"Five nine." A German shell 5.9 inches in diameter. It is their standard shell. Tommy has no special love for this brand, but they are like olives, all right when you get used to them.
"Flags." Tommy's nickname for a Signaler.
Flare. A rocket fired from a pistol which, at night, lights up the ground in front of your trench.
Flare Pistol. A large pistol, which looks like a sawed-off shotgun, from which flares are fired. When you need this pistol badly it has generally been left in your dugout.
Flying Column. A flying column of troops that waits from one point of the line to another. In case of need they usually arrive at the wrong point.
Fokker. A type of German aeroplane which the Boche claims to be the fastest in the world. Tommy believes this, because our airmen seldom catch them.
"For It." On the crime sheet; up against a reprimand; on trial, in trouble.
"Four by two." A piece of flannel four Inches by two issued by the Q. M. Sergeant with which to "pull through."
"Four point five." Another of ours. The Germans don't like this one.
"Four point seven." One of our shells 4.7 inches in diameter. Tommy likes this kind.