1
00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:54,734
I hope you enjoy
the hat, Mr. Stovall.
2
00:01:54,799 --> 00:01:56,971
- And a pleasant voyage home to you.
- Well, thank you.
3
00:01:57,040 --> 00:01:58,949
I'd like to thank you
for something else too.
4
00:01:59,023 --> 00:02:00,878
Back home, I'd buy
a hat in five minutes.
5
00:02:00,943 --> 00:02:04,904
- Thank you for a most enjoyable hour and 40 minutes.
- It was a pleasure.
6
00:02:04,976 --> 00:02:07,464
- Come back soon, Mr. Stovall.
- Good-bye, sir.
7
00:02:44,975 --> 00:02:48,324
- Where did you get this?
- An auction at Archbury, sir.
8
00:02:48,399 --> 00:02:52,261
- I'll take it.
- That one's been knocked around a bit, sir.
9
00:02:53,807 --> 00:02:57,702
- I have a fine Staffordshire here...
- No, no, no. I'll take this one.
10
00:02:57,776 --> 00:03:00,263
- How much?
- Only ten shillings, sir.
11
00:03:00,335 --> 00:03:05,157
- I'm afraid it's not much value...
- Value? I want you to pack it carefully.
12
00:03:05,231 --> 00:03:07,086
Very carefully.
13
00:03:07,151 --> 00:03:09,061
As you say, sir.
14
00:04:58,128 --> 00:05:01,640
# Anyone else but me
Anyone else but me. #
15
00:05:01,711 --> 00:05:05,192
# No, no, no don't sit
under the apple tree. #
16
00:05:05,263 --> 00:05:07,467
# With anyone else but me. #
17
00:05:07,535 --> 00:05:10,851
# Till I come marching home. #
18
00:05:22,415 --> 00:05:25,579
# Bless them all.
Bless them all. #
19
00:05:25,647 --> 00:05:29,706
# Bless the long
and the short and the tall. #
20
00:05:29,775 --> 00:05:33,255
# Bless all the blondies
and all the brunettes. #
21
00:05:33,327 --> 00:05:36,622
# For each lad is happy
to take what he gets. #
22
00:05:40,207 --> 00:05:43,055
# The long the short
and the tall. #
23
00:05:52,239 --> 00:05:54,792
# We're poor little lambs. #
24
00:05:54,863 --> 00:05:58,409
# Who have lost our way. #
25
00:05:58,479 --> 00:06:03,214
# Baa, baa, baa. #
26
00:06:04,431 --> 00:06:07,278
# We're little black sheep. #
27
00:06:07,343 --> 00:06:11,140
# Who have gone astray. #
28
00:06:11,215 --> 00:06:14,062
# Baa, baa, baa. #
29
00:08:51,503 --> 00:08:54,351
We can't go back.
30
00:08:54,415 --> 00:08:56,302
We mustn't go back.
31
00:08:56,367 --> 00:08:59,716
- Easy with his right leg. It's broken.
- I got it. I got it.
32
00:08:59,791 --> 00:09:02,442
Easy now, easy now.
You have to hold him.
33
00:09:02,511 --> 00:09:04,616
I've been
sitting on him.
34
00:09:04,687 --> 00:09:08,746
We can't. We just can't.
35
00:09:08,815 --> 00:09:11,815
I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't
looking at it. You can see his brain.
36
00:09:11,887 --> 00:09:13,829
It was a 20 millimeter
that hit him.
37
00:09:16,143 --> 00:09:18,925
Step on it, Doc.
38
00:09:24,431 --> 00:09:28,043
- What do I do with an arm, sir?
- An arm? Whose arm?
39
00:09:28,111 --> 00:09:31,013
- Campbell's, the turret gunner's.
- What happened to the rest of him?
40
00:09:31,087 --> 00:09:35,429
He's in a French hospital... I hope.
He couldn't have made it home.
41
00:09:35,503 --> 00:09:39,529
It was blown off too close to put on
a tourniquet so I bailed him out.
42
00:09:39,599 --> 00:09:42,763
I put the ring in his good hand.
The chute opened.
43
00:09:42,831 --> 00:09:45,548
That's all right.
I'll take care of it.
44
00:09:50,991 --> 00:09:54,252
- Sergeant, get me a blanket out of that ambulance.
- Yes, sir.
45
00:10:17,071 --> 00:10:19,111
Come on.
I'll give you boys a lift.
46
00:10:20,079 --> 00:10:22,184
- Hospital, Mac.
- Yes, sir.
47
00:10:30,959 --> 00:10:33,195
Mac's had it.
48
00:10:48,431 --> 00:10:51,082
Did you get the coordinates on a Fort
and a Spitfire down in the Channel?
49
00:10:51,151 --> 00:10:53,868
I've already passed them
to Air Sea Rescue, sir.
50
00:11:14,703 --> 00:11:17,551
That's it, gentlemen.
Thanks a lot.
51
00:11:17,615 --> 00:11:19,524
Next crew.
52
00:11:22,542 --> 00:11:24,964
- Take this one.
- Next crew.
53
00:11:25,039 --> 00:11:26,981
Come on, Jesse.
54
00:11:33,551 --> 00:11:35,439
- McKesson's crew.
- Right.
55
00:11:35,503 --> 00:11:38,405
- McKesson coming?
- McKesson's dead.
56
00:11:40,111 --> 00:11:44,715
Oh, I didn't know. I'm sorry. Well, we
might as well get this out of the way.
57
00:11:44,783 --> 00:11:46,855
Sit down.
58
00:11:49,039 --> 00:11:52,235
Where did you first
encounter enemy action?
59
00:11:52,302 --> 00:11:54,823
- Bishop.
- Leave him alone. He's had enough today.
60
00:11:58,031 --> 00:12:00,136
Leave him alone,
can't you?
61
00:12:01,519 --> 00:12:03,428
What is it, Willie?
62
00:12:03,503 --> 00:12:06,732
I don't know, sir.
63
00:12:06,799 --> 00:12:08,807
Not all of it.
64
00:12:10,223 --> 00:12:14,893
We got hit pretty bad
the first pass the F.W.S made.
65
00:12:14,959 --> 00:12:17,774
That was when Mac got it.
66
00:12:17,839 --> 00:12:20,970
It took the back
of his head right off.
67
00:12:21,006 --> 00:12:25,676
Only he didn't pass out.
It just made a crazy man out of him.
68
00:12:25,711 --> 00:12:28,100
He was still shouting orders...
69
00:12:28,174 --> 00:12:32,331
...and trying to get the controls away from
Jesse when I got up there two hours later.
70
00:12:33,486 --> 00:12:35,756
The kid had been
flying with one hand...
71
00:12:35,823 --> 00:12:39,597
...and trying to get the controls
away from Mac with the other.
72
00:12:39,663 --> 00:12:44,038
Wiping frozen blood
off the windshield so he could see.
73
00:12:44,111 --> 00:12:47,275
For two hours, sir.
74
00:12:47,343 --> 00:12:49,896
He made a good bombing run too.
We unloaded on the target.
75
00:12:49,967 --> 00:12:53,895
Didn't you know he was in trouble? Why
didn't somebody get Mac out of there?
76
00:12:53,967 --> 00:12:56,901
The intercom was shot out and I
thought it was violent evasive action.
77
00:12:56,974 --> 00:12:59,844
For two hours?
78
00:12:59,919 --> 00:13:02,886
Mac's foot was jammed
in the controls and...
79
00:13:02,959 --> 00:13:06,374
...that's how we broke his leg
trying to get it out of there.
80
00:13:06,447 --> 00:13:09,513
That seemed
to hurt Jesse worst of all.
81
00:13:09,583 --> 00:13:14,984
He started shaking and I...
I sat on Mac and held him...
82
00:13:15,055 --> 00:13:17,575
...while Jesse brought us in.
83
00:13:17,646 --> 00:13:19,818
Give me a copy of that, Fred,
just the way he told it.
84
00:13:19,887 --> 00:13:23,051
I'm sending it in with
a recommendation for a Medal of Honor.
85
00:13:23,119 --> 00:13:27,145
- Jesse will be okay. I'll drop by later and see him.
- Thank you, sir.
86
00:13:28,783 --> 00:13:32,427
- That's enough for this crew.
- That's all, gentlemen. Thank you.
87
00:13:32,494 --> 00:13:34,883
Next crew. Next crew.
88
00:13:41,775 --> 00:13:43,662
Is he in there, Harvey?
89
00:13:43,727 --> 00:13:47,501
No, he hasn't been in since right after
interrogation. He looked like the devil.
90
00:13:47,567 --> 00:13:49,738
Well, who wouldn't with today?
91
00:13:49,807 --> 00:13:51,716
That's for you, Ben.
92
00:13:51,791 --> 00:13:54,158
They're flying down
three replacement aircraft.
93
00:13:54,222 --> 00:13:56,132
Hmm. That's very,
very nice of them.
94
00:13:56,207 --> 00:14:00,462
Lose five, get three. That's a nice
gain, not counting battle damage.
95
00:14:00,527 --> 00:14:02,666
This is Germany calling.
96
00:14:02,735 --> 00:14:05,702
Lord Haw-Haw,
talking from Berlin.
97
00:14:05,775 --> 00:14:10,696
Today I want to bring a special greeting
from the fighter pilots of the Luftwaffe...
98
00:14:10,767 --> 00:14:14,476
...to the first American pilots
in England, the Eighth Air Force.
99
00:14:14,542 --> 00:14:17,292
- That's all we need.
- Our submarines
checked you very carefully...
100
00:14:17,359 --> 00:14:21,418
...when you flew across from America...
Four groups in place so far.
101
00:14:21,487 --> 00:14:24,782
Too bad about the ones
who you lost on the way.
102
00:14:24,846 --> 00:14:26,635
But we wanted to let you know...
103
00:14:26,703 --> 00:14:31,111
...that a U-boat picked up the crew
and they're quite safe here.
104
00:14:31,183 --> 00:14:33,866
We found them quite
agreeably talkative too.
105
00:14:33,934 --> 00:14:35,909
But what we want to know...
106
00:14:35,983 --> 00:14:40,903
...Whoever persuaded you to try this
incredible idea of daylight bombing?
107
00:14:40,975 --> 00:14:43,844
It must have been
your friends, the English.
108
00:14:43,919 --> 00:14:46,668
They know better
than to try it themselves.
109
00:14:46,734 --> 00:14:49,669
Losses are a little
heavy, aren't they?
110
00:14:49,743 --> 00:14:54,216
- Let's take the 918th group at Archbury, for instance.
- That's us.
111
00:14:54,287 --> 00:14:58,859
The hard-luck group. You lost
five bombers today, didn't you?
112
00:14:58,927 --> 00:15:01,382
Five out of the one group.
113
00:15:01,455 --> 00:15:04,750
Let's see, 21 in a group?
114
00:15:04,814 --> 00:15:08,076
At that rate, it won't
take very long, will it?
115
00:15:08,142 --> 00:15:11,557
Something pleasant to think about
before your mission tomorrow.
116
00:15:11,630 --> 00:15:16,551
Yes, Colonel Keith Davenport.
You'll have another one tomorrow.
117
00:15:16,623 --> 00:15:19,566
Pleasant dreams,
my misguided friends.
118
00:15:22,319 --> 00:15:24,228
I don't know why
we listen to him.
119
00:15:24,303 --> 00:15:28,231
It's always the same pitch...
We've already lost the war.
120
00:15:28,302 --> 00:15:30,953
On a day like this, I could
find myself believing him.
121
00:15:31,023 --> 00:15:34,372
What was today's
count on crews?
122
00:15:34,447 --> 00:15:36,651
Five crews didn't make it back.
123
00:15:36,719 --> 00:15:40,166
Three killed, 11 wounded
out of those who did.
124
00:15:40,238 --> 00:15:42,126
A lot of letters to write.
125
00:15:42,191 --> 00:15:44,427
I'm glad I don't have that one.
126
00:15:44,495 --> 00:15:47,691
- Did you hear about Lord Haw-Haw?
- Twice on the way over here.
127
00:15:47,758 --> 00:15:51,053
That kind of news moves fast. Don't let
a Kraut newshound throw you too much.
128
00:15:51,119 --> 00:15:54,566
He was right about one thing. We're alerted
for tomorrow. The warning just came down.
129
00:15:54,638 --> 00:15:57,606
- Again tomorrow? You're kidding, Ben.
- I wish I were, sir.
130
00:15:57,679 --> 00:16:00,493
Fine, fine.
Four days in a row.
131
00:16:00,559 --> 00:16:02,468
Well, we'd better start
getting things together.
132
00:16:02,543 --> 00:16:05,674
- Alert the crews and I'll see you in the ops room.
- Yes, sir.
133
00:16:18,959 --> 00:16:23,214
- This will make you happy. Flak City again.
- St. Nazaire?
134
00:16:23,247 --> 00:16:27,524
It's either a feast or a famine. Chew your nails
off for three weeks waiting on the weather...
135
00:16:27,599 --> 00:16:29,868
...and then cram a month's
bombing into four days.
136
00:16:29,935 --> 00:16:31,790
Must be an easier way
to run a war.
137
00:16:31,886 --> 00:16:34,789
Field order's snafued too.
It says here 9,000 feet.
138
00:16:34,862 --> 00:16:39,619
That's a mistake. I'm sure they mean
19,000. I'll check with Savage.
139
00:16:39,694 --> 00:16:42,214
Another maximum effort.
140
00:16:42,286 --> 00:16:45,134
What have you got in the way of
weather? Give us some fog, can't you?
141
00:16:45,166 --> 00:16:48,428
I wish I could, but the target area
ought to be C.A.V.U.
142
00:16:48,494 --> 00:16:51,461
About three tenths cloud cover
over the Channel. Ideal almost.
143
00:16:51,534 --> 00:16:54,830
- You're no good to me. Let me know if there's any change.
- Yes, sir.
144
00:16:56,047 --> 00:16:57,901
How many airplanes
have we got left?
145
00:16:57,967 --> 00:17:02,277
With the three new ones and working the
crews all night, Nero thinks we can have 18.
146
00:17:02,350 --> 00:17:05,384
- How many are the other groups
putting up?
- Twenty-one a piece, sir.
147
00:17:05,455 --> 00:17:07,844
We'd better camp
on Nero's tail.
148
00:17:07,919 --> 00:17:12,741
No, if he says 18, he's giving us
everything with wings on it.
149
00:17:12,814 --> 00:17:14,669
What did the other
groups lose today?
150
00:17:14,734 --> 00:17:17,385
Two in the 916th,
zero in the others.
151
00:17:17,454 --> 00:17:22,572
Our stinking luck. Those flak gunners had
the range good by the time we made our run.
152
00:17:22,639 --> 00:17:27,211
- What about crews, Doc?
- I could give you a couple of different answers, sir.
153
00:17:27,279 --> 00:17:29,188
I'd better get started
on routes and timings.
154
00:17:29,262 --> 00:17:33,059
- No coffee, Ben?
- Oh, not now, thanks.
155
00:17:33,135 --> 00:17:36,550
That's getting to be your diet,
isn't it? That and cigarettes?
156
00:17:36,623 --> 00:17:38,597
How long since you've
had your clothes off?
157
00:17:38,670 --> 00:17:40,580
Never mind my pants,
what about crews?
158
00:17:40,655 --> 00:17:44,451
You're crew, when it comes to my
certifying you for a mission.
159
00:17:44,494 --> 00:17:47,494
There's the crew availability.
160
00:17:48,974 --> 00:17:51,276
Colonel, about the route and timing
of tomorrow's mission?
161
00:17:51,342 --> 00:17:54,124
Start on the routes. But I wouldn't
figure on that 9,000-foot altitude...
162
00:17:54,190 --> 00:17:58,020
- ...until Colonel Davenport checks with Pinetree.
- Yes, sir.
163
00:17:58,126 --> 00:18:00,908
Thanks for worrying
about me, Doc, only don't.
164
00:18:00,942 --> 00:18:02,829
What about the rest of them?
165
00:18:02,862 --> 00:18:04,935
That brings us
to the two answers.
166
00:18:04,975 --> 00:18:08,008
On that list are 28 men asking to
be excused from tomorrow's mission,
167
00:18:08,047 --> 00:18:10,218
three times more
than normal.
168
00:18:10,286 --> 00:18:14,410
They give a lot of reasons, colds mostly,
and most of them haven't got colds.
169
00:18:14,479 --> 00:18:16,781
And that doesn't mean that
they've suddenly gone yellow.
170
00:18:16,847 --> 00:18:19,498
It just means that they're
getting their bellies full.
171
00:18:19,567 --> 00:18:22,217
Now, do I okay them physically
and mark them "duty"?
172
00:18:22,286 --> 00:18:25,635
How much can a man take?
What's physical and what isn't?
173
00:18:25,710 --> 00:18:29,540
The rules say a man ought to go right up
to the point where he may endanger his crew.
174
00:18:29,614 --> 00:18:32,036
I wish I knew what that meant.
If I did, I'd tell you.
175
00:18:32,111 --> 00:18:36,169
Well, can you tell me this...
Do I okay Bishop for tomorrow?
176
00:18:36,239 --> 00:18:38,988
He had a tough deal.
Jesse's a tough boy.
177
00:18:39,054 --> 00:18:43,429
How tough? What happened today
must have done something to him inside.
178
00:18:43,502 --> 00:18:46,219
It had to have
cost him something.
179
00:18:46,286 --> 00:18:50,629
Somebody's got to give me
a policy, some kind of yardstick.
180
00:18:50,703 --> 00:18:53,092
I wish you'd tell me
what a "maximum effort" means.
181
00:18:53,167 --> 00:18:56,647
Doc, I wish I knew.
I wish I could answer that one.
182
00:18:59,470 --> 00:19:04,205
Hello. Yes.
