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[page 39]
75
8th INSTALMENT.
1st. November, 1916.
I have lately had an opportunity of visiting the Grand Fleet as a guest of the Admiralty and seeing what is lying in wait for the German Navy should they ever come out in force. These occasional visits of Army Officers to the Navy have for their object a better understanding between the two Services, and very welcome they are to both sides, to the former because they see and learn of things which they previously were entirely ignorant of, and to the latter because they like visitors and can learn something first hand of the doings of the Army in France.
To most people, the doings of the xxxx Navy and the life led by the personel are these days veiled in mystery and one is apt to think of the Fleet steaming round and round in circles in the North Sea whilst strained eyes constantly search the waters round about for the dreaded German periscopes not knowing when a torpedo might get home and send a ship and her highly trained crew to the bottom. It is a relief, therefore, to find that the Navy does not lose any sleep over the matter: the pianola still prospers in the Ward Room, the men's Cinema goes on uninterrupted every night, the ship's band plays for the Officers' mess as usual, the Officers and men show no signs of weariness or strain and over all there is that air of confidence - confidence because they know themselves.
I spoke to many men on that visit including the gallant Sturdee and in every case I was struck by their gentleness, their modesty, their complete freedom from anything small or trifling in the way of swagger or vanity. I think their gentleness struck me more than anything else. They were splendid to look at, so strong, so healthy, so well groomed, so cheerful, and so confident: