After yesterdays disappointment, the morning brought renewed hope that 217 Squadron's Beauforts would have a second shot at the Italian convoys. Sure enough, the morning search by 69 Squadron's Marylands turned up a small convoy of two merchant vessels [Italian MS Rosolino Pilo (8, 326 BRT) and German MS Reichenfels (7,744 BRT)] under the guard of a single destroyer [Da Recco]. At 1115 Squadron Leader Robert Grant Lynn DFC led off the nine serviceable Beauforts, the two other sub-flights being led by the experienced Flying Officers A. H. Aldridge and W. J. Stevens. A close escort of three Beaufighters of 235 Squadron was provided led by Squadron Leader A. E. Cook as well as an additional three for top cover, led by Squadron Leader W. C. Wigmore..
One Beaufort was forced to abort, but the other eight sighted the enemy at 1255. The squadron was slightly astern of the targets port beam, and the three sub-flights abreast delivered their attack in line astern formation in the face of both heavy and accurate Flak that claimed Lynn early in the attack.
Observers in the remaining aircraft were horrified when, an instant before W6502 hit the sea and disintegrated, the torpedo separated, rebounded of the surface, and smashed through the wing of the Australian Sgt. William Dennis Smyth's trailing Beaufort bringing it down as well. Of the eight crew members, only the Australian navigator in Smyth's plane, Sgt. Keith Dodd survived to be picked up by the Italians. About a minute later, flak accounted for a third Beaufort when Flying Officer Phillips' DD996 was hit and made a successful water landing.
The six that made it through the wall of Flak made runs on both cargo vessels, hitting Reichenfels a least once, stopping her on fire. The ship, loaded with ammunition was quickly abandoned and soon blew up in spectacular fashion. There was a strong air escort, primarily of Ju-88Cs over the convoy, and a number of air actions followed during which the Beaufighters claimed two Ju-88s. The German fighters damaged three of the Beauforts, almost claiming one when the Australian pilot of L9799, PO Jim McSharry, suffered a severe wound in his throat that nicked his jugular, leaving the navigator, Sgt. Alfred Leslie Augustinus (also an Australian) to fly the aircraft back to Malta where, two hours later, the grievously wounded McSharry managed a successful landing while holding his wound closed.
Eventually, the 12 surviving aircraft (all six Beaufighters and six Beauforts) returned to Malta safely. Although the cost had been heavy (7 KiA, 5 PoW, 1 WiA), the sinking of Reichenfels marked the first of many Axis merchant vessels to be sunk by Malta based Beauforts.