HMS Abdiel varied speed, course, and radio transmissions so shore-based monitoring stations plotted what appeared to be two ships communicating while zigzagging. By accelerating, slowing, maneuvering, and transmitting, she used her exceptional speed to create credible separation between the false contacts. A visual observer would have seen one cruiser-like minelayer making peculiar movements, but the Italians had only the signals picture. Their belief that British battleships were present helped turn a potentially favorable action into a stalemate at the First Battle of Sirte.
Notable Point · 27:41-29:05
HMS Abdiel imitates two battleships by radio
A fast minelayer manipulates movement and transmissions so Italian listeners infer that two British battleships are at sea.