In the Mediterranean… The Italians send out the battleship Littorio, two heavy cruisers, one light cruiser and eight destroyers to intercept the British convoy to Malta carrying vital food supplies and ammunition. The convoy is located, but the British escort under Admiral Vian manages to beat off the attack using torpedoes and smokes screens. The heavy attacks by German and Italian forces continue and only 5000 tons of food and equipment is off loaded at Malta. The food and weapons situation on the island is now critical.