she was used as a troop ship on 1 november 1940, and sailed from liverpool to the middle east carrying the 1st king's dragoon guards. she then saw service carrying evacuees from liverpool to new york. in 1942, the "scythia" took part in the british army landings in north africa. on 23 november she was struck by an aerial torpedo. the crew managed to get to harbour at algiers, and the ship suffered only five casualties out of a complement of 4,300 men.