Barham sailed with Queen Elizabeth, Valiant, and eight destroyers to support cruisers hunting Italian supply traffic. HMS Jervis detected a contact at an estimated 900-1,100 yards but discounted its unusually broad return. U-331 initially sought a shot at Queen Elizabeth, then fired four torpedoes at Barham from about 375 meters. Three struck amidships almost simultaneously, throwing up what witnesses described as a single water column. Barham rolled onto her side within four minutes and suffered a catastrophic explosion that killed 862 officers and ratings. U-331 briefly broached near the battleships before diving to an indicated 265 meters and escaping. HMS Hotspur and HMAS Nizam recovered survivors.
Chapter · 2:33:41-2:39:34
U-331's point-blank attack on HMS Barham
U-331 penetrated a destroyer screen and hit Barham with three nearly simultaneous torpedoes, producing catastrophic flooding and a magazine explosion.