Original subtitles

No sign of life.

I don't see a thing either.

So anyway there I am, without a gun and this kraut's got a schnauzer pointed right at me.

I see his trigger finger stiffen.

I say to myself, Kovac, boy, you better pray.

If you ever prayed before, pray he doesn't pull that trigger.

What happened?

He pulled the trigger.

It was terrible. Took me 4 hours to die.

Oh, you crazy nut.

Alright. Knock it off.

Yeah, sorry Sergeant.

The town up ahead looks deserted but maybe it's not so

From now on Kovac keep your mind on your business.

Strictly business Sergeant.

Cage, radio.

Checkmate King Two, this is White Rook, Over.

This is King Two. Have you reached Phase Lime Green, Over.

Roger. King Two out.

That was Saunders Sir. He said the town looks deserted but they're going in to check it out.

Mac, I didn't know private Kovac was married.

I don't know Sir.

Uh. Captain Jampel please. Lieutenant Hanley calling.

-Jampel speaking. -Uh Sir, I've got a

I got a letter from Clark General Hospital in Detroit.

I don't know if it's a gag or on the level.

-You got time to listen to it? - Go ahead.

It concerns one of my men, Private Steven Kovac.

Here it is.

Dear Sir. I am a friend of Ellen Kovac. She and me are patients on the same ward and she's dying.

Her husband, Steve Kovac, is one of your soldiers.

He don't know me so I'd like you to break the news

to him, then send him home right away.

You better hurry. His wife ain't going to live long. Faithfully, Mrs. Pearl Wilson.

Yeah, that's rough, uh.

Listen. I'll have the Red Cross verify it. If it's on the level, why Kovac will need an emergency leave.

Uh Lieutenant. Be prepared to execute Plan A.

Yes Sir.

What a lousy break.

Always happens to the nice guys.

I got a meeting over at Battalion.

Tell the squad leaders to double up on the basic ammo loads. Extra grenades for each man.

Tell doc to double up on his medical supplies.

Yes Sir. Uh Sir.

I just remembered.

Kovac is on that patrol with Saunders.

Umm.

I thought maybe you'd like to have me radio and call him back, Sir.

No. They're due back at 1700 hours.

No reason to have him stew unnecessarily.

We'll see how the Red Cross checks it out. If it's on the level,

I'll tell him.

Amerikaner.

Ja, Amerikana.

(German)

(German)

Let me fix that for you Littlejohn.

Thanks Steve.

Any krauts in this town are probably up high spotting so keep your eyes open.

Remember, we're here to get information, not to fight.

Aired April 27, 1965

Oh. Oh nurse.

Smitty said you had a message for me.

Yeah, the Lieutenant wants you to lay in a double basic load of supplies.

Double?

Yeah. Looks like there's a big push coming up.

Boy, must be a doozy.

And what's this about Kovac's wife? Smitty said she's dying.

That's right.

Steve doesn't even know yet.

Hanley wouldn't let me radio to get him in off patrol.

Maybe he had his reasons.

I better go get those supplies.

(gunshots fired)

Grenade launcher.

Very nice. Mind if I try one.

Unnh.

-How is it Littlejohn? -I'll be okay.

Kirby. Keep an eye out there will you?

Yeah. She's affected OP. Check it out huh.

Wheh. That's a bad one.

Try to get the radio off him.

See if you can raise Hanley. Tell him what happened.

See if we can have some medics meet us on our way back.

Everything's kaputsized.

It's clean.

Come on. Let's get out of here.

(truck can be heard coming.)

Sarge. A two pair coming down the street.

Krauts are coming back in here. This must be a headquarters.

Caje, is there a way out the back?

No, this one's blocked by rubble. But this one leads down to a cellar. There's good cover down there.

Alright, let's go.

(German)

(German)

(German)

Jawohl, Herr Hoffman.

-Saunders back yet? -No Sir.

-Did he call in? -No Sir.

Captain Jampel called Sir. He said to give you a message.

