 Light forces were sent to recover the vessels, and III Squadron, which was in the North Sea en route to Wilhelmshaven, was ordered to cover them.During the operation, the British submarine torpedoed both "Grosser Kurfürst" and "Kronprinz" and caused moderate damage.For most of 1917, "Markgraf" was occupied with guard duties in the North Sea, interrupted only by a refit period in January and periodic unit training in the Baltic.