Richard Greenland, who served on HMS Talbot, manned Human Torpedoes or Chariots which are small submarines riding on the surface. They were towed into the chosen area by a full sized submarine as were their bigger brothers, the midget submarines or X-Craft. The Human Torpedo was however "expendable" and the crew either had to escape to shore or surrender. The Italians initiated the weapon with their SLC or Slow Course Torpedo but with only limited success. Churchhill insisted that The Royal Navy try to emulate such success as the Italians had achieved and groups were formed with limited resourses. British Chariots took part in 5 European operations, with Richard being involved in /operation "Palermo" on 2nd January 1943.
One of 5 chariots numbered XX11 with leading seaman Alex M. Ferrier, they permeated the net guarding Palermo and crossed the harbour and dived underneath the new italian cruiser Ulpio Traiano. Once there, they successfully placed their charge under the ship's bottom. They decided to try to make their way out to sea again and crashed through a net at full speed and then bumped into a Merchant ship which caused their compass to be damaged. They eventually abandoned their craft and swam ashore where they were captured and Richard was sent initially to Certosa di Padula Monastry near Salerno, his P.O.W camp number being 35. When Italy surrendered, he was transported to Germany where he remained a POW until the end of the war. For their part in the attack, Richard was awarded the D.S.O. and Alex Ferrier the C.G.M