Maori at Cape Bon and under Malta's air siege

HMS Maori provides a sharp example of what the Tribal class's cruiser role meant in action. At Cape Bon she joined Sikh, Legion, and Isaac Sweers in an offensive sweep that destroyed two Italian light cruisers, firing guns and torpedoes at very close range. Her report also shows the confusion of a night action, including jammed close-range weapons and a torpedo boat that escaped when the force disengaged. Maori later rescued survivors from Bismarck and fought in the Norwegian and Mediterranean campaigns. Concentrated air attack eventually sank her at her moorings in Malta's Grand Harbour, exposing the vulnerability of a gun-heavy destroyer when enemy aircraft overwhelmed harbour defences.