The 12th , 13th and 14th Minesweeping Flotillas from Malta , two groups of minesweeping trawlers and smaller vessels cleared Emptying a channel through the minefields of the Sicilian Channel to Tripoli , removing Removing nearly 200 moored mines .

To counter Attack the German submarines , the Allies moved Motion shipping into convoys guarded Defending by destroyers , blockades Besieging such as the Dover Barrage and minefields were laid , and aircraft patrols Patrolling monitored Scrutiny the U-boat bases .

Operational duties included welcoming back King Haakon VII of Norway , looking after Allied ex-prisoners of war , arresting Arrest war criminals and supervising Scrutiny the clearing of minefields .