 On 9 January 1943, after "Abdiel" laid a minefield across the Axis evacuation route from Tunisia,the escort of an Italian convoy ran into it and the destroyer (1,645 tons) was sunk, while the destroyer (1,440 tons) was severely damaged.On 3 February 1943 another Italian convoy's escort fouled another of her minefields south of Marettimo island, off the western tip of Sicily, losing the destroyer (1,225 tons) and the torpedo boat (910 tons).On 8 March 1943, "Abdiel" again laid a minefield on the Axis evacuation route, north of Cap Bon, Tunisia.