They said "on no account will the clutch be used". If it is, while submerged, that is the end of the story.
The clutch will never slip if it is left alone in the water, even if entirely submerged, and it will not get wet once clear of the water because centrifugal force prevents any residual water in the bell housing getting on the face of the flywheel. The flooring the throttle instruction would help.
I think the screaming engine is designed to keep the vehicle going if a couple of plugs get wet. If you just idle out and lose a plug or two the engine will not have sufficient power to keep going.
The fan belts were loosened to stop water being thrown over the engine or the fan blades being dragged forward into the radiator.
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