The Battle of Grand Harbour also known as Operazione MALTA-1 was a battle that took place during the siege of Malta on the night of 25-26 July 1941 in World War II. Malta's Grand Harbour, which was defended by the British was attacked by the Italian Decima Flottiglia MAS (part of the Italian Regia Marina) using MAS motorboats, MT explosive motorboats and SLC Maiale (Italian: pig) human torpedoes. The Italians were detected early on by British radar, and soon after coastal artillery from Fort Saint Elmo opened fire when the Italians approached at close range. The Italians managed to destroy the bridge covering the entrance to the harbour which blocked their passage, and the Italian force was subsequently wiped out with the aid of the RAF.