Original subtitles

Jan Zumbach...

-How many? -Two hundred plus sir and building.

Convoys?

Eight, the nearest "Bread of Dover". Nine colliers and a destroyer escort sir.

What's the weather in the channel?

Report says clearing sir, cloud [..] now 8,000 feet.

-And [..] Manston? -Three squadrons sir.

Ah get them up.

And 32 at Biggin Hill.

Put 111 at Northhold on stand-bye.

Roger that!

249 and 603 squadrons. 1-0 Angels 2-0.

Acknowledge, quick!

Squadrons 6-0-0-2-3, Angels 1-8.

Not even the Luftwaffe would go up in this sludge.

B-Flight "Scramble!"

Just delivering this.

From the Squadron leader.

-It says "well done". -For what? Not dying?

Not joining me?

Officers only.

-I thought nylons were forbidden? -They are..

...for a tower boy...

No...

Shoot day all round.

We'll be lucky to see the month out at this rate.

I hate it. Placing Marcus on that board, knowing...

Some of us won't come back.

-Say a little prayer? -Don't get too excited.

You're worth putting nylons on the floor and that's about it.

We are not bombers, sir, we are fighter pilots.

In Poland we shot down many Germans.

This skills, our experience your RAF needs.

Having said that.. ehh Urbanowicz,

there is the question of English.

The language...

Yes, I understand most of you can barely speak a word.

You understand wrong sir, many...

Urbanowicz, I do admire your conviction.

However, the first Polish crews will be trained for bombers. Dismiss...

They did rather better against the Luftwaffe than we give them credit for sir,

considering the antiques they were flying.

Well, that's the point.

We have radar, a plotting system, hugely sophisticated.

Can we risk it in the hands of a bunch of marauding bandits?

Stash the Poles somewhere they'll do the least harm.

That's pretty much what we've been doing sir.

And Urbanowicz?

English is half decent. I like his spirit.

Send him to training.

Feed him into an under-manned fighter squadron,

see how he gets along.

Yes, "Angels 1" 8 1,800 meters...

Thousand Urbanowicz, 18,000. And it's feet, not metres!

Bandits sighted in this area.

Keep an eye out boys!

-Bandits 1 o'clock! -Bandits sighted!

They come, scatter!

Gotcha!

In your dreams..!

Drinks are on you sir.

Had you a million pieces up there.

I know how huffy you Yanks get when we don't let you win.

Canadians sir, just letting you know.

How was it?

Rear view's not great, it's a tight squeeze in the cockpit.

But the fuel injections means you can bank or [..] her without a stutter.

I mean she's a hell of a fighter sir.

Though I reckon I could outfox in a Hurri any day.

-That's just as well. -Sir?

Your request for a transfer, from testing to combat has been accepted.

New [..], zero 3, flying out of Northolt.

- Fantastic! - If you say so.

It's with a bunch of foreigners, Poles!

They ordered themselves at the unit I was flying with, to whoever will have them.

Sense of humour, sir.

You English, huh?

Joseph Frantisek, I just resigned from Czech Air Force.

They go to bombers.

Fuck the bombers. I'm a fighter pilot!

- In France, I downed fifteen Me109's. - Fifteen?

Fifteen, sure! I'm the best!

You're lucky to have me in your shitty squadron!

And also I understand Polish, so don't go calling me an asshole behind my back.

They're here sir.

What about ranks? Do we give the Polish ones?

Let the air ministry decide. Least of our problems I'd imagine.

God they're a mess.

They have hauled their asses half-way across Europe, sir.

Even so...

They're going nowhere near my planes looking like that.

I'll call my tailors, I'll fix them up.

That'll cost a fortune, sir.

I'll pay for it myself if I have to.

Right you shower of Polish scum. Pay attention !!!

Go on, tell them.

For some reason the powers that be have deemed you fit for purpose.

Now it's my duty to teach you your arses from your elbows.

Things such as, there is a sergeant's mess and there is an officer's mess.

And you must go to the right one, once we decide

which of you lot you deserve to be called officers that is.

-Is that it? -Polish is very concise language.

Eyes front, you rabble!

This is the RAF, and that is strictly out of bounds for the likes of you.

Johnny Kent, welcome to Northolt.

