Nightfall reverses the balance at First Sirte

Both sides are covering convoys and initially avoid decisive combat, producing a slow Italian pursuit and British withdrawal. After sunset, British anti-aircraft fire against an air attack reveals the convoy's position even though the Italians lack radar. Four Italian battleships open at extreme range and hold the advantage in fading light, while the British force relies chiefly on light cruisers and destroyers. Once darkness prevents Italian light cruisers from reliably countering torpedo attacks by those smaller ships, the Italian force sensibly breaks off rather than surrendering its daylight advantage in a night melee.