Hello, Pinetree. All right.
183
00:19:04,239 --> 00:19:09,574
Frank, Keith Davenport.
Yeah. Yeah, I heard it.
184
00:19:09,614 --> 00:19:12,003
Look, Frank, I didn't call up
to talk about Lord Haw-Haw.
185
00:19:12,079 --> 00:19:16,235
What about that cockeyed field order
that came down that said 9,000?
186
00:19:16,302 --> 00:19:18,790
What? Oh, you're kidding.
187
00:19:18,862 --> 00:19:22,604
Yeah, but the strike photos don't show
what the flak is like in there.
188
00:19:22,670 --> 00:19:24,710
Listen, are you gonna
be there a little while?
189
00:19:24,782 --> 00:19:26,637
All right. I'll be right up.
190
00:19:26,702 --> 00:19:32,136
They meant 9,000. Maybe when I get back
I can give you an answer, Doc.
191
00:19:54,542 --> 00:19:58,983
No, no mistake.
It's 9,000.
192
00:19:59,055 --> 00:20:03,178
Well, we've got to try it. We're
not getting hits on those sub-pens.
193
00:20:05,454 --> 00:20:10,124
Yeah, I know. Then twist it. Had the
same request all day. So long, Curt.
194
00:20:10,190 --> 00:20:14,118
The Wailing Wall is just
around the corner, Keith.
195
00:20:15,375 --> 00:20:19,914
Oh, I don't know.
I guess this is it. Sit down.
196
00:20:19,983 --> 00:20:21,957
If you're on the level
about this 9,000 foot stuff,
197
00:20:22,030 --> 00:20:25,227
the boys will drop their bombs
here tomorrow instead of St. Nazaire.
198
00:20:25,294 --> 00:20:30,728
- Look, Frank...
- It won't work. It was tough at 19,000 it'll be suicide at nine.
199
00:20:30,799 --> 00:20:34,693
The guy who dreamed this one up ought to
have his brain in a glass jar at Harvard.
200
00:20:34,766 --> 00:20:37,133
- Anything else?
- You're kidding?
201
00:20:37,198 --> 00:20:40,776
You've been a group commander. You didn't
lead the first ten missions for nothing.
202
00:20:40,878 --> 00:20:44,424
- Why couldn't you tell them what it'll be like? You...
- Keith.
203
00:20:44,494 --> 00:20:46,566
I signed the field order.
204
00:20:46,638 --> 00:20:48,548
Why? That's what
I want to know.
205
00:20:48,622 --> 00:20:50,532
All right, I'll
spell it for you.
206
00:20:50,606 --> 00:20:53,835
We haven't been penetrating
the concrete in those sub-pens, Keith.
207
00:20:53,902 --> 00:20:57,546
We can't get concentration
and accuracy from 19,000.
208
00:20:57,614 --> 00:21:00,746
We've got to go in once down low to see
if we can get the job done in one trip...
209
00:21:00,814 --> 00:21:04,327
...instead of fighting our way to the
target five times and back for nothing.
210
00:21:04,399 --> 00:21:06,254
Nine thousand feet.
211
00:21:06,319 --> 00:21:10,923
Let's allow from here in that when the old
man cuts a field order, he's thought about it.
212
00:21:10,990 --> 00:21:14,787
There isn't time to take every one
of them apart to see what makes it tick.
213
00:21:14,862 --> 00:21:18,571
If I were you, when I got one,
I'd just go ahead and fly it.
214
00:21:18,639 --> 00:21:21,421
I was gonna bring these
down to you tomorrow.
215
00:21:21,486 --> 00:21:23,722
I had to steal them
from the RAF.
216
00:21:23,791 --> 00:21:25,700
Hope they're
the kind you wanted.
217
00:21:25,774 --> 00:21:27,683
Yeah.
218
00:21:29,902 --> 00:21:31,877
Yeah, thanks, Frank.
219
00:21:33,551 --> 00:21:37,293
I won't need them at 9,000
though. It'll be plenty hot.
220
00:21:39,151 --> 00:21:41,125
Well, I better get on back
and get the chores done.
221
00:21:41,198 --> 00:21:43,467
Stay put a minute
now you're here.
222
00:21:43,534 --> 00:21:47,276
Thought I might run down tomorrow to
see you. How many you expect to put out?
223
00:21:47,343 --> 00:21:49,448
Eighteen.
224
00:21:49,519 --> 00:21:52,421
- Pretty bad luck today?
- Not good.
225
00:21:52,494 --> 00:21:55,244
We had one break through
the runway at take off.
226
00:21:55,310 --> 00:21:58,027
That threw us late.
We never made it up.
227
00:21:58,094 --> 00:22:00,745
It cost us plenty.
228
00:22:00,814 --> 00:22:02,756
I don't know how anybody
outguesses that one.
229
00:22:04,206 --> 00:22:06,573
No.
230
00:22:06,638 --> 00:22:09,737
I'd like to help you locate
where the trouble does lie, if I could.
231
00:22:09,806 --> 00:22:12,327
What about your formation?
232
00:22:12,398 --> 00:22:16,774
I can tell you where the real trouble
is, Frank. And it isn't formation.
233
00:22:16,847 --> 00:22:20,327
- Shoot.
- It isn't down in the groups either.
234
00:22:20,398 --> 00:22:23,267
It's up here, where a bunch of boys
get to be nothing but a set of numbers.
235
00:22:23,342 --> 00:22:25,251
That's what's the trouble.
236
00:22:25,326 --> 00:22:28,392
Do they know up here what my boys have
been taking for three days in a row?
237
00:22:28,462 --> 00:22:31,179
That they'll be up all night
to get 18 in the air for tomorrow?
238
00:22:31,246 --> 00:22:34,446
How much do you think they can take? You
know they're falling asleep at briefing?
239
00:22:34,574 --> 00:22:37,389
- Are you gonna drive them till they crack?
- Take it easy, Keith.
240
00:22:37,454 --> 00:22:40,837
Take it easy? Bomber Command can take
it easy. Those boys are flesh and blood.
241
00:22:40,910 --> 00:22:43,812
They'll die for you, but they've got to have
a chance and they know they haven't got one.
242
00:22:43,886 --> 00:22:46,919
Frank, they can add. They know
a man's chances run out in 15 missions.
243
00:22:46,990 --> 00:22:49,259
Somebody's gotta give them a limit,
a goal, some hope of living.
244
00:22:49,326 --> 00:22:51,879
What do you think
they're made of?
245
00:22:51,950 --> 00:22:56,173
Look, Keith.
246
00:22:56,206 --> 00:22:59,916
- Yes, sir?
- I just got the reports from the groups. Come on up, Frank.
247
00:23:00,014 --> 00:23:02,403
I'll be there in a minute, sir.
248
00:23:02,479 --> 00:23:04,486
Those things are coming, Keith.
249
00:23:04,558 --> 00:23:08,006
Replacements, combat limits.
250
00:23:08,078 --> 00:23:10,631
But right now
the deal is to hang on.
251
00:23:10,702 --> 00:23:14,215
And look, Keith, you've got to find
a way to save yourself a little.
252
00:23:14,286 --> 00:23:18,148
You can't carry
all the load. It's too big.
253
00:23:18,222 --> 00:23:22,052
Don't worry about me. If you want something
to worry about, worry about the crews.
254
00:23:22,126 --> 00:23:25,323
You and the old man.
255
00:23:25,390 --> 00:23:28,587
You better go on up and see him.
256
00:23:28,654 --> 00:23:32,134
- Give him my love.
- If I do, he'll send you his.
257
00:23:32,206 --> 00:23:34,726
He rates you pretty high.
258
00:23:34,798 --> 00:23:38,114
Not according to Lord Haw-Haw.
Good night, Frank.
259
00:24:02,478 --> 00:24:06,537
Never mind the reasons. There it is and
you can't make anything else out of it.
260
00:24:06,606 --> 00:24:09,508
Five missing today and they'll
only put up 18 tomorrow.
261
00:24:09,582 --> 00:24:12,778
- It's getting worse instead of better.
- Yes, sir.
262
00:24:12,846 --> 00:24:15,748
I've just been talking to Keith.
He's low enough about it.
263
00:24:15,822 --> 00:24:18,277
What really happened today?
Did he tell you?
264
00:24:18,350 --> 00:24:21,699
No, I didn't dig into it.
He had tomorrow ahead of him.
265
00:24:21,774 --> 00:24:24,970
What do you make of it?
266
00:24:25,039 --> 00:24:29,097
Hard luck, I guess. There's always
some outfit that picks up a jinx.
267
00:24:29,166 --> 00:24:31,500
You don't believe that.
268
00:24:31,566 --> 00:24:33,475
Fill yourself a drink.
269
00:24:33,550 --> 00:24:35,492
Thanks.
270
00:24:35,566 --> 00:24:38,315
It might scare off
that bug of yours.
271
00:24:41,806 --> 00:24:46,563
I don't believe in hard luck.
There's always a reason.
272
00:24:49,518 --> 00:24:53,609
What have you got on your mind,
Frank? Spill it.
273
00:24:53,678 --> 00:24:55,533
I'd rather not.
274
00:24:56,622 --> 00:24:58,476
Let's have it
with the bark on.
275
00:25:01,646 --> 00:25:05,639
You won't like it. I don't.
It's the group commander.
276
00:25:10,254 --> 00:25:12,229
Keith?
277
00:25:12,302 --> 00:25:15,498
It's always the group commander.
It's his job, isn't it?
278
00:25:18,862 --> 00:25:21,677
A little funny, coming from you.
He's your friend.
279
00:25:21,742 --> 00:25:23,716
I didn't ask you
to ask me.
280
00:25:23,790 --> 00:25:28,067
- I didn't mean it to sound like that, Frank.
- It's okay.
281
00:25:28,142 --> 00:25:33,380
I don't believe it though.
I don't think I do.
282
00:25:33,453 --> 00:25:37,348
On paper, Keith looked to me like
the best group commander we've had.
283
00:25:37,422 --> 00:25:41,284
He's flown every mission. He gets more
loyalty out of his men than anybody.
284
00:25:41,358 --> 00:25:45,035
Courage, he works hard.
I don't know where to fault him.
285
00:25:45,102 --> 00:25:47,949
If a man like that can't
cut it, we're in trouble.
286
00:25:48,014 --> 00:25:51,942
- What happened downstairs to change the picture for you?
- Nothing.
287
00:25:53,902 --> 00:25:56,968
Added this to it though.
288
00:25:57,038 --> 00:26:01,740
He's gonna bust wide open.
And he's gonna do it to himself too.
289
00:26:01,806 --> 00:26:05,766
Why? Because he's
a first-rate guy.
290
00:26:05,838 --> 00:26:10,094
Because those are his boys and he's
thinking about them instead of missions.
291
00:26:10,158 --> 00:26:12,940
Over-identification
with his men.
292
00:26:13,006 --> 00:26:14,861
I think that's
what they call it.
293
00:26:14,926 --> 00:26:17,479
And you aren't going
to change it either.
294
00:26:20,110 --> 00:26:24,168
I can't buy it, Frank.
Not yet anyway.
295
00:26:24,238 --> 00:26:26,092
Is Keith still here?
296
00:26:26,158 --> 00:26:28,329
No, he had tomorrow
to get ready for.
297
00:26:28,398 --> 00:26:31,081
I'll give you that much,
we'd better find out.
298
00:26:31,150 --> 00:26:33,125
If it's true, we're in trouble.
299
00:26:33,198 --> 00:26:37,354
Why should the other groups hold
together if the 918th can't?
300
00:26:37,421 --> 00:26:40,837
Call my car, will you, Frank,
while I get my pants on.
301
00:26:40,910 --> 00:26:42,884
You mean you want me
to go down there with you?
302
00:26:42,990 --> 00:26:46,437
You bet I do.
It's your idea.
303
00:26:49,710 --> 00:26:53,452
We were three minutes late on the target
and got most of it here on our bombing run.
304
00:26:53,550 --> 00:26:55,566
That was a deadly
three minutes, Keith.
305
00:26:55,566 --> 00:26:59,111
The idea was to get all the groups
over the target simultaneously...
306
00:26:59,182 --> 00:27:02,281
...so that enemy flak couldn't
concentrate on any one group.
307
00:27:02,350 --> 00:27:05,994
We sure were sitting ducks out there alone.
Maybe I shouldn't have tried the target.
308
00:27:06,062 --> 00:27:08,910
But we were there and I figured the boys
wouldn't want to bring their loads back home.
309
00:27:08,974 --> 00:27:14,440
No man makes a perfect plan. You couldn't
foresee a plane breaking through the runway.
310
00:27:14,510 --> 00:27:17,858
Maybe the mistake lay in not going on to
the secondary target once you were late.
311
00:27:17,934 --> 00:27:20,552
But I figured we could make up the time,
catch up with the other groups.
312
00:27:20,621 --> 00:27:24,550
- We could have too if it hadn't been for our stinking luck.
- Luck? What luck was that?
313
00:27:24,622 --> 00:27:27,175
- It wasn't luck, sir. It was my fault.
- It wasn't anybody's fault.
314
00:27:27,245 --> 00:27:29,612
- I'd like to hear the lieutenant's version.
- Yes, sir.
315
00:27:29,678 --> 00:27:34,696
We had to alter the navigation in flight,
sir, to cross the enemy coast here.
316
00:27:34,765 --> 00:27:37,034
We picked up an error...
Wind change.
317
00:27:37,102 --> 00:27:40,964
And I missed a checkpoint
here at St. Lo.
318
00:27:41,038 --> 00:27:43,972
By the time I had caught it,
here at Rennes,
319
00:27:44,046 --> 00:27:47,013
it had cost us three minutes
and we never made it up.
320
00:27:47,086 --> 00:27:50,567
If there's any fault, it's mine. I was in
command. I ordered the change in flight plan.
321
00:27:50,638 --> 00:27:53,986
- The weather was thick enough. Could have happened to anyone.
- Well, I think that covers it.
322
00:27:54,062 --> 00:27:57,990
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Thank you, gentlemen.
323
00:28:00,398 --> 00:28:02,252
- Zimmy.
- Yes, sir.
324
00:28:02,318 --> 00:28:06,114
It's okay.
Don't worry about a thing.
325
00:28:13,294 --> 00:28:16,076
Keith, I know you're tired,
but let's talk a little.
326
00:28:16,142 --> 00:28:18,215
Sit down.
327
00:28:19,406 --> 00:28:21,740
Let's talk about luck.
328
00:28:25,230 --> 00:28:27,652
A pretty critical
three minutes, Keith.
329
00:28:27,726 --> 00:28:30,889
- Five crews, 50 men.
- Do you think I don't know?
330
00:28:30,958 --> 00:28:33,576
- I know you do. Whose fault was it, Keith?
- Primarily it was mine.
331
00:28:33,646 --> 00:28:35,500
- Were you flying?
- Yes, sir.
332
00:28:35,566 --> 00:28:38,762
- Do you fly and navigate or do you rely on your navigator?
- You have to, but...
333
00:28:38,830 --> 00:28:41,612
- It was the lieutenant's fault.
- He missed the check point, but it could've happened to anyone.
334
00:28:41,678 --> 00:28:46,151
I know and I'll allow he feels as rotten
about it as any of us do, more so maybe.
335
00:28:46,222 --> 00:28:48,643
But what happens now, Keith?
336
00:28:48,718 --> 00:28:51,107
I don't understand you, sir.
337
00:28:52,525 --> 00:28:56,202
We're talking about luck.
I don't believe in it.
338
00:28:56,269 --> 00:28:59,368
I believe that to some degree
a man makes his own luck.
339
00:28:59,438 --> 00:29:02,602
Yours has been pretty bad down here
and it's getting worse, not better.
340
00:29:02,670 --> 00:29:07,721
Maybe the navigator's in point. He blew
it. What are you going to do about it?
341
00:29:07,789 --> 00:29:11,750
General, I don't believe in chopping off
heads because of one mistake.
342
00:29:11,822 --> 00:29:14,789
Well, I just don't think
that's any way to run a group.
343
00:29:17,230 --> 00:29:20,329
I feel sorry
for the boy, Keith.
344
00:29:20,398 --> 00:29:24,522
But what are the men in your group going to be
thinking about the next mission he navigates?
345
00:29:24,590 --> 00:29:26,979
That he messed up
the St. Nazaire mission.
346
00:29:27,054 --> 00:29:30,665
It's just that much more load on them. And one
day, if they fall apart, that won't be luck.
347
00:29:30,734 --> 00:29:33,319
There isn't a man in the outfit
who wouldn't stake his life on Zimmy.
348
00:29:33,390 --> 00:29:37,613
General, if it was anyone but him. He's
got two strikes against him to begin with.
349
00:29:37,678 --> 00:29:40,580
You don't realize. That boy's
got a persecution complex.
350
00:29:40,654 --> 00:29:42,759
He wants to fly every mission
trying to live down the fact...
351
00:29:42,830 --> 00:29:45,579
...that his parents were mixed up
in the German-American Bund.
352
00:29:45,645 --> 00:29:48,744
They screened Zimmy plenty before he ever
got overseas. That's what's riding him now.
353
00:29:48,813 --> 00:29:53,799
Keith, good navigators
is the one thing we're not short of.
354
00:29:53,869 --> 00:29:58,638
If you decide that you ought to relieve
this boy, I'll give you a good replacement.
355
00:30:00,685 --> 00:30:04,362
You might as well ask me to stand him up
against the wall and shoot him in the back.
356
00:30:04,429 --> 00:30:08,619
No, I won't do it, sir. I just
can't do it to him. I won't.
357
00:30:14,285 --> 00:30:16,358
Keith, I want you
to get to bed.
