Forum problems ?

[d_Guy]

Thanks for the explanation, Leon. Probably a good thing actually.
Um - in the new forum will a Brigadier be considered a General?

[Leman]

One would assume if he is a brigadier general. Not being privy to such things I'm not sure why the British army dropped general from the title.

[fsn]

Did it have sailing ships or chariots? Nelson or Ramses?

Would you believe Nelson in a chariot? Pulled by ostriches?




Maybe that cheese was past its best. 

[d_Guy]

Are you sure what you thought were ostriches weren't Aztecs?
I have occasional misread sell-by dates meself.

Leman, I have always thought that Brigadier was a very good functional title but implies that it is limited to commanding a brigade of some specific type and not some sort of combined arms operation. We Americans seem to like stars (in elementary school we had them pasted on our homework and tests when we got all or most things right). The more stars the higher the rank unlike the British system which is like reading hieroglyphics. 

I am currently sitting here on the forum waiting for the bugger (exterminator) to show up.

[Westmarcher]

We Americans seem to like stars (in elementary school we had them pasted on our homework and tests when we got all or most things right).

Scotland, too. We used to get gold, silver and yellow(?) stars for spelling when I was in school - 3 gold got you a sweetie (candy) from the teacher! Getting the other stars took you longer to get that reward. My wife (a retired Head Teacher) tells me that it still happens but nowadays it depends on the school or teacher.   

[paulr]

Cheshire's autobiography has a nice story of him convincing a US transport NCO that in the RAF each ring equates to a US star and so getting priority on a connecting flight to the UK

He was a Group Captain (Colonel equivalent) at the time, not a four star General

[fsn]

I am currently sitting here on the forum waiting for the bugger (exterminator) to show up.

The forum has an exterminator?  

Scotland, too. We used to get gold, silver and yellow(?) stars for spelling when I was in school - 3 gold got you a sweetie (candy) from the teacher! Getting the other stars took you longer to get that reward. My wife (a retired Head Teacher) tells me that it still happens but nowadays it depends on the school or teacher.  

Oh! They came in other colours? I only got gold ones.  

[d_Guy]

Wait - you could trade the stars in for stuff!? 

[d_Guy]

Cheshire's autobiography has a nice story of him convincing a US transport NCO that in the RAF each ring equates to a US star and so getting priority on a connecting flight to the UK

He was a Group Captain (Colonel equivalent) at the time, not a four star General

Completely possible since we even get confused on inter-service ranks and hierarchy - e.g. USN has Squadron - Wing - Group and USAF has Squadron - Group - Wing (or maybe it's the reverse!  )

[paulr]

USAF is Squadron - Group - Wing

Cheshire was in the US when promoted from Wing Commander to Group Captain, the USAF guys he was serving with offered commiserations on his 'demotion'

RAF is Squadron - Wing - Group

My other favourite story from Cheshire involving the USAF was after being given a tour of Edwards AF base including several sensitive areas he had to sign out. He ended his signature with RAF. The AF security guard asked what that stood for Cheshire jokingly replied, "Red Air Force". This did not go down well in 1950s US and it took a lot of explaining by him and his escorting USAF Officer

[fsn]

Well obviously the Yanks are correct - 'cos it's obviously month - day - year isn't it?

USAF is Squadron - Group - Wing

I blame the French.