 On 10 March, the cruiser was sunk by a U-boat and on 10 May, three of four destroyers were sunk by the "Luftwaffe".In February and March, Axis losses were of supplies, those sent in April fewer than one percent and May losses were 

The Axis was able to reinforce North Africa sufficient for Rommel to try to attack before the British.In late April, the British Chiefs of Staff ruled that there would be no convoy to Malta in May, because the Italian fleet could be expected to sail and convoy would need battleship and aircraft carrier cover, which was not available.