Original subtitles

THE BATTLE ON THE RIVER NERETVA

In early 1943 Axis armies were struggling on all fronts.

The German command was afraid that Allied forces would land in the Balkans.

The invasion was expected to take place in Yugoslavia.

Initially in Bosnia, still independent and defended by partisan troops.

To prevent that, Hitler ordered the total occupation of all of Yugoslavia and the elimination of Tito's partisans.

German and Italian forces were supported by Yugoslav formations fighting communist partisans:

the Fascist factions of Ustashe wearing black SS uniforms and Chetniks fighting for their exiled monarch.

The offensive campaign of all those forces was called:

THE BATTLE OF NERETVA

Long live the Republic of Yugoslavia! Long live!

Long live Yugoslavia!

Long live Comrade Tito!

Long live Yugoslavia!

May you win!

That's right, closer, closer. Put you hands on the sister, that's right.

Attention!

- Hey, photographer!

- Shall I bow down so you don't cut off my head? - Stand straight!

Smile! Look at me!

Brothers! Nations of Yugoslavia.

Serbs, Macedonians, Croats,

Slovenians, Montenegrins and Muslims.

Let's unite to defend our republic.

Long live our allies, the Soviet Union, England and USA.

Long live Tito!

Herr General! E Army is ready

General Alexander von Leer Commander of Army Group E

Gentlemen, General. Attention!

Herr General, the division commanders are waiting...

to be given duties. - Good morning, gentlemen.

Gentlemen!

You all know the "Weiss" plan very well.

The Fuhrer's headquarters have given orders to start the military operations.

So we still have to-day and tonight.

We will attack tomorrow morning

So gentlemen, here in the middle is the partisan area.

Let's start on the east.

You, Colonel Reichtal, attack with the division in the middle.

The Anacker platoon and the 117th division will be with you.

Colonel Mulleneisen, your division will attack from the west.

The objective of the attack is here and here.

The Italian divisions and 18,000 Chetniks will come from the south.

You, Colonel Krenzer, will strike with the division and the Ustashas from the north

directly into the middle of Tito's state.

I understand, Herr General.

- Are your squads ready? - Not yet, Herr General.

We will take the positions at 20.30.

That is all. Do you want to smoke a cigarette?

Tito will have to defend himself on four front lines,

if he will want to save his several thousand wounded.

So he will try to stay where he is now.

And nothing better can happen to us.

Now we have the final opportunity to get rid of all the partisans.

- You mean an invasion? - That's right.

You all know about the British and American plans for the invasion on the Balkan.

When we get rid of the partisans all of the Balkan will be in German hands...

and the allies will have to think twice about their invasion.

Thank you very much. Yes, my dear gentlemen!

This war is not about soldier against soldier.

This is...

How do you call it, Kanzer?

- War into the back. - That's right, war into the back.

War against snipers, children and civilians.

And hence the Fuehrer's order. No consideration and no prisoners taken.

- Herr General, the Italians... - Yes, let the Italians come.

One more thing, gentlemen

Don't forget that each partisan's life that you spare...

can avenge against you next time with a hand grenade...

or a shot from a machine-pistol.

That is all. I wish you luck gentlemen!

Krenzer, it will be the toughest for you. Do what you can.

Oh, General! How are you, fine?

General Morelli of Italy

If you want I can repeat the operation plan for you.

Good day, friends!

Are you okay, gentlemen?

Signor Captain!

Signor Capitano, where are we deployed? There's damn bad air here.

The worst air is yet to come.

We will be the first to attack the partisans in their own territory.

Why must we be the first?

Stupid question. Because it is so ordered.

The partisans are fighting for their lives and for their country. We attacked them.

Captain Rossi!

Colonel!

Hurry up, we're late. General Morelli wants us to be in Prozor before night falls.

Yes sir

Horst, report our position!

Anton one, Anton one, come in!

God be with you, Chetniks!

Acclaim! Acclaim!

The moment of decision has come, my brothers.

We will liberate our fatherland with God's help.

You have sworn to cut your hair and beards only when...

the partisan-state of Tito has been dealt its death blow..

Germans and Italians are fighting with us.

But my brothers, we beg our Lord God that we alone will destroy these communists.

They have overthrown our king, but we will reclaim his throne and crush Tito and his entire pact.

And so we will destroy all the enemies of our fatherland.

For God's blessing and the fortunes of war...

will be on our side in this fight!

- Kill partisans!! - Attack!

Report here! Report here!

The Congress of Partisan doctors has ended!

Two more brigades founded in Slovenia!

Report here! Report here!

General fight against typhus!

Report here! Dr, Marija and the whole scene with the sick!

It's on fire, run!

Run! go out!

Evacuate to the other side Find someone to help quickly, the other side

They will kill us all!

- Comrades, open up! - Help me!

Run for your lives!

Follow me, typhus people! Flee from the city!

Follow my voice. Over here!

