The Bet Was Sound

Observation Post, Volume 1, Issue 28, 27 November 1942, Page 3

The Bet Was Sound

This is the story of a New Zealander who joined (he Air Force and w-ho was being taught how to make a graceful parachute landing from an aeroplane. As he moved towards the aeroplane ; from which he was to make his initial descent he w-as told his "harness’’ included two parachutes and that nothing happened when he pulled th rip-cord of the first he was to pull the rip-cord of the second. He was also told that he would have to make his "jump" over a certain cross-roads and that when he landed he would find himself near an Air Force truck in which he would return to camp. Having had experience of State control in New Zealand he climbed into the plane with some misgivings, but being a New Zealander, was prepared to carry out his orders. The plane took -off and in due course the pilot said: “This is where you ‘fade.’ " The parachutist, the son of an Anzac, "faded," and after a couple of loops he pulled one of the rip-cords. Nothing happened, because the parachute did not open ‘ ‘ according to plan," as the Army Corps commanders have it when anything goes wrong. The En Zedder then pulled the second rip-cord and, again, nothing happened. He was now travelling earthwards at 7-13 miles an hour and gathering speed very, very quickly. His last thought was: "I’ll bet they have forgotten to semi the truck."

Lady: "I think I’ll take one of those large lobsters." Clerk: "Very well. Shall I wrap it for you?" Lady: “Yes, it doesn’t know me well enough to follow- me home. ’ ’