Force K's night attack on the Duisburg convoy

British communications intelligence revealed the convoy's schedule and allowed Force K to take an advantageous position, while Lively's jamming helped prevent warnings from reaching the Italian ships. The British divided into cruiser-destroyer pairs, approached under radar control, and opened fire at roughly 5,200 yards before closing to about 3,000. The Italians did not understand what was attacking them until six-inch and 4.7-inch shells were already striking their formation. At ranges far below those for which the guns were designed, surprise and well-drilled crews turned the action into a rapid destruction of escorts and merchant ships rather than an evenly matched engagement.