Here!

Lie down! Hide yourself!

Forward!

Horst, infantry into assault!

Horst

- They're not responding. - Call them again!

Berta, come in. Berta, come in.

Berta, come in. Berta, come in.

Tell the 2nd regiment to reinforce the left wing.

Tanks move forward!

The 2nd regiment should reinforce the left wing.

Left wing, at the same time!

Martin, shorten the effective range! The tanks are approaching.

Try to stop them with your guns.

Understood, Ivan. As far as it is up to us here, every meter is held.

The attack is coming exactly towards our position.

On enemy tanks and infantry...

Fire!

Put me through to the General in person.

Yes, Colonel Krenzer speaking.

Not yet, General. The resistance is very strong.

It won't be decided today, but tomorrow morning at the latest I will break through.

Thank you! Out!

Fire!

Fire!

Load!

Vuko, Vuko!

Call my brother, Novak.

Fire!

Fire!

Understood!

The headquarters are giving an order to retreat towards Bihac.

Which means that the Germans have broken through the front line.

- And they want to pin us here. - I'm afraid of that too.

Hello! Give me Martin, quickly!

Martin!

I just had a call from the commander. We should withdraw immediately.

- We're just supposed to run away? - We withdraw to Bihac.

No, Bihac is full of wounded. I reject that. I keep shooting and you counterattack.

- You are doing what is ordered, understood? - I don't carry out this command.

Martin! Hey, Martin listen!

I have to get Martin to carry out the command.

- You should prepare the brigade retreat! - I'll pass the order on to the baggage drivers.

- Don't tell her! - Vuko. - Don't tell, Damir...

Vuko, my brother

I'm sorry Novak. I must get to Martin as soon as possible.

We cannot confront the enemy in an open field battle. He will overrun us in a few days.

The enemy has technical, numerical superiority and is superior in general.

The headquarters have reached a decision, comrades...

that we leave the free territory together with the wounded and the people.

We will do what the enemy least expects;

we will move into counterattack...

continue towards the Neretva river and forward to the east.

In other words - we will move into a several hundred kilometer retreat. Running like cowardly dogs.

One who has 4,000 wounded along doesn't run, comrade Vuka. He doesn't shirk it.

He doesn't shirk it, doesn't run away. But he has tied his hands.

Being flexible, that's always been the most important thing for us. And what do we do now?

We carry the wounded and typhus patients around with us.

But Vuka, you know exactly what happens to the wounded if we leave them behind.

Who of us, has the right to to jeopardize the fate of our fight...

because of a few hundred wounded?

- I only ask you that. - We must take the risk, Comrade Vuka.

Do you understand? We do not want freedom at the expense of the wounded.

I'm not in favor of a mercy that leads the revolution to suicide.

Ask the wounded that question, the revolution or their lives?

They will all say that the revolution is more important.

That's the reason why they're going with us and we will defend them till the very end.

There is no dilemma for me here.

Stole will explain to you the basic plan of the operation.

Comrades

By order of the headquarters and comrade Tito...

my division and your self- dependent brigade Ivan...

with the assistance of the striking divisions, that are covering our flanks...

we will move towards the city of Prozor.

Stevo, you will stay in the north and defend the central hospital...

and the people. - I understand!

Vlado, Vlado wake up!

This concerns your engineers.

You must mine all the roads that lead to Bihac as soon as possible.

- You must stop the Germans. - Ok, agreed.Understood.

The artillery should also immediately head towards Neretva.

Comrades. We are starting with the counter-attack far across Neretva.

Get to work!

Dr, Marija

The Germans won't wait until you're out of here.

Come on, don't be harrassing us. There are no recruits for you here, only the severely wounded.

Call the head surgeon!

Call the chief surgeon!

- Why is the hospital late? - Comrade, we are doing our best. We can't work faster.

- Before night falls, the city must be evacuated. Hurry up. - I understand.

Comrade Commander! Order them to untie me!

I'm not crazy

Comrade Commander give the order to doctor Marija...

to operate the bullet out of my head. I want to go back to my regiment.

Stop! The attack is getting started!

Bosko. Calm down. We will take the bullet out later.

Everything will be fine. You will be our commander again and ride on your white horse.

Yes, it's going to be nice. And then I'll order a new offensive to begin.

You're heavy as lead. - If I had legs I would be even heavier.

Take the Sumadin man over here. Over here, on the carriage!

Nada, your harmonica.

- Now I'll play until I'm back in Sumadija - Keep it like this

Done.

Leave it, I'll do it.

- How long do you need? - All finished.

Take cover!

Comrade Nazor, I have come for you.

I am ready Stole, I am ready for a long journey.

I only have this suitcase and these books.

May I introduce you to Comrade Zika? He will take care of you.

We have even provided you a cow so you will have milk.

For the duration of the counter-offensive, you belong to the hospital column.

