August 13, 1941. Battle of the Mediterranean
The British continue replacing worn-out Australian troops with Polish soldiers at Tobruk. This is done at night throughout the week with the usual fast nightly supply runs.
Royal Navy 1267-ton schooner Kephallinia makes a supply run from Alexandria to Tobruk, but sinks for unexplained reasons not far from Alexandria. HMS Hero is nearby and picks up survivors.
Operation Guillotine, the British reinforcement of Cyprus, continues as Royal Navy light cruiser HMS Neptune, minelaying cruiser Abdiel, and destroyer Jackal take troops to the island.
An Italian departs from Naples bound for Tripoli. The convoy is composed of five freighters escorted by five destroyers and a torpedo boat.
The Luftwaffe attacks Alexandria during the night.
At Malta, a Maryland sent to drop propaganda leaflets on Tunisia is shot down.
Source: worldwartwodaily
Photo: “Australian troops occupy a frontline position at Tobruk, 13 August 1941. Between April and December 1941 the Tobruk garrison, comprising Australian, Polish, Indian and British troops, was besieged by Rommel’s forces. It fell to the Germans after the battle of Gazala on 21 June 1942 but was recaptured five months later.” © IWM