 The Italian warships evacuated a number of Italian civilians who had gathered at harbour after learning of their presence in the port.Biancheri, with "Lupo", "Lince", MAS 546 and MAS 561, landed troops on the morning of 27 February, the operation having been delayed by high seas.Italian forces already ashore harassed the exhausted and isolated British commandos, who were equipped only for a 24-hour operation.