Janet Hay Okell (30 August 1922, Neston – February 2005, Brimstage) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

wargame A wargame is a strategy game in which two or more players command opposing armed forces in a realistic simulation of an armed conflict. Wargaming may be played for recreation, to train military officers in the art of strategic thinking, or to s ...

r who joined the Western Approaches Tactical Unit (WATU) as a young Naval rating in the

Women's Royal Naval Service The Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS; popularly and officially known as the Wrens) was the women's branch of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. First formed in 1917 for the First World War, it was disbanded in 1919, then revived in 1939 at the ...

. Shortly after

Admiral Max Horton Admiral Sir Max Kennedy Horton, (29 November 1883 – 30 July 1951) was a British submariner during the First World War and commander-in-chief of the Western Approaches in the later half of the Second World War, responsible for British partici ...

was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Western Approaches Command, in November 1942, he visited WATU, and played one of their wargames. As one of the Royal Navy's most experienced submarine commanders he opted to play the role of a U-boat commander. Captain Gilbert Roberts, head of WATU decided that Okell should play the role of the escort group commander. Horton was somewhat dismayed to find that Okell was able to outsmart him five times out of five. Despite his initial horror on discovering he had been beaten by a twenty year old female rating, he soon sanctioned the use of her method, known as '' Beta Search'' to be included in the next revision of

Fleet Orders Fleet Orders were printed routine orders which were issued by the Admiralty to ships of the Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the earl ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Okell, Janet 1922 births 2005 deaths Wargamers Women's Royal Naval Service ratings