[6] In the Mediterranean she led the escort of a six cargo-ship convoy from Gibraltar to Malta, code named Operation Harpoon, which endured intense air strikes.

The British squadron also faced the attack of an Italian light cruiser division in the Sicilia channel.

Four merchantmen and two destroyers were sunk, while Cairo was hit by two 6-inch rounds from the Italian cruiser Eugenio di Savoia, killing two members of her crew.

One torpedo blew off part of the stern, the port propeller was gone, the engine room flooded and gun mount Y fell off in the sea.

A series of depth charges did not finish her off, so finally the escort destroyer HMS Derwent received orders to sink her with gunfire.