Word: martinets
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British military tradition seems useless. Opposed to both men is the camp provost (Tom Courtenay), a working-class martinet who brandishes the rule book on behalf of justice and fair play, though his real battle is against anyone superior to himself by instinct or birth...
Piped Wine. The situation seemed hopeless, but 32 hours later, a small exploratory rescue drill broke through the roof of their cavern and a tiny microphone was lowered. Chosen as spokesman, Martinet introduced everybody all around, suggested that the main rescue shaft be drilled from another-and more difficult-angle to lessen the danger of falling rock. "We are a little hungry, a little cold and very thirsty," he called to the rescuers above. Down came some red wine in a hose. Later, specially baked, rodlike loaves of bread were lowered into the tiny opening...
...surface, someone suggested using explosives to enter from the side. Up came a roar from Martinet: "You are going to send the whole works down on our heads! Spare us any further emotions." As the drills advanced at the excruciatingly slow rate of 7 ft. an hour, drill bits broke. Martinet never complained, calmed fellow victims and rescuers alike, asked for playing cards with which the men passed their time playing belote, a sort of French bridge. When Martinet's 18-year-old daughter Janine asked in a midnight conversation from the drill site, "Papa...
Survivors Emerge. The drilling proceeded even more cautiously as it neared the chamber; it took 13 hours to tunnel the last 12 ft. When the breakthrough came, Martinet issued appropriate congratulations. "Voild!" he shouted wryly. "For eight days we have been talking to each other. I would very much like to lay eyes on you." Yet he gallantly insisted on being the last to come...
...sundown one day last week, as thousands watched, grimy, bearded Andre Martinet emerged at the surface, ending eight days and seven hours of anguish. "I waited and hoped, but above all I prayed," said Martinet. Safe at last, he immediately volunteered to go down once again to try to find five other men trapped in different passages, but at week's end rescue efforts for them were abandoned. Next, vowed Martinet, he was going to apply for a new job-above ground...