Lützow repeatedly approached the convoy but withdrew when British destroyers threatened attack. Orders to join Hipper's withdrawal then brought her into contact with Sheffield and Jamaica, which opened fire. Burnett shadowed the retreating Germans while Sherbrooke's destroyers returned to the merchants. German orders continued to discourage a counterattack because it would risk further damage. The British cruisers also avoided forcing an engagement against two heavy cruisers and five destroyers, since those odds did not offer the advantage they wanted.
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Lützow never reached the merchants and the escorts returned to their mission
Destroyer threats repeatedly turned Lützow away, after which British forces declined to force another engagement and returned to convoy protection.