Force K - Second Force K

Second Force K

The next Force K was created on 21 October 1941, and then consisted of light cruisers Aurora and Penelope, and L and M class destroyers Lance and Lively. Force K operated out of Malta, against Italian ships carrying supplies to the Axis forces in North Africa.

Allied submarines and aircraft sank some of these ships, but most supply got through. So Force K was added.

On 8-9 November 1941, Force K destroyed an entire Axis convoy, forcing the Italian high command to consider Tripoli "practically blockaded". Soon after, Force K was reinforced at Malta by Force B, with light cruisers Ajax and Neptune and two J, K and N class destroyers. The combined force was so effective that during November 1941 the Axis supply line suffered 60% losses. However on 19 December, at about the time of the First Battle of Sirte, ships from both Forces ran into a minefield while pursuing an Italian convoy. Mines sank Neptune and damaged Aurora. The destroyer Kandahar also struck a mine while attempting to assist the stricken Neptune. Kandahar was scuttled the next day by the destroyer Jaguar.

Following this, and with a resurgence of the aerial bombardment of Malta, the remaining surface ships were withdrawn from there. Only Penelope remained, as she was too damaged to leave. Frequent air attacks while she remained in harbour earned her the nickname "HMS Pepperpot". She was also withdrawn on 8 April 1942, ending Force K's deployment.