358
00:30:16,430 --> 00:30:21,067
Have the flight surgeon give you a shot
that will make you sleep 24 hours.
359
00:30:21,134 --> 00:30:25,029
I guess a man only has so much to give
and I guess you've given it.
360
00:30:27,277 --> 00:30:29,132
Effective now, you are
relieved of this command...
361
00:30:29,197 --> 00:30:31,783
...and you will report to me
for duty at Bomber Command.
362
00:30:31,854 --> 00:30:34,342
I'll send someone down
to take over here.
363
00:30:34,414 --> 00:30:37,414
- Good night, Keith.
- Good night, sir.
364
00:30:46,862 --> 00:30:50,310
Major, the 918th will stand down
until a new commanding officer arrives.
365
00:30:50,382 --> 00:30:52,716
Yes, sir.
366
00:31:36,141 --> 00:31:39,557
- Want me to take it, sir?
- No.
367
00:31:43,182 --> 00:31:45,735
I want to talk, Frank.
368
00:31:52,973 --> 00:31:57,829
There's a hole in the dike, Frank.
I'm scared stiff.
369
00:31:59,470 --> 00:32:03,496
Maybe you know how deep
all this goes, and maybe you don't.
370
00:32:03,565 --> 00:32:06,412
I've got to spill it anyhow.
371
00:32:06,478 --> 00:32:09,445
We're fighting
all over the world.
372
00:32:09,518 --> 00:32:14,090
Every theater commander
is screaming for crews and equipment.
373
00:32:14,158 --> 00:32:19,689
Fifty thousand airplanes, that's
what they say they're building.
374
00:32:19,757 --> 00:32:22,092
I wish we had 500.
375
00:32:23,789 --> 00:32:27,651
Our problem right now
narrows down to one group.
376
00:32:27,725 --> 00:32:31,686
If the 918th folds, it can spread
to the other three groups.
377
00:32:31,758 --> 00:32:34,573
It can fold the whole deal.
378
00:32:34,638 --> 00:32:37,060
There's only one hope
of shortening this war...
379
00:32:37,133 --> 00:32:40,101
...daylight precision bombing.
380
00:32:40,174 --> 00:32:43,469
If we fold, daylight
bombing is done with.
381
00:32:43,533 --> 00:32:48,934
I don't know. Maybe
it means the whole show.
382
00:32:49,005 --> 00:32:54,188
We could lose the war
if we don't knock out German industry.
383
00:32:55,342 --> 00:32:57,993
You can smell
what's coming, Frank.
384
00:32:58,030 --> 00:33:03,747
I'm promising you nothing except a job no man
should have to do who's had his share of combat.
385
00:33:03,822 --> 00:33:08,099
I've gotta ask you to take nice kids and
fly them until they can't take anymore.
386
00:33:08,174 --> 00:33:10,792
And then put them back in
and fly them some more.
387
00:33:10,862 --> 00:33:13,677
We've got to find out
what a maximum effort is.
388
00:33:13,742 --> 00:33:17,157
How much a man can take
and get it all.
389
00:33:17,230 --> 00:33:21,223
I don't even know
if any man can do it.
390
00:33:21,293 --> 00:33:23,562
That's what cracked Keith.
391
00:33:26,605 --> 00:33:30,534
What time do you think you can
get down there tomorrow?
392
00:33:30,606 --> 00:33:33,256
Early, I guess.
393
00:33:33,326 --> 00:33:35,497
No squawks?
394
00:33:35,566 --> 00:33:38,381
Pretty hard to have one,
the way you put it.
395
00:33:38,446 --> 00:33:40,388
Thanks, Frank.
396
00:34:14,445 --> 00:34:16,780
- Smoke, Ernie?
- Thank you, sir.
397
00:34:42,829 --> 00:34:46,145
- All right, Sergeant.
- Yes, sir.
398
00:35:06,510 --> 00:35:08,364
- Do you know me, soldier?
- No, sir.
399
00:35:08,430 --> 00:35:12,259
- Then why are you admitting me to this station?
- I saw it was a staff car, sir.
400
00:35:12,333 --> 00:35:14,886
Goering could have been in it.
401
00:35:14,958 --> 00:35:18,219
- Here's my A.G.O. Card.
- The general may proceed, sir.
402
00:35:18,286 --> 00:35:20,969
Soldier, this is
a military post, not a zoo.
403
00:35:21,037 --> 00:35:23,885
From now on, you'll check everyone
who enters and without exception.
404
00:35:23,950 --> 00:35:25,805
Take a good look at me.
405
00:35:28,142 --> 00:35:33,771
If you or any man on this post passes me up
without saluting even if I'm a block away,
406
00:35:33,837 --> 00:35:35,780
you'll wonder what fell on you.
407
00:35:35,854 --> 00:35:39,847
- You might pass that word around.
- Yes, sir.
408
00:36:11,469 --> 00:36:14,120
- Locate my quarters and drop my bags off.
- Yes, sir.
409
00:36:14,189 --> 00:36:16,873
- Good luck, sir.
- Thanks, Ernie.
410
00:36:29,805 --> 00:36:32,489
How do I address you?
411
00:36:37,165 --> 00:36:39,685
I don't think
I quite understand the general, sir.
412
00:36:39,757 --> 00:36:41,862
What's your rank?
How am I supposed to know?
413
00:36:41,933 --> 00:36:44,235
Sergeant McIllhenny, sir,
U.S. Army Air Forces.
414
00:36:44,301 --> 00:36:47,978
It's Private McIllhenny now.
Where's the air exec?
415
00:36:49,645 --> 00:36:51,914
I... I don't think he's
on the station, sir.
416
00:36:51,981 --> 00:36:54,250
He left right after
Lieutenant Zimmerman's funeral.
417
00:36:54,317 --> 00:36:57,449
- Zimmerman?
- Yes, sir. Navigator, sir.
418
00:36:57,518 --> 00:37:00,616
- And what happened to him?
- Suicide, sir.
419
00:37:01,966 --> 00:37:06,439
- Where's the ground exec?
- In the hospital, sir, mumps.
420
00:37:06,510 --> 00:37:10,819
- And the adjutant?
- I think maybe Major Stovall's at the officer's club, sir.
421
00:37:10,893 --> 00:37:15,116
When you get your clothes on, find him
and ask him to report to me here.
422
00:37:15,181 --> 00:37:17,418
Yes, sir.
423
00:37:56,333 --> 00:37:58,406
Major Stovall, sir,
Group Adjutant.
424
00:37:58,477 --> 00:38:03,747
- Yes, I remember you, Major. You the only one around?
- Probably, sir.
425
00:38:03,821 --> 00:38:08,163
- I presume you've come down to take over the group.
- That's right.
426
00:38:10,413 --> 00:38:13,544
- Have you been drinking, Major?
- I have.
427
00:38:13,614 --> 00:38:16,461
It's the first time
I've been drunk in 20 years,
428
00:38:16,525 --> 00:38:18,664
but it may not be the last.
429
00:38:18,733 --> 00:38:21,580
- Where's the air exec?
- I don't know, sir.
430
00:38:21,645 --> 00:38:25,606
It's only an opinion, but I think
it's possible he may be drunk too, sir.
431
00:38:25,677 --> 00:38:28,645
- I'll take straight answers, Major. Is he off the station?
- Yes, sir.
432
00:38:28,718 --> 00:38:31,270
- Where?
- I don't know that, sir.
433
00:38:31,341 --> 00:38:34,211
Send the M.P.S out and find him
and bring him to me under arrest.
434
00:38:36,013 --> 00:38:40,104
- Does the general mean under actual arrest?
- Exactly.
435
00:38:40,173 --> 00:38:42,726
Two... Cancel all
leaves and passes...
436
00:38:42,797 --> 00:38:45,961
...and make sure that all squadron
commanders are back here by tonight.
437
00:38:46,029 --> 00:38:48,102
Three... Bring me
the personnel files,
438
00:38:48,174 --> 00:38:51,948
the 66-1 's on Gately
and the key staff...
439
00:38:52,014 --> 00:38:55,080
- ...including yours.
- Yes, sir.
440
00:38:55,150 --> 00:38:57,222
Four... Set up a meeting
for all combat crews...
441
00:38:57,293 --> 00:39:00,676
...in the briefing room
tomorrow morning at 0800.
442
00:39:00,750 --> 00:39:05,354
- Is that all, sir? Yes, sir.
- That's all.
443
00:39:25,549 --> 00:39:28,037
- Colonel Gately is here, sir.
- Send him in.
444
00:39:28,109 --> 00:39:30,018
Yes, sir.
445
00:39:47,949 --> 00:39:51,146
That's all, men.
446
00:40:00,973 --> 00:40:04,421
- May I ask the general why I've been placed under arrest?
- No.
447
00:40:10,989 --> 00:40:15,496
Stand at attention.
448
00:40:23,693 --> 00:40:27,239
You're the son of Lieutenant
General Tom Gately, aren't you?
449
00:40:27,310 --> 00:40:31,270
I believe that's
my standard identification, sir.
450
00:40:31,341 --> 00:40:34,571
- What do you think of him as an officer?
- None better, sir.
451
00:40:34,637 --> 00:40:37,256
That's right.
452
00:40:37,325 --> 00:40:42,027
You're the son of one fine officer
and the grandson of another.
453
00:40:42,093 --> 00:40:47,331
You're a graduate of West Point
with nine years service.
454
00:40:47,405 --> 00:40:52,042
You're form five shows that you have more
four engine time than any man in the group.
455
00:40:54,029 --> 00:40:59,496
For those reasons, you could've done more than
anybody to take the load off Colonel Davenport.
456
00:41:01,965 --> 00:41:06,635
The record shows that you've flown only
three missions since you've been here.
457
00:41:08,077 --> 00:41:11,972
- Is that right?
- If you don't count twice I turned back, sir.
458
00:41:19,213 --> 00:41:22,508
I take it that you don't even
care about the part you had...
459
00:41:22,573 --> 00:41:25,770
...in breaking one of the best
men you'll ever know.
460
00:41:27,213 --> 00:41:30,180
Add to it as air exec you were
automatically in command here...
461
00:41:30,253 --> 00:41:33,385
...the moment
Colonel Davenport left.
462
00:41:33,453 --> 00:41:37,860
And you met that responsibility
exactly as you met his need.
463
00:41:37,933 --> 00:41:42,723
You ran out on it.
You left the station to get drunk.
464
00:41:44,749 --> 00:41:50,281
And Gately, as far as I'm
concerned, you're yellow.
465
00:41:50,349 --> 00:41:55,270
A traitor to yourself, to this group,
to the uniform you wear.
466
00:41:56,941 --> 00:42:01,251
It would be the easiest course
for me to transfer you out,
467
00:42:01,292 --> 00:42:04,609
to saddle some unsuspecting guy
with a deadbeat.
468
00:42:04,653 --> 00:42:10,152
Maybe you think that's what you're gonna get
out of this, a free ride in some combat unit.
469
00:42:10,221 --> 00:42:13,255
But I'm not gonna pass the buck.
470
00:42:13,325 --> 00:42:16,172
I'm gonna keep you right here.
471
00:42:16,269 --> 00:42:21,451
I hate a man like you so much that I'm gonna
get your head down in the mud and tramp on it.
472
00:42:21,517 --> 00:42:24,550
I'm gonna make you wish
you'd never been born.
473
00:42:24,621 --> 00:42:28,167
- If that's all, sir...
- I'm just getting started.
474
00:42:28,237 --> 00:42:31,466
You're gonna stay right here
and get a bellyful of flying.
475
00:42:31,533 --> 00:42:33,605
You're going to make
every mission.
476
00:42:33,677 --> 00:42:37,605
You're not air exec anymore.
You're just an airplane commander.
477
00:42:37,677 --> 00:42:42,149
And I want you to paint this
name on the nose of your ship...
478
00:42:42,220 --> 00:42:44,108
...Leper Colony.
479
00:42:44,205 --> 00:42:47,816
Because in it you're gonna get
every deadbeat in the outfit.
480
00:42:47,885 --> 00:42:50,372
Every man with a penchant
for head colds.
481
00:42:50,445 --> 00:42:53,674
If there's a bombardier who can't hit
his plate with his fork, you get him.
482
00:42:53,740 --> 00:42:56,293
If there's a navigator who can't find
the men's room, you get him.
483
00:42:56,364 --> 00:42:58,503
Because you rate him.
484
00:42:58,573 --> 00:43:02,697
- Is that clear?
- General Savage, I have a right to file charges against you...
485
00:43:02,765 --> 00:43:05,187
...for personal abuse and exceeding
your lawful authority...
486
00:43:05,260 --> 00:43:08,556
Hello, get me Pinetree.
I want General Pritchard.
487
00:43:08,621 --> 00:43:11,621
- The line's busy, sir. Will you wait?
- Yeah, I'll wait.
488
00:43:11,693 --> 00:43:13,929
Rights, Gately?
489
00:43:13,997 --> 00:43:17,478
You've got a right to explain
to General Pritchard cowardice,
490
00:43:17,549 --> 00:43:21,672
desertion of your post,
a yellow streak a mile wide.
491
00:43:21,740 --> 00:43:24,872
And maybe he can explain it to your
father so they'll both be proud of you.
492
00:43:24,941 --> 00:43:28,869
- Hello. Hello?
- You can tell him right now.
493
00:43:28,941 --> 00:43:30,796
Hello, I have your line, sir.
494
00:43:30,861 --> 00:43:35,880
- General Savage, I withdraw my statement.
- Hello? Hello?
495
00:43:37,613 --> 00:43:41,541
- Hello, I have your line, sir.
- Never mind.
496
00:43:50,541 --> 00:43:52,613
That's all then.
497
00:44:26,957 --> 00:44:30,056
- Cut an order relieving Colonel Gately as air exec.
- Yes, sir.
498
00:44:30,125 --> 00:44:32,875
Anybody else, sir?
499
00:44:32,941 --> 00:44:35,494
I'll let you know, Major.
500
00:44:35,565 --> 00:44:40,551
There's one file there, Cobb, Squadron
Commander, shows a good record in the air.
501
00:44:40,652 --> 00:44:42,889
What are his personal
qualifications?
502
00:44:42,957 --> 00:44:48,358
I'm sure the general will be pleased
with any selection he makes in the group.
503
00:44:48,429 --> 00:44:50,317
Thanks for the help, Major.
504
00:44:50,381 --> 00:44:53,098
- I'll be around the station.
- Yes, sir.
505
00:45:01,229 --> 00:45:03,334
Sir.
506
00:45:03,405 --> 00:45:06,252
- I've been assigned as the general's driver.
- Fine.
507
00:45:10,733 --> 00:45:14,856
- Aren't you the clerk that I saw...
- Yes, sir. Private McIllhenny.
508
00:45:14,925 --> 00:45:18,121
Well, general officers
rate sergeants as drivers.
509
00:45:18,189 --> 00:45:21,320
- Better put those stripes back on.
- Yes, sir.
510
00:45:25,197 --> 00:45:28,645
# With anyone else but me. #
511
00:45:28,717 --> 00:45:32,361
# Anyone else but me.
Anyone else but me. #
512
00:45:32,429 --> 00:45:34,698
- # No, no, no don't sit under the apple tree. #
- Beer.
513
00:45:34,764 --> 00:45:38,179
- Yes, sir.
- # With anyone else but me. #
514
00:45:38,252 --> 00:45:42,824
# Till I come marching home. #
515
00:45:42,893 --> 00:45:47,432
# Don't go walking down lovers'
lane with anyone else but me. #
516
00:45:47,533 --> 00:45:51,592
# Anyone else but me.
Anyone else but me. #
517
00:45:51,661 --> 00:45:54,669
# No, no, no don't go
walking down lovers� lane. #
518
00:45:54,797 --> 00:45:57,666
Remove your cap
in the club, Major.
519
00:45:58,893 --> 00:46:02,188
- That's regulations, huh?
- It is.
520
00:46:12,493 --> 00:46:15,908
Have another,
Major Cobb.
521
00:46:15,981 --> 00:46:17,868
Scotch.
522
00:46:17,933 --> 00:46:21,861
- I've got it.
- No regulation against buying my own, is there?
523
00:46:21,933 --> 00:46:23,875
That's right.
524
00:46:33,580 --> 00:46:35,435
- Corporal.
- Yes, sir.
525
00:46:35,500 --> 00:46:40,999
This bar is closed for tonight
and until further notice.
526
00:46:58,284 --> 00:47:00,172
I'll probably see you
tomorrow morning.
527
00:47:00,269 --> 00:47:05,451
- Good night, Ben.
- Good night. I'll keep a light in the doghouse window for you.
528
00:47:32,652 --> 00:47:34,507
Come in.
529
00:47:36,621 --> 00:47:41,410
Major Stovall, cut an order
assigning Major Cobb as air exec.
530
00:47:41,484 --> 00:47:44,332
Yes, sir.
531
00:47:44,428 --> 00:47:47,178
- Good night.
- Good night, sir.
532
00:48:45,677 --> 00:48:47,848
Attention.
533
00:49:02,669 --> 00:49:04,676
Rest.
534
00:49:11,372 --> 00:49:15,812
There will be a briefing for a practice
mission at 1100 this morning.
535
00:49:15,884 --> 00:49:18,918
That's right, practice.
536
00:49:19,020 --> 00:49:23,723
I've been sent here to take over what
has come to be known as a hard luck group.
537
00:49:23,756 --> 00:49:28,033
Well, I don't believe in hard luck. So
we're going to find out what the trouble is.
538
00:49:28,141 --> 00:49:32,680
Maybe part of it's your flying,
so we're going back to fundamentals.
539
00:49:34,284 --> 00:49:38,114
But I can tell you now one reason
I think you've been having hard luck.
540
00:49:38,189 --> 00:49:42,858
I saw it in your faces last night.
I can see it there now.