Ready to go sir. Just get us up there and we'll finish the job.

All in good time.

Angels... Altitude...

Pancake... Landing...

Next! The oxygen regulator... Correct!

Now the flap indicator.

No! That's the undercarriage indicator.

The flap indicator is here.

Fourth letter, bottom line.

E.

That'll be all. Captain Horobin will see you next.

This isn't France or Poland,

and you may say you're an excellent flyer but..

we only have your word for that.

The fact is...

M-A-D-E.. I-N.. E...

No! The last line is X-V-R-F.

Can you explain?

X-V-R-F

Shitty sergeant. Again?

Most importantly, some of you have only flown fixed wheel.

These, these go up.

You just have to remember to bring it back down before you land.

Is there a problem, Wilkachesky?

Sir, you teach us MPH not KPH, gallons not litres, feet instead of metres.

But the one thing we all already know how to do is fly.

Horodyszcz and many others, they're already fighting.

-Why not us? -Cause they're up to scratch.

You want to die on your first mission cause you can't read a fuel gauge?

Listen, our country is destroyed. They kill our people and we are doing fucking nothing!

My wife, little girls...

We fly in combat many years. We killed Germans and we know how to fly those planes.

Yeah, but you lost! You lost.

Poland, France... you lost goddamnit!

You stay where you are, airman!

We speak English in the Royal Airforce.

Right, you can fly. I get that. But there's other attributes as important.

Like, unity. Like discipline!

Every bullet fired out of these guns, has to be considered, has to be the right choice.

Every manoeuvre up there has to be the best, the quickest!

That way we win, that way we survive gentlemen!

Thanks.

How's the other half? Settling in all right?

It's a long way from Winnipeg sir, that's for sure.

Problem?

Sir, I..

Sir, I've been thinking about putting in for a transfer.

-Why would you want to do that? -Why not sir?

Poles hate me more than they hate the goddamn Germans.

Well maybe not that much.

Fact is, we're due to start training fights as of tomorrow.

Sir, these men are.. irresponsible, arrogant and ill-disciplined.

But you're their commanding officer.

If they're ill-disciplined than I should be concerned about you rather than them.

Look, Johnny,

I know we both drawn the short straw here, but the shit hit the fan weeks ago.

Spitfires, Hurricanes are getting destroyed as fast as new ones are being delivered.

-The level of casualties have.. you've seen the figures? -Yeah.

And they're the only the ones they're prepared to make public.

Certified daily losses.

The past week alone.

So you see Johnny, I can't let you transfer

anywhere, till I have a fully operational squadron.

Which means I'm relying on you to knock the Poles into shape,

sooner rather than later.

How was it?

Brilliant machine, better than anything I've flown before.

Eh definitely.

Any problems?

The same issues. Throttle working in reverse, inconstant speed propellers.

Fuck! The wheels aren't down.

Wheels down! Wheels down!

So I fly. These fucking wheels, I forgot the fucking wheels!

I fly good!

Picked up by a seaplane and you just watched?

The same pilot could be back attacking us tomorrow.

You tell us: "Don't kill pilots in a parachute," not sporting or [..].

But when they are rescued, we do kill them, yes?

The Germans have, sea-rescue planes. We don't.

And marker dye to help identify their pilots.

Even their life jackets go ppffff! Inflate themselves.

All things we're looking into.

Look, I realize the uncertainty back home, it can't be easy.

Maybe you be better off elsewhere, with your own kind.

There's a Polish squadron coming online soon.

303 out of Northolt,

comprising your fellow countrymen. How does that appeal?

I am here to serve sir, wherever.

Sorry about that. Fine pilot, but a bit of a loose cannon.

He's right about air sea rescue, it's a disgrace.

That last Me109 he downed, he only fired 15 rounds.

We're taking naive young boys and sticking them in aeroplanes.

We're filling cockpits sir, that's all.

[..] as good as him? The Poles I mean, sir.

What if they're all as good as Urbanowicz?

Okay listen up! Today is a training exercise. Protecting the Blenheim bombers.

Remember, we work as a team.

And above all, you obey my instructions. You got that?

Frantisek, what's the phrase?

- Wheelies up... wheelies down. - Good boy, and don't you forget it.

