What is the process of "Harpoon" and "Magnificent" escort operations?

The British navy was formed in mid-June 1942? Among them, the escort operation from Gibraltar is called "Harpoon" and the escort operation from Alexandria is called "Magnificent"? During these two escort operations, the British escort fleet was attacked by Germany? Alitalia? Both sides launched fierce protection against the attack of surface ships and submarines? Break off diplomatic relations?

194 1 in the second half of the year, in order to strengthen its maritime power in the Mediterranean, the Germans sent submarines from this sea area one after another. By the spring of 1942, the number of German submarines in the Mediterranean had reached 2 1? The Germans also transferred the 2nd Air Force from the Soviet-German front to southern Italy and Sicily to strengthen the combat effectiveness of the air force? A torpedo boat detachment and a minesweeper detachment of the German navy also entered the Mediterranean to fight? British naval power in the Mediterranean was weakened during this period? The aircraft carrier Royal Ark was sunk by a German submarine, and other large surface ships also suffered serious losses? In addition, some ships were transferred to the Indian Ocean?

By the beginning of 1942, there were only three cruisers and several destroyers left in the British Mediterranean fleet. In order to change this unfavorable situation, in the first half of 1942, the British navy used the old aircraft carrier to transport nearly 100 planes to malta island to strengthen the defense in this area? At that time, the British navy mainly used these planes on the island and light ships in the Mediterranean. The Italian army is fighting for the sea power in this sea area? On land, Germany? The Italian army turned to North Africa to counterattack, and the British army lost? This has also seriously affected the actions of the British navy in the Mediterranean, making it more difficult to transport goods to malta island? 19421~ From March, the British Navy organized three replenishment operations of different scales in malta island. Except for the first one who arrived at the destination, the other two operations were frustrated and failed to complete the replenishment task?

So malta island's defense is in an extremely difficult position? So the British Navy decided to organize a large-scale escort transportation operation to support malta island? The transportation task is carried out by two escort formations, which sail from east and west to malta island almost simultaneously?

The reason why the British navy organized two escort fleets at the same time was to disperse Germany. Italian troops, can you guarantee that at least one convoy will arrive in malta island safely? The British navy believes that if Germany? I mean, divide our forces and attack two escort formations, so any British escort formation has a certain advantage over the enemy? Joad. The Italian army concentrated on one convoy, and the other could reach malta island safely? In order to strengthen the protection of the escort fleet, the British navy decided that the Mediterranean Fleet stationed in Alexandria would organize its forces to protect and cover the "majestic" escort operation? And send British fleet ships to guard and cover the harpoon escort operation?

The British Navy's escort plan stipulates that: ① Harpoon escort operation arrives at the destination port one day earlier than Xiong Xiong's escort operation, so as to give full play to the air cover capability of malta island Air Force and arrange the berthing and unloading of ships one by one after arriving in malta island; (2) When two escort formations need air cover at the same time, because the Eastern escort formation has no aircraft carrier, it should be given priority; (3) Before the convoy sailed, the British organized bombing aviation to attack Sicily? Sardinia? Ports and airports in North Africa and Crete; ④ malta island 1 Anti-submarine Flying Brigade and four Egyptian Anti-submarine Flying Brigade carry out anti-submarine patrol missions; ⑤ In order to ensure the safety of the convoy, discover and attack Italian ships sailing in time, the British Navy deployed nine submarines near taranto and south of Messina Strait, and four submarines in the sea area between Sicily and Sardinia?

De? After learning of the British Navy's attempt at this escort operation, the Italian Navy made the following plans to break off diplomatic relations: ① intercepting the escort convoy in the east of Britain, mainly using large ships, while using light forces for the escort convoy in the west; (2) Submarines patrol all the sea areas that the British escort fleet may pass through, so two submarine groups are deployed in the sea area north of Algeria, namely, 1 submarine group from malta island to Lampedusa Island, 1 submarine group in the Ionian Sea, and 2 Italian submarines and 6 German submarines in the eastern Mediterranean; (3) German torpedo boats stationed in Crete patrol the waters south of the island, preparing to attack the eastern escort fleet, while Italian torpedo boats patrol the waters near Bong Kok, preparing to attack the western escort fleet?