Thank you, Stole

- Where are you from? Zika? - From the village of Koracica in Sumadija

Take your suitcase and the books. They will come with us.

Who ever saw so many hooks being lugged along during battle!

Listen, Zika. These hooks are written in my language and in yours.

In our language. In mine and your language.

They were written by great men. There are some of mine among them.

We have to save these books through the war.

I have nothing against books and poems.

But I didn't join the partisans to drag along a cow, hooks and...

Enough of the foolish talk! You're responsible for the books and comrade Nazor.

- I understand. - I'll tell you something else, Zika.

A nation without poets and a language...

cannot win freedom by fighting. - I understand.

My home Dear place...

How can I leave?

Let's go daughter-in-law, don't cry!

Please! One day we will come back.

German Commander: 100,000 gold coins for Tito's head

Stop, stop!

You can't do that! Why are you on the road? What's wrong with you?

You have to help me, comrade.

I have been dragging these children along for two weeks. You have to take them with you.

I don't have any places anymore.

But Jordan, take them with you, until they're rested.

Where do I take them? We don't have a place.

Yes, a place is now free. The MG-Chief has died.

- Which MG-Chief? - The one who was shot in the head.

The blonde one?

- Peace of his soul. - Pray - nothing else helps anymore.

Let me help.

Come, children!

Sit down there.

Division, prepare for battle!

Call the division staff!

- It's ruined. - Damn it!

Battery commanders, come to me!

You help the wounded.

Our first lieutenant has fallen.

- Then you will take command. - I will command.

Put the wounded on the gun-carriages, leave the dead to the side.

Tonight we must break through towards Prozor.

It's starting to snow, we must hurry up. Get the guns on the road.

Everyone get up!

Everyone prepare to go!

- Where is the commander, boys? - Somewhere over here.

- Hello, Stole - Hello, Ivan

- Were the air crafts pursuing you too? - No, they just flew over me.

- Immediately assemble all the commanders to the meeting. - Ok.

Battalion commanders, to the meeting.

Ivan!

Ivan!

- How are you, Ivan? - I'm happy.

Is Novak over there?

Get up you lazy bum, your sister is coming!

I managed to get our photos from Bihac. They were still wet.

For you, for me... I'll give this one to Vuko.

Give me Vuko's photo. I'll probably see him before you.

He's on the other side of the Neretva.

- Will you eat something? - Of course!

Comrades, we have to make a decision together, which is certainly not easy.

We have no connection with our artillery.

The question is, do we still attack Prozor today, as was the plan?

I think there is no other option. We should not lose a moment - we have to attack.

If we surprise the Italians and Germans tonight, we still have a chance...

to break through up to Neretva. - I agree with you.

We must cross the river as soon as possible.

A surprise attack brings us much further than the use of artillery.

I'm the same opinion, so let's move on.

We will attack the city from all sides.

Mark the exact deployment positions of your forces on the map.

- Stipe, bring me the map when they finish. - I will.

Marking or no marking, there will some trouble in any case..

Well comrade commanders, show me this map.

- Everyone get up! - Prepare for departure!

- We're going to go in 15 minutes. - Come on, come on.

- Stipe! - What?

- When do we leave? - Tonight!

Ivan, come.

Sit down, please.

Let's stay here fora minute or two, as if we were alone.

We won't believe it, when we have time together again.

We may have to wait until its all over.

Who is the brigade commander? Call him!

I must go, Danica! Goodbye.

I've set you personally the defense plan for this front section.

Dear General, if it should be necessary...

we can hold out on these positions till the end of the war and longer.

But please, please, Herr General, you must try harder.

You must put more pressure on them on the north, and we will wait for them here.

Where are your tanks now?

No, Morelli, please understand me. You should just stay!

You, General! It's on you now!

Alright then, General Goodbye

Major, prepare yourself! The partisans will attack.

- We must take these bastards seriously! - I understand!

- Here is General Morelli's headquarters - On the alert!

- Be on high alert! - Take orders

- 2nd Artillery Ready - Thanks, Captain

- Slowly, carefully! - I know, I'm being careful!

Carefully camouflage.

Come one, come all. Look at this. They've started the attack on Prozor.

- Our attack on Prozor is beginning. - So much has changed. Even in the conduct of warfare....

Back then, the cavalry started the attack. And today, comrade...

There's no more cavalry, comrade poet. Today, bombs and tanks decide a war.

Listen up, everyone! Our units attacked Prozor today!

And we will conquer the city! Nothing can stop us now! The day of our liberation is near! Support our brave combat units! Come along! Follow me!

Stop, hold still!

Where are you going? Where is the head surgeon? Come forward, doctor.

Of course we want to go to Prozor.

You can't go to Prozor. We couldn't take it.

Couldn't take it?

You're making fun of us...We didn't take Prozor...

You should be ashamed of yourselves!

Comrade Doctor, we have wounded.

Bring the wounded here! Hurry up!

