Capturing the oilfields and re-commencing production was vital and important, but the mission didn’t end there. Everyone involved in the operation, from the senior officers to the civilian teams on the ground, knew that taking control of the oilfields was one thing but protecting them from subsequent attack was another.
Admiral Stone was a straight talker, well-respected by his officers and the crew. With carefully edited news reports, he kept the Fifth Fleet abreast of any new developments. Previous experience had taught him the importance of maintaining morale by circulating up to date information. The excitement caused by the unveiling of the pact between China and India had descended on every communication outlet for the world’s media. The papers and the television devoted all their s
