Indeed Beags. It was absolutely bleeding obvious to anybody who could put two and together. However as it was then so highly classified (Mission "S", platform "TS") those in the know weren't then in a position to stifle open gossip.
To have downgraded the classification would have possibly let the other side have the excuse of having "Semi-Officially" got hold of information supporting the fact and thus given them full excuse for creating political mayhem. As it was , of course they would have known, but would have had a problem proving it. In fact both sides benefited in a way as it kept tensions down by removing a degree of unknowns.
They also played games with us on occasion, just to let us know that they were fully aware of what was going on.