I was showing my mother some twitch streamers playing Apex Legends the other day and she said, these guys should be consulting on battle strategy in Ukraine. Shades of Ender’s Game…
As no1 has mentioned it yet may I add the pencil issued to all RAF pilots was hollow and held a map of the frontline to be used with the compass buttons.
Was it not designed to help POWs escape and were attached to garments sent on red cross packages? I'm sure I saw something like that on QI.... they also his maps in board games too
This makes sense, because I’m over here thinking, wouldn’t it be cheaper to give people compasses, rather than special buttons? Or, you know, sew a compass into the lining.
Ok, this is badass! I can picture the chaotic scene of a RAF plane crashing behind enemy lines. Pilot with a map in hand rips off his buttons and makes it back to safety! Somewhere out there theres a WW2 Vet that used this to save himself.
Other have pointed out the dot. But even without the dot, you could determine your bearings based on the sun or some landmark, then mark the button yourself.
You have to keep in mind there were millions of soldiers. We had limited resources, most going to making tanks, guns, ammo, planes, etc… It was much easier to give all these men two buttons instead of a fully made compass. It’s was better than nothing.
Did you know that later on they had compasses concealed inside a button. When the Germans got wise to this they made a simple design change that fooled the Germans. They manufactured these buttons left tighty-righty loosey... Every time the Germans checked for these concealed compasses they were tightening the compass back onto the button and thus not finding them. Genius
I've always appreciated the little thoughtful innovations like this. Another one is that my US battle dress uniform (BDU) pants were designed to be floatation devices. You just tie a quick knot in both legs at the ankles and then the air won't escape through the fabric.
The second episode of band of brothers shows easy company soldiers using one of these after dropping behind enemy lines during the invasion of Normandy
This is truly what they were for? It’s not just trying to balance itself out, or table not level? If it’s truly the former then that is one helluva great idea!!
This is cool and all, but I think if I got shot down and was lost in the wilderness, being able to close up my jacket would also be a pretty big priority.
My Grandfather was in the RAF flying mosquitoes during WW2. In addition to the button trick, the silk lining of his bomber jacket was a map of France. Kinda need both if you go down. I'm trying to figure out how to best mount and preserve it. Ideas?
Did you know that later on they had compasses concealed inside a button. When the Germans got wise to this they made a simple design change that fooled the Germans. They manufactured these buttons left tighty-righty loosey... Every time the Germans checked for these concealed compasses they were tightening the compass back onto the button and thus not finding them. Genius
This seems really neat but for some reason I just don't believe it to be true... How does a button use magnetic north to find direction and how would you know what direction north was on the button? Is there a marking?
That is awesome. Big up to whoever came up with that idea
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I heard they can also be used as hats for mice!
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It is really useful but I'm just imagining a conversation like:
It was, in fact, awesome tbh
Stop everything you're doing now, cause baby it's awesome.
It was a military intelligence division called MI9, iirc.
I never knew that and that is something I totally should have known since I'm a geek aviation lover
Indeed it was really awesome
Indeed, t'was in fact awesome
I wonder if this was ever utilized, I would expect most pilots to have an actual compass on their person.
I was showing my mother some twitch streamers playing Apex Legends the other day and she said, these guys should be consulting on battle strategy in Ukraine. Shades of Ender’s Game…
That's fucking ingenious. The little details that can save your life.
You are welcome
As no1 has mentioned it yet may I add the pencil issued to all RAF pilots was hollow and held a map of the frontline to be used with the compass buttons.
His story is tragically beautiful. I'm so grateful you've shared this.
Thank you. What a harrowing and touching story.
an outstanding story, thanks for sharing
Bullets flying in every direction, mounds of turf exploding into the air, shrapnel lodging into trees, fire and smoke all around.
Ah yes, wars are well known for having constant fighting on every inch of land everywhere.
Sexual music intensifies
Was it not designed to help POWs escape and were attached to garments sent on red cross packages? I'm sure I saw something like that on QI.... they also his maps in board games too
This makes sense, because I’m over here thinking, wouldn’t it be cheaper to give people compasses, rather than special buttons? Or, you know, sew a compass into the lining.
