High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! During the Second World War, Operation Retribution was a series of air and naval attacks designed to prevent the German evacuation of North Africa through Tunis. The Africa Korps was surrounded and facing a final Allied assault codenamed Operation Vulcan. Admiral Cunningham, of the Royal Navy, began the operation on 7 May 1943, with the colorful signal to "Sink, burn and destroy. Let nothing pass." The Germans were unable to mount a significant rescue effort. The Allies captured 897 men. Only 653 Germans are thought to have escaped to Italy. An unknown number drowned.