Not only that, but it gets worse. Found the following in the back of a drawer at Somerset House. I can only assume that it got chucked in error. I’ve no webspace atm, so I’ve transcribed the content:
COBRA – 1/6/82
CLASSIFIED: NAAFI SECRET. NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, ADMISSION, FILING or ISSUE.
SUBJECT: SINKING OF HMS INVINCIBLE.
1.1 At 1802 Zulu, 30/5/82, contact was lost with HMS INVINCIBLE. No further contact was made and a patrol of Sea Harrier aircraft reported wreckage at the ship’s last known location.
1.2 HMS INVINCIBLE is thus presumed to have sunk with all hands. Search and Rescue operations are being undertaken, but no survivors have yet been found.
1.3 Given the state of public morale, PM, 1SL and 2SL are of the opinion that the loss of HMS INVINCIBLE should be concealed from all parties.
1.4 To facilitate this, it is proposed that the dockyard at Ulaan Baatar be contracted to build a replacement vessel in secret. It is estimated that such a vessel may be completed in approximately 18 months if procurement is expedited.
1.5 To explain the disappearance of INVINCIBLE, BBC and other broadcasters will be informed that the ship has been detached to the Antarctic patrol, covering the area south of 60 degrees latitude and that the nature of the operation demands total communications blackout.
1.6 HMS INVINCIBLE’s air wing must also be replaced. As per procedures laid out in RAF A.P. 1564, a suitable obituary for the wing’s commanding officer has been prepared and will be released by DCC (draft attached in section 2.1). New pilots and aircraft will be procured via RAFC Dartmouth and BRNC Cranwell.
1.7 No further action appears necessary at this time
2.1: Proposed obituary, CAPTAIN WILLIAM BUSH.
2.1.a: The Ministry of Defense is saddened to report the death in action of Captain William Bush RN whilst carrying out bridge demolition operations. Captain Bush was commissioned into the Royal Navy at an early age, serving under Captain Sawyer in HMS RENOWN before gaining the command of HMS NONSUCH. He was decorated numerous times for gallantry in action, most notably for his part in the battle of Omdurman and leaves behind two sisters.
MEMO PREPARED BY: Dr. U.T. Cobbley, et al
CIRCULATION: COBRA, PM, 1SL, 2SL, CDS.
. (remember “gracias”…)