After completion, Savage joined the aircraft carrier and the battleships , , , and in Operation Camera, a diversionary manoeuvre off the Norwegian coast to distract German forces from the Allied invasion of Sicily. The diversion was not successful as it was not detected by German aircraft. Subsequently, on 25 July, Savage escorted the aircraft carriers Illustrious and on Operation Governor, an offensive sweep off Norway. On 11 August, she joined the fleet escorting them to Gibraltar in support of the Allied invasion of Italy, and on 13 October escorted from Gibraltar to Scapa Flow.
