poisoning. Perla had to go submerged through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the temperature inside the boat reached 64 °C. On 26 June a sailor died, and more people became sick. Finally at sunset the submarine surfaced and immediately found herself facing the British sloop , which immediately charged at her. The submarine was forced to crash dive and stay at the bottom for a few hours while depth charges were launched by the enemy, but sustained minimal damage. On the evening of 26 June Perla again surfaced and continued her trip back to Massawa; however, during the night, when she was about 20 miles from Sciab Sciach lighthouse, she ran aground. A message was sent to Massawa, requesting help, and the destroyers Leone and Pantera together with torpedo boat Giovanni Acerbi were dispatched. Leone had to turn back due to engine failure, and the other two ships had to face a superior enemy group (light cruiser HMNZS Leander and destroyers and ) that were heading towards Perla. Kingston, approaching the submarine, opened fire and Perla replied with her gun, but it jammed on the second shot. Captain Pouchain ordered that the ship be abandoned and that all secret documents and codes be destroyed. Only the timely arrival of two Italian air groups (eight SM-81 bombers) saved Perla as they attacked the enemy ships and forced them to flee. On 15 July a rescue ship arrived from Massawa, and in five days Perla was hastily repaired to bring her into sailable condition. She was subsequently towed to Massawa on 20 July. As soon as she returned to the base, Perla underwent major repairs and remained nonoperational for a long time. In January 1941, when it became clear that Italian East Africa would eventually fall, it was decided to send submarines to Bordeaux to try to save them from either destruction or capture by the British. Perla as well as other submarines were modified for the journey: her fuel tanks were enlarged, some torpedoes, gun ammunition were removed as well as some non-critical items. Perla left Massawa on 1 March 1941 under the command of captain Bruno Napp. Just as she departed she was attacked by a British Bristol Blenheim bomber with depth charges but without any success. Perla traveled submerged through the Red Sea and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and only surfaced once she reached the Indian Ocean. She traveled south, passing