 It was only at that Harwood and Tedder discovered that aircraft from Malta had engaged the Italian battlefleet and received the exaggerated claims of torpedo hits, including those on the battleships.Harwood signalled that MW11 should turn for Malta again, the escorts to abandon the freighters if challenged and then at delegated freedom of action to Vian.At dawn, the ships of Operation Harpoon were intercepted by an Italian cruiser force and the five British fleet destroyers boldly attacked as the smaller destroyers remained with the convoy and eventually the Italian ships broke off the attack at Air attacks on the convoy had continued, two ships were damaged and one sunk.