It read:
Reconnaissance pictures considered obsolete as of Twenty-Fifth. Zone K-24 believed to be evacuated. It is essential that confirmation of this be obtained at the earliest possible moment, regardless of cost. Plan X-4-B depends upon complete knowledge of the situation. You are advised to communicate at once with Squadrons assigned to this task, and to make your arrangements as speedily as possible. You are also advised to carry out the assignment on a voluntary basis. Please acknowledge this.
Group Captain Ball
Air Ministry
Squadron Leader Markham read the thing through three times, then pushed back from his desk and cocked a stern eye at Phipps.
"I'm surprised, Phipps!" he said.
The Adjutant gulped a little and blinked.
"I beg your pardon, sir?" he said.
Markham tapped the paper with his finger.
"About this," he said. "Do you mean to tell me that you don't understand? You don't comprehend?"
Phipps licked his lips, fumbled with a loose button on his tunic, and wondered if he should have enlisted in the artillery instead of the R.A.F. So many blasted mysteries in the Air Force.
"Well, sir," he began. "That is ... I mean.... Well, frankly, sir, I don't think I do understand."