Table of Data Points

While escorting a convoy, HMS Illustrious comes under Stuka attack 60 miles west of Malta. She is hit by 8 bombs and suffers extensive damage. While she is being repaired , Allied ability to prevent the German landings in North Africa is hampered.

Despite her age and mechanical problems, she participated in the 1940-41 Greco-Italian War under the command of Lt Cdr Miltiadis Iatridis, carrying out six war patrols in the Adriatic. During one of these, she sank the Italian ship Antonietta.

The Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Jervis Bay is sunk by the German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer. The ship's sacrifice allowed the remaining ships of the convoy to escape.

The german Battleship Bismarck is commissioned into the Kriegsmarine. She was the largest ship built by Germany or indeed any European navy and was named for Otto Von Bismarck the 19th century statesman largely responsible for the reunification of Germany

The Greek Cruiser Elli is sunk by an Italian submarine off the island of Tinos