Battle of Cape Matapan

The Battle of Cape Matapan was a battle fought from 27 March to 29 March, 1941 during World War II off the Peloponnesus coast of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea. During the battle British naval forces under the command of Admrial Andrew Cunningham defeated those of Italy sinking five warships: the heavy cruisers Zara, Fiume, and Pola and the destroyers Vittorio Alfieri and Carducci.

The British fleet comprised the aircraft carrier Formidable; the battleships Warspite (flagship), Valiant and Barham; and smaller units.

The Italian fleet was centered on the battleship Vittorio Veneto and included the cruisers Zara, Fiume, and Pola, other cruisers, and smaller units.

The interception was made possible by cryptanalysis and Admiral Cunningham is said to have made a surreptitious exit from a club in Egypt to avoid being seen going aboard ship. Additionally, efforts were made to ensure there was a plausible alternative reason for the British to intercept the Italian fleet; in this case it was a carefully directed scout plane.