Operation M (iii)

'M' (iii) was an Italian convoy operation across the Mediterranean (3/6 July 1942).

At this time there were two Italian convoys on passage from Tripoli and Benghazi in North Africa to Brindisi in southern Italy. The first of these, comprising two ships escorted by the destroyer Nicoloso da Recco and the torpedo boats Calafitimi and Lince, joined forces with the 'M' (iii) convoy of one ship from Benghazi with an escort comprising the destroyer Giovanni di Varazzano and the torpedo boats Antares, Castore, Pegaso, Polluce and Sagittario, on 4 July. The combined convoys had an uneventful passage and reached port safely.

There were several other small Italian convoys on passage between Tobruk and Benghazi and between Tobruk and Mersa Matruh at this time.