Military Trivia

Lockstep

Anyone got any random trivia of a military nature?

My one:
The reason we march with our left foot forward is that in the olden days, people used to believe that God controlled the right side of the body and the devil controlled the left. By leading with your left, you were going to war with your agressive foot.
SOurch: Blood Bones and Body bits.

Hagar

Men's jackets button left over right so as not to impede the drawing of a sword usually worn on the left side.

concussion

Lanyards were originally used by artillerymen as a way of keeping their fuze keys attached to them. When they weren't in use they were tucked into the breast pocket. Cavalry troops began to do the same with their hoof knives/spikes which they used to remove stones from their horses hooves.
Over time the simple length of cord became part of the uniform, in the form of a blanco'd, carefully knotted lanyard.
Other corps then copied it but put their own corps/battalion colours into them while artillery retained the original white lanyard.



Also, the reason you never carry something in your right hand while in uniform is not so you can salute officers - it's kept free for your rifle.

Nice idea for a thread

minidazzler

We drive on the Left side of the road because in olden times, People passing on Horse Back could Use there sword on another passing person, due to most people being right handed!!!

Or so I am told.

concussion

Loose cannon
Something dangerous to have on a ship as it would crash around the deck

Let the cat out of the bag
The cat o' nine tails was usually kept in a bag when not in use

Not even room to swing a cat
Not enough room to lash someone

Freeze the balls off a brass monkey
Cannon balls, when stored on deck, were stacked on 'monkeys'. These looked like oversized muffin trays and were made from brass. If the temperature dropped enough the brass would contract more than the iron cannon balls which meant the balls no longer fit into the holes in the monkey and were effectively 'frozen' off.

The whole nine yards
Sails were supported by 'yards' which were at 90 degrees to the mast. 'The whole nine yards implied a ship was sailing with the 3 main sails on each of the 3 masts

or

During WW II, the machine guns of P51's (or corsairs, or P 40's depending on where you hear the story) had ammunition belts which were 27 feet (9 yards) long. So to fire a long burst was to 'give someone the whole 9 yards'.

Don't go off half cocked
Back in the days of matchlock, and later flintlock weapons, when the hammer was fully forward the fuse/flint was inside the little container which held the loose gunpowder. This container had a cover (which kept the powder dry) which was pushed up by the hammer on when it was released by the trigger. To fire, the hammer was fully cocked and released. However, if your weapon was loaded and primed but you did not intend on firing it immediately you could pull the hammer back slightly in order to close the cover on the powder. This meant the weapon was half cocked and would not fire if the trigger was pulled as the hammer was resting against the cover.
So check your equipment and don't go off to a fight half cocked (phew)

Lockstep

THose replies are brilliant.

Fascinating stuff this.

Fratton Fred

there also the one my old Scout Master told us.

The reason the Army wear red Uniforms is so it doesn't show up blood.
The Navy wear blue for the same reason

(No prizes for guessing which service he was with:P)

Concussion has just beaten me to my favourite ones, with the exception of reason why the Navy salute with a closed palm, is because a rating's (Or "Tar" as he was known in the RN) hands would be covered in tar and it was considered impolite to show dirty hands to an officer.

There's also the phrase "2,6 heave" (Not sure how well known that is outside of navy circles though) is because number two and number 6 gun crew members were responsible for pulling the ropes that hauled the gun into firing position.

"Balls off a Brass Monkey" is my favourite though.

Hard Larry

When folding the Irish flag the Green should never touch the Orange, both should be folded into the white...but on a stormy night in Kilbride no one really cares if you wrap in a ball and run for shelter

The cups in Irish Army dining facilities are smaller than normal so a soldier will spend less time drinking tea...most experienced soldiers will always make 2 cups in the company of higher ranks to combat this

Irish Army laundry bags are also small so the soldiers laundry won't overflow causing a health hazard.

The rumours that McKee Barracks in Dublin was originally meant to be built in India but the British Architect sent the wrong plans to the wrong countries are false...I know this cause I was stuck on Barrack Gaurd with a guy who researched the tale in his spare time....it was the longest beat of my life

Salutes originate from days of old when Roman soldiers would lift the visors of their helmets with their right hand to identify themselves to watchmen. The openhand salute is said to have originated to show that the person had no concealed weapon in their right hand (the left would have been holding something, eg reigns of a horse)

Irish Army towels are waterproof.

