Force K

Force K
HMS Renown was part of the first Force K
Active	1939–1942
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Garrison/HQ	Gibraltar
Engagements	Battle of the Atlantic Battle of the River Plate Battle of the Mediterranean Battle of the Duisburg Convoy First Battle of Sirte Operation Stoneage
Commanders
Notable commanders	William Agnew Henry Harwood Andrew Cunningham

Force K was the name given to three British Royal Navy groups of ships during the Second World War. The first Force K operated from West Africa in 1939, to intercept commerce raiders. The second Force K was formed in October 1941 at Malta, to operate against convoys sailing from Italy to Libya. Axis air attacks on Malta led to Force K being reduced and on 8 April 1942, the last ship of the force was withdrawn. After a convoy was run to Malta in Operation Stoneage (16–20 November) Force K was re-established against Axis convoys.