The Battle of the Espero Convoy was the first surface naval engagement between Italian and Allied forces in World War II.
Key Facts
- Date
- 28 June 1940
- Italian destroyers involved
- 3 (Espero, Zeffiro, Ostro)
- Espero crew and passengers
- 225
- Survivors rescued
- 53
- British 6-inch shells in reserve
- 800 shells
- Destroyer speed
- 36 knots
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Italy entered World War II in June 1940, prompting the Italian Navy to transport Blackshirt anti-tank units from Taranto to Tobruk in Libya to defend against a potential British armoured advance from Egypt. Three fast Italian destroyers were dispatched on this mission, while the British Mediterranean Fleet was simultaneously at sea conducting anti-submarine sweeps and escorting Allied convoys near Crete.
British aircraft from Malta spotted the Italian destroyers, and the 7th Cruiser Squadron moved to intercept them south-west of Crete. A running battle ensued in which the Italian destroyers, slowed by their cargo and rough seas, attempted to flee. The destroyer Espero, commanded by Captain Enrico Baroni, sacrificed itself to cover the escape of Zeffiro and Ostro to Benghazi, and was ultimately sunk by British and Australian cruisers.
Of Espero's 225 crew and passengers, only 53 were rescued, three of whom later died of wounds. The British and Australian cruisers expended so much ammunition that the planned Malta convoys had to be postponed until stocks were replenished from the 800 reserve 6-inch shells available. The two surviving Italian destroyers reached Benghazi, and Convoy AS 1 from Turkey arrived safely by 3 July.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Enrico Baroni (Captain, Espero).