Expansion and the Tripoli minefield

After successful operations, Force K expanded with another cruiser-and-destroyer group built around Neptune and K-class destroyers. The confidence created by that larger force encouraged harder pushing during night operations. Off Tripoli the ships entered a minefield laid months earlier to deter British coastal bombardment. Kandahar was lost while trying to assist Neptune, while Aurora and Penelope escaped damaged. Although Neptune was a Royal Navy cruiser, much of her company was from the Royal New Zealand Navy and a substantial South African contingent was also aboard, giving the disaster a wider Commonwealth cost. The losses temporarily removed the surface force from Malta during a critical stage of the island's siege.