 Escorted by "Coventry" and eight s, MW11c was to simulate the Malta convoy and steam about as far as the Tobruk meridian and turn back to rendezvous with the remainder.It was hoped that the decoy operation would lure out the Italian fleet, which would be exposed to attack and run short of fuel before the main convoy sailed.During the night five of the freighters for Operation Harpoon rendezvoused with the tanker "Kentucky" off Gibraltar; by morning GM4 was making to the east.