Ok so i was watching this video
it was posted in a thread here a while ago, but I couldn't find it, but I saw a link to this video, and I have to say, It is one of the funniest recovery attempts I've ever seen.
Now putting the funny aside, I think you can really learn something about recoveries from this video. Pulling him out from the front was definitely not a good idea. Examine the situation, and look for the clearest path out (Usually the rear because they came in that way clearing the path with their truck), and you wont lose an axle.