A smoke screen seen from the deck of HMAS Perth during the Battle of Matapan. Attempting to intercept British convoys on their way to Greece, an Italian fleet steamed towards Crete on 27 March 1941 but was defeated in a night time action during which some 2400 Italian sailors were killed. The battle of Matapan forced the Italian fleet to remain in harbour until August 1941, and prevented its ever attempting to operate so far to the east of its own base again. (AWM P01915.004; photographer Henry Charles Bryce Porter)
Source
AWM P01915.004
Copyright
Copyright expired - public domain