Operation MB8

Operation MB.8
Part of the Battle of the Mediterranean of the Second World War

20 mm Oerlikon cannon anti aircraft gunners on board a merchant ship on a Malta bound convoy
Date4–11 November 1940
Location
Western part of the Mediterranean Sea
35°N 18°E / 35°N 18°E / 35; 18
Result British victory
Belligerents
 United Kingdom  Italy
Commanders and leaders
Andrew Cunningham
Lumley Lyster
Inigo Campioni
Units involved
Mediterranean Fleet
Force H
Regia Marina
Regia Aeronautica
Strength
2 aircraft carriers
5 battleships
10 cruisers
30 destroyers
various air & naval forces

Operation MB8 was a British Royal Navy operation in the Mediterranean Sea from 4 to 11 November 1940. It was made up of six forces comprising two aircraft carriers, five battleships, 10 cruisers and 30 destroyers, including much of Force H from Gibraltar, protecting four supply convoys. It consisted of Operation Coat, Operation Crack, Convoy MW 3, Convoy ME 3, Convoy AN 6 and the main element Operation Judgement (the Battle of Taranto).[1]

  1. ^ Stephen 1988, pp. 37–38.