541
00:49:44,012 --> 00:49:47,809
You've been looking
at a lot of air lately...
542
00:49:47,885 --> 00:49:50,470
...and you think
you ought to have a rest.
543
00:49:50,540 --> 00:49:53,355
In short,
you're sorry for yourselves.
544
00:49:53,420 --> 00:49:56,584
I don't have a lot of patience with this
what are we fighting for stuff.
545
00:49:56,652 --> 00:50:00,776
We're in a war, a shooting war.
We've got to fight.
546
00:50:00,844 --> 00:50:02,819
And some of us have got to die.
547
00:50:02,893 --> 00:50:07,781
I'm not trying to tell you
not to be afraid. Fear is normal.
548
00:50:07,853 --> 00:50:11,235
But stop worrying about it
and about yourselves.
549
00:50:11,308 --> 00:50:14,821
Stop making plans.
Forget about going home.
550
00:50:14,892 --> 00:50:16,747
Consider yourselves
already dead.
551
00:50:16,812 --> 00:50:20,489
Once you accept that idea,
it won't be so tough.
552
00:50:20,556 --> 00:50:24,331
Now if any man here
can't buy that,
553
00:50:24,429 --> 00:50:30,092
if he rates himself as something special,
with a special kind of hide to be saved,
554
00:50:30,156 --> 00:50:33,452
he'd better make up his mind
about it right now.
555
00:50:33,517 --> 00:50:37,772
Because I don't
want him in this group.
556
00:50:37,869 --> 00:50:42,059
I'll be in my office in five minutes.
You can see me there.
557
00:50:42,124 --> 00:50:44,164
Attention!
558
00:50:48,812 --> 00:50:52,325
- I'll take Colonel Davenport any day.
- Me too.
559
00:51:02,988 --> 00:51:06,850
I'd better get over to the office 'cause
the traffic is gonna be pretty heavy.
560
00:51:19,757 --> 00:51:22,604
The air exec and the group
flight surgeon are here, sir.
561
00:51:22,668 --> 00:51:24,556
- Tell them to come in.
- Yes, sir.
562
00:51:24,653 --> 00:51:29,257
They beat you to it, Major. I thought you'd
be the first one in line to ask for a transfer.
563
00:51:29,324 --> 00:51:32,172
- No, sir.
- Well, it wouldn't have done you any good.
564
00:51:32,237 --> 00:51:34,920
- Doesn't go for staff. You're stuck with me.
- Yes, sir.
565
00:51:34,988 --> 00:51:38,917
- You might tell them.
- They thought you'd want to see them about the practice mission.
566
00:51:38,989 --> 00:51:41,094
- Good.
- Yes, sir.
567
00:51:41,165 --> 00:51:45,420
For the general's information, I think
you'll find Major Kaiser a top man.
568
00:51:45,484 --> 00:51:47,589
Thorough,
knows his job, honest.
569
00:51:47,660 --> 00:51:52,417
I think Cobb's an excellent man too.
It's just he's a little too frank.
570
00:51:52,493 --> 00:51:54,565
- Thanks, Major.
- Yes, sir.
571
00:52:03,309 --> 00:52:06,058
- General, this is Major Kaiser.
- I'm glad to see you, Doc.
572
00:52:06,125 --> 00:52:10,019
- And I think you met Major Cobb.
- Indeed I have.
573
00:52:10,092 --> 00:52:13,475
General, I don't know if you still
want me here after last night.
574
00:52:13,548 --> 00:52:15,556
No need to tell you,
I was stiff.
575
00:52:15,629 --> 00:52:17,603
Well, stiff or not,
you laid it on the line.
576
00:52:17,709 --> 00:52:20,676
You got the job after I saw you
at the club, not before.
577
00:52:20,748 --> 00:52:24,131
You were in the briefing room.
You still want it?
578
00:52:24,236 --> 00:52:26,243
I think I can
cut it for you, sir.
579
00:52:26,316 --> 00:52:29,098
See you at take off.
580
00:52:31,757 --> 00:52:34,058
Now, what about the crew
availability, Major?
581
00:52:34,125 --> 00:52:36,612
We have a very critical
morale problem, General.
582
00:52:36,716 --> 00:52:40,458
You gave them the shock treatment
this morning, a bucket of cold water.
583
00:52:40,524 --> 00:52:43,175
I take it that's the key in which
you want me to approach the problem...
584
00:52:43,244 --> 00:52:45,895
...as to how much
stress they can take.
585
00:52:45,964 --> 00:52:49,761
If a man is physically capable
of handling his airplane, he goes.
586
00:52:50,860 --> 00:52:53,543
Well, that's definite enough.
587
00:52:53,612 --> 00:52:56,427
But some things can't be
accomplished just by issuing an order.
588
00:52:56,492 --> 00:52:59,754
- Have you seen the sick reports?
- Yeah, I've seen them.
589
00:52:59,820 --> 00:53:02,667
Our sick reports indicate
something else to me.
590
00:53:02,732 --> 00:53:04,837
Besides the normal stress
of a lot of flying,
591
00:53:04,908 --> 00:53:09,861
these men have had the breaking up
of a strong personal attachment.
592
00:53:09,932 --> 00:53:11,939
They were devoted
to Colonel Davenport.
593
00:53:12,013 --> 00:53:16,355
- He was the main thing they had to hold on to.
- You suggest a treatment?
594
00:53:16,428 --> 00:53:19,777
Yes.
Ease up.
595
00:53:19,853 --> 00:53:21,868
Give them a chance
to get used to you.
596
00:53:21,868 --> 00:53:23,778
Give them a chance
to get used to you.
597
00:53:24,653 --> 00:53:27,620
No, Major.
598
00:53:27,724 --> 00:53:31,373
For two reasons.
First, there isn't time.
599
00:53:31,373 --> 00:53:35,399
Second, I can't enter a popularity
contest with Keith Davenport.
600
00:53:35,500 --> 00:53:37,420
I'd lose that one.
601
00:53:37,420 --> 00:53:40,486
And one more thing, I think
they're better than that.
602
00:53:40,588 --> 00:53:42,955
All right, sir.
That's it.
603
00:53:44,236 --> 00:53:46,025
Lieutenant Bishop
to see you, sir.
604
00:53:46,092 --> 00:53:48,743
- Bishop? Who's he?
- A pilot, sir.
605
00:53:48,812 --> 00:53:53,067
Yesterday a recommendation for the Medal
of Honor was forwarded to you at Pinetree.
606
00:53:53,132 --> 00:53:56,678
- Oh, yes. I'll see him in just a minute.
- Yes, sir.
607
00:53:56,748 --> 00:53:59,137
I think I know how deep
the problem is here, Major.
608
00:53:59,244 --> 00:54:02,593
And I'm convinced that the one thing
that will solve it is pride,
609
00:54:02,700 --> 00:54:04,610
pride in this group.
610
00:54:04,717 --> 00:54:10,248
The kind of pride that will make it the last
thing a man wants to be left on the ground.
611
00:54:10,316 --> 00:54:13,218
And that's my job, not yours.
612
00:54:13,292 --> 00:54:17,700
- Paint it with iodine and mark them "duty." Doc.
- Yes, sir.
613
00:54:23,564 --> 00:54:25,452
- Yes, sir.
- Send Bishop in.
614
00:54:25,548 --> 00:54:27,522
Yes, sir.
615
00:54:34,060 --> 00:54:37,355
I better practice saluting you,
Lieutenant. That goes with the medal.
616
00:54:37,420 --> 00:54:41,610
- It was a privilege to add my name to that recommendation.
- Thank you, sir.
617
00:54:41,676 --> 00:54:44,992
- Sit down, Bishop.
- Thank you, sir, but...
618
00:54:45,100 --> 00:54:49,224
- Well, first, I better tell you why I'm here.
- Go ahead.
619
00:54:49,292 --> 00:54:52,292
The pilots asked me
to be their spokesman, sir.
620
00:54:52,396 --> 00:54:55,593
They want to transfer out.
621
00:54:55,660 --> 00:54:58,921
- How many of them?
- All of them, sir.
622
00:55:08,812 --> 00:55:12,424
Well, I can see why
they sent you, Bishop.
623
00:55:12,492 --> 00:55:15,307
You make quite a spokesman.
624
00:55:17,740 --> 00:55:19,845
Have you thought this out?
625
00:55:19,916 --> 00:55:22,599
You're sure that's
the way you feel?
626
00:55:22,668 --> 00:55:26,149
I... I think so, sir.
627
00:55:26,221 --> 00:55:29,385
All right, that's it. Tell them
to put their requests through channels.
628
00:55:29,452 --> 00:55:31,362
Meanwhile, they fly.
629
00:55:31,436 --> 00:55:33,476
- That's all then?
- Yes, sir.
630
00:55:57,997 --> 00:56:01,673
- Yes?
- I just made some coffee. I thought you might like some.
631
00:56:01,740 --> 00:56:04,774
- Shall I bring it in?
- Thanks, Major.
632
00:56:04,844 --> 00:56:06,786
I'll come out there and get it.
633
00:56:24,108 --> 00:56:26,759
What are you doing?
634
00:56:26,828 --> 00:56:31,650
Personal effects of boys who got it
to be sent to next of kin.
635
00:56:31,724 --> 00:56:35,270
I'm a little behind.
I always write a letter.
636
00:56:35,341 --> 00:56:38,570
It always takes time
to screen the stuff pretty well.
637
00:56:38,636 --> 00:56:42,629
It might save somebody back home
getting hurt unnecessarily.
638
00:56:44,044 --> 00:56:48,746
That's a tough chore.
I don't envy you.
639
00:56:48,812 --> 00:56:51,659
How did you happen
to get into paperwork?
640
00:56:51,756 --> 00:56:53,960
They didn't give me any choice.
641
00:56:54,028 --> 00:56:56,843
See, I'm... I'm a retread.
642
00:56:56,908 --> 00:56:59,592
I had my shot at combat
in the first war.
643
00:56:59,660 --> 00:57:01,547
Of course I kind of wanted
to get into this one,
644
00:57:01,644 --> 00:57:05,768
but I guess they figured
I was too old for anything but a desk.
645
00:57:05,836 --> 00:57:07,908
Maybe they were right.
646
00:57:11,340 --> 00:57:14,187
You, uh...
647
00:57:14,284 --> 00:57:18,627
You liked Keith Davenport,
didn't you? A lot, I mean.
648
00:57:18,732 --> 00:57:20,587
Yes, sir.
649
00:57:20,652 --> 00:57:24,264
I thought he was one
of the finest men I ever knew.
650
00:57:25,612 --> 00:57:28,460
The same way
the boys felt, I'm sure.
651
00:57:29,900 --> 00:57:32,137
Loyalty is a fine thing.
652
00:57:38,156 --> 00:57:42,084
Well.
653
00:57:42,156 --> 00:57:45,320
- Thanks for the coffee, Major.
- General Savage.
654
00:57:48,203 --> 00:57:51,171
I'd like to tell you
something else, I think.
655
00:57:54,061 --> 00:57:56,679
I'm a lawyer by trade.
656
00:57:56,748 --> 00:57:58,690
I think I'm a good one.
657
00:57:58,763 --> 00:58:00,836
And when a good lawyer takes on
a client, he does it because...
658
00:58:00,908 --> 00:58:04,705
...he believes in the client's case,
and that's all that matters.
659
00:58:04,780 --> 00:58:07,594
When I came over to England
I took on my biggest client.
660
00:58:07,660 --> 00:58:10,212
That client
is the 918th Bomb Group.
661
00:58:10,284 --> 00:58:13,382
I want to see my client
win its case.
662
00:58:13,452 --> 00:58:15,591
Does that answer what
you had in mind?
663
00:58:15,660 --> 00:58:20,711
- On the button.
- What did you have in mind exactly?
664
00:58:20,780 --> 00:58:24,358
I need time before
those transfers go through.
665
00:58:24,428 --> 00:58:27,112
- Mm-hmm. How much time?
- As much as we can get.
666
00:58:27,180 --> 00:58:29,319
Ten days, anyway.
667
00:58:29,388 --> 00:58:32,552
Well, it'll take those
squadron adjutants...
668
00:58:32,619 --> 00:58:35,783
...at least two days
to draw up all those requests.
669
00:58:35,852 --> 00:58:38,569
And, let's see...
670
00:58:38,636 --> 00:58:42,181
I believe in thorough, methodical work,
everything in order.
671
00:58:42,252 --> 00:58:44,357
I've got a good deal
of stuff on my desk here.
672
00:58:44,428 --> 00:58:47,744
So, it might be three days
before I could get around to them.
673
00:58:47,852 --> 00:58:51,048
- That's five.
- Take a couple of days to check them.
674
00:58:51,116 --> 00:58:54,345
That's seven.
675
00:58:54,412 --> 00:58:57,347
And those squadron adjutants
are pretty sloppy sometimes,
676
00:58:57,452 --> 00:59:01,249
and I certainly don't want this group
criticized for sloppy paperwork.
677
00:59:01,324 --> 00:59:03,211
- Do you, General?
- Couldn't permit it.
678
00:59:03,308 --> 00:59:05,447
So my guess is
every one of those requests...
679
00:59:05,516 --> 00:59:08,003
...may have to go back to the squadron
adjutants to be done over.
680
00:59:08,076 --> 00:59:10,116
By the time I recheck them,
681
00:59:10,188 --> 00:59:13,833
it'll be ten days anyway before
they can be ready for signature.
682
00:59:18,699 --> 00:59:21,350
What a way
to run an outfit.
683
00:59:22,732 --> 00:59:27,107
- You red-tape adjutants are all alike.
- That's right, sir.
684
00:59:28,780 --> 00:59:32,675
But Harvey,
there can be trouble in this.
685
00:59:32,748 --> 00:59:37,155
I don't think so, sir. I never heard
of a jury convicting the lawyer.
686
01:00:02,604 --> 01:00:04,458
Let me have
your attention.
687
01:00:09,164 --> 01:00:12,841
Now, in case any of you aren't clear
as to what this is all about,
688
01:00:12,908 --> 01:00:14,916
I'm supposed
to be a deadbeat.
689
01:00:14,987 --> 01:00:17,638
And so are you.
That's why you were assigned to me...
690
01:00:17,708 --> 01:00:20,556
..."The Leper Colony."
How do you like it?
691
01:00:20,620 --> 01:00:24,613
Well, you'll like it a lot less
the first mistake you make.
692
01:00:24,683 --> 01:00:28,295
We've got a blowtorch turned our way,
and nobody's gonna shove me into it.
693
01:00:28,364 --> 01:00:30,885
Is that clear?
694
01:00:38,540 --> 01:00:40,395
- Everything set?
- Yes, sir.
695
01:00:40,459 --> 01:00:42,848
You fly. I'll ride
in the top turret where I can see.
696
01:00:42,923 --> 01:00:45,444
- Radio, rig an extension to the top turret...
- Yes, sir.
697
01:00:45,516 --> 01:00:47,937
- So the general can talk on the command set.
- Yes, sir.
698
01:00:48,012 --> 01:00:50,434
All right.
Let's go.
699
01:01:05,067 --> 01:01:07,937
"Close it up.
Close it up. Closer.
700
01:01:08,012 --> 01:01:10,216
Shove that there wingtip
right in his lap."
701
01:01:10,284 --> 01:01:12,356
Sweet Savannah!
702
01:01:12,428 --> 01:01:14,370
That wingtip of Baxter's
been tickling me...
703
01:01:14,476 --> 01:01:16,331
...right in the ribs
for three days now, man.
704
01:01:16,396 --> 01:01:18,665
- I'm gettin' mighty tired of it.
- That's a-tellin' 'em, Birdy.
705
01:01:18,732 --> 01:01:20,587
Yeah, and another thing
I noticed.
706
01:01:20,652 --> 01:01:23,587
For folks that talks about
other people's ability as a pilot,
707
01:01:23,659 --> 01:01:26,856
that there general seems mighty willin'
not to do any of it hisself.
708
01:01:26,924 --> 01:01:29,607
Hmph. Looks like we just
got ourselves a talking general.
709
01:01:29,676 --> 01:01:33,472
"Stack it in there, now."
710
01:01:44,812 --> 01:01:47,430
We're alerted, sir!
711
01:01:47,499 --> 01:01:50,499
Field orders
coming in now.
712
01:01:50,572 --> 01:01:52,841
Tell Cobb to wheel and deal.
I'll be right over.
713
01:01:57,868 --> 01:02:00,453
Operator. Operator.
Keep this line clear.
714
01:02:00,524 --> 01:02:03,688
I've got 24 fast calls for you.
Get me the bomb dump and hurry.
715
01:02:03,756 --> 01:02:06,920
# Bless them all.
Bless them all. #
716
01:02:06,988 --> 01:02:10,337
# Oh, the long and the short
and the tall. #
717
01:02:10,412 --> 01:02:14,187
# Let's bless all the blondies
and all the brunettes. #
718
01:02:14,252 --> 01:02:16,969
# For each lad is happy
to take what he gets. #
719
01:02:17,036 --> 01:02:19,010
# 'Cause we're... #
720
01:02:23,052 --> 01:02:25,419
Two missions.
Only one aircraft lost.
721
01:02:25,484 --> 01:02:28,102
Very little battle damage.
722
01:02:28,171 --> 01:02:31,270
That's because most of the time
we flew good, tight formation.
723
01:02:31,340 --> 01:02:33,347
Those enemy fighters
took one look...
724
01:02:33,420 --> 01:02:35,559
...and didn't want
any part of the 918th.
725
01:02:41,228 --> 01:02:44,840
The bad side... The bombing.
726
01:02:44,907 --> 01:02:47,907
Fair. Particularly,
the Low Squadron.
727
01:02:47,979 --> 01:02:50,467
That means we start dropping practice bombs
every day that we haven't got a mission.
