Operation "Anglo" – the demolition of Rhodes. The most amazing special operations of WW2
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In 1942, British Royal Navy convoys were hit by German and Italian bombers stationed in Greece. This was to be prevented by operation Anglo – an assault on two airports located on the island of Rhodes. The action was to be performed by just eight British operatives, aided by four local guides and interpreters. The soldiers were to reach the site from a submarine, using light, collapsible boats. After the attack, they were to retreat in the same way. On August 31, the team arrives on the island. The commandos split into two groups – led by Lieutenant Sutherland and Captain Alotta. Not having access to a radio, they established the date of return on the night of September 17.
The long time allocated for the operation was dictated by the distances and the requirement of covertness of the operations. The goal of one team was at a distance of 13 kilometers, the second – 24. Upon arrival, they had to spend some time observing and identifying key locations. Both groups entered their airports and planted the explosives. At least twenty vehicles were destroyed at Captain Alott's facility. Sutherland's team eliminated another thirteen aircraft, along with fuel supplies, but some of the commandos were exposed and forced to flee.
On September 17, only Sutherland and his companion Duggan arrived at the meeting place on the beach. Meanwhile, an Italian patrol landed on the island and found the hidden boats. They managed to use a flashlight to let the submarine know they want to return, which succeeded by an incredibly narrow margin. With a deep-sea patrol boat on its tail, HMS Traveller made an emergency dive to avert the danger. The remaining soldiers were captured by the enemy. After this operation, due to the heavy losses incurred, the formation of Special Boat Service was absorbed by the now famous SAS, i.e. the Special Air Service.
ANGLO IN BATTLEFIELD?
Operation Anglo was the theme of another war film from the 1950s, a story about World War Two special forces entitled They Who Dare. How it goes down can really remind you of Battlefield 5's mission "Under No Flag." We play as a member of the Special Boat Service who, in a team of two people, arrives in a small rowing boat to lay explosives at a German airport after a short reconnaissance. In principle, everything resembles the mission of Lieutenant Sutherland, the only difference being that in the game, it takes place in Africa, rather than Greece.
