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Michael · 27 December 2000, 06:16 AM

It's hard for us to see into the early 20th century mind. I for one would not discount (at least for the RFC/RAF pilots) the "play the game" factor. Many of the British officers were public school educated (North American translation - private school educated), with the sports fixation that went with "muscular Christianity".

Read Newbolt's Vita Lampada again

"And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat,
Or the selfish hope of a season's fame,
But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote
"Play up! play up! and play the game!"

Reread Robert Graves' "Goodbye to All That" if you still have doubts.

Michael

27 December 2000, 06:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
Michael Sage emeritus Join Date: Mar 1998 Location: Oakville Ontario Posts: 1,126	It's hard for us to see into the early 20th century mind. I for one would not discount (at least for the RFC/RAF pilots) the "play the game" factor. Many of the British officers were public school educated (North American translation - private school educated), with the sports fixation that went with "muscular Christianity". Read Newbolt's Vita Lampada again "And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat, Or the selfish hope of a season's fame, But his Captain's hand on his shoulder smote "Play up! play up! and play the game!" Reread Robert Graves' "Goodbye to All That" if you still have doubts. Michael __________________ Adjt. Antonin Dominique Barthélèmy Gautier Médaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre - SPA 80 October 2, 1895-September 15, 1918 Mort pour la France en combat aérien.