Battle of Cape Spada

Battle of Cape Spada
Part of the Battle of the Mediterranean of the Second World War
Bartolomeo Colleoni sinking, 19 July 1940
Date 19 July 1940 Location Off Crete, Mediterranean Sea 35°41′34″N 23°43′14″E / 35.69278°N 23.72056°E / 35.69278; 23.72056 Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Australia  United Kingdom	Italy
Commanders and leaders
John Collins	Ferdinando Casardi
Strength
1 light cruiser 5 destroyers	2 light cruisers
Casualties and losses
1 wounded 1 light cruiser damaged	121 killed 555 captured 1 light cruiser sunk

The Battle of Cape Spada was a naval battle between the Royal Navy and the Regia Marina during the Battle of the Mediterranean in the second World War. It took place on 19 July 1940 in the Mediterranean Sea off Cape Spada, the north-western extremity of Crete.