RECOGNITION MADE EASY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2647, 10 November 1919, Page 7

RECOGNITION MADE EASY.

A French soldiers’ paper, ‘Neuf Temps,’ prints some amusing hints on how to tell an officer ;

“First look at his right shoulder. If you find nothing there, look at the lower part of the upper right arm. If no chevrons are seen he is a general, for generals wear their insignia on their hats. If lie has no insignia on his hat he is a private, unless he has wings, in which case he is an aviator.

‘‘Then pass to the left arm, and count chevrons there, omitting the first, which goes with the uniform. Next subtract number of chevrons on his right arm, and multiply by number of stripes around his hat. If the result is under thirty-six he is a Portuguese third lieutenant. When the total is over thirty-six try again, count chevrons on both arms, and multiply by two. If total is between fifty and fifty-six, then the object of your interest is a captain, unless in conversation he tells you' he is a major.

‘‘The top of the hat has important meaning. Red signifies infantry, and blue with gold braid cavalry. If he wears no hat, he may be a Serbian colonel without his hat.”