This week in the War, 14–20 April 1941: Destroyer versus destroyer off the Tunisian coast

This week in the war, the Battle of the Tarigo Convoy was fought at night between the Italian and British navies near the Kerkennah Banks, off the Tunisian coast.

Donald Macintyre’s book The Battle for the Mediterranean (Batsford, 1964) presents a vivid portrayal.

In the early hours of 16 April 1941, a Royal Navy destroyer flotilla comprising HMSs Janus, Jervis, Mohawk and Nubian ambushed an enemy convoy in the shallows around the Kerkennah Islands. The British destroyers had radar; the enemy ships did not.

Four transports (all German) and an Italian munitions ship were carrying German troops and supplies from Naples to Rommel’s Afrika Korps. Three Italian destroyers made up the escort: Luca Tarigo (which was the flagship), Baleno and Lampo.

Opening salvoes from from the British flagship, HMS Jervis, quickly put the Lampo out of action. HMS Nubian engaged the Baleno, destroying its bridge and reducing it to a wreck. The Italian ammunition ship, Sabaudia, was next; it blew apart, dramatically.

In the final phase of the battle, Commander Pietro de Cristoforo of the Tarigo bravely steered his flagship between the British destroyers and the remaining transports. Mortally wounded, and with his ship sinking, he launched his torpedoes towards HMS Mohawk. Two struck home.

The final tally: The Lampo ran aground, but was eventually salvaged. Both of the remaining Italian destroyers were sunk, as were all the transports. HMS Mohawk was sunk, too.