All language subtitles for The Dawn Patrol 1930

...:::Lord Sadler:::...
lordsadler2012@gmail.com

- Morning report, sir.
- Good morning, Mac.

Have you heard anything
from A-flight, sir?

Not yet.

Hello.

Hello?

Are you there?
Yes, Major Brand speaking.

Hello? Yes.

No, no, the flight
isn't back yet.

You expect to send men out
on a filthy job

and have them back in
no time at all?

What's that?

Next time you'll get
someone else to do it?

'What do you wanna get
someone else for?'

'Haven't we done every nasty job
you can think of?'

If my men can't do it,
I'd like to do who can?

We're the best squadron
in France.

Yes and furthermore,
let me tell you something.

Hello? Hello?

The vicious,
over-dressed brass hat.

Orders, orders.

Thinks the 59th can't do it, eh?

Well, the 59th can do anything
he can think of.

It is a slaughter house,
that's what it is.

And I'm the executioner.

You're too fond of calling
yourself names, Brand.

- 'Now, if I were you--'
- See here, Phipps.

Do you know how many men we've
lost in the last fortnight?

Sixteen men, that's what.
Think of that. Over a man a day.

And now there's A-flight out
on a rotten show.

Seven splendid chaps.

Three of them first time
over the lines.

If half get back we're lucky.

I know it's a rotten job, Brand

but you shouldn't take it
so seriously.

Hello?

Hello, yes, speaking.

Yes, what?

What?

A-flight? Two enemy patrols?

Who's down?

What? Five men!

What? You can't tell!

Hello? Hello?

You know, Phipps, someone picks
up a phone

and says "Bombers after a
bridge. Protect them."

You say alright. Cheerio.

And send up a flight equipped
with inferior planes.

They don't argue or revolt.
They say righto.

Then go out and do it.

They're stout fellas,
aren't they?

Bott?

Yes, sir.

Another bottle.

Yes, sir.

Beg pardon, sir.

But you've heard
of A-flight, sir?

Yes.

Five.

Five out of seven.

- Alright, sir.
- Alright, mac.

Fine. I'm glad you're back, sir.

- How did you make it, Scotto?
- Thanks, alright.

- And you?
- Alright.

- Hell, wasn't it?
- Right.

- Cigarette?
- Yes. Got a match?

Hello!

Shrapnel.

Almost blew my plane over.

Just five inches
from your behind, sir.

Yes. But what a difference
five inches made to me.

Oh!

Who did we lose?

Two of the new men.

Blaine and Machen.

There's Hollister.

I'm sorry for Hollister.

Machen was his best friend.

What a rotten war!

Where's Machen?
Have you seen Machen?

Courtney, where's Machen?

Bob hasn't come back.
Bob...Bob didn't come back.

Steady, Hollister, steady.

He..

He isn't..

...gone?

No, no. That couldn't
have been Bob.

It couldn't have been Bob.

He never what happened.
There wasn't any pain.

Oh, come on, now,
there's a good lad.

Come, come. Come on.

Steady, boy.

'Must feel quite bad.'

I'm alright, sir.

Quite alright.

You better have a drink,
Hollister.

No. No, I-I couldn't.

I'm not drinking.

- Go up with him, fellows.
- Right.

Machen gone West, sir?

Yes and Blaine too.

It's too bad.

First time over
the lines too, huh?

- Hmm.
- 'Anything I can do?'

No. I'll be alright.

He's been a bit sick, sir.

Alright, fellas.

Here, Hollister, take this.
You'll find it'll help.

No, thanks. I'm alright.

Go on take it.
Shove it down now.

Bottoms up.

- Feel better?
- Yes, sir.

It does help.

A little later,
pack Machen's things.

He didn't have time to unpack.

- Well, Courtney?
- A squad/Escort returning.

We reached the bridge.

The bombers scored direct hits
and wiped it out.

- 'Yes?'
- We lost two men.

Blaine and Machen.

Yes, I know.

- That's all.
- Wait a minute, Courtney.

Did you have to do it that way?

Why couldn't you have
been more careful?

'You're responsible
for those new men.'

Do you think I got into that
hiney fleet on purpose?

We were out numbered
and forced down low.

We had to fight our way out.

'Yes. I suppose.'

Do you think I enjoyed
losing those two men?

Scattering them all over,
France?

Burning them up
in worthless planes?

Oh, why don't you say what
you're really thinking?

Tell me I am wrong.

Tell me I oughta give you better
planes, better fliers.

Blame me for it. Why don't you?
Go ahead.

I'm not blaming anyone, Brand.

You think it's easier to sit and
wait for men to come back?

Wait and wait?

You think that's easy?

'Easy to be the executioner?
I know what you're thinking.'

'Don't look at me like that
accusing me, I'm not to blame.'

The whole army's on my neck.

This squadron has desperate work
and I depend on you to help.

I wish they would chuck that
fighting for a bit.

