Dummy ships: The squadron of converted merchant ships or wooden "Dreadnoughts," which Lord Fisher introduced in 1915 for bluffing the Germans in the North Sea and purposes of strategical deception. They were exact duplicates of, and given the same names as, corresponding Grand Fleet ships. One of them, the Tiger, was later torpedoed by a German submarine in the Mediterranean, and the sight of her wooden turrets and wooden guns floating about on the waves brought on an attack of "D.T." with the hard-drinking German U-boat commander.[1]
References / notes
- ↑ Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.84.
Glossary of words and phrases
The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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