Royal Navy pilots forced to learn French - Telegraph

Quote:

The Naval aviators are training with the French, whose jets they may have to use while they await the arrival of the new Joint Strike Fighters, which are unlikely to be delivered before 2020. The first five of 30 Royal Navy pilots have begun French language training at the defence college in Paris before they join the carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, where they will fly Rafale jets. They will spend 16 weeks studying French so that they are able to communicate with their colleagues on board the vessel. While they will wear their own uniforms they will sleep, eat and work alongside French fighter pilots, in what has been described as a major test of co-operation for the two Navies. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The relationship with France is strategically important and discussions are ongoing about Royal Navy personnel being based on Charles de Gaulle as part of the bilateral agreement between our two countries. This will allow us to maintain our skills and help to develop an enhanced capability in the future.” But Naval sources have expressed some unease about the arrangement. One senior Royal Navy officer said: “Who would have thought that more than 200 years after the Battle of Trafalgar, we would be asking the French to train our Naval fighter pilots? Our relationship with the French has always been a bit tense, so this will be a big test of co-operation.” One benefit for the Royal Navy personnel however will be the quality of cuisine offered on board the Charles de Gaulle, which is said to be of a much higher standard than that available on board British ships.

"J'aurais douté de mes succès sans les gémissements de la victime etc..."

I mean yes, in many ways it's not ideal, but good God, the Telegraph staff squeeze every last drop of pathos from the situation. Whatever happened to the stiff upper lip? At this rate they'll halve their readership, all the retired brigadeers having heart attacks over their cocoa puffs.

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Originally Posted by Zichao

"J'aurais douté de mes succès sans les gémissements de la victime etc..."

Where's that quote from? Not that I am interested myself, you understand, but a friend of mine likes that sort of things...

Quote:

I mean yes, in many ways it's not ideal, but good God, the Telegraph staff squeeze every last drop of pathos from the situation. Whatever happened to the stiff upper lip? At this rate they'll halve their readership, all the retired brigadeers having heart attacks over their cocoa puffs.

I especially liked the Trafalgar mention... Gosh, what should the French say, being forced to cooperate with Germans less than 75 years after being kicked in the ass during WWII? At least, the Brits won Trafalgar...

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Justine. I couldn't remember it properly, I had to google it to check what the actual wording was.

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