the first line of turkish defenses was at smith plateau, where a few hundred men were stationed. italian troops attacked the position, while eleven italian ships bombarded the area. the turks were routed with significant losses though the italians reported that only seven of their men were wounded. ottoman forces retreated that night to the mountains around psithos and the italians advanced to within two kilometers of rhodes and stopped at 7:00 pm. when the city was surrendered the following morning at 10:00 am, the italian army marched in without opposition.