-This is "Red Leader" to [..] flight. -[..] at Angels 6-5.

We vector at 3-2-0.

We're protecting, got that? No heroics, that understood?

Is that understood?

Yes! Yes sir!

Roger that. Hostiles gathering over Calais, 100 plus, Angels 1-5.

Victor chief 3 point 45.

-Bandits [..] 11 o'clock, about 1,000 feet above us. -Roger that.

English! English!

Rupert back in formation, now! Paskoviscz!

-Hurricane in trouble sir! -Paskoviscz!

I can't hear you!

Anyone else who breaks formation, I'll shoot you down myself!

What's that? Romeo 5-9?

[..] a training flight escort, 303.

-The poles... -Got you.

Training? Get them out of there Alex now!!

Everyone all calm down!

Aubany Red leader, Aubany Red leader,

large force of hostiles heading your way. Suggest for make for home and "pancake".

Repeat "Pancake".

Hey flight, we're back home, that's an order!

Don't go any further son.

Ah.. I'm a Polish pilot, I want souvenir.

That plane, he shoot it down.

Please, for mess wall.

Go on then, be quick.

Yes!

Training flights are just that. If you go around

shooting up the enemy, you compromise the safety

of the entire squadron and the Blenheims.

And from now on no more individual heroics!

You'll observe strict RT procedure at all times.

One final thing...

I have a message here from Air Chief Marshal.

Congratulations to 303 Squadron on their first "kill".

Even if it was down to Paskoviscz, having a faulty radio.

303 Polish squadron will be fully operational from the 31st August. Dowding.

That's tomorrow, gentlemen.

GIEVES "clothing made-to-measure".

Chief. Myself and all the men erm, want to thank you.

It means a lot.

-Good work Kent. -Money well spent sir.

There's this guy in 260 he's asking me out and I really like him.

-Then go! - Well I want to, but then I think, what if he's killed?

See, that's why I always say yes.

Because they will likely to die soon?

Because maybe we all are.

Every day more of them go up, and fewer come back.

We must be running out of pilots, good ones anyway.

We need to make the most of this war ladies, seize the moment.

We might never get another chance.

-You and Phillis getting hitched then? -Ah, possibly,

-if she plays her cards right. -Oh yes.

What's the chances with Georgina, you reckon?

Jimmy, as ugly as giving you the brawn one.

Sssh! Sssh!

What's this? The bloody Proms?

Two malts and a bitter please.

Now I play march from Polish army.

Except I don't know any.

So...

We are off.

Keep the locals, nothing [..].

An hour we will head back to base.

Sorry, they're taken.

The seats maybe, but not you girls.

-You like to dance? -I don't dance.

I do.

-Mind if I butt in? -As a matter of fact, we do..

I wasn't asking you Phil.

I said No!

Hey fine, you can bugger off now.

You showing yourself up, and acting like a prick.

Don't give me all the credit.

-Excuse me... -Ooh fuck, another one...

-I told you friend, Buggeropsky... -You can't treat a woman like this.. shorty.

Stop it!

-Are you this man commanding officer? -I am, and senior to you.

I want him on a charge. Sir.

And if he has you on the same charge?

I saw everything, from over there.

We need all men at our disposal. Don't you agree?

He's fucking animal.

English.

I'm sorry.

Great, shake his hand, Ruben.

Do it!

What's the point, you're all pretty useless in Poland.

Three days was it, you lasted?

Yes, so not much better in France were you, you fucking losers.

And what we see at home, our people. Tortured, executed.

Hanging from trees, from lamp post in street.

Be afraid!

You English need all the help you can get.

All in! Flush.

All that rolling your eyes, "This is rubbish." And you've got a flush.

Sorry ladies.

-Doesn't beat a full house though, does it? -Oh, you cow.

Personal-health medical with Dr. Bailey at 1400.

"Personal health?" Is that what the old pervert calls it?

Just be there Lambert.

Tell him he should at least buy us dinner first before gawking at our fannies.

Can I come in?

-You know us, we never close. -Speak for yourself.

We can see them, you know.

They're beautiful!

Bet they set you back a few bob.

Are they for me?

For all of you.. from all of us.

"Cos chisco" squadron, to say sorry for er.. what happened in the pub.

