After a ten day period of inactivity during which the Malta based Beaufort Squadrons, 39 and 217, were basically restructured into a single entity under 217's soon to be tour expired OC, WC W. A. L. Davis. Even after the partial success of the June convoy's, fuel was again becoming critical on the island, keeping both reconnaissance flights and strike missions to a minimum.

During the prior evening, Malta had copied a submarine sighting of a large supply convoy departing Taranto for North Africa. Three torpedo carrying ASV equipped Wellington VIIIs had been dispatched and located the target just south of Corfu, but had been unable to score. This left the job to the Beauforts.

The convoy in question was composed of three cargo ships, the German MV Ankara (4,786 BRT), and the Italian MVs Nino Bixio (7,137 BRT) and Monvisio (5,322 BRT), with an extremely strong escort: DD Verrazano, DD Turbine, DD Euro, TB Antares, TB Polluce, TB Castore, TB San Martino, and DE Pegaso.

A full scale strike was sent off at 0645, consisting of twelve Beauforts and six Beaufighter escorts, but they returned at midday empty handed, having been unable to locate the quarry. Two of 69 Squadrons PR aircraft, a Spitfire and a Maryland, were dispatched to regain contact, locating it just south of Zante island. Even though the days activity had greatly depleted Maltas fuel reserves, the target could not be ignored, and another strike was planned.

After the morning flight only nine Beauforts were reported serviceable. Worse, as only three spare crews were available, six crews were going to have to make their second operation of the day. With SL R. P. M. Gibbs, DFC in the lead, the strike began takeoff at 1830. Almost immediately things began to fall apart. Three Beauforts were unable to get off the ground, and two more (along with one Beaufighter) were forced to return almost immediately with engine problems. This left only four Beauforts [Gibbs (39), FO W. J. Stevens (217), Sgt. R. G. Mercer (217), and Sgt. J. Hutcheson (217)] and five Beaufighters.

The target was located at dusk, hugging the Greek coast with the escorts deployed in an arc to seaward. Realizing a head on assault was suicidal, Gibbs led his small band inland then turned and attacked from the darkened East with the Beaufighters in the lead, intent on performing a new role flak busting. Amidst a hail of flak that knocked down Mercer (AW240) and Hutcheson (L9893) [both crews were killed], and plastered Gibbs (flying Davis DD993), the later managed to plunk Nino Bixio, forcing the convoy to put into port for repairs and reorganization. The rest of the exhausted strike force returned near midnight, Gibbs bellying in his wrecked aircraft.