728
01:02:50,540 --> 01:02:52,613
- Cobb?
- Yes, sir.
729
01:02:52,683 --> 01:02:54,625
- That's your baby.
- Roger.
730
01:02:54,699 --> 01:02:56,707
Anybody got
any comment?
731
01:02:58,891 --> 01:03:00,898
Well, I've got some more.
Hanley!
732
01:03:00,971 --> 01:03:03,427
- Here, sir.
- Those strike photos show...
733
01:03:03,499 --> 01:03:05,671
...that you've been toggling late
with your bombs the last two missions.
734
01:03:05,740 --> 01:03:09,896
- What's your reason?
- No excuse, sir.
735
01:03:09,963 --> 01:03:12,353
Well, I'll say this for you, Hanley,
you're honest.
736
01:03:12,428 --> 01:03:15,145
But nine men risked their lives
to ride with you...
737
01:03:15,211 --> 01:03:17,251
...in order to put
bombs on a target!
738
01:03:17,324 --> 01:03:21,994
Gately, here's
a new bombardier for you.
739
01:03:22,060 --> 01:03:24,515
- Pettinghill!
- Yes, sir.
740
01:03:24,588 --> 01:03:28,614
We're plenty lucky to have only one loss
on this strike. Why did you break formation?
741
01:03:30,379 --> 01:03:32,267
Well, sir,
Ackerman was in trouble...
742
01:03:32,332 --> 01:03:36,904
Two engines on fire,
and we were getting enemy fighters. I...
743
01:03:36,972 --> 01:03:38,947
I figured I'd better stay back
and try to cover him...
744
01:03:39,019 --> 01:03:41,834
...going into the target,
but he couldn't make it.
745
01:03:49,260 --> 01:03:51,115
Ackerman a pretty good
friend of yours?
746
01:03:51,180 --> 01:03:53,155
My roommate, sir.
747
01:03:56,012 --> 01:04:00,583
So for the sake of your roommate
you violated group integrity.
748
01:04:00,651 --> 01:04:02,593
Every gun on a B-17
is designed...
749
01:04:02,667 --> 01:04:04,904
...to give the group
maximum defensive firepower.
750
01:04:04,972 --> 01:04:07,558
That's what I mean
by group integrity.
751
01:04:07,628 --> 01:04:09,864
When you pull a B-17
out of a formation,
752
01:04:09,931 --> 01:04:13,728
you reduce the defensive power
of the group by ten guns.
753
01:04:13,804 --> 01:04:16,870
A crippled airplane
has to be expendable.
754
01:04:16,940 --> 01:04:20,769
The one thing which is never expendable
is your obligation to this group!
755
01:04:20,843 --> 01:04:23,112
This group.
This group.
756
01:04:23,179 --> 01:04:26,179
That has to be your loyalty,
your only reason for being.
757
01:04:26,251 --> 01:04:28,390
- Stovall.
- Yes, sir.
758
01:04:28,460 --> 01:04:30,664
Have the billeting officer work out
a reassignment of quarters...
759
01:04:30,732 --> 01:04:33,121
- ...so that every man has a new roommate.
- Very well, sir.
760
01:04:33,196 --> 01:04:35,051
- Gately!
- Yes, sir.
761
01:04:35,115 --> 01:04:36,970
Baxter is promoted
out of the Leper Colony.
762
01:04:37,035 --> 01:04:39,108
Pettinghill's
your new copilot.
763
01:04:42,764 --> 01:04:45,611
Well,
that's all I've got.
764
01:04:45,676 --> 01:04:47,618
Anybody got anything else
they want to bring up?
765
01:04:47,691 --> 01:04:49,579
What about
our transfers, sir?
766
01:05:00,076 --> 01:05:04,996
- Okay, if that's all, dismissed.
- Attention!
767
01:05:09,836 --> 01:05:12,007
Come in.
768
01:05:13,836 --> 01:05:16,170
Keith! Come on in.
Glad to see you.
769
01:05:16,235 --> 01:05:18,090
How are you, Frank?
770
01:05:18,156 --> 01:05:20,010
How's the adjutant
business, Harvey?
771
01:05:20,075 --> 01:05:22,628
Just went out of that line of work, sir.
Ground exec now.
772
01:05:22,699 --> 01:05:25,831
- Well, glad to hear it. You had it coming.
- Thank you.
773
01:05:25,900 --> 01:05:28,169
- Good to see you, sir.
- Good to see you, Harvey.
774
01:05:28,236 --> 01:05:30,210
- Piece of cake?
- Thanks.
775
01:05:30,283 --> 01:05:32,585
Uh, birthday.
It's a little old.
776
01:05:32,651 --> 01:05:35,586
Oh, many happy returns.
777
01:05:37,291 --> 01:05:40,324
Well, seems to me
I've seen this joint before.
778
01:05:40,395 --> 01:05:42,817
It looks better
with you in it, Keith.
779
01:05:42,892 --> 01:05:44,997
Have a drink.
Say, you're in time for chow.
780
01:05:45,068 --> 01:05:47,370
- The boys'll be glad to see you.
- I'm not so sure of that.
781
01:05:47,436 --> 01:05:49,737
I saw Sergeant Keller
at the gate.
782
01:05:49,804 --> 01:05:53,120
Had to show
my A.G.O. Card to get in.
783
01:05:53,196 --> 01:05:56,360
And I'll pass up the supper, I guess.
I just dropped down for a minute.
784
01:05:56,428 --> 01:05:58,282
I had something I wanted
to talk to you about, Frank.
785
01:05:58,348 --> 01:06:01,162
Well, I'll get on about
my ground exec-ing.
786
01:06:01,228 --> 01:06:04,676
- I'll see you before you go, Keith.
- All right.
787
01:06:06,572 --> 01:06:10,346
- Nice guy, Harvey.
- First-rate.
788
01:06:10,411 --> 01:06:12,266
Sit down.
789
01:06:12,331 --> 01:06:15,844
Aah, tastes good.
Gets the chill out of your bones.
790
01:06:15,916 --> 01:06:19,363
- What a stinkin' climate.
- It's pretty bad.
791
01:06:19,435 --> 01:06:22,916
Only I guess you didn't come down
to talk about the weather.
792
01:06:22,988 --> 01:06:26,119
No...
Or maybe I did at that.
793
01:06:29,932 --> 01:06:33,193
- There's a storm coming, Frank.
- The old man?
794
01:06:33,260 --> 01:06:35,845
No. I don't know
if he even knows about it.
795
01:06:35,916 --> 01:06:39,657
There's been a lot of talk about requests
for transfer, only none have come through.
796
01:06:39,723 --> 01:06:42,593
- Have you been sittin' on 'em?
- I have.
797
01:06:42,668 --> 01:06:45,483
You've got what amounts
to a mutiny on your hands.
798
01:06:45,548 --> 01:06:47,915
There's a rumor that
the inspector general's got hold of it.
799
01:06:47,979 --> 01:06:51,624
If he investigates you,
you're cooked.
800
01:06:51,691 --> 01:06:53,863
Can you slow him down?
801
01:06:53,932 --> 01:06:57,248
You know the Old Man
can't interfere with the I.G.
802
01:06:57,323 --> 01:07:00,193
I know what you're after... A little time,
get a few good missions under your belt,
803
01:07:00,267 --> 01:07:02,503
maybe the boys'll
change their minds.
804
01:07:02,572 --> 01:07:06,500
- But it won't work that way.
- You got any ideas?
805
01:07:06,571 --> 01:07:09,768
Well, to be perfectly frank
about it, when you took command,
806
01:07:09,835 --> 01:07:12,585
I was hoping you'd fail,
fall flat on your face.
807
01:07:12,651 --> 01:07:15,073
I'm that human.
808
01:07:15,147 --> 01:07:17,002
So now, me,
the guy who blew it...
809
01:07:17,068 --> 01:07:20,232
- ...wants to tell you how to run this group.
- Shoot.
810
01:07:20,300 --> 01:07:22,853
All right.
You're blowing it too.
811
01:07:22,923 --> 01:07:25,444
You can't drive those boys.
I told you once before...
812
01:07:25,516 --> 01:07:27,905
...they can't just be
a set of numbers, and it still goes.
813
01:07:27,979 --> 01:07:30,849
The fact that I blew it
doesn't mean that idea was wrong.
814
01:07:30,923 --> 01:07:33,957
I figured it was me.
I wasn't good enough.
815
01:07:34,027 --> 01:07:36,264
You've got
to help them, Frank.
816
01:07:36,331 --> 01:07:39,943
You've got to take the time to win something
from them, or they will walk out on you.
817
01:07:40,012 --> 01:07:43,557
And that'll be a worse failure
than mine ever was.
818
01:07:43,627 --> 01:07:46,530
Give them something
to lean on, you mean.
819
01:07:46,604 --> 01:07:48,643
Call it
anything you like.
820
01:07:52,875 --> 01:07:55,014
Well, Keith,
821
01:08:01,451 --> 01:08:03,971
I don't believe it.
822
01:08:04,043 --> 01:08:06,377
Here's where
you and I part company.
823
01:08:06,443 --> 01:08:08,777
I don't think they're boys,
they're men.
824
01:08:08,843 --> 01:08:11,778
Too bad they have
to find out so young.
825
01:08:11,851 --> 01:08:15,429
How old is Bishop?
Twenty-one, maybe.
826
01:08:15,499 --> 01:08:19,296
It's pretty tough to have
to grow all the way up at 21.
827
01:08:19,372 --> 01:08:23,463
But that's the only way
we're gonna get the job done.
828
01:08:23,531 --> 01:08:26,182
And I think
they can do it too.
829
01:08:26,251 --> 01:08:30,026
Lean on somebody?
I think they're better than that.
830
01:08:30,091 --> 01:08:33,669
And if that's not true
then we're a dead duck,
831
01:08:33,739 --> 01:08:36,521
and we'd better find out
about it right now,
832
01:08:36,587 --> 01:08:38,660
once and for all.
833
01:08:38,731 --> 01:08:42,276
Well, that's that.
834
01:08:43,724 --> 01:08:45,666
You called the turn
for me once,
835
01:08:45,739 --> 01:08:48,106
and I couldn't
see it.
836
01:08:48,172 --> 01:08:51,433
Now we're even.
837
01:08:51,500 --> 01:08:54,915
- Good night, Frank.
- Good night, Keith.
838
01:09:15,147 --> 01:09:18,279
# The stars at night
are big and bright. #
839
01:09:18,347 --> 01:09:22,886
# Deep in the heart of Texas. #
840
01:09:22,955 --> 01:09:26,697
- # The prairie skies... #
- Not again.
841
01:09:29,740 --> 01:09:32,642
No good, sir. Acknowledgement from the
other groups, they've already turned back.
842
01:09:32,715 --> 01:09:34,919
- But nothing from the 918th.
- Forget code.
843
01:09:34,987 --> 01:09:37,224
- Try to reach him in the clear.
- Yes, sir.
844
01:09:37,291 --> 01:09:39,178
Pinetree
to Flashlight leader.
845
01:09:39,243 --> 01:09:41,153
Pinetree
to Flashlight leader.
846
01:09:41,228 --> 01:09:43,115
This is a recall.
Do you read me?
847
01:09:43,179 --> 01:09:46,179
Pinetree to Flashlight leader.
Pinetree to Flashlight leader.
848
01:09:46,251 --> 01:09:48,869
This is a recall.
Do you read me? Over.
849
01:09:51,083 --> 01:09:54,083
- Nothing, sir.
- I don't get it.
850
01:09:54,187 --> 01:09:56,871
Weren't all commanders told to guard channel
"B" because of possible weather change?
851
01:09:56,972 --> 01:10:00,998
- It was in the field order, sir.
- Well... Something's happened.
852
01:10:01,067 --> 01:10:03,304
They've gone on
to the target alone.
853
01:10:03,371 --> 01:10:06,405
I'm going down there, Keith.
I can't just stand here and take it.
854
01:10:16,907 --> 01:10:19,558
That's 21, sir.
They're all back.
855
01:10:19,627 --> 01:10:23,457
Well, that's something.
I'm glad we still have miracles.
856
01:10:57,259 --> 01:10:59,146
Well, we had
a little weather, sir,
857
01:10:59,211 --> 01:11:01,545
but the target area had
cleared off just long enough...
858
01:11:01,612 --> 01:11:04,459
- ...for the 918th to clobber it good.
- That's fine, Frank.
859
01:11:04,523 --> 01:11:07,306
- What about the recall?
- Recall, sir? What recall?
860
01:11:07,372 --> 01:11:09,259
Never heard it.
861
01:11:09,323 --> 01:11:12,041
- Must have had radio malfunction.
- I see.
862
01:11:12,107 --> 01:11:15,009
- Let's get up to your office, Frank.
- Yes, sir.
863
01:11:15,115 --> 01:11:18,214
- The bar's open, Harvey. The boy's really earned it.
- Yes, sir.
864
01:11:22,699 --> 01:11:25,666
And you think I'm going
to buy a quick Persian rug...
865
01:11:25,708 --> 01:11:27,977
...about a radio malfunction?
866
01:11:29,611 --> 01:11:31,745
And I suppose you'll tell me next
the weather was just bad enough...
867
01:11:31,757 --> 01:11:34,440
- You didn't see the other groups turn back.
- Yes, sir.
868
01:11:34,508 --> 01:11:37,824
You've got no right to gamble
like that. Not with my money.
869
01:11:37,900 --> 01:11:39,842
It isn't enough that
I have to hold still while you graft...
870
01:11:39,916 --> 01:11:41,826
...an inspector general
on my rump.
871
01:11:41,900 --> 01:11:44,584
I've managed to live without
inspector generals for 20-some years.
872
01:11:44,653 --> 01:11:47,370
And don't think you can justify this by
the fact that you got away with it, either!
873
01:11:47,437 --> 01:11:49,477
No, sir.
I didn't hear a thing.
874
01:11:49,549 --> 01:11:51,404
It must have been
radio malfunction.
875
01:11:51,469 --> 01:11:54,338
- Do you mean you're going to stick to that fairy tale?
- Yes, sir.
876
01:11:54,380 --> 01:11:57,380
There's one more thing
you might as well know, sir.
877
01:11:57,452 --> 01:12:02,689
The 918th got through today, and bombed
the target when nobody else did.
878
01:12:02,733 --> 01:12:04,872
And if Providence
ever drops into my lap,
879
01:12:04,940 --> 01:12:08,737
another chance like that to give this
group the pride it ought to have in itself,
880
01:12:08,781 --> 01:12:11,846
I may have
radio malfunction again, sir.
881
01:12:11,916 --> 01:12:14,338
And there's
one more thing.
882
01:12:14,413 --> 01:12:17,195
I'm asking you
for a commendation for this group,
883
01:12:17,260 --> 01:12:19,170
for their aggressiveness,
skill and courage...
884
01:12:19,244 --> 01:12:23,041
...in reaching and bombing a target
under extremely adverse conditions.
885
01:12:23,084 --> 01:12:26,019
And you don't need to mention
their leadership, sir.
886
01:12:28,013 --> 01:12:30,217
All right, Frank,
you'll get it.
887
01:12:30,317 --> 01:12:33,034
And maybe someday I'll send you
one for leadership, I don't know.
888
01:12:34,477 --> 01:12:37,608
- Got somebody around here that can take dictation?
- Yes, sir!
889
01:12:39,436 --> 01:12:43,593
- McIllhenny, bring a book and pencil in here.
- Yes, sir.
890
01:12:43,661 --> 01:12:45,733
Come on. Hurry up.
Hurry up. Hurry up.
891
01:12:48,621 --> 01:12:51,970
Relax, Harvey.
Mission accomplished.
892
01:12:57,101 --> 01:13:01,094
# Poor little lambs. #
893
01:13:01,164 --> 01:13:05,474
# Who have lost
our way. #
894
01:13:05,549 --> 01:13:08,865
# Baa, baa, baa. #
895
01:13:08,908 --> 01:13:14,210
- What do you make of it, Harvey?
- I don't know. I can't make it out quite.
896
01:13:14,285 --> 01:13:16,325
They're pleased about
the commendation, I think, but...
897
01:13:16,396 --> 01:13:19,625
...they're not celebrating
the way kids ought to.
898
01:13:19,693 --> 01:13:23,041
It's not normal.
899
01:13:23,116 --> 01:13:28,746
- # Baa, baa, baa. #
- No cries for Savage for President then.
900
01:13:28,781 --> 01:13:31,301
I don't know.
901
01:13:35,148 --> 01:13:37,058
Get ahold
of Jesse Bishop.
902
01:13:37,133 --> 01:13:40,995
Tell him I'd like
to see him in my quarters.
903
01:13:43,533 --> 01:13:47,177
- Smoke, Bishop?
- No, thank you, sir.
904
01:13:47,244 --> 01:13:49,099
I wanted to talk
with you, Bishop,
905
01:13:49,164 --> 01:13:51,466
- because I know you'll level with me.
- Yes, sir.
906
01:13:51,533 --> 01:13:54,402
I wish you'd try to tell me
what you're feeling.
907
01:13:54,509 --> 01:13:56,811
- Right now. Right this minute.
- About what, sir?
908
01:13:56,844 --> 01:14:01,034
The transfers. The fact this group showed
the rest of them how it's done today.
909
01:14:01,133 --> 01:14:03,271
Whether you're
proud of that.
910
01:14:03,340 --> 01:14:05,643
Sir, I don't think I have any right
to speak for the rest...
911
01:14:05,708 --> 01:14:08,294
Then, don't speak
for the rest of them, just you.
912
01:14:09,548 --> 01:14:11,937
Well, sir,
that's hard. I...
913
01:14:12,012 --> 01:14:14,729
I don't know
how I feel.
