had prevented quick reaction by the Italian heavy units , handing the tactical advantage to the British of avoiding contact in unfavourable conditions .