"The operations will be based upon the theory that a powerful enemy's fleet is approaching the coast of Europe from the westward for the purpose of finding, and, if possible, destroying the German fleet. Early information of this movement having reached the Admiralty, our fleet has been dispatched to seek out and, if possible, destroy the enemy (which has been reported as somewhere in the mid-Atlantic), before he shall have reached European waters. Our forces will be about equally divided into the attacking, or Red fleet, and the defending, or Blue fleet. Immediately after the review, the Red fleet will steam to the westward, and when it has reached a designated position, will commence its approach. Thirty-six hours later the defending, or Blue fleet will be dispatched to meet the enemy."
The morning of March 18th revealed, drawn up under the lee of Heligoland, the
