A similar system was developed to extract agents from German occupied territory and later to rescue downed pilots in Korea.
Devised by a doctor at Farnborough who's name I regretfully forget. There is footage somewhere showing him being yanked skyward by a passing Lysander. Early war years I think.
In the 1970's I recall seeing a C130 with a huge pair of "scissors" on the nose - and being told this was for aerial recovery of personnel.
Vague comments I know but so is my memory these days.