I suffered a graze wound - and was lucky to get one.

What should we do now, Martin?

I don't' know. Ivan and Stole shouldn't have attacked without artillery support.

Battery, pull!

Attention!

Morning, soldiers.

I am satisfied with you.

- You inflicted a heavy defeat on the partisans at Prozor. - Can we go home now, General?

- Who said that? - I did.

My dear friend, we will talk about that later.

The general leave ban for frontline soldiers is lifted with immediate effect.

We successfully prevented the enemy's attempt to cross the Neretva.

Now, together with our German comrades, we will completely destroy the remnants of the partisan units.

And if we succeed in that, then we go home.

And not just for a vacation. I promise you that.

Long live the General!

Captain, sir.

- Anything wrong? - Make yourself disappear.

Don't follow me like some loyal dog.

I don't want someone constantly running around me. Get lost!

Or I will transfer you. Now go.

Nobody can help me, you understand? Not even you.

I have to deal with this myself. Now go.

I understand, Captain.

- Hello comrades! - Hello!

We shouldn't have attacked without the artillery.

Its absence cost us dearly. Most of all, with the wounded.

- We must try to find another way. I think if we... - Now there is no more thinking.

Now there is only this one order. You have it in writing.

I will discuss everything else with the other commanders. I wish you luck. Goodbye.

All comrades should read this order themselves.

PROZOR MUST FALL TONIGHT. TITO

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Morelli. Focus your attacks on the runway. No, that's not necessary. Move the tank to the city center.

Fire!

Fire!

Volunteer!

- First squad to the bunkers! - Second squad to the left wing!

Follow me!

Follow me!

Attack! Follow me!

Here you are!

What's wrong Nikola? why are you shivering?

Are you afraid, you wuss? Fire, fight!

Let's fight! Fight. I'm commanding!

Why are you changing his nappy? Let him die if he wants to!

I'm still in command here!

Fire, Mate, fire, Jure!

Attack! Attack!

Hello! I must speak with General Lohring immediately.

Yes, Loring, it's important!

Where is he?

Sleeping? Wake him up! We are seeing heavy street fighting.

Hurry up!

Fire!

Find Bosko Don't shoot, Anna

- Bosko! - Bosko!

Bosko is coming out!

Over here, you cowards, here!

- That's how you fight! - Bosko, over here!

- Who gave you the weapon? - I took her! Bosko for war!

We have to take the MP away from him and bring him back to the hospital.

- You won't tie me. - Get away!

I will kill you!

Vuka, what is it? What, this fool will kill us.

Cover me.

HEY! My Commander! Bosko! where are you

Where are you, my hero!

I'm here I killed them all

Bosko has no fear. With a fiery strike I killed them all in the name of freedom.

My best commander! Give me your hand!

Let's shake hands!

I told you not to touch the weapon! Tie him up!

Hold him.

Let me go. I have to fight. Fight for freedom.

What will we do now, Captain?

- Don't be afraid, let's go! - Where to?

I have made a decision. I'll return to Prozor.

Captain, I want to go back to Italy. I want to go home.

Where the partisans will bring us, who knows.

But no one will go home.

Please Captain, don't leave me!

I want you to leave me alone. You can come with me; but if you stay here, then best of luck.

Comrades, we have taken Prozor. We have opened before us the path to the Neretva.

Danica, hey!

Are you looking for Nowak? You can still find him. He's still alive.

But will you find my best friend Vuko? The bravest of all.

You won't find him...

because he's dead.

That's not true, Bosko.

You're lying. Bosko has never lied.

That's not true. How would you know that?

Go to Novak and ask him. He was with you when he fell.

No, Bosco, that's not true. You're lying. You're lying. That's not true. Vuko... Vuko...

Why are you hiding here?

Up there they all think you fell in action.

Don't cock, just sit down and eat.

Come on Novo, get up! I heard we are immediately leaving for Neretva!

Let's go, get up!

Prozor has fallen. You have to make a toast. Drink, brother!

You know, I was really worried about you.

Take, people!

Brigade, attention!

- Novak! - Star?

Get out of here!

- Stipe, get out of here - I understand, Comrade Commander

Why didn't you tell me about Vuko?

Why did you do that?

I apologize to you!

Dana, what would Vuko say, if he saw you?

You once promised him that you wouldn't cry...

Let's join the round dance, come on.

- Come on, Stipe! - I do not want to...

Come on,

Come on, Stipe

- Come and dance, commander - Just have fun

What's wrong with him?

Nikola!

You have typhus. Go to the hospital, immediately!

I'm good. I can still dance

Nikola!

- You have to go to the hospital. - Ok, if you give me my pigeons.

You'll get your pigeons.

Listen, take him to Marija. Tell her to give him an injection.

I understand!

Hey Italian, should I shorten your head?

Comrade Commander.

I have brought these two. An officer and this fascist.