It all started over a girl while
they were on leave in Paris.

Just a well you know..

- I know.
- Courtney won.

They've been at each others'
throat ever since.

Yes, I know the things
are different now.

It's responsibilities that's
driving Brand putty.

He's gotten to the end
of his tether's scouts.

His nerves are all frayed out.

Every time a kid's shot down
he feels he's the executioner.

No, no. No, he doesn't
hate Courtney.

He depends on Courtney.
Needs him.

That's why...well..

I better go in
before they come to blows.

'I'm your superior officer
and..'

I suppose that's all.

Hello? Hello?

Yes, speaking.

Yes. Flight's back
and the job is finished.

Blew the whole thing up.

Did you expect us to do
any more than that?

Yes.

We lost two men.

Yes. Only two.

Only two?

...and we weren't exactly
standing still either.

'I saw you.'

No, I wasn't..

I'll have a whiskey.

Drink all you can, son.
This maybe the last.

What's the devil with a full
belly, say I.

I know.

I say, Courtney, do you remember
Griggs at the 37th?

He was killed the other day over
at Ellenville.

Wings came off an SC.

Too bad.

I'll never forget him at ground
school on his solo flight.

He cracked up plenty
of planes after that.

You remember when he pancaked on
that house, one morning

and found himself hanging
upside down staring

into the girl's bedroom?

She opened the window
and bashed him in the eye.

'Heard of the new motors
the French are using?'

- No, I haven't.
- I think I have a final..

'They have a wonderful climb.'

And very costly.
I've got one thing against them.

They're bad in the power dive.
I hear they rip the wings..

I was sittin' there and one
of them almost fell on me.

'I don't suppose you would.'

Don't you ever get
fed up with that tune?

Oh, why should I?
It's a jolly good tune.

I say, sing us a song,
will you?

Yeah, do it, old chap.

Alright, Tommy.

Right-o.

♪ We stand beneath
resounding rafters ♪

♪ The walls around us
are bare ♪

♪ They echo
peals of laughter ♪

♪ It seems as though
the dead are still there ♪

♪ So stand by
your glasses steady ♪

♪ This world
is a world of lies ♪

♪ Here's a toast
to the dead already ♪

♪ Hurrah for the next man
who dies ♪

♪ Cut off from
the land that bore us ♪

♪ Betrayed by the land
that we bind ♪

♪ The good have gone before us ♪

♪ And only the dull
left behind ♪

♪ So stand by
your glasses steady ♪

♪ This world is
a world of lies ♪

♪ Here's a toast
to the dead already ♪

♪ Hurrah for
the next man who dies ♪

♪ Cut off from
the land that bore us.. ♪

Listen to them out there.

Bluffing themselves.

Pretending that death
doesn't mean a thing to them.

Trying to live
by just the minute.

The hour.

Pretending they don't care
if they go up tomorrow

and never come back.

There's one poor fellow
who doesn't pretend.

'Who's that?'

Hollister.

He can't forget that his best
friend went down in flames.

I saw him out there,
a few minutes ago, staring.

Wondering what
it's all about.

I'm afraid he's got the wind up.
He'll never fit.

He'll have to learn.

Oh, why talk about him.

I don't want to know
his troubles.

Is there an E
in "courageously," Brand?

Courageously?
Yes, of course.

I'm just sending a letter
of sympathy to Mrs. Machen.

I'm puzzled over that word,
"courageously".

- It has an unfamiliar look.
- Unfamiliar.

Well, you've written it
often enough.

'It'll break her heart
no matter how it's spelt.'

Hello. Hello, yes,
yes, Major Brand speaking.

'Yes.'

Oh, where am I going
to get the men to do it?

What? They're on
their way up now?

Yes, of course we'll do it.

If any men get back
from filthy work

like this,
they'll be lucky.

Yes, I understand.

Goodbye.

That's rotten, isn't it?

Yes.

Six more men coming up
to this hell.

That Courtney's got
to take them up.

Courtney.

It's a funny world, Phipps
when you can be annoyed

into your grave
almost by a man.

Yet tear yourself to pieces
worrying about his safety.

Oh, I wouldn't say
it was so strange, Brand.

It's just responsibility.

Have you seen a mother risk
her life to save her child?

then spank its bottoms soundly
for getting itself into danger?

I've got to tell him to take up
new replacements again.

He'll resent it.

He'll just stand there
looking holes

clear through me
while I tell him.

Then he'll say, "Right".

Well, come along, Phipps.
Let's get at it.

Would you mind
turning that off, Scott?

Right.

Okay. Quiet, lads.

Attention over there, please.

Orders for tomorrow morning.

Gentlemen, orders
for tomorrow.

A flight on the early show
over Ballay Sector.

We're making an advance.

'We're to patrol four kilometers
behind to the enemy lines.'

'Strafe any reinforcements
and munitions convoys.'

'That they bring up
for counter attack.'

