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Post by paddy649 on Jul 10, 2019 7:42:41 GMT
My favourite military quote is from Kurt Meyer, who commanded The LSSAH reconnaissance battalion on the Eastern front in 1943 and then the 12th SS “HJ” Pz Div in Normandy. A man who knew a bit about military reconnaissance in force and who remarked “It is better to point with the fist rather than the finger.”
That or Napoleon’s “I will not be the first to draw my sword but I will be the last to sheathe it!”
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Post by stevie on Jul 10, 2019 10:42:28 GMT
Well Paddy, even a military genius can get things wrong.
When in the 1800’s Napoleon heard about Robert Fulton’s newly invented steamboat, he said:- “How, sir, would you make a ship sail against the wind and currents by lighting a bonfire under her deck? I pray you, excuse me, I have not the time to listen to such nonsense!”
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Post by paddy649 on Jul 10, 2019 11:10:24 GMT
Napoleon never really understood the maritime did he!
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aristonicus
Munifex
The man from Lucania returns..
Posts: 25
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Post by aristonicus on Nov 10, 2019 4:28:35 GMT
One of my favourites, from Plutarch's Life of Fabius Maximus:
"These good measures were defeated by the importunity of Varro; whom, when they were both come to the army, nothing would content but a separate command, that each consul should have his day; and when his turn came, he posted his army close to Hannibal, at a village called Cannae, by the river Aufidus. It was no sooner day, but he set up the scarlet coat flying over his tent, which was the signal of battle. This boldness of the consul, and the numerousness of his army, double theirs, startled the Carthaginians; but Hannibal commanded them to their arms, and with a small train rode out to take a full prospect of the enemy as they were now forming in their ranks, from a rising ground not far distant. One of his followers, called Gisco, a Carthaginian of equal rank with himself, told him that the numbers of the enemy were astonishing; to which Hannibal replied, with a serious countenance, "There is one thing, Gisco, yet more astonishing, which you take no notice of;" and when Gisco inquired what, answered, that "in all those great numbers before us, there is not one man called Gisco." This unexpected jest of their general made all the company laugh, and as they came down from the hill, they told it to those whom they met, which caused a general laughter amongst them all, from which they were hardly able to recover themselves. The army, seeing Hannibal's attendants come back from viewing the enemy in such a laughing condition, concluded that it must be profound contempt of the enemy, that made their general at this moment indulge in such hilarity."
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Post by Cromwell on Nov 12, 2019 8:10:05 GMT
Not really an Historical quote, well perhaps it is as I am getting old now.
When serving with the Royal Air Force at a training establishment I was standing with the Station Warrant Officer watching an aircraft coming in to land. It rounded out too soon and dropped heavily onto the runway causing the undercarriage to collapse resulting in the aircraft skidding half on it's belly down the runway amid a spectacular shower of sparks, debris and dust, accompanied by a sound that could only be described as a thousand banshee's wailing. When the machine eventually stopped (no fire thank God) and silence fell except for the hurrying emergency vehicles the Warrant Officer said "Opps a Daisy! Oh well Sir, he shouldn't have joined if he can't take a Joke!"
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Post by Cromwell on Nov 12, 2019 8:29:42 GMT
Advice from a flying instructor,
"Remember what you don't want is altitude above you, sky under your feet and fuel back at the airfield!"
Whilst attending an RAF Navigation Course we were relaxing in the Mess after a hard day grappling with Radio Beacons or some such. Into the Bar walks a USAF Officer in what we called No.1 Dress complete with a chest full of very bright and shinning medals.
"Don't look now" said my friend, "But I think magnetic north has just walk in!"
Shortly after the end of WW2 everyone was getting a little de-mob happy.
My Father was walking back to the Mess when these two airmen walked past. My Father, although not a stickler for discipline was a little miffed at the lack of a salute and called after the Airmen. "Do you not notice something different about my uniform?" He asked The Airmen stopped, turned around. One Airmen looked at my Father and said "Yes Sir, it fits!"
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Post by Cromwell on Nov 13, 2019 19:28:37 GMT
Just remembered another. Group of Officers relaxing over a beer in the Mess. The conversation got onto the subject of training. One Officer said,"I can remember my first day of flight training."
The Navigator who flew with him put his beer down and said "You had flight training? You actually had lessons? I would never have believed it!"
Finally. The mess had a new member. A young rather wet behind the ears Pilot Officer. About a week after his arrival there was a mess meeting. Our young friend sits there watching and listening intently. One of the subjects debated was about purchasing and installing a new chandelier for the Ladies room. A long discussion ensues, mainly about cost. Just as the vote is about to be taken the Pilot Officer raises his hand and says (obviously wishing to be seen to join in)
"I have listened with interest to the debate on the chandelier for the ladies room. I would if I may like to ask a question. Whilst l can see a new chandelier would enhance the ladies room I feel I must ask before such a large sum of money is spent, is there anybody in the mess who can play one?"
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Post by mrgrtt123 on Nov 14, 2019 1:47:25 GMT
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. Soren Kierkegaard
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Post by martin on Nov 14, 2019 15:59:32 GMT
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. Soren Kierkegaard ...a new spammer, perhaps? Who yooo?
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