Clarke recalls a US Navy officer's surprise at the Royal Navy's Thursday exercises. Ships around the world took part, with their level of involvement depending on location. Opposing sides could use Devon and Cornwall as the basis for fictional countries. The exercises included Royal Marines and whatever Army or RAF support could be obtained. Competitive pride gave the participants another reason to take the result seriously.
Notable Point · 3:25:54-3:27:38
The Royal Navy's weekly command war
Weekly exercises brought Royal Navy ships, Marines, and available Army and RAF units into the same command problem.