Section 47: Cowardly behaviour

(1) A person subject to service law under this Act who, when before the enemy-
(a) leaves the post, position, watch or other place where it is his duty to be; or
(b) throws away his arms, ammunition or tools, in such a manner as to show cowardice or otherwise behaves in such a manner as to show cowardice,
shall be guilty of an offence against this section.
(2) A person subject to service law under this Act who when before the enemy, induces any other person subject to this Act and before the enemy to commit an offence under subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence against this section.
(3) A person guilty of an offence against this section shall, on conviction by a court-martial, be liable to suffer death or any less punishment provided by this Act.
(4) It shall be a valid defence under this section if the surrender or abandonment of a place, post or thing by a person charged with its defence is justified by reason of superior order, the utmost necessity such as want of provisions, water, logistic support, the absence of hope or relief, inability to offer further resistance or the certainty or extreme probability that no further efforts could prevent the place, post or thing falling into enemy hands.