 Near the Italian battlefleet, two more Beauforts were damaged by long-range anti-aircraft fire at about but by turning broadside to bring more guns to bear, the Italian ships presented bigger targets, the Beaufort crews claiming a hit on a battleship and the US crews above reporting hits on a cruiser and a destroyer, although all torpedoes missed; the Beauforts turned for Malta and landed at Luqa, the damaged leader crash-landing.The combined HQ at Alexandria received reports only after long delays and during the night, Harwood became more apprehensive that the convoy would soon sail back into Bomb Alley and ordered another turn at Vian was then ordered to avoid the Italians until aircraft had attacked around If the attack failed, Vian was to get the convoy to Malta and if the Italian ships intercepted, the merchant ships were to be abandoned to their fate, the escorts escaping in any direction.At reconnaissance reports showed that the battlefleet was still making south, from the convoy and at Harwood ordered the ships to reverse course again.