It is true, but no engagements, Allan. Just doing my army time in an army in waiting. Boredom, wargames, maintenance, alcohol. Didn’t want to ramble on about it, going off track. In my case I was hurt in a stupid accident — almost lost my pink- and transferred to the staff platoon after missing the essential leadership test with ‘my men’. Became boss of the trailers, LSO, paperwork. Had a great time observing the Squadron Commander, a top comedian with a beautiful wife. She didn’t want to leave her posh villa, forcing him to obstruct his own promotion and avoid transferring to Germany or the whereabouts of the General Staff. I witnessed some of his clever operations to damage his own career enough to not being demoted. One day he was called by two angry generals at the same time. One on my extension, one on his. He listened to both angry voices, looked at me helplessly and then placed the telephone receivers on his desk, speakers against mikes. It was after lunch and he was elegantly pissed as usual. Some weeks later he was called about something top secret. He started to whisper, ducked under his desk, directing me to do the same, and finished the conversation on the floor of the office.