Word: fleetly
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...news was flashed to every newspaper in London. No editor could fail to grasp its meaning: the Navy was acutely fearful of being bombed. Leader articles were quickly written. Appearing soon in London were such headlines as "All Anti-Aircraft Guns in Fleet Manned." Then over tickers in every Fleet Street news office came a notice...
...Shortly before I left the Admiralty it became necessary to give orders to man anti-aircraft guns of the fleet so as to be ready for anything that might happen. Long before guests came aboard this ship 16 anti-aircraft guns could have given a warm welcome to anyone who happened to come this...
...must obey or risk prosecution under the Official Secrets Act. Hangover from the World War, the "D" notice is often used on news of warship movements, and was prominently used in 1935 during the Ethiopian crisis, when newspapers were ordered not to print the departure of the British fleet to the Mediterranean. No "D" or any other kind of order, however, has ever been issued forbidding the report of a responsible Cabinet Minister's speech; in fact, such an order seemed a clear infraction of freedom of the press...
...Regrets." From Mr. Chamberlain came handsome apologies. His "noble friend's" words, the Prime Minister conceded, were "not very happily chosen." The fleet is always ready for emergencies, particularly in times of tension. In a mood reminiscent of Stanley Baldwin, who was never happier than when confessing to errors, Mr. Chamberlain himself took full blame for sending out the "D" order, admitted it was a mistake caused by a desire to "spare the public unnecessary agitation...
Blunder or not, the noble friend's slip confirmed other developments. Although most of the fleet was anchored for the Easter holiday off British bases, other warships have already quietly taken up patrol duty in the North Sea. At military airports there was great activity. Sea approaches to Britain have again been mined, as they were last September...