Operation Iota

'Iota' was an Italian convoy operation across the Mediterranean (8/10 March 1942).

Comprising two ships and one tug, escorted by the destroyers Bersagliere and Antonio da Noli, and the torpedo boats Castore and Pallade, the convoy departed Tripoli in North Africa for Italy. The convoy came under British air attack on several occasions but was not hit.

On 9 March the 8,103-ton Luciano Manara departed Trapani in Sicily bound for Tripoli under escort of Antonio da Noli and the torpedo boats Centauro and Polluce. Centauro was attacked and damaged by British aircraft on the same day near the island of Pantelleria and had to be towed back to Palermo.