The Invasion by William le Queux

That our fleet had been taken unawares was apparent. There were all sorts of vague rumours of a sudden attack upon the North Sea Fleet at Rosyth, and a fierce cruiser battle, in which we had been badly beaten by Germany. It is, however, the land campaign which we have here to record.

The authentic account of a further landing in Essex -- somewhere near Maldon -- was now published. The statement had been dictated by Mr. Henry Alexander, J. P., -- the Mayor of Maldon, who had succeeded in escaping from the town, -- to Captain Wilfred Quare, of the Intelligence Department of the War Office. This Department had, in turn, given it to the newspapers for publication.