Repeated British air attacks on Naples, one of which damaged the cruiser , prompted the high command to move "Vittorio Veneto" and the rest of the major warships of the fleet to Sardinia on 14 December. They were returned to Naples six days later, however, after the high command concluded that removing the fleet to Sardinia would allow British convoys from Alexandria to reach Malta with relative ease. On the night of 8–9 January 1941, the British launched an air raid with Vickers Wellington bombers on the Italian fleet in Naples, but the aircraft again failed to hit "Vittorio Veneto"; "Giulio Cesare" was slightly damaged by several near misses. Both ships were moved to La Spezia the next day, with "Vittorio Veneto" providing cover for "Giulio Cesare". "Vittorio Veneto" was now the only operational battleship in the fleet. "Giulio Cesare" was back in service by early February, as was . The three battleships, along with eight destroyers, attempted to intercept Force H on 8 February, which was en route to bombard Genoa. The two forces did not encounter each other, and the Italian fleet returned to La Spezia.