Benghazi: a night strike combining bombs and mines

Fifteen Swordfish attacked Benghazi during the night of 16-17 September. They laid mines at the harbour entrance while also attacking ships inside. The strike destroyed an Italian destroyer and two freighters totalling roughly 10,000 gross register tons. Another destroyer later struck one of the mines and sank. Attacks on smaller ports had demonstrated British night-attack capability before Taranto, although they may also have encouraged an assumption that Britain would avoid the main Italian base.