Georgie, get a vase.

Are they really from all of you?

Thanks for the invite boys.

But we have to keep a lid on it. Anybody finds out, we'll be

-on a charge. -We hide you, under the bed.

Would get us into even more trouble.

Hey get the girls some drinks.

-What would you like? -What have you got?

Oh, I'll have a vodka.

Cheers!

On the loose end, as of tomorrow.

When they send us up, they way it go so far as, last resort men.

Last resort? They tell 'em it was weeks ago.

It's quiet up there.

For now.

What's in Switzerland?

Doing some homework yourself?

Lover?

A wife?

Mistress?

All three I'll bet.

None. Not anymore.

Go to standby, 5 minutes!

Jesus Christ! Getting us up already?

Sooner expect to get them sorted.

There's such fun. It was a great night, better'n that dreary old pub.

How come you're so chirpy, all that vodka, so terrible.

You disappeared for ages, what were you up to?

God! not another one?

You won't lose it if you don't use it.

A moment sir, repeat please.

-Who do you think you are? -What's the problem?

It's.. the size and direction. It's a feint.

They've tried it before, they're trying to disract us from the main force.

What main force?

Let's not bring your hangover into work.

Get on with plotting the raid.

Squadron leader Rawlings!

A moment or two with us, it'll do no harm.

Filter room reports of a large formation forming across the channel.

Estimated strength 100 plus.

The main force!

Diversionary raiders, turn towards Northolt.

Get 303 up, now!

Well done Lambert.

First combat flight lads. So these are on the house!

Miss Lambert!

Can I have a word?

Do you mind. I'm off shift, I need to lie down.

Good god. I'd heard you were easy.

Don't you ever, humiliate me like that again, do you hear me?

Stick to what you do best.

You rancid little whore.

And I thought you preferred little boys.

Well done for today,

six kills and no losses, it's.. unheard of for a first mission.

Good to the squadron.

And not for me.

I screwed up.

I forget to throw safety switch.

Well it's not like you won't get the chance to make up for it.

You girls sure know how to party.

Excuse me?

Well last night. It was wild.

-But I thought erm.. you and Rolo were you know.. -Together? Who says so?

He behaves like a jealous husband, all of a sudden we're a couple.

You know, and if you were you're not anymore.

But I wasn't spying, I.. happened to be passing coming back with Gabriel and um...

Hey, it's none of my business.

No, it's fucking well isn't. I've had enough of judge and jury for one day, thanks.

On my own, test flight.

-Gun cameras? -Not fitted yet.

Well in that case, I can't allow it.

Not even as a "probable".

Why would I lie? You know I'm the best.

Well in that case, you'll break your "duck" soon enough, legitimately.

"Duck"? Whadda you mean, "duck"?

It's a cricketing term, means "no score".

Still fucking useless then?

Who are you?

Urbanowicz sir, reporting for duty.

All down Lambert?

Yes sir!

You're sure?

Every one of them. Quite sure.

Poles will end up winning us this bloody war if we're not careful.

-God I underestimated them! -We all did.

This is moral boosting stuff sir.

That's why I suggest we send some press down to Northolt, newsreels and so on.

Raise public awareness.

-Propaganda! Hardly my area of expertise. -Nor mine.

But we've been in the doldrums for months. This is a story worth getting out there.

And it might encourage others to come from god knows where and join the fight.

Well, as long as it doesn't interfere with operations.

Three gin tonics please.

-Beer. -All right.

Thought we are flying to avoid a bloody invasion.

-Well, they've had a fair old well week to be fair. -Beginner's luck, they're still fucking savages.

There you go.

-Yes sir? -Three gin and tonics please.

Gin and tonics from the boys of 260, in appreciation for your sterling work ladies.

Did we say we wanted company?

Come on Phyll, I've been a tosser okay. Let's move on.

Cheers!

We're heading up to town, The Ambassador whadda you say?

If it was The Regency then maybe.

Wherever you like.

What about you Georgie?

Up to you.

Better not, I'll stay, thanks.

303, scramble!

Push me again and I'll rip your balls off.

Assuming I can find them.

So they are all accounted for?

Yes, incredible.

-So what's next? -Refuel and get back up.

