12 O'Clock High (the film)
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: UK
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The Way to the Stars.
With this poem penned by a pilot and handed to his young widow with new born son by a fellow flyer when her husband failed to return:
Do not despair ... for Johnny-head-in-air;
He sleeps as sound. ... as Johnny underground.
Fetch out no shroud ... for Johnny-in-the-cloud;
And keep your tears ... for him in after years.
Better by far ... for Johnny-the-bright-star,
To keep your head ... and see his children fed.
Still gets me
With this poem penned by a pilot and handed to his young widow with new born son by a fellow flyer when her husband failed to return:
Do not despair ... for Johnny-head-in-air;
He sleeps as sound. ... as Johnny underground.
Fetch out no shroud ... for Johnny-in-the-cloud;
And keep your tears ... for him in after years.
Better by far ... for Johnny-the-bright-star,
To keep your head ... and see his children fed.
Still gets me
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North of Watford, South of Watford Gap
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Dutystude
It is indeed a cracking poem, which I intend (eventually...) to have read at my funeral. However, it was written by John Pudney https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pudney who was an intelligence officer rather than aircrew. He published a volume of RAF-related poems either during, or just after, the war.
It is indeed a cracking poem, which I intend (eventually...) to have read at my funeral. However, it was written by John Pudney https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pudney who was an intelligence officer rather than aircrew. He published a volume of RAF-related poems either during, or just after, the war.
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Innominate
Hope the reading will not be too soon.
Yes I know of John Pudney.
Memory likely to be playing tricks but I believe that, in the context of the story, the lines are penned by Flt Lt Archdale (deceased husband) rather than copied from a book.
Far more poignant don't you think
Hope the reading will not be too soon.
Yes I know of John Pudney.
Memory likely to be playing tricks but I believe that, in the context of the story, the lines are penned by Flt Lt Archdale (deceased husband) rather than copied from a book.
Far more poignant don't you think
Naïve question from a civvy. (ex ATC cadet though). What would have happened to a group commander relieved of command like Davenport in the film? Some kind of HQ job? Early retirement? Might there be a way back to command in the future?
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In the US, when a commanding officer is removed from command for cause, that is the end of his career. If he has enough years in, he will be retired. If he does not have enough years in, he will likely be forced out ("up or out"). If this was during a global war like WW2, some kind of staff position would likely be found for him at least for the duration of the war.
