During WW2 the US introduced the Boeing B17 Bomber, a magnificent aeroplane with a crew of 11: Captain, Navigator, Flight engineer, Bombardier, Radio operator, Nose gunner, 2 X Waist gunners, Top turret gunner, Belly gunner, Tail gunner.

The story goes that during the last days of the North African campaign one of these made a forced landing in the desert 100's of miles from anywhere. All crew were safe but the plane completely wrecked.

The Captain said to his crew "well guys, this is it we're doomed.

The Tail gunner exclaimed "Sir, Sir, there is a camel over there on the dunes. Why don't we capture it and ride to civilization". 

"Great idea" said the Captain "but there are 11 of us and only one camel - we can't do it".

"I know' said the Tail gunner "what if we all got on in order of rank"?

"Great idea"said the Captain, "glad I thought of it". 

So the Captain got on first, then the Navigator, then the Flight engineer, then the Bombardier, then the Radio operator, then the Nose gunner, then 2 Waist gunners, then the Top turret gunner and the Belly gunner sitting on the Waist gunners' knees, then finally - the Tail gunner. 

Well they charged off through the desert rode all day, all night and then in the morning still miles from civilization - the camel fell down stone motherless dead.

The Captain turned to his men and said, "Well men - this camel is FU#@*D".

The Tailgunner burst into tears and blurted out -

.

.

.

.

"Sorry Sir, but it was the only way I could stay on!