Local-womanizer

Hard Larry wrote: »

When folding the Irish flag the Green should never touch the Orange, both should be folded into the white...but on a stormy night in Kilbride no one really cares if you wrap in a ball and run for shelter

The cups in Irish Army dining facilities are smaller than normal so a soldier will spend less time drinking tea...most experienced soldiers will always make 2 cups in the company of higher ranks to combat this

Irish Army laundry bags are also small so the soldiers laundry won't overflow causing a health hazard.

The rumours that McKee Barracks in Dublin was originally meant to be built in India but the British Architect sent the wrong plans to the wrong countries are false...I know this cause I was stuck on Barrack Gaurd with a guy who researched the tale in his spare time....it was the longest beat of my life

Salutes originate from days of old when Roman soldiers would lift the visors of their helmets with their right hand to identify themselves to watchmen. The openhand salute is said to have originated to show that the person had no concealed weapon in their right hand (the left would have been holding something, eg reigns of a horse)

Irish Army towels are waterproof.

I wouldent like to see the army with big mugs!!:D

Is the Idea with the flag because the green represents the republic and orange the unionist(I think the unionist)?

Manic Moran

We drive on the Left side of the road because in olden times, People passing on Horse Back could Use there sword on another passing person, due to most people being right handed!!!

In fairness, the counter to that is that the reason the rest of the world drives their cars on the right is that with the gear lever in the middle, they go back to the old saw of controlling the direction of your steed with the left hand, and slashing about with your sword/gearstick with your right.

However, I'm told that the real reason that the UK drives on the left was something to do with the side of London Bridge which was reserved for nobles and royalty as compared to the side allowed to be used by mere peasants.

The reason the Army wear red Uniforms is so it doesn't show up blood.
The Navy wear blue for the same reason

I believe the Royal Navy actually lost some of that blueness as a result of a mutiny of some sort. Thus the proper form of address for a mass greeting would be "Ladies, Gentlemen, and Officers of the Royal Navy", thus indicating that though officers, Royal Navy officers were not gentlemen.

NTM

Mitch Buchannon

To follow up on Concussion's post about Flintlock weapons.

I was in the states in 2005 I got to use a black powder musket. Best weapon I've ever had the pleasure of firing. I was speaking with the guy who let me use his gun and he was telling me the phrase " Like a flash in the pan" came from the use of these muskets.
Muskets used to have little pans to hold some gunpowder. When trying to fire the musket, sometimes the gunpowder flared up without a bullet being fired and this was a called a "flash in the pan".

Manic Moran

Don't forget 'keep your powder dry'

There's quite a few flintlock-era phrases still in common use.

NTM

Fratton Fred

Manic Moran wrote: »

I believe the Royal Navy actually lost some of that blueness as a result of a mutiny of some sort. Thus the proper form of address for a mass greeting would be "Ladies, Gentlemen, and Officers of the Royal Navy", thus indicating that though officers, Royal Navy officers were not gentlemen.

I've not heard that one, I'll see what I can find out from a few old Matelots I know.

wrt Flintlocks, the French and Spanish used fuses in Nelson's time, which took a few seconds longer to fire than than a flintlock. This meant a British ship could get it's second volley in before the french. A huge advantage when you are 30 feet away and broadside on.

After Nelson's death, to preserve his body they shoved it in a barrel of rum. There were rumours that this rum was then put back into circulation and consumed by ratings.

Lockstep

concussion

Fratton Fred - never heard of '2,6, Heave' (but I'm not a naval man) - what does the phrase refer to these days?

Mitch Buchanon - thanks for that, couldn't remember the word 'pan' where the powder was placed

'Son of a gun'
Sailors used to sleep on the gun decks and were allowed to bring their wives on board when in port - hence the phrase describing children conceived 'on the gun'

'Cut and run'
Escape from an anchorage hastily by cutting the anchor cable

'Nippers'
The youngest members of a crew used to 'nip' smaller lines onto the large anchor line in order to help take the pressure off the men on the capstan.

