Vickers Chest Markings

[Peter Laidler]

I think they came from the old RAOC collection at Donnington. But that in itself is another long sorry saga for another day as they say.........

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Gil Boyd]

Now as you grow up in service you hear from time to time sayings that originated within the Military.
Have these any credence, and was the same saying brought forward into WW2?:

"THE WHOLE NINE YARDS"

1. The length or amount of cloth used to make the belts to feed the Maxim or Vickers Machine Gun with rounds.
or
2. It originated with W.W.II aircraft and specifically the 50 calibre machine guns ammunition belts. The .50 calibre, both in heavy bombers and in fighter aircraft had 27 foot ammunition belts. It became a common phrase to say that a pilot or gunner "gave 'em the whole nine yards" when they had run out of ammunition.