Sentence:  "Numbers one, two, and five engines have broken down, sir," he called. "Shall we force the remaining three?" / "We can do nothing else," I bellowed into the transmitter. / "They won't stand the <WSD>gaff</WSD>, sir," he returned. / "Can you suggest a better plan?" I asked. / "No, sir," he replied. / "Then give them the <WSD>gaff</WSD>, lieutenant," I shouted back, and hung up the receiver. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Rough or harsh treatment; criticism.