The western British escort formation includes: 4 transport ships? Two tankers? 1 air defense cruiser? 10 destroyer? Four minesweepers and six gunboats? The commander is Captain Hardy? For this escort, the W formation led by Lieutenant General Curtis is responsible for the sea cover mission, which has jurisdiction over the battleship Malaya and the aircraft carrier Hundred Eyes Giant. Eagle, cruiser Kenya? "Liverpool"? Six banshees and eight destroyers? In addition, there is 1 fast mine-laying ship "Prince of Wales" ahead?

On June 5th, the western convoy left Britain and sailed for the Strait of Gibraltar via the Atlantic Ocean? On the night of June 1 1 and the early morning of the next day, the escort formation crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and entered the Mediterranean Sea? 12 at dawn, the transport fleet joined the Gibraltar direct escort force and the maritime cover force? Sail eastward at 12~ 13 after rendezvous? On June 3rd, 65438+, the Italian reconnaissance plane found and reported the movement of the western escort fleet to the headquarters. At least 1 Italian submarine also found this target? 13 in the afternoon, the 7th fleet of Italian cruisers was in Sardinia, ready to attack? On that day 17: 30, the Italian cruiser "Monte Ciuccoli"? The "Prince Eugene" and seven destroyers were ordered to set sail from the port of Kaliali in the south of Sardinia? Later, the Italian 7th Cruiser Sub-fleet sailed to Palermo for standby?

13 night, the Italian submarine attacked the western escort fleet for the first time? First attacked by the submarine Wolsik, it is reported that it hit two torpedoes? The submarine "Giada" then approached the oil tanker that was preparing to refuel the British destroyer at sea and carried out a torpedo attack. It is reported that it hit two torpedoes in return?

14 in the morning, this convoy arrived in the sea south of Sardinia, entered the operational radius of Italian aviation on the island, and was attacked by Italian planes? 10: 30, two bomber brigades of the Italian air force dive to bomb the British escort formation at a small angle, causing no damage? Half an hour later, under the cover of fighter planes, 20 Italian torpedoes cooperated with 10 high-altitude horizontal bombers to attack the British escort fleet? British aircraft carrier sent carrier-based aircraft to intercept, outnumbered and failed? As a result, the British cruiser "Liverpool" was hit by an aviation torpedo, withdrew from the queue and dragged back to Gibraltar; Taningbar, the tanker, sank?

14 night, the British escort fleet entered Sicily. What is the operational radius of the German Air Force? At 20: 20, when the escort formation was 50 nautical miles away from Sicily 10, the "Yunkel" 88 bomber of the German Air Force No.110 made a pre-assault? So, what about the German torpedo machine? Yunker-88 and yunker-87 bombers made a contract surprise attack on the British convoy? However, due to the British carrier aircraft struggling to fight, the formation ships cleverly evaded and did not cause much loss.

On June 4th, 2 1: 03, the British convoy arrived in the narrowest sea area between Sicily and Tunisia? This is the meeting point of the support troops and escort fleet sent by malta island; Is it also the return point of the escort convoy's maritime cover force? Since then, the convoy has sailed southeast along the coast of Tunisia and entered the waters of Bant Lailla? The minelaying ship Prince of Wales, which has been sailing ahead, used its high speed to sail to malta island alone?

Italy's 7th Cruiser Sub-fleet arrived at Palermo Port at 8: 30 on June 5438+04, and then set off from Palermo at 2130 on the same day according to the order of Italian naval headquarters. Plan to reach the waters south of Bent Lailla before dawn on June 5438+05 to intercept the British convoy? Two destroyers in this sub-fleet returned halfway for some reason, and two cruisers and five destroyers crossed the southwest waters of Sicily and sailed south at full speed to Bant Lailla Island?

14, 23: 00, 15: The British escort fleet was informed that the Italian fleet had been dispatched, but its commander Colonel Hardy judged that the escort fleet could enter the operational radius of the malta island Air Force the next morning, and Italian ships might be afraid to attack rashly?

