I heard that as "8 East", which I took to mean longitude 8 degrees East as the point after which the attack was irrevocable.
But I am sure P-N or others can confirm.
Are you referring to Aubrey Clayphan, Basil? He became a flight commander on Victor tankers and famously ejected and commandeered the air conditioned room of a gobby shiny fleet loadmaster who unwisely made a remark about "tankertrash" as a tanker crew were making their way to their non air-conditioned rooms at Akrotiri!
Edited to say thanks t7a - you got the confirmation in before I posted it!