What's that old joke about the Italian General - front collapsing,

[WilliamPitt]

flanks disappearing, situation excellent, prepare to attack?

Refresh my memory. Thanks.

[Caution]

1. I don't know but I am reminded of the joke

Why was the new Italian navy built with glass bottoms? So they could see the old Italian navy.

pertinent? no but still kinda funny (FWIW insert just about anything in place of Italian and it's still funny...when i first heard the joke 20 years ago it was told with Italian).

[ewagner]

2. Can't help you with the joke, but

I do think you're making an excellent point.

Whenever Bush is cornered, he attacks. So it has worked out just fine. But I suspect his luck is running out.

When Bill Schneider calls his speech "a bust", things are getting really bad.

[WilliamPitt]

3. No no, it's this old joke

about an Italian general in a battle. The punch line is something like, "My front is destroyed, my flanks are collapsing. Situation excellent, I am attacking."

I want to get it exactly right, because I am writing about this for tomorrow's truthout.

[lapislzi]

4. If memory serves...

The context is a memo/communique to the officer's superior. Otherwise, I think that's the whole of it.

[TrogL]

5. try here

http://www.dccobra.com/UsmcBand/quotes.html

Hard pressed on my right, My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking!" Ferdinand Foch.

(google is your friend)

[JVS]

8. That was not a joke at all. It is a quote about French courage in WWI

I'm a bit disappointed that Will thought it was a joke.

[WilliamPitt]

9. The only time I'd ever heard it was delivered as a joke

by an old roommate about seven years ago. I have since been corrected above.

[TrogL]

13. Do I get credit?

I wanna footnote.

[WilliamPitt]

14. 1. Footnote

1. You.

:)

Thanks, man.

[izzie]

10. Foch was Fr. or am I wrong but I have heard the quote.

Is it true that we have no more army to put any place? It is a shock really. How many countries are we in?

[slothrop]

6. perhaps another look at the situation

A German and Italian general are preparing for battle, the Italian general compliments the german general on his red trousers. The German explains to the Italian he wears red so his troops will be not be demoralized by the sight of his blood when he gets wounded. Where upon the Italian general turns to his aide de camp and says: Luigi bring me my brown trousers.

[Bozita]

7. ooooh, that's good!

welcome to DU, slothrop.

[newyawker99]

11. Hi slothrop!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Skittles]

12. I dunno but here is a good quote

Which way did they go? How many were there? How fast were they going? I must find them; I am their leader.

[GreenArrow]

15. I read this quote earlier today off a link posted

somewhere on DU. The general was French in that version. If I can find the link, I'll repost it. You've pretty much got the gist of it though.