Operation MG8

'MG8' was a British naval attempt to send the 3,320-ton tanker Empire Patrol from Alexandria in Egypt to Malta (1/3 November 1942).

The tanker was escorted by the Free Greek destroyers Condouriotis and Spetsai, and proceeded to the west of Cyprus with the intention of moving along the Turkish coast and then past the north coast of Crete. The destroyers were detached once the tanker had reached Cyprus, and on 2 November a German Dornier Do 215 aeroplane spotted Empire Patrol in the area to the north-west of Cyprus. The tanker later developed engine faults and made for Famagusta in Cyprus, which she reached on 3 November after reporting a sighting of a submarine. The Free Greek destroyers put to sea to search for the submarine, but found nothing. On 4 November, with her engines repaired, Empire Patrol departed Famagusta with the Free Greek destroyer Condouriotis for Beirut in Lebanon as part of 'Tenderden'.