'Square meal'
Square plates were easier to store and took up less space than round ones

'At a loose end'
Sailors who had no particular duties would mend old or fraying ropes which had 'loose ends'.

'Show your true colours'
Ships carried the flags, or colours of many countries in order to escape from or deceive other ships. However, the rules of the day required that ships flew their true colours before opening fire.

'The balloons gone up'
Balloons were used to indicate the start of an attack

or

If the enemy were about start an artillery barrage they would send up an observation balloon first

Duffers

2, 6, heave is also used by the RM, ie when lifting something heavy, but it's mega pussers

Old one this

A Royal Marine Officer is on course on an Army base, he walks in to the mess and the only other bloke there is a Guards Officer who is wearing his peaked cap at the table, Royal gets himself a bowl of cornflakes but can't find the sugar.
'Scuse me lofty, where is the sugar?'
No reply. So he asks again. The Guards Officer is not pleased.
'When an Officer in the Guards wears his hat to breakfast, it is an indication that he does not wish either to speak, or be spoken to, by anyone. It is a regimental tradition.'
Royal gets up, stands on the table and slams his boot into the pongo's breakfast.
'When a Royal Marine stands in your cornflakes, it means, pass the f*cking sugar'

arrghh

Fratton Fred

A Pongo btw, is what the RN call the Army. its because they "Pong" from not washing

Duffers

Yes wherever perce goes the pong goes!!!!

minidazzler

concussion wrote: »

Fratton Fred - never heard of '2,6, Heave' (but I'm not a naval man) - what does the phrase refer to these days?

Mitch Buchanon - thanks for that, couldn't remember the word 'pan' where the powder was placed

'Son of a gun'
Sailors used to sleep on the gun decks and were allowed to bring their wives on board when in port - hence the phrase describing children conceived 'on the gun'

'Cut and run'
Escape from an anchorage hastily by cutting the anchor cable

'Nippers'
The youngest members of a crew used to 'nip' smaller lines onto the large anchor line in order to help take the pressure off the men on the capstan.

'Square meal'
Square plates were easier to store and took up less space than round ones

'At a loose end'
Sailors who had no particular duties would mend old or fraying ropes which had 'loose ends'.

'Show your true colours'
Ships carried the flags, or colours of many countries in order to escape from or deceive other ships. However, the rules of the day required that ships flew their true colours before opening fire.

'The balloons gone up'
Balloons were used to indicate the start of an attack

or

If the enemy were about start an artillery barrage they would send up an observation balloon first

2,6 heaves comes from the BAF when 6 men would be lifting something heavy it was shorthand for 2,3,4,5,6 heave, with the number 1 calling the shots.
used in every day parlance in order for everyone to lift at the same time! Or so arrse tells me!

dahamster

Manic Moran wrote: »

In fairness, the counter to that is that the reason the rest of the world drives their cars on the right is that with the gear lever in the middle, they go back to the old saw of controlling the direction of your steed with the left hand, and slashing about with your sword/gearstick with your right.



NTM

Not quite manic. Napoleon was left handed and so his sword arm was reversed.

Fratton Fred

Manic Moran wrote: »

I believe the Royal Navy actually lost some of that blueness as a result of a mutiny of some sort. Thus the proper form of address for a mass greeting would be "Ladies, Gentlemen, and Officers of the Royal Navy", thus indicating that though officers, Royal Navy officers were not gentlemen.

Someone found this on arrse

http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewtopic/t=28550.html

As for naval officers not being gentlemen, this is often taken as an indication of inferiority, but in fact the Navy made it an edict that gentlemen officers should be discouraged. In peacetime, the British Navy needed about 4,000 men, but in time of war this number expanded to 20,000 and these had to be trained men, taken up from the whole naval community, merchantmen, colliers, fishing vessels, and barges - and as the enemy was the Continent, those interested in military service congregated in areas facing the enemy, the east coast and especially London. These were the pools of seamen, a term still used today. Other pools were found in trade ports such as Bristol and Liverpool.

