 The Italian ships were close to contact but "Supermarina" ordered Iachino to turn away when only from the convoy if the British had not been engaged by At the battlefleet turned north-west, towards Navarino (Pylos) ready to advance should the British try again.British aircraft shadowing the battlefleet reported the turn at and at Harwood ordered Vian to turn the convoy again, asking if the Hunts and other ships had fuel enough to make Malta, the cruisers and fleet destroyers to turn for Malta after dark.MW11 was under attack when the signal arrived and after waiting for two hours for a reply, Harwood ordered that only the four fastest merchantmen, "Arethusa" and two destroyers should make a dash for Malta.