On 11–13 December 1942, under the command of Captain Dumitru Mitescu, "Smeul" escorted the Axis transport ships "Tzar Ferdinand" and "Oituz" along the Romanian coast, along with four German R-boats. In the morning of 13 December, the convoy was attacked by the Soviet destroyer "Soobrazitelny" and four "Fugas"-class minesweepers. The exchange of fire lasted for two hours, until "Smeul" launched a smokescreen which enabled the four R-boats to simulate a torpedo attack, causing the Soviet warships to retreat. None of the Axis or Soviet warships were damaged.