Battle of Calabria

"Battle of Punta Stilo" redirects here. For the medieval battle between Byzantines and Aghlabids, see Battle of Stelai.

Battle of Calabria
Part of the Battle of the Mediterranean of the Second World War

Italian battleship Giulio Cesare, 9 July 1940
Date9 July 1940 (1940-07-09)
Location
Off Calabria, Mediterranean Sea
37°40′N 17°20′E / 37.667°N 17.333°E / 37.667; 17.333
Result Indecisive
Belligerents
  Italy
Commanders and leaders
Andrew Cunningham Inigo Campioni
Strength
  • 1 aircraft carrier
  • 3 battleships
  • 5 light cruisers
  • 16 destroyers
  • 2 battleships
  • 6 heavy cruisers
  • 8 light cruisers
  • 16 destroyers
Casualties and losses
  • 1 light cruiser damaged
  • 2 destroyers damaged
  • 1 battleship damaged
  • 1 heavy cruiser damaged
  • 1 destroyer damaged

The Battle of Calabria (9 July 1940) known to the Italian Navy as the Battle of Punta Stilo, was a naval battle during the Battle of the Mediterranean in the Second World War. Ships of the Regia Marina were opposed by vessels of the Mediterranean Fleet. The battle took place 30 nmi (56 km; 35 mi) to the east of Punta Stilo, Calabria.

The battle was one of the few in the Mediterranean campaign involving large numbers of ships on both sides. The battle was indecisive and the ships returned to base; it was the first battleship engagement between the Regia Marina and the Mediterranean Fleet.