While was waiting to pass from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, 813 Naval Air Squadron and 824 Naval Air Squadron, with 17 Swordfish torpedo bombers were flown to Port Sudan. On 2 April two Swordfish bombed a freighter at Merca and at dawn on 3 April, a search by six of the Swordfish began at At another Swordfish spotted four Italian destroyers east of Port Sudan. Three of the Swordfish on patrol were called in and the four aircraft bombed, achieving several near misses with bombs. One Swordfish remained to shadow the ships as the others returned to rearm and at seven Swordfish attacked, one aircraft from the rear and one from each side of each target. "Nazario Sauro" was hit by all six bombs from one Swordfish and quickly sank; casualties were caused to the other three ships by near-misses. Five Blenheims of 14 Squadron RAF arrived in time to see "Nazario Sauro" hit and attacked a stationary destroyer and reported that its crew abandoned ship, that it was set on fire, exploded and sank but "Cesare Battisti" was later found beached on the Arabian coast.