The power of a raider against a convoy was demonstrated by the fate of convoy HX 84 attacked by the pocket battleship on 5 November 1940. "Admiral Scheer" quickly sank five ships and damaged several others as the convoy scattered. Only the sacrifice of the escorting armed merchant cruiser (whose commander, Edward Fegen, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross) and failing light allowed the other merchantmen to escape. The British now suspended North Atlantic convoys and the Home Fleet put to sea to try to intercept "Admiral Scheer". The search failed and "Admiral Scheer" disappeared into the South Atlantic. She reappeared in the Indian Ocean the following month.