'Leap' was a British naval interdiction programme by Vice Admiral Sir Edward Syfret’s Gibraltar-based Force 'H' to prevent any attempt by German warships to enter the Mediterranean, and also any Axis shipping attempting to cross the Mediterranean in the area of the 'Sicilian narrows' doe the delivery of reinforcements, equipment and supplies to the Axis forces fighting the Allies in North-West Africa and Libya in the aftermath of 'Torch' (20/31 December 1942).