-What now? -Yes now!

Out of ammo Blue leader, time for tea. I think that...

Time to leave gentlemen! Chop chop.

Right then lads? Spilled the...

Stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop...

RUDIMENTARY POLISH

Thought you might want to see these, sir.

I'm assuming a successful mission, given the reaction we've had.

There was an incident, I gather.

Eh one of the journalists got himself left behind, Daily Mail.

Obviously considered grief and loss a tastier option than promoting the squadron.

And one of the.. airmen took exception I'm afraid.

Oh, good... as long as it hurt.

Y'know we've had numerous offers of support, people wanting to donate money, they love our Poles.

Even an event in er.. honours being mooted.

At the Dorchester.

One o'clock, three o'clock.

With me, Frantisek!

You got him, you got him Gabriel!

Gabriel!

Wh.. where is he? Can you see him?

Goin' down... goin' down.

Frantisek, take him!

Frantisek!

-It's one of ours. -I'll get the knife.

Our grandson, Burt. He's a stoker.

On HMS Hood.

You can't say that. Careless talk costs lives.

He's on our side.

No, walls have ears.

The only thing these walls got is damp.

Go on, we've had ours.

Thank you.

Me-109 and a Henkel, over Dover.

Dover? You weren't vectored there.

Witnesses?

You know by now, no witnesses, no "kill".

There is no witnesses because you fuck off and leave me on my own again.

Hey, you two!

Knock it off!

Go smarten yourself up.

Been invited to a party in your honour. The Dorchester of all places.

Dismissed!

New word Kentowski.

Received a wire from East Grensted, burns unit.

Krol's stable, but it's too early to assess the damage long term.

Right then. Let's go party.

Good luck with your driving test.

I don't have one, they're suspended for the war, thank goodness.

-Lucky for you. -Cheeky bugger.

Are you coming in with us?

It's your night, wouldn't wanna get crest the glory boys.

I'll be in the pub around the corner, The Crown.

Zumbach!

This is like in Warsaw, not so long time ago.

You'll be back there, soon enough.

Back to what?

The Germans, the Russians gorged themselves.

They leave us with an unsavoury carcass.

Thank you.

Vintage. Dartignard. Graynard probably.

[..] I believe sir.

Ladies and gentlemen...

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce our hostess for this evening, Mrs Smythe-Bingham.

Air Chief Marshall, my Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen. And especially, the Polish pilots.

As you know, this evening is all about showing our appreciation, to these brave men,

who've left their faraway land to.. come and fight for us, in the skies over England.

Finally, it falls upon me, to present 303 squadron, with a new mascot.

His name is Cooper, and I trust he will be as loyal to you, as you have been to us.

Quite a party, gentlemen.

Three weeks ago, we were all madmen.

Now.. champagne, fine food, beautiful women.

We have a dog.

When we are dead, what happens to the dog? You eat it?

This event was conceived with the best intentions.

-These people wanted to show their gratitude. -And the men do appreciate it. I'm sorry sir.

-I apologize, the men are dead on their feet. -[..] no need. I understand.

Good luck, gentlemen. Enjoy the rest of your night.

Ludwig, Ziggi, Antoni. You won't see them drinking your champagne, in all of this.

While your own cities being bombed. Your people out on the streets...

Shut the fuck up!

They're butchering us.

Shooting...

Hanging.. all over Poland.

People we love.

Sorry, you're too late, we've already eaten.

I need you to take me somewhere.

My driving's not so bad then.

I'm too drunk to notice.

Wouldn't hang about you two, more Jerry bombs forecast.

You know what they say about imminent danger.

The most powerful aphrodisiac.

I wasn't ah...

...judging you, the other day.

I took things for granted. It was wrong.

Forget it. I over-reacted.

You know.. Before all this.. madness,

they've called me a tart.

Now there's a war on, I'm just a good sport.

And when this is all over, who's going to know about my summer of love?

Not my bloody husband, whoever he might be.

Don't suppose you have girls like me in Poland.

Serious...

I doubt there's anyone quite like you anywhere.

Secure it. Stop the infection, you see.

Umm I'm here...

Look at me. Look like a Rembrandt, don't like a Picasso.

Trust me, you were always a Picasso.

Don't make me laugh.

