Operation Collar (convoy)

Operation Collar (12–29 November 1940) was a small, fast three-ship convoy sent from Britain during the Second World War on 12 November 1940. The three ships and their cruiser escorts passed the Strait of Gibraltar on 24 November. Two of the merchant ships were bound for Malta and one for Alexandria with military supplies. Numerous other operations were conducted by Force H, based at Gibraltar and by the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria in Egypt.

The Regia Marina (Italian Royal Navy) had not been deterred from challenging the British after the disaster of the Battle of Taranto (11/12 November 1940) that put three of its six battleships out of action. When aware that Force H was sailing eastwards, the Italian fleet sailed to attack the British ships, leading to the inconclusive Battle of Cape Spartivento (Battle of Cape Teluada to the Italians) on 27 November. The two Malta-bound ships arrived on 26 November.

As the British and Italian battle fleets manoeuvred inconclusively, Force F made off towards the Sicilian Narrows with the anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Coventry from Force D. the two freighters bound for Malta made port on 29 November. New Zealand Star continued to Alexandria with the cruisers HMS Manchester and HMS Southampton and the destroyers HMS Defender and HMS Hereward.

After the Battle of Spartivento there were moves against senior commanders, before Somerville returned to Gibraltar, the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill and the Admiralty had despatched a court of inquiry. Somerville was exonerated but in Italy, Admiral Inigo Campioni was sacked and replaced by Admiral Angelo Iachino. The Mediterranean Fleet resumed operations in the eastern Mediterranean.