"Scratch one flat-top"

[CJE]

Remember that famous message sent during the battle of Midway.
For non-English speaking peope, how can "scratch" must be translated:
- erase (strike off records)
- scrape?

Thanks.

Chris

[R Leonard]

to "scratch" one flattop, in the literal vernacular, means to strike it from the list; otherwise to put a line through the name, to eliminate or delete

Rich

[Mark E Horan]

Gents;

The full quote was "Dixon to Carrier: Scratch one flattop". It occurred at the battle of Coral Sea on 7 May in response to the sinking of the Japanese carrier Shoho.

Mark E. Horan

[John Beaman]

In the military sense, it also means remove from the duty roster. Like at roll call when people were absent for sick call, leave, etc.

[CJE]

Hi Mark!
Yes, that's right. It was during the Coral Sea action.

Thanks to all.
That's what I thought but I needed a confirmation.

Chris

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by John Beaman

In the military sense, it also means remove from the duty roster. Like at roll call when people were absent for sick call, leave, etc.

And in horse racing, it means to withdraw from the list of runners.