Embarrassingly Yellow Moments in History

What a title, huh? Just what does it mean? It refers to cowardice, folks. There's a reason that cowards are referred to as 'yeller'. It matches the piss running down their legs as their bladders prove themselves unworthy under duress. These great moments in testicular abandonment are what I'm writing about. But I won't write long. I want to see what other people think are noteworthy episodes in the milksoppy annals of tail-turning pantywaists.

Now, back in 1943 Stalin had enough of the cowards in his ranks and issued Order 227, which read 'Panic makers and cowards must be liquidated on the spot. Not one step backward without orders from higher headquarters!' I love the term 'liquidated'. We won't stop you. We won't kill you. We'll LIQUIDATE you. Now that's messy. (Leave it to Stalin.)

So, come on. What are some events in history that stand out as the most cowardly acts one has ever seen? And I mean INDIVIDUAL acts of cowardice. Not Sept 11. Not WWII death camps. I want to know about situations where one person fell to the ground in a fetal position, sucked his thumb, cried out to mommy, and his failure to manage his emotions led to 5,000 Mongols to invade his village. I want to gnash my teeth at stories like that part in Shaving Ryan's Privates where the one,... oh wait, different movie. Saving Private Ryan. That one. Where the coward falls on the steps while his buddy gets shivved on the second floor.

So let's have it? Anyone?