Correct WW II Canadian salute

[sapper740]

I know this is really getting down to basics but it's a question that's been perplexing me for quite a while. During WW II did Canadian soldiers salute same as the Tommies (exposed palm) or as we do in the C.F. (hidden palm) today?


CHIMO!

[servicepub (RIP)]

The Army and Air Force saluted palm out until unification, ca. 1968. The Navy saluted palm down - part of an old tradition where they wouldn't show their dirty hands to the officers, silly Navy! Unifivcatiohn made the army adopt RCAF and RCN practices while losing all of their old 'British' habits, silly politicians
'The RCMP still salute palm out, silly wannabe cavalrymen.

[DaveCox]

Originally posted by servicepub
The Army and Air Force saluted palm out until unification, ca. 1968. The Navy saluted palm down - part of an old tradition where they wouldn't show their dirty hands to the officers, silly Navy! Unifivcatiohn made the army adopt RCAF and RCN practices while losing all of their old 'British' habits, silly politicians
'The RCMP still salute palm out, silly wannabe cavalrymen.

The reason usually given for the 'palm out' salute is to prove that the soldier wasn't hiding a weapon that he could strike the officer with - a reflection on the quality of the officer or soldiers perhaps. Another reason for the 'palm down' salute is that originally one would lift the hat to an officer, this evolved into just touching the brim and from there to the salute.

[sapper740]

Originally posted by servicepub
The Army and Air Force saluted palm out until unification, ca. 1968. The Navy saluted palm down - part of an old tradition where they wouldn't show their dirty hands to the officers, silly Navy! Unifivcatiohn made the army adopt RCAF and RCN practices while losing all of their old 'British' habits, silly politicians
'The RCMP still salute palm out, silly wannabe cavalrymen.

Thanks Clive and Dave for clearing that up. It's interesting how our military traditions evolve and sometimes the reasons for same are lost in the fog of history. I strive to keep my persona at reenactments as correct as possible and wasn't sure about the salute. Now I know!



CHIMO!