(no subject)

[bedlamsbard]

Okay, can any of y'all tell me if the clock hours (twelve o'clock, six o'clock, "I'll take our six", etc.) were used during WWII, and if they were, would they have been used by the Brits? (Specifically the RAF.)

NO. NO I WILL NOT TELL YOU WHAT THIS IS FOR. *whimpers* Sign number six you might be reading bedlamsbard: outsider POV.

ETA: Referring to directions here -- twelve o'clock being straight ahead, three and nine to either side, etc. And the phrase "take our six" meaning to take the back position in a formation.

Comments

[1aquaesulis76.livejournal.com]

Military would have used the 24 hour clock (and most of us understand that, even if it isn't in constant use). I've never heard of "I'll take our six" - ?! but most people would have used one o'clock etc throughout the afternoon.

One thing to keep in mind with the time though, is that 6:10 is always said as 'ten PAST six' etc, and 5:50 is 'ten TO six.' That hasn't changed in the last sixty years! Hope that answers your question - if not just clarify and I'll do my best! (Love the idea of the Pevensies going back to Last Battle!Narnia & taking over. Much better ending to my mind. :) )

[bedlamsbard.livejournal.com]

No, I meant, like, directions. Where "I'll take our six" means that the speaker's going to be in back, or "twelve o'clock" refers to straight ahead, "three o'clock" and "nine o'clock" refers to right and left, etc. I'm sorry, I wasn't clear.

[1aquaesulis76.livejournal.com]

Ahh - that makes a bit more sense. Again, I know the RAF used the clock as directions when flying (Bandits: 11 o'clock!) and they did tend to use it in any situation (Gran says to show off!) It apparently did start to creep into use with teenage boys (!) and various service personel, but not into general usage. Most would understand what was meant if someone gave that sort of direction apparently, but it was rare. (Though 'I'll take our six' was still never used - no one's ever heard of that).

[bedlamsbard.livejournal.com]

I know it's used in the American military, and I'm pretty sure I haven't completely hallucinated its usage, although the phrasing is probably completely wrong. (Eight months: all I did was read military memoirs and military history, and now I see I have blocked it all out. Granted, all that was U.S., and the majority of it was Iraq, although some of it was WWII, but still, now it's just screwing me up.)

So if Peter's telling someone to take the rear position -- I mean, I know point is in front, but...at this point I think I'm just confusing everyone, including myself.

[1aquaesulis76.livejournal.com]

The last position in a formation was ususally known as 'tail end Charlie' - if there are any other particular RAF expressions you need, I can look them up :)

[bedlamsbard.livejournal.com]

It doesn't necessarily have to be RAF -- Edmund's army, and I know Peter hung out with American soldiers in Burma. (I also know Peter got into fights with American soldiers, but hey, he's an equal opportunity kind of guy.)

[1aquaesulis76.livejournal.com]

LOL! One of the reasons I love Peter - I want to see him fighting the Japs and the American army at the same time now, both being very confused at whose side he's actually on!

Any help I can give, I'm glad to - I just have more stuff on the RAF because of my love of flying (though WW1 is the era I've read about more). I must admit books don't always tell you the day to day bits you need to know!

[bedlamsbard.livejournal.com]

Hi, we're talking about the same guy who also got into fight with his own side. Quiet, drinks a lot, sits by himself, air force (which doesn't get all that much credit from ground troops *snort*) -- and he can kill anything with a pulse with his bare hands.

Boy, were his commanders and his comrades surprised when he walked out of that jungle three weeks after he got shot down.

I can't think of anything in specific just now -- it's just the first time I've ever written that he's in an actual combat situation with all his siblings (and, sort of, semi-civilians), and it's after he's spent six years in the RAF, and the military has its own language, so what would he be saying! ARgh.

[1aquaesulis76.livejournal.com]

we're talking about the same guy who also got into fight with his own side. As I said - that's the Peter I love!

Quiet, drinks a lot, sits by himself, air force (which doesn't get all that much credit from ground troops *snort*) -- and he can kill anything with a pulse with his bare hands

Oh the 'fancy fly boys' never got any respect from the ground troops!

Boy, were his commanders and his comrades surprised when he walked out of that jungle three weeks after he got shot down. Peter of course, just shrugging it off as nothing. After everything he's been through... walk in the park.


Can't wait to read this Peter! If you want me to read through any conversations/ run by any terms with me, or to get the rhythm of the language right, I'm happy to help!

[bedlamsbard.livejournal.com]

And it was only three weeks! Nothing compared to the three months he was in the forests between Lasci and Narnia, or the year and a half he was a merc in Natare, after all.