Originally Posted by
Tankertrashnav
A friend recently sent me an article from the journal of the Military Historical Society entitled "Why do RAF Eagles Fly to the Rear?" The article contains the original Air Ministry Weekly Order 931 of 1921, entitled "Eagle Arm Badges - Mode of Wearing". The order is a model of obfuscation, and reads:
1. Badges, arm, embroidered, eagle,are supplied in pairs. The correct method of wearing them on jackets and greatcoats is with the eagle flying away from the wearer: ie with the eagle's head facing to the right and left on the right and left sides respectively of the wearer"
Why didn't they just say "the eagle always faces to the rear" ?
Incidentally the article nails the old confusion about what type of bird it is. It is, and always has been an eagle, but I have often heard it referred to as an albatross, sometimes by serving personnel who ought to have known better
I may be well into my second glass, but those instructions have the eagle facing the front: "head facing right on right side"