GLOSSARY
(Kiffin Rockwell frequently used French military terms in his letters; instead of translating them, they have been italicized.)
Appareil: machine, aeroplane.
Appel: roll-call.
” Aux armes”: “To arms.”
Amateur: aviator.
” Bebe ” or ” Baby “: pet name given by the combat-machine
pilots to the little monoplane Nieuport aeroplane. Brevet militaire: military flying license. Eon: abbreviation for bataillon; a full French regiment is
composed of four battalions. Casque: here means fur-lined leather head-dress worn by
aviators when flying. C” : abbreviation for compagnie; there are four companies
in a French battalion, each commanded by a captain. Consigne: formal instruction given to a sentinel; also the
punishment of confinement to barracks. Consultation motivee: justifiable reporting to sick-call. Croix de Guerre: War Cross, awarded with a citation in army
Dejeuner: luncheon; petit dejeuner: breakfast. 2imt classe (deuxieme classe soldat): “buck private.” Division Marocain: one of the finest divisions in the French
Colonial Army, composed during the World War of the
Foreign Legion, a regiment of Zouaves and one of
Algerian sharp-shooters, with batteries of field artillery. Etive pilote: student-pilot.
Epreuve: trial flight for Hying license.
Escouade (abbreviated Escde.): smallest unit in a French regiment, commanded by a corporal; there are four escouades in a section.
Exempt service: exempted from military duties, usually by doctor’s order.
Gamelle, la: metal bowl from which French soldiers eat; the the old Legion corporals and sergeants, disgusted at the awkwardness of the Volunteers for the World War, sometimes taunted them by saying that they had enlisted for ” la gamelle,” or the French army ration.
“Garde d vous”: ” Be on your guard,” ” Danger.”
Legion d’Honneur: the highest French decoration awarded to officers in time of war. Also given in time of peace for distinguished services to France.
Legion Etrangere: Foreign Legion.
Mecanicien: mechanic.
Medaille Militaire: the highest decoration privates and under-officers in the French army can win on the battlefield. It is also given to generals commanding an army for conspicuous gallantry.
Militaire: military; also, a soldier; used in Kiffin Rockwell’s letters in the sense of militaire discipline.
Mitrailleuse: rapid-fire, or machine-gun.
Passe-montagne: knitted woollen bonnet worn over the head during cold weather; it also protects the ears and neck.
Petit poste: outpost nearest the enemy.
Popote: mess.
Poste de police: guard house.
Redamer: to protest.
Reformer: to invalid out of the army.
Repos: rest, “break ranks.”
Reserve general: reserve depot for pilots and aeroplanes, from
which the escadrilles at the front were supplied. Son: abbreviation for section. A company in the French
army is composed of four sections, each commanded by
a sergeant. Soupe (“la soupe”): call to meals in the French army; also
means the army ration. yaguemestre: regimental postmaster.