Enoch.

This is coolbert:

Friends! Devoted readers! Here is a coincidence, a synchronicity, a random chance that I find to be amazing.

"co·in·ci·dence - - a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance."

"syn·chro·nic·i·ty - - Coincidence of events that seem to be meaningfully related, conceived in Jungian theory as an explanatory principle on the same order as causality."

The sort of thing that is normally NOT germane for my blog. Off-topic and off-limits. But here goes anyway.

When making the previous blog entry, "Tethered Goat", I linked to the British Daily Mail web site dated today, 2 February 2007.

Please notice in the far right hand column a reference to Enoch Powell and the "Rivers of Blood" speech. Also the subject of a blog entry. An entry made - - today!!

"Enoch Powell was ruined by his Rivers of Blood speech, telling of a widow terrorised by immigrants. It was said he invented her. Here, we dispel that myth and reveal her identity."

Read if you are interested.

coolbert.

Firefly.

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During and after World War Two [WW2], it has been the fashion to give "nicknames" to various weapon systems.

"Nicknames" that evoke a strong, masculine, powerful image.

American aircraft from WW2 such as the Warhawk [P-40], or the Mustang [P-51].

American aircraft of the modern era such as the Eagle [F-15], or the Fighting Falcon [F-16].

The British too during WW2 gave their fighting aircraft "nicknames" that denoted strength, speed, fighting ability. Such as the Hurricane, Spitfire, and the Typhoon.

Tanks were also "nicknamed" in a similar manner.

During WW2, the U.S. produced a whole series of tanks that were named after famous American Civil War Generals. Stuart, Lee/Grant, Sherman.

In the years following WW2, the British also produced tanks that possessed strong, masculine "nicknames". Centurion, Chieftain, and Challenger.

As usual, the English, however, seem to have a habit of sometimes breaking the mold.

Assign nicknames to weapons systems that just do not seem appropriate. For whatever reason, this HAS happened.

One case in point is the famous tank fielded by the British in WW2, the "Mathilda"

"Mathilda"!!?? A feminine name for a TANK??!!

"Matilda (sometimes spelled Mathilda) is a female name, of Teutonic derivation, meaning "mighty warrior." Its most common alternate forms are Maud and Mathilde"

Well, yes, a female warrior from Norse and Teutonic mythology. Well, OK. But how many folks know that?? One in a thousand??

Another instance of the English assigning a "strange" nickname to a weapons system is the case of the "Firefly".

The Fairey "Firefly". A carrier borne fighter/reconnaissance of WW2 fame.

[Fairey is of course the aircraft manufacturer.]

One can assume that pilots flying the "Firefly" were doubly damned. NOT ONLY flying a combat aircraft called the "Fire-fly", but flying an aircraft manufactured by someone named FAIR-EY.

This almost sounds like a cruel joke.

I can imagine the consternation of student pilots upon graduation from flight school. Expecting to be assigned to a squadron of Hurricanes, Spitfires, or Typhoons, they find out they are going to have to fly a "Fire-Fly"!!

One cannot say that the English are not without a certain degree of panache in this area of nicknames.

C'est le guerre!!

coolbert.

Nelson

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Of course, the most famous British naval officer of all time is Horatio Nelson. Nelson of Copenhagen, Nelson of the Nile, Nelson of Trafalgar. It was because of the extraordinary abilities and leadership of Nelson that Britain ruled the waves. By defeating the fleets of Napoleon twice [Trafalgar was a victory over the combined Spanish and French fleet], Nelson made it possible for the nineteenth century to be a British century, a Pax Brittania if you like.

Nelson was a commander of extraordinary leadership ability. A man NOT of imposing stature but a man who exercised command while missing one arm and one eye. A man and commander that had earned the respect and admiration of the lower rankers.

Nelson was also a commander that was down right insubordinate and disobedient, as he saw fit. Went against orders and the rules of naval warfare as they existed. Was victorious in his three major sea battles, and merits the rank of "Great Captain". Is the only naval officer to merit this rank!! And is the only "Great Captain" other than Alexander the Great who was undefeated in his career!!

[for a definition of a "Great Captain", such superlatives as, "single purpose and ruthless, driving energy", "bulldog tenacity and his imperturbability", "loved and respected by his men", "commanded men through respect and admiration rather than fear", apply. The "Great Captains" number very few. In recent history, Wellington, Napoleon, Grant, and Lee from the nineteenth century are considered to be "Great Captains". If you are not in their league, you are not a "Great Captain".]

As previously mentioned, Nelson tended to be insubordinate, even disobedient when it came to battle.

"As a commander he was known for bold action, and the occasional disregard of orders from his seniors. This defiance brought him victories against the Spanish off Cape Vincent in 1797, and at the Battle of Copenhagen four years later, where he ignored orders to cease action by putting his telescope to his blind eye and claiming he couldn't see the signal."

Normally this sort of behavior, insubordination and disobedience, would bring courts martial, demotion or cashiering, even hanging. Nelson, however, by brilliant and well thought out tactics, tactics that were innovative and daring, was always victorious. The adage, "you can't argue with success" is quite true. Rather than being punished, Nelson was rewarded for his fighting abilities and daring.

[in the modern era, the behavior of Ariel Sharon as an Israeli General seems to mirror that of Nelson's insubordination and disobedience, and yet, not punishment, but rather vindication and success!!].

coolbert.