American spelling

[ELPTX51]

As this is / was all just a bit of fun I was prepared to let what you said just waft over me but the above is way, way beyond the pale, oh the stories I could tell detailing the fckg incompetence of the American military. Unfortunately I am unable to write it on an internet forum.

Um...like wearing red coats and lining up on a battlefield to fight a war against insugents? Still in good fun buddy but I'm a retired American NCO. I can match every one of your stories with soldiers' heroism and ingenuity.

 

[ColinJ]

As this is / was all just a bit of fun I was prepared to let what you said just waft over me but the above is way, way beyond the pale, oh the stories I could tell detailing the fckg incompetence of the American military. Unfortunately I am unable to write it on an internet forum.

I don't want to upset anyone from over the water, but my dad told me that his unit in France after D-day were more worried when they saw US planes flying over than German ones. I asked if he was joking and he looked me in the eye, shook his head and said no - they got bombed more often by the Americans than by the Germans!

Even more off topic, but I thought you might like this photo of my dad on bomb disposal duties back in the UK in the early 1940s ... Can you see the family resemblance?

 

[totallyfixed]

I have no doubt and I am not trying to belittle you in any way but I remember the first time I met an American NCO, he had a chest covered in spaghetti [campaign ribbons] and I had only three in spite of the fact I out- ranked him and had been in many years longer. When I questioned him about them not one of them were earned from being in action, in fact I remember him saying that one of them I pointed to was for keeping his boots and uniform clean. I'm not saying there weren't some good guys but I lived with them, trained with them and more, but one thing I heard constantly, they believed themselves the greatest fighting force in the world, and that my friend is why they were so dangerous. No sir, I don't believe you can match every one of my stories because you don't know me, but this isn't the time or place.

 

[totallyfixed]

I don't want to upset anyone from over the water, but my dad told me that his unit in France after D-day were more worried when they saw US planes flying over than German ones. I asked if he was joking and he looked me in the eye, shook his head and said no - they got bombed more often by the Americans than by the Germans!

Even more off topic, but I thought you might like this photo of my dad on bomb disposal duties back in the UK in the early 1940s ... Can you see the family resemblance?

Yes Colin, I too have been in that position and many many of my comrades due to soldiers and pilots who were gung ho and could not read a map.

 

[marzjennings]

As this is / was all just a bit of fun I was prepared to let what you said just waft over me but the above is way, way beyond the pale, oh the stories I could tell detailing the fckg incompetence of the American military. Unfortunately I am unable to write it on an internet forum.

Fair enough, I have heard rumors of these monumental f-ups, but I no actual knowledge or experience of them. Of 'cos living over here I guess I'm never likely to learn more.

OT, I have often noticed that the UK press to carry more US embarrassing stories than the local media here in the US.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Even more off topic, but I thought you might like this photo of my dad on bomb disposal duties back in the UK in the early 1940s ... Can you see the family resemblance?

Now now, there's no need to boast about how big yours is!


IGMC

 

[threebikesmcginty]

There's something about an Internet forum whereby it can throttle every last bit of fun out of anything.

 

[ELPTX51]

I have no doubt and I am not trying to belittle you in any way but I remember the first time I met an American NCO, he had a chest covered in spaghetti [campaign ribbons] and I had only three in spite of the fact I out- ranked him and had been in many years longer. When I questioned him about them not one of them were earned from being in action, in fact I remember him saying that one of them I pointed to was for keeping his boots and uniform clean. I'm not saying there weren't some good guys but I lived with them, trained with them and more, but one thing I heard constantly, they believed themselves the greatest fighting force in the world, and that my friend is why they were so dangerous. No sir, I don't believe you can match every one of my stories because you don't know me, but this isn't the time or place.

Interesting. Is it a typical British quirk to make your point, disparage someone or something, and then try to end it all by saying that "this is not the time or place?" Is that a typical way to end a disagreement from your side of the pond? Let me tell you how we do it in America. This isn't the forum for airing out a difference of opinion like this. I tip my hat to your experiences, sir, and apologize if some of my fellow soldiers offended your sensibilities.

In case you don't recognize it....it's called the high road. Turn your bike down it someday and I'll see you there.

 

[Drago]

Still, we shouldn't mock the American military too much. They were the first to get their hands in the Enigma after all.

 

[Oldspice]

American and English soldiers have both done some monumental mistakes and questionable (in fact down right disgusting) actions through out history.

Get over it. Even if the victims never will

 

[Drago]

I must apologise - I was indulging in a bit if gentle mickey taking, the spirit of which marzjennings appears to have entered. Unfortunately, some others are taking it a bit too seriously and I apologise for inadvertently bringing that about.

 

[asterix]

What I want to know is when the Yanks are going to give us independence? Or do we have to fight for it?

 

[tadpole]

"American English and British English (BrE) differ at the levels of phonology, phonetics, vocabulary, and, to a lesser extent, grammar and orthography. The first large American dictionary, An American Dictionary of the English Language, was written by Noah Webster in 1828; Webster intended to show that the United States, which was a relatively new country at the time, spoke a different dialect from that of Britain."

"Noah Webster (October 16, 1758 – May 28, 1843) was an American lexicographer, textbook author, spelling reformer, word enthusiast, and editor. He has been called the “Father of American Scholarship and Education.” His “Blue-Backed Speller” books were used to teach spelling and reading to five generations of American children. In the United States, his name has become synonymous with dictionaries, especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as An American Dictionary of the English Language."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_English

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah_Webster

Webster wrote books aimed at children who could not understand the complexities of the English language, it’s just a shame he didn’t write a similar set of book for adults.

 

[Drago]

I don't want to upset anyone from over the water, but my dad told me that his unit in France after D-day were more worried when they saw US planes flying over than German ones. I asked if he was joking and he looked me in the eye, shook his head and said no - they got bombed more often by the Americans than by the Germans!

Even more off topic, but I thought you might like this photo of my dad on bomb disposal duties back in the UK in the early 1940s ... Can you see the family resemblance?

Is your Dad the tall feller in the middle?

 

[PpPete]

On the differences between US & UK military...

Working on the fringes of the aerospace community (and being something of a nerd) I've learned to recognize many types of aircraft.
Quite fun when walking in the Lake District (even if my kids would laugh at my one glance and call of "Tornado" or "Hawk"... or in one case "F15".
Cue following conversation:
How can you tell the difference?
Well son, if you can see the top of the 'plane it's British, but if you see the bottom of it, then it's American - like that last one.

Some time later I recounted the conversation to a Texan friend of mine (a retired USAF colonel)
He just laughed, and said "You got that right"

As a NATO base commander in Germany, if he got a complaint about low flying from the local populace he never bothered knocking on any door but that of the senior RAF officer.