By the late 1600s, the Navy had declared itself to be against the idea of gentlemen and had come very close to discouraging recruitment of officers on the basis of social status, reaffirming its desire to appoint based on skill. The Army continued to appoint on the basis of patronage. In the Navy, the worth of an officer was not regarded as automatic if he were a gentleman, but the accolade 'Naval officer' carried its own stamp of quality. It was not considered second best to be a naval officer; it was not better; it was unique.

Equality of opportunity at point of entry, a modern discovery, has always been a naval axiom and still is, as witnessed by the work of the Admiralty Interview Board. As a result, social mobility was better in the Navy than the Army, where it was rare to have a junior commission without paying for it. The Army was very much the preserve of junior sons of the nobility, and their organisation was presided over, especially in the time of George III, by the commander-in-chief at Horse Guards.

A naval officer joined as a teenager, learned his trade, took his examinations, and was promoted through skill. It was an unhealthy, dangerous job; ratings often were offered service in the Navy as an alternative to being hanged. Many died, many were killed, and few made the highest positions and were recognised by being invited to a Royal levee and earning social status. Famous aristocrats joined, of course; Cochrane, for example. But they did so on merit, and worked hard to earn it.

it is from an interesting thread actually, well worth a read.

Duffers

• Take the expression long shot meaning attempting something with little chance of success. This originated from firing a cannon beyond its normal range.

• What about at loggerheads? Loggerheads were hollow spheres of iron at each end of a shaft. They were heated and used to melt tar in a bucket. The expression arose because the two loggerheads can never come together.

• Swinging the lead relates to a sailor dropping a lead weight on a line over the side of the ship in order to measure the sea depth. Sailors found this to be a handy method of avoiding real work.

• Piping hot originates from the fact that if food were collected from the galley as soon as the appropriate 'pipe' sounded then would it would still be hot when served.

• Toe the line, meaning to conform to rules and authority, originates from a time when a ship's company were mustered for victualling or pay. Each sailor stepped forward to a line marked on the deck and gave his name and duties.

• Pig's Ear, a term for something messy, refers to an upper deck urinal used by sailors when on watch. Incidentally, Jack's expressions for a call of nature, all of which allude to experiences at sea, include, syphon the python, pumping the ship, ease springs, check the ship for leaks and springing a leak.

• The expression all above board refers to things on the top deck of the ship and therefore open to inspection.
• True colours relates to Naval etiquette which, while allowing false colours or flags to be displayed when approaching an enemy ship, insists that true colours are flown once battle begins and fire is exchanged.

• Copper bottomed, something worthwhile, as in a 'copper-bottomed guarantee, refers to copper plates which were fixed to wooden ships hulls to minimise worm attack and prevent the build-up of barnacles and weeds.

More matelot jargon^^^. Even when you are dry land at CTCRM you 'go to the heads', eat in 'the galley' and 'go on a run ashore' to 'bag off' with a 'double bagger' who will be 'turbo rats' but not before getting 'harry von turbo ****ers' or 'uber mingbats'. You will not vomit but 'lay a kit muster', after which you will 'threaders'. This will cause your 'gronk' to get a 'sad on' and prematurely 'thin out'. :pac:

Fookin matelots!:mad::D

peasant

The German Luftwaffe wears no headgear during day to day duty (only on ceremonial occasions or on specific order)

This stems from the fact that flying headgear on an airfield with running jet engines is not a good idea, but has now expanded to all Luftwaffe installations even if there is no plane anywhere in sight.

It is a special Luftwaffe "sport" to refuse to wear headgear when visiting army installations (where they are very pernickety about these things)

Now imagine the daily joy of being the only Luftwaffe recruit (me ) in an army barracks swarming with noncoms keen on discipline.

I was under stict orders from my commanding officer (Colonel, no less) to NOT wear any headgear and direct any complainants to that regard to him. He just loved to have a good rant at an army sergeant every day!

Steyr

Peasant, welcome to Boards and the Military section, i hope you may be able if possible to take pictures for us during your training of various Aircraft you might see as we like pictures here;)

Welcome.

peasant

Well, thanks for the warm welcome ...but my stint in the Luftwaffe was before the wall came down and I was never near a plane:D