Therefore, it was decided to proceed as planned? At 6 o'clock on June 5th, 65438, when the British escort formation arrived at 30 nautical miles west of Lailla Island, it received a report from the malta island reconnaissance plane that two cruisers were found at 15 nautical miles north of the escort formation? Four destroyers? Commander Hardy ordered some escorting destroyers to meet him, and a naval battle took place, that is, the Battle of Bent leiria? After the British ship discovered the Italian ship, its air defense cruiser? Destroyers cast smoke screens to cover transport ships? The British convoy changed course and approached the coast of Tunisia, trying to avoid the attack of Italian ships? At 6: 40, the Italian cruiser first fired at 1 1 nautical mile to pursue the British convoy? British destroyers such as Bedouin intercepted it, and the two sides fought fiercely, and the waters gradually moved southward? When the smoke covered the transport fleet, all the British air defense cruisers and destroyers went into battle? In the battle, two British destroyers were shot and lost their combat effectiveness?

At this time, the British escort fleet was completely exposed in front of the Italian sub-fleet? Two destroyers of the Italian fleet launched a surprise attack on the transport ship, and the British destroyers struggled to resist? In the artillery battle, both flagships were injured? When the British ship was fighting the Italian fleet, eight Yunke 87 dive bombers attacked the British ship and sank the 1 transport ship? Later, the Italian fleet tried to attack the British transport fleet, and the British ships cast a smoke screen and fled to the northwest? The Italian fleet without radar equipment stopped pursuing because it lost its target. 8:00 14 heading northeast?

After getting rid of the Italian fleet, the British escort fleet resumed its original course at 9: 00, and continued to sail southeast along the coast of Tunisia, heading straight for malta island? Soon, under the cover of malta island's long-range fighter, the British escort formation repelled the attacking German bombers at 10: 40? Malta island's long-range fighter ran out of fuel and returned before the successor plane arrived? At 1 1: 20, German planes attacked the British convoy again and hit 1 transport ship again. At this time, the British escort fleet is still 150 nautical miles away from malta island? Colonel Hardy thought that there might be another air raid and the Italian fleet might attack again, so he ordered two intact transport ships to sail to malta island at high speed and sank two seriously damaged transport ships that were difficult to tow?

15 14:25, 1 Italian torpedo sinking 1 injured British destroyer? 15: 30, the British escort formation meets the warning ship from Malta and continues to the destination? But when entering the port, due to the wrong channel, three destroyers? 1 transport ship and 1 minesweeper strayed into the minefield? One of the destroyers sank and the others were injured?

/kloc-it was not until the evening of 0/6 that the frigate in the harpoon escort operation began to return./kloc-it joined the support fleet west of the Tunisian Strait on the evening of 0/7?

Although the western motorcade was badly damaged, it still completed some transportation tasks. Two transport ships finally arrived in malta island and unloaded 15000 tons of materials?

The Eastern convoy carrying out the "majestic" escort operation consists of 1 1 transport ships. 12 destroyer? Four frigates and two minesweepers? The sea cover force sent for it is 8 cruisers? 14 destroyer?

In addition, the old target ship was loaded with wooden fake guns and disguised as a battleship to participate in escort operations to confuse the enemy? In order to counter the other ship and ensure the safety of the convoy, the British navy took the following measures: ① malta island? Egypt transferred 40 torpedo planes and B-24 bombers from the Suez Canal area to form an assault fleet, which is responsible for providing air support for the transport fleet; (2) When the transport fleet sailed to malta island via the eastern Mediterranean, it used nine submarines to form a ship curtain, and to the north of its basic route, it used a parallel course for navigation warning? Before and after, submarines were also sent to patrol the waters where the Italian fleet might pass?

In order to cover up the action attempt, the 1 1 carrier loaded the cargo at Alexandria and Beirut respectively. In addition, a fake convoy left Port Said six hours ahead of schedule, headed for bloody sand, and then turned back to meet the home team, so as to induce the Italian fleet to set sail ahead of time, so that the British side could organize an attack and consume fuel?

