====Operation Pedestal====

====Operation Pedestal====

[[File:Operation Pedestal, August 1942 A11249.jpg|thumb|upright=1.23|Rear-Admiral [[Harold Burrough]], CB, who commanded the close escort, shaking hands with Captain [[Dudley Mason]] of ''Ohio'']]

[[File:Operation Pedestal, August 1942 A11249.jpg|thumb|upright=1.23|{{center|Rear-Admiral [[Harold Burrough]], CB, who commanded the close escort, shaking hands with Captain [[Dudley Mason]] of ''Ohio''}}]]

Admiralty planning for Operation Pedestal began in late July 1942, under the direction of [[Vice-Admiral]] [[Neville Syfret]], [[Rear Admiral]]s [[Lumley Lyster]] and [[Harold Burrough]] and the Naval Staff. Syfret transferred to {{HMS|Nelson|28|6}} on 27 July when ''Nelson'' and {{HMS|Rodney|29|6}} returned to [[Scapa Flow]] from [[Freetown]], West Africa. Syfret convened a conference on 29 July, for Flag and Commanding Officers of the naval forces for Pedestal at Scapa, to consider the orders for the operation. Several smaller operations were also planned, to be carried out concurrently with Pedestal.{{sfn|Roskill|1956|pp=301–303}}

Admiralty planning for Operation Pedestal began in late July 1942, under the direction of [[Vice-Admiral]] [[Neville Syfret]], rear-admirals [[Lumley Lyster]] and [[Harold Burrough]] and the Naval Staff. Syfret transferred to {{HMS|Nelson|28|6}} on 27 July when ''Nelson'' and {{HMS|Rodney|29|6}} returned to [[Scapa Flow]] from [[Freetown]], West Africa. Syfret convened a conference on 29 July for Flag and Commanding Officers of the naval forces for Pedestal at Scapa, to consider the orders for the operation. Several smaller operations were also planned, to be carried out concurrently with Pedestal.{{sfn|Roskill|1956|pp=301–303}}

The convoy comprised 14 [[merchant vessel]]s, the most important being ''Ohio'', the only large, fast tanker available, a US ship loaned to the British, with a British crew.{{sfn|Shankland|Hunter|1961|pp=69–76}} As insurance against the loss of ''Ohio'' and its {{cvt|12000|LT}} of oil, the other ships were to carry fuel in drums. The convoy was to be protected by two [[battleship]]s, three [[aircraft carrier]]s, seven [[cruiser]]s, thirty-two [[destroyer]]s and seven submarines, the largest escort force yet.{{sfnm|1a1=Playfair|1y=2004|1p=317|2a1=Roskill|2y=1956|2p=303}}

The convoy comprised 14 [[merchant vessel]]s, the most important being ''Ohio'', the only large, fast tanker available, a US ship loaned to the British, with a British crew.{{sfn|Shankland|Hunter|1961|pp=69–76}} As insurance against the loss of ''Ohio'' and its {{cvt|12000|LT}} of oil, the other ships were to carry fuel in drums. The convoy was to be protected by two [[battleship]]s, three [[aircraft carrier]]s, seven [[cruiser]]s, thirty-two [[destroyer]]s and seven submarines, the largest escort force yet.{{sfnm|1a1=Playfair|1y=2004|1p=317|2a1=Roskill|2y=1956|2p=303}}