I remember this from QI as well.
They'll be looking back on WWIII and say "we took the inside pocket of our coat and made it an iPhone"
"This is our most innovative idea yet"
Mr Beast 2022
Some Russian already used a macbook in his bosy armor lol.
I've got some of my dad's Navy buttons..I'll have a look 😁👍
please report back we are all very curious 🧐 💪🏻😎😜😄
oh yay!!! 😩😊😋🥳🤪
Dawg it's been 10 hours, what's going on with the buttons?!?!
Ok, this is badass! I can picture the chaotic scene of a RAF plane crashing behind enemy lines. Pilot with a map in hand rips off his buttons and makes it back to safety! Somewhere out there theres a WW2 Vet that used this to save himself.
Serious question: how do you know what the bearings are…I just see a turning button
There is a mark indicating North
I assume the dot points north
Other have pointed out the dot. But even without the dot, you could determine your bearings based on the sun or some landmark, then mark the button yourself.
idk if it's NFL but it definitely belongs in
It has probably already been posted there
Every time I read RAF, I get a mini-jolt because that's also the acronym for Germany's very own terrorist movement in the 1970s and 1980s.
Red Army Faction :(
Same with IRA...
Dreadfully clever feature. Well done RAF.
That's clever but why not just give them a compass?
If you get captured, they will confiscate your compass, but will probably let you keep your jacket.
You have to keep in mind there were millions of soldiers. We had limited resources, most going to making tanks, guns, ammo, planes, etc… It was much easier to give all these men two buttons instead of a fully made compass. It’s was better than nothing.
Pasting a possible explanation that I gave to someone else.
I think Winters is shown doing this or something similar in Band of Brothers, after they land in France outside the drop zone?
Yes! He had a small button compass in the fly of his trousers.
Bet it's a pain sewing those buttons back on every time.
Bet it's more of a pain dying cuz your lost
McGuyver stuff
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I've been on reddit daily for almost 10 years and never seen it. Also, who the fuck cares.
I’ve been seeing lots of karma bots recently
OP does this daily too.
Well it's my first time seeing it. You think it's better to limit the amount of people seeing it just because you have before?
https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/ten_thousand.png
Wow! Never seen something like this, no idea this even existed! Thanks for sharing!
Meanwhile the little compasses on torches and stuff are useless.. but here's two buttons doing the job
The Red Cross delivered tinned meats in tins that had a key that was also a handcuff key.
Did you know that later on they had compasses concealed inside a button. When the Germans got wise to this they made a simple design change that fooled the Germans. They manufactured these buttons left tighty-righty loosey... Every time the Germans checked for these concealed compasses they were tightening the compass back onto the button and thus not finding them. Genius
Ah yes. Yet another
Amazing !
savevideo
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At the cost of ruining my good dress shirt?I think not old chap
RepostSleuthBot
I wonder if this ever got used for that reason
Seeing innovations like this makes me sure I could never be a spy.
These days innovation always seems to involve new technology. But the simplicity of this is just amazing.
Never Eat Shredded Wheat
I’m a ‘soggy waffles’ guy, but to each their own
So dope. Need something like this for prepper stuff
Very cool. Thank you for sharing.
I wonder how many times these were actually needed
I know how to get home but now my pants are falling off.
Is there a compass for in front of enemy lines, too?
That’s actually insane.
Now I only need a WW2 RAF uniform
and here we are now thinking we are the clever ones
Yeah but now you have to run around Germany with your cock out
Holy sh*t?! Damn, that is simply clever!
Really clever
Im so confused on how compasses work
magnets?
I saw something like this in Band of Brothers. Idk if I am correct here but they used something like this to gain direction.
Woah how's it work tho?
how do you tell what way its pointing
More advanced than 99% of current russian equipment
That is fucking cool.
That’s not a compass that’s just the shape of the button!
Holy shit this is cool! This also belongs in
But only until then!
Next level shit right there
Two is one and one is none.
