"Shooting a Line"

An essay in an internal Air Force journal pertaining to the tendency of pilots and other personnel to understate their accomplishments.

While the informal expression "to shoot a line" usually refers to describing something in an exaggerated or untruthful manner, Bates gives more attention to those who avoid publicity altogether (while at the same time finding great pleasure at publicity received).

In the Royal Air Force Journal (September 5, 1942, pp. 14-15, attached).