I recently saw this on another forum as quoted from a SAS survival manual. I am looking for confirmation on the accuracy and utility of this

plainmens cabin !

sounds formilair, i have heard of a similair thing, but with a stick and rock instead. Have never tryed it my self, but looks good in theory

Reverse for Southern Hemisphere only applies for north and south positions. if i remember correctly.

I found this in my copy of the SAS Survival Guide. It also says these are only approximate directions and you cannot use the Pole Star. This method is pretty inaccurate (even more as the movement will mostly be both vertical and horizontal). I´d always prefer to use the Pole Star (or the Southern Cross if I were in the southern hemisphere).

That’s true about the accuracy. Any of these “field expedient” methods of finding North at night will give only a GENERAL idea of direction. I personally think that what you actually gain from the process is having to take a deep breath, take stock and focus on the simple task at hand – instead of plunging headlong into a potentially worse situation.

That is indeed partially correct. Like the sun everything in the sky rises in the east, sets in the west and travels left / right as stated. Don't know about the Southern hemisphere - but I would suggest that stars and the sun still rise in the east and set in the west. WOFT what do you say?

Heres a link to a post ondirection finding with an analogue watch