After everything is ready, pretend that the motorcade left Port Said on June 1 1? So, what about the transport ship? Direct escort ships and maritime cover forces set off according to the specified time? 12 night, this convoy was discovered by a German reconnaissance plane. 1 The transport ship was injured? In the afternoon of 13, all transport ships met outside Alexandria, among which 1 could not sail with the team because of its slow speed, and the number of transport ships was reduced to 9?

That night, DE? Italian planes kept throwing flares and attacking the motorcade, but no damage was caused? On the morning of 14, all the other escort ships were assembled except the torpedo boat which returned due to bad weather. By 14, 16: 30, the escort formation has exceeded the operational radius of British fighters? After 2 1 17, it was attacked seven times by about 60 German yunker 87 and 88 bombers. 1 transport ship was sunk and injured? Before sunset 1 Italian submarine attack destroyer escort? After dark, German planes? Submarine? Torpedo boats attack one after another?

At the same time, the Italian fleet also set sail from Taranto on June 6 14? It divided its forces into two fleets, one consisting of two battleships and six destroyers, and the other consisting of four cruisers and four destroyers? 18: 45, the Italian fleet was found and reported by a British plane leaving Malta? After receiving the report, the commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet ordered the escort fleet to continue sailing westward, and began to return eastward along the original route at 2 o'clock on June 5438+05? The purpose of the British escort fleet sailing westward for a period of time is to attract the Italian fleet away from the base, and then organize submarines and aviation to carry out surprise attacks?

15, 1: 45, the British team began to turn east? At 3: 50, it was attacked by a German torpedo plane. 1 The cruiser was slightly injured by thunder. 1 The destroyer was sunk by thunder?

At this time, the Italian fleet was about 200 nautical miles northwest of the British escort fleet, and was also attacked by four British torpedo planes and nine British bombers taking off from malta island, and the L cruisers lost their mobility?

At 5: 25, the commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet thought that if the convoy entered a narrow sea area and was more vulnerable to air strikes, it would turn west? From 5: 45 to 7: 00, the British submarine "P-3 1"? Both "P-34" and "P-35" discovered the Italian fleet and torpedoed it, sinking 1 cruiser? At 0900 hours, eight B-24 bombers from Egypt attacked the Italian fleet, causing injuries to the 1 battleship?

However, the Italian fleet continued to approach the British convoy? At about 16, when the Italian fleet was about 100 nautical mile away from the British escort fleet, it began to turn to the northwest. Due to the instructions from the Italian naval headquarters in advance, if the British ship is not contacted before 0600 hours on 15, it will return to Pyros for standby, in case the British convoy will attack again when it sails for malta island the next day? When the commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet got the news that the Italian fleet was returning, he thought it might return to taranto Port. He wants to order four of the seven fast carriers to sail for malta island under the escort of 1 light cruiser and two destroyers? However, at 18: 30, the commander of the escort formation reported that only 1/3 ammunition was left, which could not meet the operational needs on the way?

So Admiral Cunningham ordered the fleet to return to Alexandria? 19: 30, Germany? Italian aircraft attacked British convoy, Britain lost/kloc-0 destroyers and two cruisers were injured? 15 night, German submarine U-205 sank 1 British cruiser? British submarines and five torpedo planes also attacked the Italian fleet successively, injuring 1 Italian battleships?

/kloc-on the morning of 0/6, the Italian fleet returned to taranto port; On the same night, the British convoy also arrived in Alexandria? In this way, the "magnificent" escort operation ended in complete failure. No transport ship arrived in malta island, and 1 cruiser was lost? Three destroyers, two transport ships and two wounded cruisers? 1 destroyer and 1 transport ship? Italian fleet lost 1 cruiser, injured 1 battleship?

To sum up, it is not difficult to see that Germany? The Italian army won a great victory in this battle, and it was mainly Germany that hit the British escort fleet hard. The Italian Air Force and the Italian surface naval forces did not achieve much, only/kloc-0 British cruisers and 2 destroyers were injured?