Submarine-borne reconnaissance at Rhodes

Sent to Egypt under Layforce, the SBS was meant to reconnoitre before commando attacks. Rhodes appeared lightly held, and British planners considered either a major raid or an attempt to seize the island, airfield, and harbour with naval gunfire behind the landing force. HMS Triumph carried Courtney, Nigel Willmott, and their folding boat close enough to survey beaches and navigation references over several nights. The final recovery nearly failed when Courtney suffered cramp, lost his signal torch, and was found by Willmott only minutes before an enemy patrol arrived. This was the first major beach reconnaissance of its kind. Both men were decorated, but the intended Rhodes operation came to nothing.