Battle of Cape Passero (1940)

Battle of Cape Passero (1940)
Part of the Battle of the Mediterranean of the Second World War
British light cruiser HMS Ajax during the Second World War
Date 12 October 1940 Location Off Cape Passaro, Mediterranean Sea 36°13′19.62″N 15°43′56.71″E / 36.2221167°N 15.7324194°E / 36.2221167; 15.7324194 Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Italy
Commanders and leaders
Edward McCarthy	Carlo Margottini †
Strength
1 heavy cruiser 1 light cruiser	4 destroyers 3 torpedo boats
Casualties and losses
13 killed 22 wounded 1 light cruiser damaged	325 killed 1 destroyer sunk 2 torpedo boats sunk 1 destroyer damaged

The Battle of Cape Passero (1940), was a naval engagement in the Second World War between the British light cruiser HMS Ajax and seven torpedo boats and destroyers of the Italian Regia Marina, south-east of Sicily, in the early hours of 12 October 1940. It took place in the aftermath of a British supply operation to Malta.