They'll let me go out soon I hope.

Have to go back up there.

How're my boys? They're still going good?

They are remarkable men Krol. You should be proud of them.

I know I am.

I am! It is an honour and a privilege to fly with them.

Check it again tomorrow when the doctor does his rounds.

You are one of us now.

I'll take another back up, get it ready.

Hey, what are those?

Men's Dream, you should try. They gave it to us instead of sleep now..

I have asked them to get you guys some leave, but...

There's a war on, I know.

Anyway, what we do with leave? Two weeks now, no pay.

Well, we've sorted that.

Squadron leader [..] has decided to pay all your wages himself, for the time being.

Are you see Krol?

-Yeah I did. -He'll live.

But he won't be back with us anytime soon.

Should have leave us all.

Listen.

There's something I gotta show you, it's important.

Emptying guns at nothing, and flying home.

-Who? -Gabriel Horodyszcz.

He's a danger to himself, and the whole squadron.

Hello handsome.

You're confusing me with the man I used to be.

-I do realize we've been on for 26... -32. Sir.

The thing is it's working.

The four bases depleted.

And if we sustain this level, they won't be able to rebuild.

We're knocking them down at a rate of 2 to 1 for our losses.

Last push gentlemen.

Win this, and I'll tuck you into bed myself.

Horodyszcz!

A word!

Good hit [..], good hit.

-Thank you Kentowski. -That's Red Leader to you.

Gabriel! Shouldn't be here.

Defend [..], I'm over you!

Hey! Keep it up.

Maybe someday you're going to be as good as me.

Last one. We have him Red Leader.

-Now watch your fuel boys. -I'll see you when you get back there.

How's your fuel?

All good. All good!

Frantscz, we shouldn't be here.

Neither should the fucking Germans.

-You hit him! -I'll finish him off.

Home time, Czech boy.

Lambert?

All clear sir.

All clear.

Exceptional work from 303 and all your support staff.

You should all be very proud of the work you've done, and continue to do.

Now as far as we can tell, northern France has been neutralized.

And it's the spearhead of this squadron,

to whom the people of Great Britain, owe a great debt of gratitude.

126 "kills" in six weeks gentlemen.

303 is now officially the highest scoring squadron in 11 group.

That means in the entire RAF.

Gentlemen, your contribution has been nothing short of.. miraculous.

After six years of war in the streets, millions gather to salute the allied forces.

Comrades from the battle front, wounded from every theatre of war.

Representatives of millions who fought and work for their final victory.

A two mile long procession, made up of units from every corner of the globe,

of every colour, race and creed.

And now the fly pass, from our remarkable men of the Royal Air Force,

headed out by 3 Hurricanes of 263 squadron. Heroes to a man.

Fucking heroes.

There's jubilation in the streets, as the man with the [..]...

This my family.

See? Czechs.

Once we made Vodka, now the Soviets take control, we have nothing.

At the same time, from various assembly points,

an allied marching column starts through the streets.

Over 21,000 fighting men and women of the allied forces.

All our gallant allies: Indian, Australian and Canadian.

Meanwhile, a separate mechanized column moves

-over London boroug... -Not all of them.

Wouldn't want to offend fucking Stalin.

Thought you weren't allowed to march in the victory parade.

I'm meeting the others.

And.. Kentowski.

He wouldn't march without us.

Loyalty.

Ready for more to see?

I have three days to leave the country.

W... what do you mean?

They're kicking me out.

Aft.. after everything?

They can do that?

If you don't enrol on their resettlement scheme,

you've outstayed your welcome, it seems.

The English want us repatriated.

But back to what?

Some service in salt mine?

Already men are dying there.

Punished for what they did here.

Poland may have won the war, but we lost peace.

I'll never forget you, Jan Zumbach.

It's been... precious.

Every minute.

Three years...

I knew it couldn't last forever, but..

today of all days, we're supposed to be celebrating.

I once said, I doubt there is anyone quite like you anywhere.

I was right.

Where will you go? What will you do?

Friends.

In the U.S.

Africa maybe.

I'll find something.

-And I would ask to come with me but... -I might say "yes".

You wouldn't say "yes".

And even if you wanted to.

I've known from the start. You'd never leave home.