The timing seems right, they were firing south, and that photo from The Independent matches his description very well. edit - I've posted the suggestion to his

The timing seems right, they were firing south, and that photo from The Independent matches his description very well. edit - I've posted the suggestion to his blog thingy, am going to keep an eye to see what the Flying Dutchman makes of it, if anything. Also, is a suitable handle really, given the context.