Hasler and Sparks in Catfish were the only two raiders who returned from the operation. Cashalot's crew stayed aboard HMS Tuna after their canoe was damaged while passing through the submarine hatch, and the reserve Marine remained because nobody needed replacing. The submarine had sailed from Holy Loch on 30 November 1942 and reached the launch area on 7 December. Accounts differ over the departure time, with an earlier time of 19:36 competing with Raikes's report. He recorded all boats on the upper deck by 19:45, the last canoe afloat at 20:20, and his farewell at 20:22. His position as the officer supervising the launch makes that sequence persuasive, while an earlier time could refer to getting the canoes out and assembling them. Searchlights swept the area while the first boat was being lowered.
Chapter · 1:35:19-1:39:44
Five canoe teams launch from HMS Tuna
Damage to Cashalot leaves five teams to launch under German searchlights, while Raikes's report helps distinguish the start of preparations from their departure.