 Yakapiwa basa muna 1941, yakashanda kwenguva pfupi mumvura dzomunyika, ichifamba muNorth Sea, asi yakakurumidza kutumirwa kuMediterranean, kwayakashanda sechikamu cheMediterranean Fleet, uye Force K, yakavakirwa kuMalta. Lively akatora rutivi mukufambisa ngoro dzinoverengeka kuenda nokudzoka kuchitsuwa chacho, pamwe chete nokudzivisa ngoro dzinotakura zvinhu zvevavengi kuenda kuNorth Africa. Akatora rutivi muHondo Yokutanga neYechipiri yeSirte, uye yakakuvadzwa panhambo dzinoverengeka mukurwiswa nemhepo uye nepasi. Pakupedzisira yakanyura pedyo neTobruk muna May 1942 apo yakanga ichiedza kuvhara ngarava yomuvengi. 