I'm not a fascist. I'm a simple poor man.

You fascist and you officer, how many partisans have you killed?

Captain, say that we are not fascists!

They will kill us. They will hang us both. Say something, captain.

- Admit that you shot at us. - Yes, I shot at you.

But I came to you voluntarily. I have not been captured.

You shot at us, therefor you are a fascist like the rest of them.

You always claim that you can tell at first glance who friend or foe is.

havecome to you because I want to fight with you for an Italy that is not fascist.

If you want me, I will stand up for your cause and fight for it.

I can't act anymore against my convictions...

I've been waiting for today for a long time...

Perhaps what he claims is true. I'm in favor of giving him a chance.

I don't want him in my unit. You take him!

- Are you an artillery officer? Did you have your own battery? - Yes

- What's your name? - Michele Rossi

What kind of guns did you have? Which calibers are you most familiar with?

We had light field guns in our regiment.

I'll take him into my division. I need him.

Fair enough.

- Return the coat and the shoes to the captain! - Comrade Martin.

- But I have already been without shoes for three months. - You do as I have said!

We want to see how they behave when they face their compatriots in battle.

Youwon't regret it. Thank you.

Where are you from? Venice? Florence? Rome?

No, Parma

- What about your profession? - I am an engineer, And you?

Me? I'm in the theatre. Actress in Dalmatia. I think so.

- You're very beautiful. - And you're a true Italian. All Italians are Casanovas.

No, no, I'm certainly not one. I can also tell you why not. I'm married.

I'm married too. And I have a little boy. He is now four years old.

General Lohring, General Lohring!

General, strong partisan units are advancing towards Jablanica.

We've been cut off from our rearguard.

I must ask you to attack the flank of the enemy units in the Konjic area with all your might.

- Immediately! - On no account, Morelli!

There is no reason to panic, calm down!

Their objective is not Jablanica. They are coming after me, to Konjic.

Here they will set up a bridge and get the wounded over the river.

I must tell you something else.

Morelli, the plan of "Fall Weiss" is no longer feasible in all its parts.

You must defend Jablanica by yourself. I can't help. At least not at the moment.

And above all stay calm!

Out.

General Lohring, General Lohring!

Comrade Commander!

This man lives in the city, and knows that on the other side of the fortress...

there is an Italian ammunition warehouse. We moved a cannon over there.

- Excellent! Let's go - Follow me.

Ivan, Ivan, this is the commander!

Novak, Danica Tell the fighters...

to withdraw from the fortress. Quickly! - Ok, let's go!

Captain, we must try to hit the ammunition depot. Come here.

That's not possible. I can't do that and I don't want to.

I can fire on the Germans, I can't fire on the Italians. They are my compatriots.

Fire, quickly!

Immediately! Do you do it now?

Fire! Or I shoot you

Get lost!

Betrayal!

What's the matter, Ivan?

There is no way I can hit the window on the fortress.

The ammunition is there.

Give me a grenade!

Ivan, a grenade.

Comrade commander, this is a real general. He has golden trimmings.

Colonel, why didn't your surrender immediately?

Danica, tell him that he is personally responsible for the death of these soldiers.

I'm a General, not a Colonel.

If the warehouse didn't explode, you wouldn't have captured us.

I know what I can expect.

You think, we will shoot you?

General, like all prisoners of war...

you will also be carrying the wounded, do you understand!

I am a commanding general and not a porter.

If I had caught one of your officers, he would have beenshot.

I demand the same for myself. I demand to be shot.

Novak, take him and keep an eye on him!

You stay alive, General. The heroic death does not take place.

I understand, commander! General...

- Drago, maybe we can exchange them for medicaments. - I understand!

Come in.

Coat!

Take off your coat. Hurry up!

Party members are given priority.

Drago, come here so i can put some clothes on you.

If you didn't have much luck with that antifascist.

- Does it suit me? - Shorten it a bit, and it will be fine.

Don't shorten it too much! The boy might still grow a bit.

- He killed himself. - He really scared me! Well, now he has what he wanted.

Leave!

This is their last chance. Their only resort left.

Because Tito didn't have any luck in Konjic, he's heading towards the Jablanica bridge.

The photos are clearly indicating it.

We are at the last stage of the operation.

We must destroy the partisans in Jablanica.

We push them towards Neretva...

and we don't let a single soul cross the bridge.

All Chetnik units should immediately head here...

in the direction of Neretva.

General, from a purely strategic point of view, your plan...

...is almost perfect.

But I dare think a bit different.

Believe me, I don't want to interfere...

in military matters, but I know this country well.

I know my enemy.

Go ahead, I want to hear your opinion.

Typhus has decimated the partisans.

They're starving.

Physically and mentally they wont be able to endure...

and here is our chance. Let the partisans cross the bridge.

Yes, they must cross the bridge.

They will drag the wounded on snow.

