Fuel shortages drive the Cape Bon mission

Operation Crusader intensified an Axis fuel crisis, leading the Italian high command to use Alberico da Barbiano and Alberto di Giussano as fast transports. Earlier convoy losses, including the Duisburg convoy, helped push urgent cargo onto warships. The planned third cruiser became unavailable, so its cargo went onto the surviving pair; a second escort also broke down, reducing their protection. The stated cargo included about 98 tons of aviation fuel, 250 tons of gasoline, 600 tons of naphtha, 900 tons of food, and 135 passengers bound for Tripoli. Fuel barrels crowded the sterns so densely that the after guns could not traverse without first clearing the decks. The shortage also prevented aircraft in Libya from providing cover, because the aviation fuel they needed was aboard the incoming cruisers. The resupply plan therefore exposed ships whose cargo obstructed their weapons while the same shortage limited their air protection.