Sherbrooke's torpedo feints open the battle

Gales scattered JW 51B, and Bramble left the convoy to search for missing ships. German reconnaissance aircraft and U-354 maintained contact before the surface attack. At 08:20 Obdurate spotted three German destroyers, while Onslow identified Admiral Hipper and Sherbrooke brought four destroyers forward to intercept. Achates stayed with the merchants and made smoke. The attackers faced repeated simulated torpedo launches: British destroyers turned as though firing, and some threw objects overboard to imitate launch splashes. Kummetz's orders to avoid risk made even an uncertain torpedo threat a reason to turn away. Hipper eventually disabled Onslow's forward guns and communications and wounded Sherbrooke, who remained in command until he handed over to Commander Kinloch in Obedient. Hipper's own log acknowledged that the destroyers had prevented her from approaching the convoy.