They will curse the day, when they decided...

to carry the wounded and typhus people across these mountains.

Let them eat each other.

I like your idea very much, but we don't have much time.

The Fuhrer's headquarters demands decisive action.

So we are attacking. And immediately. We musn't give them time.

Not even a single hour.

- I'm only a politician. - When it comes down to it, hopefully a good soldier too...

The attack will take place from the following directions...

Krenzer is coming from the north with his division...

and is pushing them into the canyon.

You will be holding the left bank of Neretva.

When they are in the siege, we will attack them from all sides.

Thank you for your question, Herr General.

No, I'm not feeling especially warm.

I understand, I also don't like this place very much...

but I'm happy that I have caught up on them.

I will force them into action, here and now.

I understand, Herr General. Over!

You have heard, gentlemen.

Our advance party is already fighting against the partisans.

Their resistance is strengthening. All forces forward!

- But, Colonel... - I know, what you want to say...

Snow, ice, the north wind... Be happy it's not raining excrement.

Nada, get the tools!

Tools, Nada!

Fire... Fire...

I'm cold... I'm cold...

Typhus. Nada

Tell them to cut her hair.

Doctor, please don't amptutate my leg!

- My friend, gently, slowly. - Ok.

- Nikola. Don't be sad, dear. - You are so Beautiful!

Wonderful!

Nikola Hug me!

The howitzers are firing too much to the left again.

Tell these fools to correct the coordinates!

Howitzers left for 100!

Sergeant Pratzke From the general

Warm yourself up at the kettle. It's probably more pleasant at your place in Konjic.

That's true, Colonel.

- What did we get? - 100 iron crosslets EK 1 and 500 EK 2.

The General is generous today.

- Is the shock fighting unit ready? - Yes.

- Allow me, Colonel? - What?

Allow me to take over the shock fighting unit.

- Too early - Colonel...

I finally have them!

Danica, guess what I brought you!

- What? - I do not know

Open it!

I can not, open it for me Come on, open it

Open it yourself!

I have waited for us to cross Neretva.

Not now, because of Novak and the brigade.

You keep it I love you

Vlado, Vlado! what are you doing, damn it!

You have folded the explosive in the middle of the bridge. What's wrong with you?

An order! You withdraw the people as far as possible from the bridge.

You're telling me I should move them away?

- What are you planning to do with the bridge? - I'll destroy it.

Destroy?

Yes, Ivan. With dynamite.

Listen, Vlado This bridge...

is our only hope and chance of saving ourselves.

And you want to blow it up?

Yes, Ivan. I will blow it up into the sky.

- And when it is destroyed? What will we do then?

Let's go fishing, perhaps?

And wait until the German come and get us?

I'm fulfilling the orders. I don't know about the rest.

- Who came up with this idea? - I believe you.

But I have to convince myself of it first. Show me the written order from headquarters.

Novak, typhus. Look!

Typhus... He is sick.

- He doesn't have typhus! - He has typhus. - He doesn't!

Tie him up!

I don't have typhus. I'm fulfilling an order

Get away from the bridge! Or I'll shoot.

Ivan,I don't have typhus. Leave me alone!

I have to mine. Without delay. Move further backwards!

Blood will he shed here. Mine and yours.

Be careful! Away from the path.

Vuka, why this mess?

- Vlado, are you ready?! - I'm doing it.

- How much time do you need? - Two minutes.

So start then!

Engineers, follow!

I don't understand why the bridge should be blown up.

Why did we carry our wounded and sick 300 kilometers on our shoulders to cut off our retreat here? I would like to know.

- Explain that to us. - The whole thing is an operation for tactical reasons.

The hospital in Šćit is in danger, the Germans are attacking it.

And to the south along the Neretva the Chetniks are waiting.

If we are not careful, we will get caught between two fires.

Ivan, Tito has ordered it.

Move north and defend Šćit. Go!

Get ready again. We are advancing! Back! Back! Back!

Oh my God, what have you done? What have you done to us, myson?

Now we have to go back to the mountains and everything was in vain. Why did you do that? Why?

Go back, I can't change it either. I've had enough. Be reasonable.

Please go back. Come on people. Go there.

- The devil shall take you! - I can't help it.

Here I and no one else commands. Everyone follows me.

It doesn't matter that you blew up the bridge. We will still get to the other side. You'll see.

- We'll swim over to the other shore. Sick and wounded! Follow me! - We follow!

Stop this! Everyone, get back! Bosko!

- We will swim across the river into freedom! - Bosko!

Snap-shots, General.

It wasn't an accident, which means they deliberately destroyed it.

I'm asking myself, why did they blow up...

the only chance they had left to escape.

What do you think? There is no other explanation.

Tito must have gone back north. Notify all command posts.

Abandon your current objectives.

Redirect all forces to the north, beyond Jablanica.

Detailed deployment plans will follow. Tell Krenzer...

that this is his great opportunity. Tito will run straight into his arms.

