 Short of fuel, "Ladybird" re-embarked the Royal Marines and made for Haifa, which cut the radio link of the commandos with Alexandria.After communications breakdowns and other mishaps, the follow-up force from Cyprus was diverted to Alexandria.The "Regia Marina" (Royal Italian Navy) counter-attack began after sunset on 26 February, when the torpedo boats "Lupo" and "Lince" landed about 240 soldiers north of the port and used their guns to bombard British positions at the docks and the Governor's palace, killing three and wounding seven commandos.