Shortly before dawn, as they took up cruising formation, Beatty’s squadrons began zigzagging: each heavy group turning in unison every 10 minutes, 2 points on either side of the mean line of advance, orchestrated from the centre by flag signals. That an admiral should attempt to control by flags the movements of a squadron 5 miles distant is a source of amazement to today’s signallers. There was much tradition connected with flags – indeed, a ship’s efficiency was partly measured by its smartness in handling, and responding to, flag signals – and the brightest and keenest boy-ratings had long
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