Warspite reunited with Valiant and Formidable before returning to Alexandria for Operation Husky. Her arrival at Malta in July 1943 was symbolically important after years in which no battleship had visited the island. Warspite then bombarded Catania, covered the Strait of Messina and Salerno landings, and demonstrated the value of heavy naval guns in amphibious campaigns. Persistent steering trouble briefly delayed her Catania firing position, but the army advance was delayed still further. Cunningham's nickname for the Old Lady followed her unexpectedly rapid return from the operation despite repeated air attacks.
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Malta, Sicily, and Salerno fire support
Warspite's return to Malta and bombardments in Sicily and Italy show how a battleship delivered both political reassurance and army support.