After Japan entered the war, Sutlej returned east to escort traffic bound for Singapore, the Bay of Bengal, the Persian Gulf, and Aden. She rejoined the Mediterranean Fleet in May 1943 and became part of the task force for Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily. The operation pulled capable anti-submarine ships away from routine work because commanders needed protection against German and Italian submarines. This concentration helped a large landing proceed under submarine threat while imposing an opportunity cost elsewhere. After Husky, Sutlej took part in operations around the Aegean islands before returning to the Eastern Fleet in December 1943.
Notable Point · 17:00-18:28
Operation Husky concentrates scarce ASW ships
Sutlej’s return to the Mediterranean for Operation Husky illustrates why amphibious commanders gathered the best available escorts against submarine attack.