That letter about Kovac's wife. It's on the level.

She's gonna die.

Try to raise Saunders.

I already tried Sir.

After Captain Jampel called. But their radio must be on the fritz, or else.

Try again.

Yes Sir.

White Rook, this is Checkmate King two, Over.

White Rook, this is King two, Over.

White Rook, this is Checkmate King two, Over.

Keep trying.

Yes Sir.

White Rook, this is Checkmate King two, Over.

This is the only way out.

Ahh. Ohh.

Try to keep him quiet.

They'll probably be coming down here to flush this place out.

See if you could get a place for cover.

You gotta keep him quiet.

(German)

Boris.

(German)

(German)

-Unh. -Shh, Littlejohn.

Hey John. Hey John. Don't be such a woosy.

(grain dust fills the air)

Unh. Unh huh.

Ah, that's pretty good Littlejohn.

Sarge. What happens if those krauts up there don't pull out.

Not much we can do.

Why, they could be up there for days?

So we'll stay put for days.

Hello, 2nd platoon.

Yes Sir. He's right here Sir.

Captain Jampel Sir.

-Lieutenant Hanley. -Lieutenant.

We execute plan A.

Yes Sir.

I am asking Williams and Coates to meet me at your place for a briefing as we discussed.

Roger Sir.

I came to report Sir. You know that new replacement that kid named Roberts.

I had to take him back to Battalion aid. He had appendicitis.

Huh, lucky kid.

We push off on the big attack at 0400, tomorrow morning.

Mac. Alert the squad leaders.

Captain Jampel is holding a briefing session for the platoon leaders here just before the attack.

I'll fill the squad leaders in later.

Tell 'em to get the men to 2nd before we crew up tomorrow.

Yes Sir.

Lieutenant. Is there any further word on Kovac's wife.

She's dying and waiting for her husband.

He's been missing in action for 2 days.

Aw, those dirty stinking krauts, I'll get 'em. I'll get 'em. I'll

Easy, easy.

Try to keep him quiet.

It's been two days Sarge. No letup on the pain, no morphine and now we're out of sulfa.

I know, I know. But if he keeps up like that they're gonna hear him upstairs.

We gotta do something Sarge. We can't stay here forever.

There's only one way out and the krauts have got it blocked.

Umm, Uhh.

Littlejohn.

Littlejohn. Try and keep quiet huh.

I'm sorry Sarge. This isn't...not

I know. I know.

Umm, uhuh

Littlejohn.

Remember that uh, the little redhead I was telling you about.

The one with the big, uh, blue eyes.

You know what I'm gonna do when we get stateside. I'm gonna fix you up with her.

Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do. She's gonna go for you in a great big way.

She's got to. You're a big guy aren't you.

You mean the girl, the one that we met in Miami?

Nah, the St. Louis babe. Huh.

The one in Miami's a drag.

All she likes to do is sit home and listen to the radio.

No good huh?

Not for me Sarge. I'm a real hotshot.

Huh. But the St. Louis woman. She's a real deluxe model.

I mean big cylinder and good in every gear.

You give her a hot band and a dance floor and she'll shag all night long.

Yup. Well I don't dance. I always freeze up.

I wouldn't worry about that pal.

She'll defrost you.

Uh, uh, umm.

You crazy nut.

Nice babe in LA, an animal trainer, really wild.

First time I saw her she's wrestling this boa constrictor.

She was in a dress, with a neckline clear down to the floor.

Yeah, we don't stop till we reach the river. Now we'll be here in the center.

Fox company on the left, Charlie company on the right.

Now you can bet the Germans are gonna fight for every inch of land.

They know we've knocked out their bridges so all they can rely on to get across the river are pontoons.

Of coarse the Sarge will have to make sure they do not get across that river.

Where do you want me Sir?

You'll be on the left Coates after the town of St. Marten.

You'll be on the right Hanley up to this valley.

Furber's weapons platoon will be in general support

with Williams in reserve. Now if you need me,

I'll be with Williams during the initial stage.