914
01:14:14,796 --> 01:14:17,993
That's...
That's kind of the trouble.
915
01:14:18,061 --> 01:14:20,036
What is?
916
01:14:20,108 --> 01:14:22,247
Well, the...
the whole thing, sir.
917
01:14:22,316 --> 01:14:24,804
Everything.
918
01:14:24,876 --> 01:14:27,876
I can't see what good
we're doing with our bombing,
919
01:14:27,949 --> 01:14:30,730
and all the boys
getting killed.
920
01:14:30,796 --> 01:14:33,829
Just a handful of us.
It's like we...
921
01:14:33,900 --> 01:14:35,810
We're some kind
of guinea pigs,
922
01:14:35,885 --> 01:14:38,568
only we're not
proving anything.
923
01:14:38,636 --> 01:14:40,546
You've got to have
confidence in something.
924
01:14:41,997 --> 01:14:45,608
And then, when you find something
you've got confidence in...
925
01:14:45,676 --> 01:14:47,531
...then everything changes.
926
01:14:47,596 --> 01:14:50,466
It just doesn't make
any sense, I don't know.
927
01:14:50,508 --> 01:14:52,363
I just want out.
928
01:14:52,428 --> 01:14:55,941
Well, do you think it'll
be any better in another group?
929
01:14:56,012 --> 01:14:58,663
It isn't a question of that, sir.
I don't want to fly anymore.
930
01:14:58,733 --> 01:15:01,832
I want to transfer
to another branch.
931
01:15:01,900 --> 01:15:06,308
Doesn't it mean anything to you that
we hit the target today with no losses?
932
01:15:06,380 --> 01:15:08,420
Yes, sir.
933
01:15:08,492 --> 01:15:11,907
I suppose so...
in a way.
934
01:15:11,980 --> 01:15:14,947
But I just want out.
935
01:15:16,365 --> 01:15:21,602
Well... That's a...
936
01:15:21,676 --> 01:15:24,097
...pretty tough request...
937
01:15:24,172 --> 01:15:26,027
...from a Medal of Honor man.
938
01:15:29,420 --> 01:15:31,908
Sure, we're guinea pigs,
Jesse.
939
01:15:31,981 --> 01:15:36,520
But there's a reason.
If we can hang on here now...
940
01:15:36,588 --> 01:15:38,955
...one day soon...
941
01:15:39,020 --> 01:15:41,354
...somebody's
gonna look up...
942
01:15:41,420 --> 01:15:45,796
...and see a solid overcast
of American bombers...
943
01:15:45,869 --> 01:15:49,992
...on the way to Germany
to hit the Third Reich where it lives.
944
01:15:50,061 --> 01:15:53,705
Maybe we won't be the ones
to see it. I can't promise you that.
945
01:15:53,772 --> 01:15:56,106
But I can promise you
that they'll be there...
946
01:15:56,173 --> 01:15:59,172
...if only we can manage
to make the grade now!
947
01:16:02,860 --> 01:16:05,129
I'd like
to believe you, sir.
948
01:16:08,044 --> 01:16:11,012
I just don't have confidence
in anything anymore.
949
01:16:24,269 --> 01:16:26,724
Well...
950
01:16:28,108 --> 01:16:33,095
...looks like I'm choppin'
and no chips are flyin'.
951
01:16:36,780 --> 01:16:39,748
It's easy to transfer
out of a group, Jesse.
952
01:16:39,820 --> 01:16:44,555
It's pretty hard for a man
to transfer out of his obligation.
953
01:16:46,605 --> 01:16:50,183
But then every man has to play it
the way he sees it.
954
01:16:52,492 --> 01:16:56,005
- Well, good night, Jesse.
- Good night, sir.
955
01:17:20,716 --> 01:17:22,789
- How is it going?
- Beats me.
956
01:17:22,860 --> 01:17:25,577
The inspector's got every pilot
on the base in there. Gimme a cigarette.
957
01:17:25,645 --> 01:17:29,027
- You want a light too?
- I have only the habit, Lieutenant.
958
01:17:37,996 --> 01:17:42,087
Well, they're still
at it, sir.
959
01:17:42,156 --> 01:17:45,156
You know, Harvey, you're gonna make
a silly-looking second lieutenant.
960
01:17:45,228 --> 01:17:47,497
Want some advice
from your lawyer, sir?
961
01:17:47,564 --> 01:17:49,506
Don't ever give up the case
before the jury comes in.
962
01:17:49,580 --> 01:17:51,817
Don't kid yourself.
We've already had it.
963
01:17:51,885 --> 01:17:54,732
Well, so what? What's so bad
about the Pentagon building?
964
01:17:54,796 --> 01:17:57,900
Good food, cocktails every night.
965
01:18:00,076 --> 01:18:02,858
Well, sir, that was
short and sweet.
966
01:18:02,924 --> 01:18:04,779
Yeah,
I'll bet it was.
967
01:18:06,316 --> 01:18:08,356
Well, you might
as well unpack, General.
968
01:18:08,428 --> 01:18:10,762
The I.G. Didn't even get
to make a good opening speech.
969
01:18:10,829 --> 01:18:14,090
Bishop started it, withdrawing his
transfer. He really went to bat for you.
970
01:18:14,157 --> 01:18:16,523
Wilson followed, and the rest
of them just climbed aboard.
971
01:18:16,588 --> 01:18:19,622
Left the I.G. With nothing to do
but pack up his hatchet and go home.
972
01:18:19,692 --> 01:18:22,856
Well, what do you know?
973
01:18:31,181 --> 01:18:34,825
Where's that briefcase of mine?
I had it a minute ago.
974
01:18:34,892 --> 01:18:36,779
I knew those jokers
couldn't buck you forever.
975
01:18:36,844 --> 01:18:38,732
They finally realized they had
a chance to hit the target...
976
01:18:38,796 --> 01:18:40,803
...and get home when
you were up front leading.
977
01:18:40,876 --> 01:18:42,786
Well, they better not count
on any one man.
978
01:18:42,860 --> 01:18:44,900
Don't want to make
that mistake again.
979
01:18:44,972 --> 01:18:46,860
You know, General,
it wouldn't be any mistake...
980
01:18:46,924 --> 01:18:49,062
...to cut loose with a few
three-day passes to London.
981
01:18:49,132 --> 01:18:51,172
Sort of, uh... A pat on the back.
982
01:18:52,332 --> 01:18:56,194
I see what you mean.
Kiss and make up, huh?
983
01:18:59,628 --> 01:19:02,498
You kiss them, Joe,
for shedding their diapers.
984
01:19:02,573 --> 01:19:04,427
And while you're at it, tell 'em
we're going to work now...
985
01:19:04,493 --> 01:19:06,402
...and try to build
some leadership around here.
986
01:19:06,476 --> 01:19:08,363
And when it comes
to counting on me,
987
01:19:08,428 --> 01:19:10,338
tell 'em that you're
gonna lead the next one.
988
01:19:10,412 --> 01:19:12,998
And it better be good.
And tell Bishop he's gonna lead...
989
01:19:13,068 --> 01:19:15,370
...and find out what it feels like
to carry the load.
990
01:19:15,436 --> 01:19:18,054
I want this group combed
for every man who shows signs...
991
01:19:18,124 --> 01:19:20,458
...of being able
to lead a mule to water.
992
01:19:20,524 --> 01:19:22,858
And I want every one of'em
to have a crack at it.
993
01:19:22,925 --> 01:19:25,193
You're out from under those
second lieutenant bars, Harvey,
994
01:19:25,261 --> 01:19:27,235
so don't just stand around
with your thumb in your mouth.
995
01:19:27,308 --> 01:19:29,729
Let's get back to work.
996
01:19:32,492 --> 01:19:35,339
What did he have to burn
three feet off my tail surface for?
997
01:19:35,404 --> 01:19:37,259
- Tough man, isn't he?
- There's such a thing...
998
01:19:37,324 --> 01:19:39,561
...as carrying this business
of being iron-tailed too far.
999
01:19:39,628 --> 01:19:42,977
Yeah, he's-he's
pretty iron-tailed.
1000
01:19:43,052 --> 01:19:46,467
He'll never feel things about the group
the way Keith Davenport did.
1001
01:19:46,540 --> 01:19:48,679
And nothing's going to start
eating holes through him.
1002
01:19:48,749 --> 01:19:52,360
- He's too tough for that.
- There's also such a thing as being human.
1003
01:19:52,428 --> 01:19:56,901
You know something, Joe? The only
difference between Frank Savage...
1004
01:19:56,972 --> 01:19:59,493
...and Keith Davenport
is that...
1005
01:19:59,564 --> 01:20:03,361
...Savage is about, uh,
that much taller.
1006
01:20:03,468 --> 01:20:05,475
I don't get it.
1007
01:20:07,116 --> 01:20:11,240
Hey, Joe, how come you ain't leadin' this one?
1008
01:20:11,341 --> 01:20:14,413
You been a bad boy?
1009
01:20:14,413 --> 01:20:17,576
You know Joe, he only leads
the milk runs. This one must be a doozy.
1010
01:20:17,676 --> 01:20:20,873
Come on, Joe, where we goin'?
Pull back that curtain. Give us a peek.
1011
01:20:20,940 --> 01:20:23,395
You'll wish I was leadin' it.
You're gonna love this one.
1012
01:20:23,468 --> 01:20:25,639
Attention!
1013
01:20:34,316 --> 01:20:36,258
Rest!
1014
01:20:38,924 --> 01:20:41,193
Gentlemen, this you'll
be interested to know.
1015
01:20:41,260 --> 01:20:43,202
Intelligence
informs us...
1016
01:20:43,275 --> 01:20:46,123
...that the German aircraft industry
has been converted...
1017
01:20:46,188 --> 01:20:49,800
...almost entirely to the production
of fighter planes for defense,
1018
01:20:49,868 --> 01:20:52,835
and that these fighters are being
withdrawn from the Russian front...
1019
01:20:52,908 --> 01:20:55,658
...to beef up
the defense on this front.
1020
01:20:55,724 --> 01:20:58,571
Looks like they must
have heard about the 918th.
1021
01:21:01,836 --> 01:21:04,519
And this morning we have
a mission of some importance.
1022
01:21:04,588 --> 01:21:06,955
- For the first time...
- Germany!
1023
01:21:07,020 --> 01:21:09,835
You said it.
1024
01:21:13,516 --> 01:21:16,516
- Wilhelmshaven.
- Wilhelmshaven.
1025
01:21:16,588 --> 01:21:20,232
For the first time we're going
to be hitting a target on German soil.
1026
01:21:20,300 --> 01:21:22,155
I'll lead
the group on this one.
1027
01:21:22,220 --> 01:21:24,937
Bishop, the High Squadron.
Holloman, the Low Squadron.
1028
01:21:25,004 --> 01:21:28,833
- All right, Joe.
- Stations: 0700.
1029
01:21:28,908 --> 01:21:31,755
Start engines: 0710.
1030
01:21:31,820 --> 01:21:34,024
Taxi: 0720.
1031
01:22:24,492 --> 01:22:26,913
Got a cigarette?
1032
01:22:45,324 --> 01:22:47,528
They're heading in, Major.
We just got a reading.
1033
01:22:47,596 --> 01:22:49,636
- How many?
- I don't know, sir.
1034
01:22:51,661 --> 01:22:55,337
Here they come.
They're approaching the field.
1035
01:23:24,332 --> 01:23:26,568
Nine.
1036
01:23:43,532 --> 01:23:47,307
- Fourteen.
- Fifteen. Sixteen.
1037
01:24:33,420 --> 01:24:36,999
- How was it, sir?
- It was rough.
1038
01:24:37,067 --> 01:24:39,751
- They were waiting for us. What's the count?
- Two missing, sir.
1039
01:24:39,820 --> 01:24:42,438
It looked like four, but O'Neill made it
to the RAF field at Lincolnshire.
1040
01:24:42,508 --> 01:24:45,574
Gately ditched in the Channel.
Air-Sea Rescue picked 'em up.
1041
01:24:45,645 --> 01:24:47,532
- Two wounded but not bad.
- Well, that helps some.
1042
01:24:47,596 --> 01:24:49,483
- Let's get up to interrogation.
- Yes, sir.
1043
01:25:03,020 --> 01:25:04,776
McIllhenny!
1044
01:25:04,844 --> 01:25:06,983
Yes, sir!
1045
01:25:09,195 --> 01:25:12,905
- Were you in my ship?
- No, sir.
1046
01:25:14,028 --> 01:25:16,417
That is... Yes, sir.
1047
01:25:16,492 --> 01:25:19,875
- Who authorized it?
- No one, sir, but I been checked out as a gunner,
1048
01:25:19,948 --> 01:25:22,883
and I just had
to make the big ones.
1049
01:25:22,956 --> 01:25:26,666
I won't have ground personnel
jeopardizing the safety of the aircraft.
1050
01:25:26,731 --> 01:25:28,837
Maybe it'll help you keep
your feet on the ground...
1051
01:25:28,907 --> 01:25:30,980
...if you take those
stripes off again.
1052
01:25:31,052 --> 01:25:33,321
And this time
you'll stay a private.
1053
01:25:34,444 --> 01:25:38,535
- Get up to interrogation.
- Yes, sir.
1054
01:25:48,652 --> 01:25:51,500
I want a critique of the mission
first thing in the morning, Joe.
1055
01:25:52,940 --> 01:25:55,875
Looks like we might stand down
a few days with the weather.
1056
01:25:55,947 --> 01:25:58,151
Maybe we're ready
to give 'em a breather.
1057
01:25:58,220 --> 01:26:00,805
- Peel out some passes for London.
- Yes, sir.
1058
01:26:00,876 --> 01:26:04,105
General, I got to talk to you
about Sergeant McIllhenny.
1059
01:26:04,171 --> 01:26:07,520
- What about him?
- You're busting him. That kind of makes things complicated.
1060
01:26:07,596 --> 01:26:10,891
- What's complicated about that?
- It's the precedent, sir.
1061
01:26:10,956 --> 01:26:13,508
I mean, we'd have to bust
Captain Twombley too.
1062
01:26:13,580 --> 01:26:16,263
The Padre?
What's he got to do with it?
1063
01:26:16,299 --> 01:26:18,187
He stowed away, too,
with Bishop.
1064
01:26:18,219 --> 01:26:20,292
They were over Wilhelmshaven
before Bishop found out.
1065
01:26:20,364 --> 01:26:22,218
He heard the parson
praying on the interphone...
1066
01:26:22,284 --> 01:26:24,739
...while he was firing
the left waist gun.
1067
01:26:27,819 --> 01:26:30,537
Well, now I've heard everything.
1068
01:26:30,604 --> 01:26:32,610
I'm afraid
you haven't, sir.
1069
01:26:32,684 --> 01:26:34,658
I, uh, might as well
give it to you in one slug.
1070
01:26:34,732 --> 01:26:36,587
No thank you, sir.
1071
01:26:36,652 --> 01:26:39,554
Harvey Stovall and Doc Kaiser flew
as waist gunners with Klein.
1072
01:26:39,628 --> 01:26:42,345
I guess the whole ground echelon
was someplace on this one.
1073
01:26:44,012 --> 01:26:47,394
- Any of'em hurt?
- Don't think so, sir.
1074
01:26:47,467 --> 01:26:50,118
There's one more thing
about McIllhenny... Kind of awkward.
1075
01:26:50,188 --> 01:26:54,083
He's just been credited with two F.W.S
destroyed and one probable.
1076
01:26:54,156 --> 01:26:57,058
A born gunner,
I guess.
1077
01:27:02,348 --> 01:27:06,472
- Did you know about this, Joe?
- No, sir, I didn't.
1078
01:27:06,540 --> 01:27:09,092
- I hope you don't think I...
- All right. All right.
1079
01:27:17,676 --> 01:27:20,905
Twombley! Stovall!
1080
01:27:20,971 --> 01:27:23,557
Come over here.
1081
01:27:39,467 --> 01:27:41,834
Well, you're pretty proud
of yourselves, I suppose.
1082
01:27:43,788 --> 01:27:47,498
- Well, let me tell you...
- I was hoping the general wouldn't go into this right now.
1083
01:27:47,532 --> 01:27:50,215
I think I'm suffering
from combat fatigue.
1084
01:27:54,923 --> 01:27:58,469
Harvey, I'm gonna
weaken just this once,
1085
01:27:58,540 --> 01:28:00,995
and I'll probably live
to regret it.
1086
01:28:01,068 --> 01:28:04,002
But you got the bulge on me.
I can't bust everybody.
1087
01:28:04,075 --> 01:28:08,069
But it's with the clear understanding
that your combat days are over.
1088
01:28:08,140 --> 01:28:10,441
An old fud like you
ought to know better.
1089
01:28:10,507 --> 01:28:13,988
I won't be put in the spot of having
to write that letter to your wife.
1090
01:28:14,060 --> 01:28:18,020
You, Padre.
Your business is sin.
1091
01:28:18,092 --> 01:28:21,092
Hereafter, you'll confine your
activities to that theater of operations.
1092
01:28:21,164 --> 01:28:23,105
Is that clear?
1093
01:28:23,179 --> 01:28:25,634
Yes, sir.
1094
01:28:30,220 --> 01:28:32,708
Did you hit anything
up there, Harvey?
1095
01:28:32,779 --> 01:28:34,918
Well, sir, my glasses
were frosted over some,
1096
01:28:34,987 --> 01:28:38,282
but I think
I got a piece of one.
1097
01:28:38,348 --> 01:28:40,998
Ours or theirs?
1098
01:28:49,580 --> 01:28:53,442
McIllhenny, I heard
about those two F.W.S.
1099
01:28:53,516 --> 01:28:56,865
- Put the chevrons back on, Sergeant.
- Yes, sir.