Follow me! Retreat only till the slope.

Run, comrades!

- Occupy the slope positions! - Quickly, cover the retreat!

- Lie down here! - All the rest of you follow me.

Run, comrades!

Comrades, our people have come! The brigade is here!

Come on, let's go! Let us go, comrades!

They cut my hair. Tell them to give them back to me.Ivan

I will order them, comrade.

- You will order them? - I will. - Thank you, comrade.

They will give you back your hair. I'll order it.

- Oh! Nikola - Stay away!

Go!

Hurry up, comrades! Faster, run along!

Bring the guns into position on the hill!

Hurry up!

- We have to retreat! - Stop! There is no retreat, comrades!

- Stop! Hold still! - I don't want to be taken prisoner!

The Germans are here on the hill! Let go of me! They'll kill us all!

Run, comrades! Flee!

- Quick, load the cannons! - I understand, Captain!

Fire!

Fire!

Bertram, now it's your turn.

The 3rd and 4th battalions should get ready, is that clear?

Your interceptors forward! Did you understand?

Attack!

Fire!

First battery...

...Fire!

- Fire! - Fire!

Reinhardt. Where are your tanks? I want the tanks!

I don't care. Do you think that we don't have snow over here too?

If the tanks don't come in 10 minutes, I'll go there and shoot you.

Horst!

Horst, now it's your turn. I can't wait any longer.

- Bring me the tanks! - I understand, Colonel.

Stop, stop!

To your positions! To your positions!

3rd battalion forward!

- Reinforce only the first line of battle. - I understand!

Forward!

This is Lieutenant Horst, in the second tank.

All tanks forward!

Captain, stop... Tanks over there, directly.

Over there, and there!

Cannons on the ridge! Quick, the tanks are approaching.

Forward, forward!

Prepare to shoot

Reload, quick! We must block the tanks on the road!

Almost there!

Take the bottle!

fire!

Further!

I don't see!

My eyes!

Captain!

Marija!

- No, the doctor can't help me. - Why not?

Marija!

It's too late, it's all over for me.

Wait, Michele! No! You can handle it. You have to make it.

Listen, please. Take this letter.

The envelope has my name, surname and address.

Send it...

Send it to my wife. Do this for me...

Fire!

Fire!

Calm down, save people

Martin!

- Martin, Martin - Fire!

- What should we do, Martin? - Fire!

They will kill us all.

- Calm down, Marija - They will kill us all!

Don't panic. Sing a song. Fire!

Play your harmonica! Sing a song! You start!

Let's sing, wounded people!

Fall, o force and injustice!

The nation is now calling you to judgement.

Flee from us, darkness of the night...

Our day, too has dawned.

Flee from us, darkness of the night...

Our day, too has dawned.

- Tera - Yes!

- What is this? - I do not know.

- Tera - Yes!

- Ustasha's into attack! - I understand

We're attacking! Long live Great Croatia!

- Attack!

Lie down!

Don't Novak! Take care of yourself! I beg you, Novak. For my sake too.

Follow me!

Forward, Ustashe!

They shouldn't have come.

Colonel Krenzer here. Yes, I'll wait.

We have to stop them.

Attack with everything you have. Tito wants to go further north, into Bosnia.

You have to prevent that. I rely on you, Krenzer.

Listen, Krenzer, I've never told you, but you probably know it yourself.

You are my best man. And your division is my best unit.

Krenzer! Why don't you pull your men forward again?

If you dig in, you don't stand a chance.

Counterattack! Counterattack!

Krenzer! I won't let you down. You can count on me.

I'll send you the group Alaka and the Chetniks.

For heaven's sake, don't dawdle. Attack! For all the world, attack, Krenzer!

At the moment, it only appears that the situation is difficult for us.

In reality, Tito is sitting in the dirt.

Yes, General. Counterattack. End.

Horst!

I'm sorry, Schröder!

- We're proceeding into defense. - But Colonel...

I didn't ask you for an opinion, Schröder!

Into defense!

Entrench, send the reconnoitering parties, wait for the partisans to attack.

Have I been understood, Captain Schroeder?

Yes, Colonel

- Repeat that! - Entrench, send the reconnoitering parties, wait for the partisans.

And that order will be fulfilled.

Come on, boys! Quick!

There are still boards missing here, hurry up!

- All the best, Dad. - Farewell. - Goodbye, Likanin

Uncle Nazor, I finally go to the front.

Goodbye Zika, good luck!

- I'm also fed up with driving the bus.

- Ciao Mario! - Ciao Zika!

What about your bus? Do you want to leave it here?

- When I tell you, push. - Good.

Well, my friend, you were good.

- Be careful down there - Go!

Weber! Send the Chetniks immediately back to the Neretva. On the shortest path.

Only constant bombarding of the bridge can stop them now.

Bravo! You showed the Ustashe who we are.

