On 17 November, "Vittorio Veneto" and —the only operational Italian battleships—participated in an attempt to intercept the British Operation White convoy to Malta, though the forces made no contact. On 26 November, the Italian fleet made another attempt to attack a British convoy, Operation Collar, which resulted in the Battle of Cape Spartivento (known as the Battle of Cape Teulada to the Italians). "Vittorio Veneto", "Giulio Cesare", six cruisers, and fourteen destroyers attempted to catch a convoy steaming to Malta. The British escort included the aircraft carrier , the battleship , and the battlecruiser ; Italian aerial reconnaissance detected the escorts but exaggerated their strength and Campioni, under orders to not risk his two operational battleships against equal or stronger opponents, broke off the engagement shortly after it began. "Vittorio Veneto" briefly engaged several British cruisers at the extreme range 27,000 metres (17 miles). "Vittorio Veneto" fired 19 rounds in seven salvoes from long range and that was enough for the now outgunned British cruisers, which turned back at the fourth salvo.and slightly damaged the light cruiser "Manchester". During the engagement, "Ark Royal" launched torpedo bombers against "Vittorio Veneto", but the latter successfully evaded the torpedoes.