I love stuff like this!
Great, now you are without buttons for your shirt.
Very cool
Great idea
Now THATS nextfuckinglevel
Funny. Just started watching BoB yesterday and was wondering what he’s doing with his biting to figure out where they are.
most wholesome reddit comments ever
The boots of RAF personnel could be unsewn to look like civilian shoes if they were stuck behind enemy lines
Didn't have a clue. Cheers for the knowledge.
Remember this for ww3
Remember this for ww3
I've always appreciated the little thoughtful innovations like this. Another one is that my US battle dress uniform (BDU) pants were designed to be floatation devices. You just tie a quick knot in both legs at the ankles and then the air won't escape through the fabric.
This feels very 007ish
A WW2 button works better than my cellphone compass. Amazing
I have never heard of this . So cool
that's crazy but i'd still be screwed because idk how to use a compass and my sense of direction is horrible even if i did know how to use one
The second episode of band of brothers shows easy company soldiers using one of these after dropping behind enemy lines during the invasion of Normandy
If you put 3 together, it becomes a hand grenade.
how does it work? magnets?
This is truly what they were for? It’s not just trying to balance itself out, or table not level? If it’s truly the former then that is one helluva great idea!!
To be used along side maps sew into flight suits, or subtly printed on playing cards in some cases.
this is genius
This way you’ll know which direction you’re headed when you freeze to death.
Dude that’s cool asf
I'm not 100% sure but I believe this was just one type of covert tool designed by the British
I know because this was posted last week.
How do you get it to feel which way North is
Yes but now your uniform is falling apart.
I thought they were nipple covers
That's a bit cool
Not shot down. You have compass and everything to escape. This is more like if you get captured and escape with nothing but your clothes on you.
No. Fucking. Way!
Wow that’s awesome
Wish I could see this but reddit consistently has the least reliable video player in history
Just hope they arent the pants buttons.
Fascinating. Thank you for sharing
The game Monopoly was used by WW II POW to assist in escaping
Could someone please explain to me what RAF means?
Ahhh so this is what Captain Winters was doing underneath that raincoat in Normandy
Wow that is so well thought!
Clever
That is truly legend. Hats off to you chaps.
But your trousers kept falling down, so there’s that.
My pants are falling down but at least I know which way North is.
Humans are so fucking cool. Unfortunately it’s in case you get shot down by another cool human
This is too big brain for me
savevideobot
Thats very useful for that situation
Whoever came up with that idea was ahead of time
Thanks for sharing V cool
I wonder if that was deliberate design, or something that someone discovered accidentally worked. Iron can self-magnetize over time.
This attention to detail would never happen these days. This is amazing
This is cool and all, but I think if I got shot down and was lost in the wilderness, being able to close up my jacket would also be a pretty big priority.
My Grandfather was in the RAF flying mosquitoes during WW2. In addition to the button trick, the silk lining of his bomber jacket was a map of France. Kinda need both if you go down. I'm trying to figure out how to best mount and preserve it. Ideas?
Now I know why Captain Winters took off his trouser button to navigate the map in Band of Brothers. Awesome detail
Buttons, Heroes, Foes..
I keep hearing a ring notification
It sucks because the last time that I was shot down, I was accidentally wearing my 19th Century Prussian Hussar livery :-(
This has been posted like 50 times in the last 2 weeks.
Did you know that later on they had compasses concealed inside a button. When the Germans got wise to this they made a simple design change that fooled the Germans. They manufactured these buttons left tighty-righty loosey... Every time the Germans checked for these concealed compasses they were tightening the compass back onto the button and thus not finding them. Genius
Check about it here:
MI9
And thats why 007 is from Britain
I’ve seen this damn video a million times on here
This seems really neat but for some reason I just don't believe it to be true... How does a button use magnetic north to find direction and how would you know what direction north was on the button? Is there a marking?
That's sick as fuck!
That’s some crazy practicality!
Definitely belongs in
Please reddit i just want to watch this video
Amazing.
No FKN way! That’s amazing
Little things like this were what made this country Great Britain.