JWE -> RE: Manxman (4/28/2009 7:36:18 PM)
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ORIGINAL: herwin They were used a number of times for landing operations, though, with a capacity of 800 (commandoes at Suda Bay)-1600 (airborne at Taranto). Suda Bay. After the disaster of 22 May, Admiral Cunningham would only allow the fastest warships to make the round trip from Alexandria to the Suda Bay harbor, to land reinforcements and essential stores, during the hours of darkness. 24 May, HMS Abdiel lands her cargo of 211 men of “A” Battalion of Layforce at the Main quay at Suda Bay. The remainder return to Alex, after having failed to land at Paleokhora due to high seas. 25 May, 3:00 am, Abdiel embarks prisoners and wounded and returns to Alex. 26 May, HMS Abdiel, in company with HMS Hero and Nizam, returns to Suda Bay and together they land the remaining 306 members of HQ Gp., and “D” Battalion of Layforce at Main quay. 27 May, morning: Abdiel embarks about 930 wounded, “[C]arried endlessly up the gangway from the rickety quay, till there was scarcely a place to step on the open decks. We were frightfully concerned for their comfort, since the sea was high, and they were completely exposed.” (Capt. Evelyn Waugh, Layforce) Port-to-port, pier-to-pier in a friendly (although dangerous) harbor. Definitely not a ‘landing’ op. Checking on Taranto.
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