what I want to know . . .

[ritaxis]

I want a nonfiction description of the work of gunners using large artillery. I want a blow-by-bulow description of hsetting up, handling ammunition, firing, all the things that have to be done in the course of operation, cleaning, maintenance, etc. What do I find on wikipedia?

specs.  Nothing but specs.  And lots of words, but nothing about the work of the men operating the things. It's all so abstract.

Comments

[kate-schaefer.livejournal.com]

I have no specs for you, but I do have a word: matross. It's a gunner's mate, the guy who cleans and loads the gun, but doesn't aim or fire it. One of my ancestors was a matross in the American Revolution, which tickles me because the grandmother who was in the DAR used to talk about him as if he'd been an officer. All our ancestors seem to get post-mortem promotions.