1100
01:28:56,939 --> 01:28:59,012
And if we're gonna keep
having these ups and downs,
1101
01:28:59,084 --> 01:29:02,761
- I suggest you get 'em with zippers.
- Yes, sir!
1102
01:29:07,883 --> 01:29:10,917
- When are they due back?
- Any time now.
1103
01:29:49,931 --> 01:29:52,898
Call the tower.
Get a count.
1104
01:29:52,971 --> 01:29:55,426
- Tower.
- Tower.
1105
01:29:55,500 --> 01:30:00,039
- What's the count?
- Twenty back. One missing... 3-9-7.
1106
01:30:00,108 --> 01:30:03,075
We lost one... 3-9-7.
1107
01:30:05,260 --> 01:30:07,496
Lieutenant Bishop, sir.
1108
01:30:15,755 --> 01:30:17,730
All right.
Thanks, Sergeant.
1109
01:30:42,956 --> 01:30:45,705
Junker 88s,
and FW-190.
1110
01:30:45,771 --> 01:30:48,870
- Uh, what direction were they comin' in?
- Oh, they... Mostly head on.
1111
01:30:48,939 --> 01:30:50,827
See any chutes open?
1112
01:30:50,892 --> 01:30:54,405
No. Jesse caught a direct
burst right over the target.
1113
01:30:54,476 --> 01:30:58,021
They... They didn't have a chance.
1114
01:30:58,091 --> 01:31:01,408
He was a swell kid, and one
of the best pilots in the group.
1115
01:31:01,452 --> 01:31:03,459
- He would have to get it.
- One crew...
1116
01:31:03,532 --> 01:31:05,387
It could've been
much worse, Joe.
1117
01:31:05,452 --> 01:31:08,202
- What about battle damage?
- Everybody caught plenty.
1118
01:31:10,796 --> 01:31:13,163
- More coffee, General?
- General...
- Coffee, Captain?
1119
01:31:13,228 --> 01:31:16,162
No, thank you. I tired to reach you
on the phone to tell you about Gately.
1120
01:31:16,235 --> 01:31:18,242
Well, what about him?
Did he get hit today?
1121
01:31:18,315 --> 01:31:22,854
No, sir. But right after he landed,
he folded up... Passed out cold.
1122
01:31:22,924 --> 01:31:25,095
I guess I should have
made an examination before,
1123
01:31:25,163 --> 01:31:28,197
but he didn't report any injury when
he ditched in the Channel the other day.
1124
01:31:28,268 --> 01:31:32,326
I've seen his X-rays. He has a crack
in the lip of the vertebrate body.
1125
01:31:34,636 --> 01:31:37,002
- Painful?
- Incredibly.
1126
01:31:37,068 --> 01:31:39,075
And he's flown
three missions with it.
1127
01:31:44,107 --> 01:31:47,423
- A fractured spine?
- That's about what it amounts to.
1128
01:31:47,499 --> 01:31:49,604
I've put him
in traction.
1129
01:31:51,467 --> 01:31:53,889
Gately...
1130
01:31:53,963 --> 01:31:56,166
Okay, Doc.
1131
01:31:56,235 --> 01:31:58,918
Thanks for
letting me know.
1132
01:31:58,988 --> 01:32:01,737
- Now, I'll have that coffee.
- Fine.
1133
01:33:02,060 --> 01:33:05,354
Anybody in particular
you'd like to see, sir?
1134
01:33:05,419 --> 01:33:08,899
Oh, no thanks, Lieutenant,
just looking around.
1135
01:33:08,971 --> 01:33:10,914
You go right on
with what you were doing.
1136
01:33:10,987 --> 01:33:12,929
Yes, sir.
1137
01:33:15,915 --> 01:33:18,915
Well, looks like that's gonna cut in
on your crap shooting, Dwight.
1138
01:33:18,988 --> 01:33:20,962
Yes, sir.
It's costing me money.
1139
01:33:21,035 --> 01:33:23,556
- How long they gonna keep you in here?
- Doc said ten days.
1140
01:33:23,627 --> 01:33:26,181
- Well, you let me know if I can do anything.
- Thanks, General.
1141
01:33:26,251 --> 01:33:28,139
What do you say, Birdwell?
1142
01:33:28,203 --> 01:33:30,985
- They got all that flak out of you yet?
- Just about, sir.
1143
01:33:31,051 --> 01:33:33,986
Doc didn't need no mine
detector to find it, neither.
1144
01:33:34,059 --> 01:33:36,099
You getting
enough chow?
1145
01:33:36,172 --> 01:33:39,619
Oh, just livin'
in the tall cotton, sir.
1146
01:33:47,819 --> 01:33:51,910
- Well, how you feeling, Ben?
- I'm okay, General.
1147
01:33:51,979 --> 01:33:55,078
I was sorry to hear
about your bad luck.
1148
01:33:55,147 --> 01:33:57,536
Thank you, sir.
1149
01:33:57,611 --> 01:33:59,848
Well, I see Doc
didn't waste much time...
1150
01:34:01,132 --> 01:34:04,066
Oh, excuse me, Ben.
1151
01:34:04,139 --> 01:34:07,009
That's pretty
sensitive, huh?
1152
01:34:07,083 --> 01:34:09,800
That's okay, General.
1153
01:34:10,987 --> 01:34:13,769
Go ahead and sit down.
1154
01:34:13,835 --> 01:34:16,454
Oh, I'd rather stand.
1155
01:34:16,523 --> 01:34:21,030
I've been piling up more
sitting time than flying time, anyway.
1156
01:34:21,099 --> 01:34:23,303
Hey, what kind
of a gadget is this...
1157
01:34:23,371 --> 01:34:25,989
...part of the Wright Brothers'
first airplane?
1158
01:34:26,059 --> 01:34:29,442
Looks uncomfortable enough.
1159
01:34:29,516 --> 01:34:31,850
Uh, help the back any?
1160
01:34:31,947 --> 01:34:34,631
Relieves the pressure
quite a bit, sir.
1161
01:34:34,699 --> 01:34:38,082
How long, uh, Doc say
you're gonna be laid up?
1162
01:34:38,155 --> 01:34:41,221
A few weeks, sir.
1163
01:34:41,291 --> 01:34:45,066
- Is it pretty painful?
- Not much, sir.
1164
01:34:46,379 --> 01:34:49,194
All right. I guess you don't
feel much like talking...
1165
01:34:49,259 --> 01:34:51,780
That's okay, General.
Go right ahead.
1166
01:34:57,035 --> 01:35:02,698
Um...
Ben...
1167
01:35:04,747 --> 01:35:06,602
Yes, sir?
1168
01:35:12,939 --> 01:35:16,234
I-I was just
gonna say, uh...
1169
01:35:16,299 --> 01:35:20,838
Anything you want?
Something I can send you?
1170
01:35:24,491 --> 01:35:28,550
Not a thing, General.
I've got everything I need.
1171
01:35:30,443 --> 01:35:32,898
You just let us know
if you do need anything.
1172
01:35:33,803 --> 01:35:35,658
Thank you, sir.
1173
01:35:39,371 --> 01:35:43,746
I, uh... I'm gonna drop in
across the hall.
1174
01:35:45,100 --> 01:35:47,685
I'll be seeing you, Ben.
1175
01:36:18,827 --> 01:36:22,405
Looks like I'll have to rate you
a "class-A" customer, Colonel.
1176
01:36:22,475 --> 01:36:25,770
I just learned
you're something extra special.
1177
01:36:43,403 --> 01:36:45,258
Gentlemen,
1178
01:36:45,323 --> 01:36:48,552
this mission has been handed us
by the Combined Chiefs of Staff.
1179
01:36:48,620 --> 01:36:50,507
It is a target
of critical importance,
1180
01:36:50,571 --> 01:36:53,571
which will require a deeper penetration
than any we have made...
1181
01:36:53,643 --> 01:36:56,512
...far beyond
possible fighter support.
1182
01:36:56,587 --> 01:36:58,562
If we can attack
and destroy it,
1183
01:36:58,635 --> 01:37:01,352
we will have proved
daylight precision bombing.
1184
01:37:01,418 --> 01:37:03,458
This is the one
we have been waiting for.
1185
01:37:03,531 --> 01:37:06,052
With the limited
equipment we have,
1186
01:37:06,123 --> 01:37:08,392
it will probably take three trips
to carry enough bombs...
1187
01:37:08,459 --> 01:37:10,947
...to the target
to destroy it.
1188
01:37:11,019 --> 01:37:13,157
I needn't tell you you'll
have to help plan these strikes...
1189
01:37:13,227 --> 01:37:15,813
...down to the last pint of gas,
1190
01:37:15,883 --> 01:37:17,770
the last pound of load,
1191
01:37:17,834 --> 01:37:20,104
the last second of time.
1192
01:37:21,451 --> 01:37:23,360
All right,
Colonel Davenport.
1193
01:37:34,283 --> 01:37:36,771
There it is,
what we're after...
1194
01:37:36,843 --> 01:37:38,915
...ball bearings.
1195
01:37:38,987 --> 01:37:42,020
We've found that almost the entire
German production of ball bearings...
1196
01:37:42,091 --> 01:37:44,000
...is concentrated here.
1197
01:37:44,075 --> 01:37:47,850
Without ball bearings,
the entire German armament industry...
1198
01:37:47,915 --> 01:37:49,770
...will slow to a halt.
1199
01:37:52,395 --> 01:37:56,257
Wish I had something stronger
for you, Frank, but I haven't.
1200
01:37:58,283 --> 01:38:01,415
If we bring this one off,
things are likely to pick up fast.
1201
01:38:01,451 --> 01:38:03,622
I think we may get three or four
whole new groups thrown at us.
1202
01:38:03,659 --> 01:38:05,547
Growing up, huh?
1203
01:38:05,643 --> 01:38:08,360
How soon can you turn loose down there
and come back up here and help me?
1204
01:38:09,803 --> 01:38:13,152
- Well, that's, uh, kind of hard to say, sir.
- Why?
1205
01:38:13,227 --> 01:38:15,648
On paper,
the group looks fine now.
1206
01:38:15,723 --> 01:38:18,211
The leadership's
the problem, always has been.
1207
01:38:18,283 --> 01:38:21,599
Haven't you got the personnel?
Want me to transfer you somebody?
1208
01:38:21,675 --> 01:38:24,544
There's nothing wrong
with our personnel.
1209
01:38:24,619 --> 01:38:27,783
I-I lost
Bishop and Holloman.
1210
01:38:27,851 --> 01:38:31,845
Cobb's okay, so is Gately, but he's
just out of the hospital.
1211
01:38:31,883 --> 01:38:33,672
Takes time to know.
1212
01:38:35,307 --> 01:38:40,228
- How long before you figure you will know?
- I don't know that one, either.
1213
01:38:40,298 --> 01:38:45,765
How can you be sure? How do you know
what you're pushing Gately into?
1214
01:38:45,835 --> 01:38:49,729
How do you know we didn't
send Bishop just that once too often?
1215
01:38:49,803 --> 01:38:52,224
- I'm the one that's down there and...
- Frank!
1216
01:38:52,299 --> 01:38:54,471
You're swinging
after the bell.
1217
01:38:54,540 --> 01:38:56,514
Tell me something,
will you?
1218
01:38:56,587 --> 01:38:59,172
What was the name
of the man you relieved?
1219
01:38:59,242 --> 01:39:01,097
Who, Keith?
1220
01:39:01,162 --> 01:39:03,584
What was his trouble?
Do you remember?
1221
01:39:03,659 --> 01:39:05,895
You're not propping
them up too, are you?
1222
01:39:05,963 --> 01:39:08,231
Take a good look,
Frank.
1223
01:39:10,987 --> 01:39:14,500
Do you think that?
1224
01:39:14,539 --> 01:39:16,710
It would be
natural enough,
1225
01:39:18,027 --> 01:39:21,027
the things you go through
with a bunch of those boys,
1226
01:39:21,099 --> 01:39:23,881
working your way out
of the hole with them.
1227
01:39:23,947 --> 01:39:26,248
It's hard not to let them
get under your hide.
1228
01:39:26,315 --> 01:39:28,388
And the one thing
I've noticed on the record lately...
1229
01:39:28,459 --> 01:39:30,531
...you've been flying
more missions rather than less.
1230
01:39:30,603 --> 01:39:34,019
Look, General, I'm the one
that's got to shove them up there.
1231
01:39:34,091 --> 01:39:37,735
And until I know they're ready,
I'm not about to turn 'em loose.
1232
01:39:37,803 --> 01:39:41,731
All right, Frank. Make it
as soon as you can, will you?
1233
01:39:41,803 --> 01:39:44,170
- You bet I will, sir.
- You tell me when?
1234
01:39:44,235 --> 01:39:46,690
- Yes, sir.
- Good luck, Frank.
1235
01:39:46,763 --> 01:39:48,650
Bring me back
a ball bearing.
1236
01:39:48,714 --> 01:39:51,781
And as a personal favor, try to keep
yourself in one piece, will you?
1237
01:39:51,851 --> 01:39:54,785
Well, that seems like
a reasonable request.
1238
01:39:54,859 --> 01:39:57,096
- Good night, sir.
- Good night.
1239
01:40:11,436 --> 01:40:13,988
- Keith.
- Yes, sir.
1240
01:40:14,059 --> 01:40:16,263
I want the files on the air execs
and the operations officers...
1241
01:40:16,331 --> 01:40:18,186
...in all the groups
with recommendations on those...
1242
01:40:18,251 --> 01:40:20,902
...who might be qualified
to take over a group in an emergency.
1243
01:40:20,971 --> 01:40:22,826
- Anything special?
- No. Nothing special...
1244
01:40:22,891 --> 01:40:24,746
- ...just checking, but keep it to yourself.
- Yes, sir.
1245
01:40:24,811 --> 01:40:26,883
Thanks.
1246
01:40:42,570 --> 01:40:45,832
- Tail wheel.
- Locked. Light off, sir.
1247
01:40:50,923 --> 01:40:53,028
Brakes.
1248
01:41:39,147 --> 01:41:41,219
Over Splasher
Beacon nine, navigator.
1249
01:41:41,291 --> 01:41:44,520
- Set course for combat wing assembly line.
- Roger.
1250
01:41:44,587 --> 01:41:47,238
Tail-gunner,
let me know...
1251
01:41:47,307 --> 01:41:49,925
- ...when the other groups tack on to me.
- Roger.
1252
01:42:16,650 --> 01:42:18,505
Uh, Savage to crew.
1253
01:42:18,570 --> 01:42:21,767
10,000 feet.
Go on oxygen.
1254
01:42:21,835 --> 01:42:26,243
From now on, we're registering
on the enemy radar screen.
1255
01:42:26,314 --> 01:42:30,438
The Luftwaffe's already warming up
for us so watch your chatter.
1256
01:42:30,506 --> 01:42:32,394
Let's not tell 'em
any more than we have to.
1257
01:42:40,394 --> 01:42:42,598
Navigator to Commander.
1258
01:42:42,666 --> 01:42:46,179
Departing English coast
on course, on time, sir.
1259
01:42:47,403 --> 01:42:51,495
Savage to gunners.
Okay to test your guns.
1260
01:43:04,394 --> 01:43:06,500
Uh-huh.
1261
01:43:06,570 --> 01:43:08,937
Yeah. Again.
1262
01:43:09,002 --> 01:43:11,817
- Pick them up yet?
- He's got the Air Ministry on the scrambler now.
1263
01:43:11,882 --> 01:43:13,737
Yeah,
say it again.
1264
01:43:13,802 --> 01:43:16,999
All right. Thanks very much.
I'll ring you again.
1265
01:43:18,635 --> 01:43:22,825
"Your aircraft are approaching
the enemy coast at 24,000 feet.
1266
01:43:22,890 --> 01:43:25,924
D-D-I-4-B,
our intercept station, reports...
1267
01:43:25,995 --> 01:43:28,962
...the largest enemy fighter
reaction we've recorded.
1268
01:43:29,035 --> 01:43:32,679
The enemy control is ordering down
units from as far north as Denmark...
1269
01:43:32,746 --> 01:43:35,594
...and as far south
as Jafue Five."
1270
01:43:35,691 --> 01:43:37,862
Mm, here's
the new wrinkle.
1271
01:43:37,931 --> 01:43:39,873
"The Hun ground controllers
are instructing their pilots...
1272
01:43:39,947 --> 01:43:41,921
...to ram your aircraft
if necessary."
1273
01:43:49,482 --> 01:43:54,120
Navigator, do you estimate
we've crossed the enemy coast?
1274
01:43:54,187 --> 01:43:56,489
- Yes, sir. We sure have.
1275
01:44:00,555 --> 01:44:05,573
Change course... 15 degrees left.
1276
01:44:16,875 --> 01:44:19,689
Heads up, everybody.
The flak's quit.
1277
01:44:19,755 --> 01:44:21,762
Look out for fighters.
1278
01:44:24,683 --> 01:44:27,846
Four F.W.S,
10 o'clock level, climbing.
1279
01:44:27,914 --> 01:44:29,921
Clock 'em.
Coming up on the other side.
1280
01:44:29,995 --> 01:44:32,580
Don't yell on the interphone.
Be specific.
1281
01:44:32,651 --> 01:44:37,124
- How many? Where?
- Eleven F.W.S, three o'clock.
1282
01:44:37,195 --> 01:44:42,148
On your toes, High Squadron. Low
Squadron, here they come 12 o'clock high!
1283
01:44:42,218 --> 01:44:45,483
Watch it, Cobb.
They're heading for the High Squadron.
1284
01:45:42,891 --> 01:45:47,593
Birdwell got a direct hit, sir.
He's going down.
1285
01:45:47,659 --> 01:45:50,506
Two squadrons of M.E.S
climbing at 12 o'clock, General.