I have 0135

Ten minutes from now the bombers are due.

At 0200 our H and R fire starts.

Two hours after that is H hour.

At H hour minus 30 minutes the artillery preparation starts.

-Good luck. -Sir.

Would it make any difference if Coates and I switched positions, in the push.

You want to go up through St. Marten?

Ah yes Sir. That is, uh

if it's alright with Coates.

Be my guest.

Figure it's gonna be real rough going through that town.

Alright Hanley. As you wish.

Thank you gentlemen.

That patrol with Kovac in it.

It was on it's way to St. Marten before it became missing in action. Is it not?

Yes Sir.

Lieutenant. The fact that a woman is dying back in the states and her husband is missing in action is rough.

This war is rough on a lot of people, and no matter who gets hurt the war goes on.

Yes Sir, but...

It was my decision.

Not to bring Kovac back from that patrol.

Yes, and in my book it was the right decision.

Just remember this. You are a Lieutenant in the United States Army.

You're not God. Nobody expects you to be.

Hell, won't be long now.

There go the bombers.

14 minutes and 5 seconds.

Then our guns open up.

Fifteen.

Ten.

Five, four, three, two, one. Mark.

Ja whol. NDas ganze Haus fällt. Es zittert.

(German)

(German)

They're ours. One fifty fives.

Put that 88 to the bar.

(Germans are busy upstairs)

They've cleared out. Let's go.

Oh I'm sure to have more replacements.

Oh, I understand. Of course Sir. But you

Saunders's squad. They made it Lieutenant.

Captain. Saunders squad just got back. I'll call you in a few minutes.

-Guess we're late. -What happened?

We were pinned down in a cellar. We couldn't get out until the barrage started.

Everything alright?

Everything except Littlejohn. He got hit pretty hard in the shoulder.

Doc met us on the way back and took him to Battalion Aid.

The way I figure it Lieutenant, the army owes us about 9 hot meals.

What's the matter? I say something wrong?

You better read this, Kovac.

You get shaved and cleaned up.

Mac will drive you back to Battalion.

Your emergency leave is waiting there.

They'll fly you back to the states.

We got word his wife is dying.

Well uh,

As you can probably tell from the uh, planes and barrage,

A general attack is being mounted.

0400

Better get some rest tonight.

Yes Sir.

Captain Jampel Sir. On the phone.

-Lieutenant Hanley. -About Kovac.

Ah, yes Sir. I can have him back to Battalion in about half an hour.

Can you reinstate his air transportation to the states.

Uh, Lieutenant. I just received a wire from the Red Cross.

Kovac's wife has passed away. His leave's been canceled.

Thank you Sir.

Hey uh, Steve. It's tough. But you needed to go home.

Thanks Mac.

Steve. You want a little shot.

Thanks Kirb. I don't much feel like it now.

Did your wife mention she was sick?

We were separated.

You might want some later. I'll leave it there.

Thanks.

We sure sweated you guys n out for almost 3 days.

The Lieutenant and me was afraid you'd all gotten it.

It's too bad that letter didn't get here before we left.

Yeah, it come a half hour after.

I wanted Hanley to let me radio and call you back, but he decided against it.

Alright. As you were.

Kovac. I've got some bad news for you.

Just got word from the Red Cross.

Your wife died.

I know there's nothing anybody can say that's gonna help much at a time like this, but...

If there's anything I can do.

No Sir.

Well, since your leave's been canceled, I'm sending you back to Battalion rear. Mac'll give you a lift.

Yes Sir.

Saunders.

Move out in 3 minutes. Saddle 'em up.

Lieutenant.

That um, letter from the woman in the hospital.

When did it come?

About half an hour after you left on patrol that day.

Half hour.

We weren't even in St. Marten yet.

I could have been back, back in the states by now.

Why didn't you radio me Sir? Why didn't you call me back from that patrol?

Kovac I. I considered it,

and I decided to uh,

save you the anxiety until the Red Cross confirmed the letter.

