article_snippet: Lieutenant Commander Simon Thomas was taking part in a training exercise for a type of mission that has since been described as ‘perhaps the most stupid, and potentially suicidal attacks ever invented’.
article_snippet: The notorious flares were designed to illuminate the target prior to attack but had already been involved in a succession of accidents.
article_snippet: All four were supposed to roll into a dive before firing off their rockets at the target at a pre-ordained angle and altitude.
article_snippet: ‘turning in’ in preparation for attack and ‘some five to ten seconds [later] the pilot noticed a flash’.
article_snippet: ‘perhaps the most stupid, and potentially suicidal attack ever invented.