1286
01:45:50,571 --> 01:45:54,979
I see 'em. There's six more,
nine o'clock level, about a mile.
1287
01:45:55,051 --> 01:45:57,898
Gately, move that Low Squadron
forward still more.
1288
01:45:57,962 --> 01:46:01,126
Able to Baker
and Charlie Force Leaders.
1289
01:46:01,227 --> 01:46:04,129
They may fake a side attack to cover
the real attack out of the sun.
1290
01:46:04,203 --> 01:46:08,000
Watch out for mass attacks,
eight to ten abreast.
1291
01:46:25,002 --> 01:46:28,745
More comin' around from one.
Watch 'em, Eddie. Watch 'em!
1292
01:46:51,562 --> 01:46:53,569
I got one!
He's bailing out.
1293
01:46:53,675 --> 01:46:55,879
Confirm that,
right-waist.
1294
01:47:08,042 --> 01:47:10,824
B-17 droppin' out
of Low Squadron in trouble.
1295
01:47:10,859 --> 01:47:12,801
Keep an eye on him,
left-waist.
1296
01:47:15,371 --> 01:47:17,672
Two men bailing out.
1297
01:47:19,882 --> 01:47:22,752
Three more.
They're on fire.
1298
01:47:25,322 --> 01:47:27,940
Save your ammunition.
We got a long way to go.
1299
01:47:28,010 --> 01:47:30,792
Shorten bursts.
Don't waste rounds.
1300
01:47:57,227 --> 01:48:00,609
B-17 out of control,
three o'clock.
1301
01:48:29,450 --> 01:48:32,646
There goes another Charlie.
He's spinning in, sir.
1302
01:48:42,155 --> 01:48:45,221
Navigator, did we make up
that two and half minutes yet?
1303
01:48:45,291 --> 01:48:47,909
Yes, sir, we...
Watch that F.W., Vince!...
1304
01:48:47,978 --> 01:48:52,037
...doesn't shift any more,
we'll be okay at control point seven.
1305
01:48:52,106 --> 01:48:54,725
Here come three more.
Close it up tight.
1306
01:49:03,627 --> 01:49:07,107
- Savage to crew. How bad are we hit?
- Right-waist to Commander.
1307
01:49:07,210 --> 01:49:09,829
We're hit bad, sir,
in radio compartment. On fire.
1308
01:49:09,899 --> 01:49:12,201
Well, get in there and
see what you can do about it.
1309
01:49:12,267 --> 01:49:16,609
Rest of crew, hold your stations.
Let's settle down.
1310
01:49:16,682 --> 01:49:20,260
Bombardier to Commander.
Flak at 12 o'clock level.
1311
01:49:21,515 --> 01:49:24,864
Well, we can forget
about fighters for a while.
1312
01:49:24,970 --> 01:49:27,872
Able to Baker
and Charlie Force.
1313
01:49:27,946 --> 01:49:31,875
Change of plans. Start your bomb run
from Halstuben. Acknowledge.
1314
01:49:31,946 --> 01:49:33,833
Charlie Leader. Wilco.
1315
01:49:33,899 --> 01:49:36,004
Baker Leader
to Able Leader.
1316
01:49:36,106 --> 01:49:39,881
We'll be bombing in a bad crosswind.
Secondary target looks clear.
1317
01:49:39,947 --> 01:49:43,013
Able to Baker. No dice.
We'll hit the primary.
1318
01:49:43,114 --> 01:49:45,700
Repeat. Your new I.P.
is Halstuben.
1319
01:49:45,770 --> 01:49:47,909
Roger.
1320
01:49:59,915 --> 01:50:04,225
- Halstuben dead ahead, sir.
- Pilot to bombardier. Center the P.D.I.
1321
01:50:05,482 --> 01:50:08,416
- P.D.I. Centered, sir.
- Pilot to bombardier.
1322
01:50:08,522 --> 01:50:11,075
You're flying the airplane now.
It's all yours.
1323
01:50:12,395 --> 01:50:16,420
Bomb bay doors open.
1324
01:51:03,979 --> 01:51:08,354
We clobbered 'em good. Right on
the button! We're headin' for home.
1325
01:51:08,426 --> 01:51:11,110
Tail-gunner, how's that
formation back there?
1326
01:51:11,210 --> 01:51:15,171
Baker Force reassembling okay.
Charlie Force is strung out bad.
1327
01:51:15,242 --> 01:51:17,130
F.W.S attacking
the stragglers.
1328
01:51:17,162 --> 01:51:20,327
Able and Charlie, we'll give you
a slow turn to the left.
1329
01:51:20,426 --> 01:51:23,012
Cut across and
get back in formation.
1330
01:51:23,114 --> 01:51:26,410
Cobb to Commander. We'll be turning
over a heavy flak belt, sir.
1331
01:51:26,474 --> 01:51:30,249
Can't help it, Joe. Better than leaving
those stragglers to the fighters.
1332
01:51:30,314 --> 01:51:32,932
That is roger.
1333
01:51:34,154 --> 01:51:36,969
Direct burst, sir!
1334
01:51:37,034 --> 01:51:39,400
Bail out, Joe!
Bail out!
1335
01:51:39,499 --> 01:51:42,019
Jump, you guys!
Jump!
1336
01:52:30,986 --> 01:52:35,264
Well, Keith, welcome
to Operation Stovall.
1337
01:52:35,371 --> 01:52:38,305
Glad to see you, Frank.
How does it look for tomorrow?
1338
01:52:38,378 --> 01:52:40,265
Can't tell yet.
Lots of damage.
1339
01:52:40,298 --> 01:52:43,746
- I'm sorry about Joe.
- Well, that's the way it goes.
1340
01:52:43,850 --> 01:52:46,239
- Any more on the weather, Ben?
- Looks okay, sir.
1341
01:52:46,347 --> 01:52:50,088
Good. Looks like all we got
left to do is go get it done.
1342
01:52:50,154 --> 01:52:52,226
The old man was mighty pleased
with the results, Frank.
1343
01:52:52,298 --> 01:52:54,403
Well, he ought to be.
From the strike photos,
1344
01:52:54,475 --> 01:52:56,613
it looks as though tomorrow
might wash it up if we're any good.
1345
01:52:56,714 --> 01:52:58,721
Did you know he went
on the mission today?
1346
01:52:58,827 --> 01:53:01,128
- No!
- He slipped into Curt May's plane.
1347
01:53:01,194 --> 01:53:03,529
I don't think Curt knew
till he crossed the enemy coast.
1348
01:53:05,643 --> 01:53:08,031
So the old man's
stowing away these days, huh?
1349
01:53:08,138 --> 01:53:10,276
I wish I'd have known it.
I'd a crowded 'em...
1350
01:53:10,346 --> 01:53:12,452
...a little closer to that
flak at Frankfurt.
1351
01:53:12,522 --> 01:53:14,432
- How'd the other boys make out?
- A little rough.
1352
01:53:14,539 --> 01:53:16,426
But they'll put up the maximum
for tomorrow or close to it.
1353
01:53:16,490 --> 01:53:18,377
- Good.
- "The maximum."
1354
01:53:18,410 --> 01:53:20,490
Maximum effort.
1355
01:53:20,618 --> 01:53:23,684
Are you drunk,
Colonel Stovall?
1356
01:53:24,747 --> 01:53:28,259
I am a little. I...
1357
01:53:28,330 --> 01:53:32,073
...believe I warned the general
that it might happen again sometime.
1358
01:53:32,138 --> 01:53:34,178
Well,
what do you know.
1359
01:53:34,250 --> 01:53:36,836
Keep it going till tomorrow night,
and I'll join you.
1360
01:53:36,906 --> 01:53:38,979
I believe
I shall, sir.
1361
01:53:39,051 --> 01:53:41,800
Sometime I think Harvey drew
the worst end of the racket.
1362
01:53:41,866 --> 01:53:44,419
Just sit here.
Watch 'em come and go.
1363
01:53:44,490 --> 01:53:46,562
Fill out all those
stinkin' papers.
1364
01:53:46,633 --> 01:53:48,641
That is not why
I am drunk tonight.
1365
01:53:49,738 --> 01:53:53,121
I got drunk
because I am confused.
1366
01:53:53,194 --> 01:53:57,896
I was thinking, which is a thing
a man should not do,
1367
01:53:57,961 --> 01:54:00,515
and all at once
I couldn't remember...
1368
01:54:00,586 --> 01:54:02,495
...what any of them
looked like.
1369
01:54:02,570 --> 01:54:05,537
I... I couldn't
see their faces.
1370
01:54:05,610 --> 01:54:10,466
Bishop, Cobb.
Wilson, Zimmy...
1371
01:54:10,538 --> 01:54:12,480
...all of them.
1372
01:54:13,674 --> 01:54:18,431
All of you.
They all looked alike. Just...
1373
01:54:18,506 --> 01:54:21,321
...one face and...
1374
01:54:21,354 --> 01:54:25,729
It was very young,
and it confused me.
1375
01:54:25,770 --> 01:54:29,545
I think
I shall stay drunk...
1376
01:54:29,610 --> 01:54:34,083
...until I'm
not confused anymore.
1377
01:54:34,154 --> 01:54:37,602
Stay with it,
Harvey.
1378
01:54:37,674 --> 01:54:40,489
But if you guys want to carouse some more,
you're going to have to go someplace else.
1379
01:54:40,554 --> 01:54:42,409
- Good night, sir.
- Good night, Ben.
1380
01:54:42,474 --> 01:54:45,474
Good night, Keith.
Boy, am I gonna sleep tonight.
1381
01:54:45,545 --> 01:54:48,480
- Good night, sir.
- Good night, Colonel.
1382
01:55:01,770 --> 01:55:03,810
Guess it's
about that time.
1383
01:55:05,290 --> 01:55:07,330
Good luck, Frank.
1384
01:55:09,898 --> 01:55:12,003
Good luck, Frank.
1385
01:55:12,074 --> 01:55:14,462
Good luck, sir.
1386
01:56:17,706 --> 01:56:19,560
What's
the matter, sir?
1387
01:56:19,625 --> 01:56:21,666
I don't know.
1388
01:56:21,738 --> 01:56:24,804
- Are you sick, sir?
- Arm... Something's wrong.
1389
01:56:24,874 --> 01:56:28,736
- It won't work.
- You want me to take it?
1390
01:56:28,810 --> 01:56:31,046
No. Tell, uh...
1391
01:56:31,114 --> 01:56:35,205
Tell... Tell Gately to take it.
1392
01:56:35,274 --> 01:56:38,406
Yes, sir.
He'll take it.
1393
01:56:45,418 --> 01:56:50,175
Get hold of Doc Kaiser.
I'll take the lead ship.
1394
01:56:59,338 --> 01:57:02,687
- Where's my oxygen mask?
- Fra... Frank!
1395
01:57:02,762 --> 01:57:04,649
Frank.
Come on, Frank!
1396
01:57:04,713 --> 01:57:06,656
Come on.
Get in the Jeep.
1397
01:57:13,385 --> 01:57:15,971
Frank!
Frank, are you sick?
1398
01:57:25,450 --> 01:57:28,483
Stop it!
Stop it!
1399
01:57:28,553 --> 01:57:31,270
- Where's Keith?
- I'm right here, Frank! It's okay! It's all...
1400
01:57:32,841 --> 01:57:34,849
Call the tower! Where's...
1401
01:57:34,921 --> 01:57:36,809
Where's Keith?
1402
01:57:46,730 --> 01:57:50,145
Can't make it!
1403
01:57:50,218 --> 01:57:52,520
We can't go!
1404
01:57:52,586 --> 01:57:55,237
We can't send 'em
out there again!
1405
01:57:55,306 --> 01:57:59,168
Stop them!
Stop them!
1406
01:57:59,242 --> 01:58:02,373
Stop them.
We can't make it! Stop them!
1407
01:58:22,922 --> 01:58:26,053
Cigarette, Frank?
1408
01:58:26,122 --> 01:58:28,423
How about a smoke?
1409
01:58:38,858 --> 01:58:41,706
- What do you make of it?
- State of shock.
1410
01:58:41,770 --> 01:58:45,348
Complete collapse.
Everything let go at once.
1411
01:58:45,418 --> 01:58:48,833
Can't you give him a hypo, Doc? Something
to knock him out, put him to sleep?
1412
01:58:48,906 --> 01:58:51,906
No. In his present condition
it wouldn't be any good.
1413
01:58:51,978 --> 01:58:55,011
He's somewhere up there
with the mission.
1414
01:58:55,082 --> 01:58:58,465
When they get back
maybe he'll let go.
1415
01:58:58,537 --> 01:59:00,234
I hope.
1416
01:59:00,361 --> 01:59:04,191
It's screwy. I wouldn't ever have
figured it could happen to him.
1417
01:59:04,266 --> 01:59:07,081
I did. I watched him sweep his feelings
under the carpet long enough.
1418
01:59:07,114 --> 01:59:09,089
It had to spill out
someday.
1419
01:59:09,130 --> 01:59:11,519
But I never saw him more full of fight
than he was at briefing.
1420
01:59:11,625 --> 01:59:13,797
Did you ever see
a light bulb burn out,
1421
01:59:13,866 --> 01:59:16,932
how bright the filament is
just before it lets go?
1422
01:59:17,001 --> 01:59:19,620
I think they call it
"Maximum effort."
1423
01:59:47,274 --> 01:59:49,958
Colonel Davenport.
1424
01:59:50,025 --> 01:59:52,840
That's fine.
Thanks very much.
1425
01:59:52,905 --> 01:59:55,109
The strike report,
Frank.
1426
01:59:57,386 --> 01:59:59,874
They hit
the primary okay.
1427
02:00:00,778 --> 02:00:03,876
Gately reports
results good.
1428
02:00:03,946 --> 02:00:06,728
They clobbered it,
Frank!
1429
02:00:07,913 --> 02:00:11,459
Frank, try and listen to me.
1430
02:00:11,530 --> 02:00:15,010
I know what you're feeling.
I know just what you're feeling.
1431
02:00:15,081 --> 02:00:19,871
You think you blew it.
What do you expect of yourself, Frank?
1432
02:00:22,282 --> 02:00:24,224
Look.
1433
02:00:24,297 --> 02:00:27,778
Look, I saw something in those kid's
faces at briefing this morning.
1434
02:00:27,850 --> 02:00:30,119
Something
I never put there.
1435
02:00:30,185 --> 02:00:32,520
You were gonna make 'em
grow up, remember?
1436
02:00:32,585 --> 02:00:35,488
Well, they were this morning.
1437
02:00:35,562 --> 02:00:38,115
You think you aren't
up there with them?
1438
02:00:38,186 --> 02:00:41,633
Look, you're riding at every
crew station and in every cockpit.
1439
02:00:43,818 --> 02:00:46,469
That's right,
don't listen to me.
1440
02:00:46,538 --> 02:00:48,959
Just sit there
and do it the hard way.
1441
02:00:49,033 --> 02:00:51,041
Tell yourself a hundred times
a day that you blew it.
1442
02:00:51,114 --> 02:00:53,023
Make yourself believe it.
Take it to bed with you!
1443
02:00:53,098 --> 02:00:56,643
Eat your guts out till you're all hollow
inside! Don't let anybody help you!
1444
02:01:18,953 --> 02:01:20,895
They're back,
Frank.
1445
02:01:23,434 --> 02:01:26,085
Six. Seven.
1446
02:02:03,529 --> 02:02:07,107
Eight. Nine.
1447
02:02:07,178 --> 02:02:09,633
Ten.
1448
02:02:09,706 --> 02:02:11,713
Piccadilly Lily.
1449
02:02:11,786 --> 02:02:14,404
Eleven.
1450
02:02:14,473 --> 02:02:18,467
Twelve. Thirteen.
1451
02:02:19,658 --> 02:02:22,178
Fourteen.
1452
02:02:22,250 --> 02:02:24,421
Fifteen.
1453
02:02:24,489 --> 02:02:27,359
Sixteen.
1454
02:03:11,369 --> 02:03:13,857
Control tower.
1455
02:03:16,970 --> 02:03:19,752
- Tower.
- You got a count, Captain?
1456
02:03:19,817 --> 02:03:23,046
Twenty-one dispatched.
Nineteen returned, sir.
1457
02:03:23,113 --> 02:03:25,797
The boys really
did it today.
1458
02:03:30,281 --> 02:03:33,598
Nineteen.
1459
02:03:35,145 --> 02:03:37,666
They made it.
1460
02:03:37,738 --> 02:03:41,382
Nineteen of them.
1461
02:03:42,697 --> 02:03:45,348
- Who led?
- Ben Gately.
1462
02:03:47,882 --> 02:03:49,987
Is-Is he
back all right?
1463
02:03:50,058 --> 02:03:52,130
Yes, Frank,
he's back.
1464
02:04:07,689 --> 02:04:11,399
I'm kind of tired.
1465
02:04:11,465 --> 02:04:16,102
I think I'll... go to sleep
for a little while.
1466
02:05:45,642 --> 02:05:49,951
# Don't sit under the apple
tree with anyone else but me. #
1467
02:05:49,994 --> 02:05:53,855
# Anyone else but me.
Anyone else but me. #
1468
02:05:53,930 --> 02:05:56,832
# No, no, no don't sit under
the apple tree. #
1469
02:05:56,905 --> 02:05:59,945
# With anyone else but me.
Till I come marching home. #
1470
02:05:59,945 --> 02:06:03,687
# With anyone else but me.
Till I come marching home. #
1471
02:06:10,185 --> 02:06:16,644
# We're poor little lambs
who have lost our way. #
1472
02:06:16,713 --> 02:06:22,594
# Baa, baa, baa. #
1473
02:06:22,665 --> 02:06:29,091
# We're little black sheep who have gone astray. #