An NCO, a Warrant Officer and an RLO were captured as POWs and subsequently
sentenced to be executed. On the fateful day, the three prisoners were brought
out into the courtyard.
The NCO, chosen by his captors to be first, was offered a cigarette, which he
accepted. After he was finished, he nodded to the CPT of the firing squad. The
CPT of the firing squad began his sequence: .....READY!.....AIM!..... The NCO,
being a quick thinker, yelled: AVALANCHE! With this the firing squad quickly
dispersed.
Next up, with a new firing squad, was the Warrant Officer. He, too, was offered
a cigarette; he prudently declined. The CPT of the firing began anew the sequence:.....READY!.....AIM.....
The Warrant Officer, also a quick thinker, yelled: EARTHQUAKE! This, too, sending
the new firing squad askelter.
Finally, the RLO is led, bound and blindfolded, to the center of the courtyard
before yet another firing squad. He is offered a cigarette, which he accepts,
coughing profusely throughout. When he is finished, he nods with a blue face
to the CPT of the firing squad, who begins his sequence for a third time: .....READY!.....AIM!.....
The RLO, not to be outdone by his subordinates, yelled: FIRE!!
HOME Facing the Firing Squad