The Battle of Cape Bon night ambush

Four British destroyers approached two Italian cruisers at night from the landward side, where the Italian crews did not expect an attack. The lead destroyers launched torpedoes before opening gunfire. When the guns revealed the ambush, the Italian ships still had their weapons oriented toward the seaward threat and did not begin evasive action before the torpedoes struck. The later British destroyers entered after the engagement had largely been decided. The example shows why first detection and an unexpected bearing can matter more than the nominal size of the opposing forces in a night action.