"Littorio" and "Vittorio Veneto" had both returned to active duty by August 1941, and on the 22nd the two ships sortied to attack a convoy. They returned to port without encountering any British forces, however. On 26 September, the two battleships attempted to intercept the Operation Halberd convoy, but they broke off the operation without attacking the convoy. While escorting a convoy to North Africa, "Vittorio Veneto" was torpedoed by the British submarine ; repairs lasted until Spring, 1942. Shortly thereafter, on 13 December, "Littorio" escorted another convoy to North Africa. This operation resulted in the First Battle of Sirte, which ended inconclusively. She provided distant cover to another convoy on 3–6 January 1942. On 21 March, "Littorio" sortied to attack a British convoy, which led to the Second Battle of Sirte. During the engagement, she badly damaged the destroyers and .