Time to move out.

Saddle up.

Anxiety.

You hear that. Doesn't want me to have anxiety.

My wife is dying, and he decides not to tell me 'cause I might have anxiety.

No, I call that good radio.

Why, Sarge.

I can't even go to the funeral.

What is this guy.

Who gives him the right to say when enlisted men will be told his personal business.

Now take it easy. Lieutenant Hanley thought he was doing the right thing.

Yeah, he thought huh.

And what he thinks goes.

Those bars on his collar give him the right of life and death over guys like me?

Well that may be alright for some Sarge, but not for me.

Knock it off Kovac.

You're ordered to Battalion rear.

Sure. Sure Kovac.

Go to Battalion rear. Wait for a transfer.

Having me here reminds the Lieutenant of what he'd like to forget.

Now come on. Let's move out.

-All set. -Yes Sir.

Lieutenant. I've been thinking about Kovac.

-What about him. -Well, he's pretty well had it.

Yeah.

You better have him transferred to another outfit.

And hand my problem over to another platoon leader. No, he stays.

Okay Sergeant.

Come on Steve. I'll take you back.

What you doing Steve. You don't need to put on your gear to go back to Battalion.

Come on. Come on.

Hey. Where you going.

To follow my Lieutenant into battle.

Where do you think.

Where's King company.

I don't know. Everyone's that way, pushing for the river.

Where's Hanley. I've gotta find him.

I, I don't know him pal.

Where's 361st. King Company.

I can't help you buddy.

Come on.

Keep down, Lieutenant.

Ah, Steve. Am I glad to see you.

You alright?

I was just, coming back for some help. It's, it's Hanley.

Hanley. What about it? Where is he?

Well, he's trapped back there.

-Trapped. -Yeah.

Hey, we got separated from the platoon and there was just Hanley and Sergeant and me.

What do you mean trapped? What happened to Hanley?

There's a bunch of krauts dug in real good up on the Hill.

Got 2 machine guns I didn't even see them 'till I got hit.

And then Hanley came up behind me, and I started to give us cover.

I made it back but Hanley didn't.

He's still out there now, wounded.

And, seeing how I did I don't think he's got much of a chance to get back.

You mean he's gonna die?

I'm sure he's gonna die if Sarge don't get some help.

I couldn't fire so I gave him my BAR and came running back here for help.

Hey, hey now Steve. Give him a hand to make it out.

Help us Steve. We need you.

Sure Kirb, sure. I wouldn't want to be away from ole Hanley at a time like this now would I.

What are you doing here?

Kirby said Hanley was trapped.

Well I'll be.

Kirby was right. He can't get outta there can he?

As soon as you run out of ammo those krauts'll come down and give him the works.

Listen Kovac. Those krauts think I'm here alone.

They think I'm here alone, you're gonna keep 'em thinking that.

Every time they fire, you fire back.

I'm going around, try to flank them. Maybe I can surprise them with a couple grenades, okay.

Sure Sarge. You do whatever you like.

-You do as I say. -Why should I?

You can't change the way I feel man. I hate his guts.

You hate him, or do you hate yourself?

What's that supposed to mean?

You said you were separated.

-What did you do? Walk out on your wife? -That's my business.

What was wrong with her? She sit around, listen to the radio.

She get in the way of all those girls you're running around with?

-Now you listen. -No, you listen.

You feel guilty because you let your wife down.

You think this'll be any easier if you do the same thing to him?

Now you get this. Every time those krauts fire you fire back with this. You got it?

There's another one. Knows all the answers.

(German)

(German)

Aw schießen.

I sure am glad you're here.

Yes Sir.

You alright?

I will be. Soon as they get these slugs out.

Here comes Doc.

I ran into Kirby back there.

Think he can make it?

I think so. Yeah, I gotta get him back.

Litter!

I gotta tell him.

Can you tell him later?

Think he'll understand?

Come on. Let's go. We got a job to finish.

Subs by Jack T