British Officers Don't Duck!

It's a historical fact that many snipers learned to read lips so they could make their shots with optimal comedic timing.

I never served with any officer who didn't duck rather frequently. I was, however, on a submarine. So there's that.

British officer gets hit "I'm dead, I reckon. You have to pardon me, but it seems I won't be attending the afternoon tea today." dies

"They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance." - US Union Army General John Sedgwick moments before being shot dead by a Confederate army sharpshooter.

"Seeing your officer shot can embolden the men." Hmm, perhaps I can recommend this to my boss as a way of improving office morale.

My favorite British officer moment comes from the Battle of Waterloo. An officer had his leg shot off by a cannon and said to another officer: "By God, Sir, I’ve lost my leg.” To which the other officer replied: “By God, Sir, so you have.”

Game Tutorial: Press B To Crouch British Officer: No, I don't think I will.

"Don't bother ducking, it doesn't do any good" anyway his body was never found

"Any officer who goes into action without his sword is improperly dressed." -"Mad" "Fighting" Jack Churchill

I thought with Knights the heraldry was meant to scream, "DON'T KILL ME I CAN BE RANSOMED!"

"Funny thing snipers, they've got all of me to aim at, but still took a pop at your head." That line is absolute comedic genius

I'm sure the Germans were very happy about that "Hans, why isn't he taking cover?" "He's British" "He's also stupid apparently"

Captain Blackadder: Don't forget your stick Lieutenant Lieutenant George: Rather, sir. Wouldn't want to face a machine gun without this.

Many years ago I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas. One night at the officers' club, the post commanded chided a British liaison officer. The Brit along with other liaison personnel was supposed to show up for morning PT with the post headquarters company, but he never did, and the CO was somewhat affronted, both because he was a big fitness nut and because he took the absence as a kind of insubordination. When he got done the Brit, who went through the entire thing with a face as deadpan as an empty skillet, took a sip of his tequila (which he had taken quite a liking to) and in the most sterotypical round, plummy tones he could manage he said "Sir, a British officer never runs. It might panic the troops."

"Seing your officer being shot may improve morale." Sounds like an Imperial guard tactic

My Grandfather was a Junior Officer in WW1. He was shot, but lived and returned to his regiment to be gassed. He lived yet again. I only met one of the men he lead, my Grandad was in his seventies at the time, he was half blind and had a stroke a view years before. I fully remember this old man seeing my Grandad from over a hospital waiting room, walk over, stand in front of him and salute, "remember me Captain K" My Grandfather salutes back and says "Sergeant S, it's been 50 years." Then discussed after the war and never mentioned a thing about their time in the military.

So Monty Python sketches on british military were on point?

Quotes Heroic British General "Admittedly, his body was never found..." Christ, that's blunt...

I was an British Army Officer and can say that we were constantly reminded at Sandhurst of the heroism of previous officers, and our duty to maintain that tradition. However things have changed (for the better) in that it is now harder to tell an officer in the field as they look, and are usually carrying the same weapons etc as the other ranks. However there is still a very strong motivation to be seen to be calm under fire, and to use your head to work out the best course of action. At the end of the day the lucky survive, and soldiers always like a lucky officer!

My mates dad was in a fox hole in the gulf, when a moustache sporting officer jumped in "alright chaps? food hot? beds dry? alright cheerio". I would have been laughing till the next day.