Sea War
Mediterranean: BATTLE OF SIRTE. Italian battleship Littorio intercepts Alexandria-Malta convoy MW.10, but is denied crushing victory by Admiral Vian’s skilful deployment of his cruisers and destroyers and by rough seas, which hamper accurate gunnery. Cruiser Cleopatra and destroyers Havock and Kingston badly damaged. During night March 22-23, destroyers Lanciere and Scirocco sink in a storm; many other ships (British and Italian) damaged. Convoy heavily bombed off Malta, March 23; transport Breconshire capsizes. Only 5,000t out of original 25,000t of supplies unloaded.
Pacific
Philippines: Japanese demand surrender of Bataan garrison.
Home Fronts
India: Cripps arrives at Karachi, en route for New Delhi, to discuss constitutional problems with Moslem League and Congress party leaders.
