Operation Anglo

Operation

The No. 1 Special Boat Section, comprising eight British Commandos, along with two Greek guides and two interpreters, embarks on a strategic operation targeting the island of Rhodes. Led by Captain Richard Allott and his second in command, Lieutenant David Sutherland, the team includes Sergeant Moss, Corporal McKenzie, Private Blake, and Marines Barrow, Harris, and Duggan, as well as Sub Lieutenant Calambokidis, Pavlos Moustakellis, Antonios Moustakellis, and one unidentified Greek. They depart Beirut aboard H.M.S. Traveller and the Greek Hellenic Navy submarine Papanikolis.

The raiding party makes their approach to the eastern coast of Rhodes near Cape Feralco, utilising a folding boat alongside three inflatable floats for the shore landing. Upon arrival, they discreetly stash their boats within the shelter of nearby caves, opting to take a day of rest before initiating their planned operations. The team subsequently splits into two distinct groups for their respective assignments. Lieutenant Sutherland leads one contingent towards the Kalathos airfield, located some thirteen kilometres from their landing point, while Captain Allott commands the second unit on a mission to the Maritsa airfield, situated approximately twenty-four kilometres from the beach. In the absence of radio equipment to establish contact with the Royal Navy or their command, a consensus is reached to reconvene at the beach on the night of September 17^th, 1942 – September 18^th, 1942, with the aim of being retrieved from the location.

Despite lacking radio communication with the Royal Navy or headquarters, the teams proceed with their plans. Allott’s group infiltrates Maritsa airfield, setting explosives that they estimate destroy at least twenty aircraft. Meanwhile, Sutherland’s group observes Kalathos airfield, later splitting to launch their attack, targeting aircraft and a fuel dump. Detected by the enemy, they retreat, with only Sutherland and Duggan managing to reach the extraction point, hearing gunfire from their team’s direction.

Italian patrols finding their hidden boats thwart their regrouping efforts. Sutherland and Duggan leave a message for any stragglers and signal to HMS Traveller, which is waiting offshore. The submarine, responding to the shore signal, moves to pick them up, diving to escape a detected Italian patrol boat and surviving a depth charge attack.

The operation’s aftermath sees the capture of the remaining raiding party members, who become prisoners of war. The two Greek guides, previously escaped from Rhodes, face treason charges; one is executed, and the other imprisoned. For their bravery, Sutherland receives the Military Cross, and Duggan is awarded the Military Medal

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