Now to the old graveyard to stop the Chetniks...

until our brigades arrive. Spread out and don't let them through.

Prepare for departure!

Stipe. Martin says that Ivan will attack the Chetniks head-on and I will attack from behind.

- Fire at whatever you can. We now have a unique chance to destroy all the Chetniks. - I understand!

- Set out! - Novak, the tins.

Danica, stay here.

- I want to help Novak. - You don't have to help him, stay here.

You have to understand.

Come on, we can't lose any time. Danica, help with this.

- Are you keeping up? - Can you do it? - Sitting in the bus puts your bones to sleep.

Come, Joda!

- Quiet you dwarf! - Keep up the tempo!

A cow suits you better than a rifle.

Oh, shut up!

Children...

Stay. Stay where you are, children.

Dad, daddy...

- Where are the Chetniks, Danica? - They're getting closer.

No time to eat. They're coming!

I wont eat it in haste. I'll finish it later in peace.

Don't start firing before I do!

First battery! Fire!

We have come too late, too late! It is pointless to resist now.

Order the retreat! Give the command!

How am I supposed to understand that? Is there a problem, Senator? Or are you afraid?

I'm not afraid. I just want to prevent our men from being sacrificed in a senseless slaughter.

Keep talking.

Listen, colonel. We don't have time to debate now. We have to win this war - not just any battle. Is that clear?

Wars can only be won if you are constantly fighting,

and don't give the enemy time to catch their breath.

Oh, what? Let the others bleed to death.

And we? We are waiting. We hold back, preserve our forces. Until the decisive moment comes.

- Now is the moment. - To destroy ourselves!

I make the decisions! I am the commander here.

- The army was entrusted to me. - I represent the king and the government!

Retreat is treason, senator. I will destroy every person...

that will be standing on my way.

Pistol!

Give it to him!

Commander, in the name of the king, on behalf of the government...

I order a retreat...

All officers, come to me.

- To the bridge! - I understand!

Forward, battalion!

More lively, comrades! Faster! The Chetniks are coming.

First battery, Fire!

Grenade launchers over here!

Prepare the elements! Quick!

Long live the king! Long live the king!

Back!

Dana

Dana!

I'm coming, Zika

Danica, come here

I'm coming!

Comrade commander! The Chetniks are storming the old graveyard.

Nowak and his men can no longer hold. You should attack!

It's still early.

Comrade Commander We must attack!

Or they'll all die! Stole!

Listen, Stipe

First, the Chetniks have to be completely surrounded.

- But they'll die like dogs. - There is no other way. Go now.

- Go! - I understand!

- Danica, do you hear me! - I'm here - Okay

Danica, help me!

- Danica! - Shoot, Novak! Novak!

Novak!

Danica!

Stay under cover! Have the hand grenades ready!

Retreat! Retreat!

Get back! There is no retreat! Attack! To the bridge, forward!

Colonel, we're surrounded.

The partisans are everywhere.

Come with me!

Chetniks, come to me! Come here!

- We are encircled! - Defend yourselves on all sides!

Don't lose your nerves, let them come closer to us!

Get ready!

Now!

Forward!

Get up! Get up! Are you crazy? Get up, coward!

I give the signal to attack! I'll have you all shot, you scoundrels!

Out with you, you cowardly dogs!

Get down, you idiot!

Novak, Novak...

What will I do without you, Novak?

Stipe!

Hold your fire! Stipe!

Get out of the way, Ivan! Move away!

- Stipe - Get out of my way Ivan, make way!

Stipe! Away with the MG.

Away with it! Are you crazy?

Who gave you the right to shoot prisoners?

I demand discipline!

Gone!

Step away.

You'll be reported to the Command.

What's wrong with you? Why are you so gloomy?

My guns are in the river. Do I have to laugh at that?

Why not? We'll go now, over the Neretva.

On the other shore, you'll find new ones. So forget this. We're starting new.

We've achieved what we wanted. I'm happy.

Happy, you say?

You can be really happy when everything is over, and we finally have peace again. That's right, isn't it?

I'd like to have it all behind me.

I have been demolishing, burning down, leaving ruins behind me for 3 years.

Sometimes I dream about the bridges that I will build.

And until then, explosions, plugers, and bombs.

- Then blow up what's left. - Yes.

Pioneers, come along.

Down with it.

Be careful. Be careful, friend.

She's just sleeping. She sleeps so deep.

Nikola, do you think she's dead?

No, no, she just sleeps.

She always sleeps very deep.

You're right, you're right. She's only sleeping.

Bring her in here to the house.

Vlado, let her for a moment.

She really does look like she's not dead.

Nikola, Nikola!

Nikola, let's go!

Nikola!

- What's your name? - Mirko

- Your sister's? - Mira

Should I tell you what they call you?

- What do they call me? - Cannon Martin. - I didn't know.

- Now you don't have any cannons left. - Yes, that's right.