When the barrage starts,
B Flight will cover

our observation ships
and artillery.

You'll take up the details
among yourselves later on.

That's all.

Did you say A flight?

Yes.

4:30 in the morning.

A flight
is only five men.

Well, more replacements
are on their way up.

They'll be here
sometime tonight.

Are you saying we must go on a
job with two inexperienced men?

Yes.

Those are the orders.

Right.

Well, what amuses you?

You win again, Brand.

He said "Right"
just as you said he would.

You'll be over the same battery
we were this morning.

Someday they'll get
our range.

They keep at it
long enough.

Undoubtedly.

'Farley, you and the others
fly above us.'

He's flying fifth position,
you take sixth.

'We'll be watching those
observation ships'

'Yes, we better keep--'

'Well, what happened
last time on a job like this.'

'That's why you
look out on the bow??.'

'Check your ammunition.'

'We've been having trouble
with those bugs lately.'

Yes, I remember off hand
I could get a..

We'll rendezvous at here.

- Five thousand feet.
- Five thousand at that.

I just see my own death
riding in a chariot of fire.

One more, Bott.

Hey, fellows, look at Scotto.

A few drinks
and he falls sound asleep.

Come on, ol' friend.
Wake up. Time to go to bed.

I want to sleep.

'Pick him up.
You'll save time, Courtney.'

Come on, you blighter.
Wake up.

Oh, come on.
Get on your feet here now.

Say goodnight
to the gentlemen.

Goodnight to the gentlemen.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

'Tuck him in, Courtney.'

'Tell him a nice
bedtime story.'

Splendid, old zealot.

Yeah, now wake up
and go to bed.

You're getting
heavier all the time.

I always did hate
walking up those steps.

I don't know
what you want to drink for.

You get as fuzzy as an owl.

Only you can't keep
your eyes open.

I know. I always
want to sleep.

What's the matter,
old son?

Was thinking
about Hollister.

I recommend a change
of thought.

Pretty rough losing
your best friend.

You know, Machen wasn't much
older than your brother.

Yes.

Yes, Donnie is 17 now.

If this mess is over by
the time he gets out of school.

You remember the time
we went up to visit him?

Donnie thought he was quite a
man when he had beer with us.

Yes and I remember
when he was a baby.

Your mother let me fool him.

I dropped him on his head
because he spoiled my new suit.

All that seems
awfully far away now.

As if it had never happened.

'That out there
is the only thing that's real.'

Wouldn't it be fun
if we're back there again?

Imagine waking up in the morning

not having a thing to do all day
but to enjoy peace and quiet.

And to know absolutely
that you..

...you're going to get back
in your bed again that night.

Silly, isn't it?

Try a little
more coffee, sir?

No, thanks.

Good morning.

Why didn't you wake me up?

After last night I thought
you'll enjoy a few extra winks.

Thanks. I did. Oh!

Whoo! What a head.

Thanks, Bott.

New men come up yet?

No, Sergeant's
bringing them in directly.

'Alright, gentlemen.
This way, please.'

Here they are now.

Just put your things down
and be comfortable.

Look at them, Scotty.

Four youngsters.

Wonder if they brought
their nursing bottles along?

New replacements, sir.

Very good, mac.

Well, here goes.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Good morning, sir.

I'm Courtney,
skipper of A flight.

Russell,
second lieutenant, sir.

Reporting from
the pool for duty.

Oh, hello, Russell.

Oh, break off.
No formality here.

Thanks.

How many hours have
you fellows had on combat?

- Mr. Burt.
- Nine.

- 'Cleaver.'
- 14.

- 'Smythe.'
- 16.

- 'Holloway.'
- 13.

- 'Russell.'
- 21.

- 'Blythe.'
- Seven and a half, sir.

Seven and a half.

'Yes, sir.'

I'll take Russell and Smythe.

Get in to your flying tongs
right away. Change here.

We're going over the to strafe
trenches in the Bullay Sector.

Bott..

Have a drink?

Just make sure
it's little, old son.

There's one who does.

Some more glasses, Bott.

Russell? Smythe?
Have a drink?

Thanks.

Scott, Mr. Russell,
Mr. Smythe.

How do you do?

Mr. Thornburn
and Mr. Willsy.

'How do you do?'

- Welcome to the flight.
- Cheerio.

'First time
over the line, eh?'

Morning, fellows.

- Good morning.
- Morning, Courtney.

New replacements.
I'm taking Russell and Smythe.

This is Major Brand.

- How do you do, sir?
- Hello, Russell.

- Hello, Smythe.
- How are you, sir?

This job isn't easy, fellas.

I want you to follow Captain
Courtney's orders closely.

'You stick to his tail,
he'll get you through alright.'

'If you're forced down on the
other side, destroy your plane.'

'Don't give any information
except your name and Corp.'

Yes, sir.

That's all.
Happy landings, fellas.

- Thanks.
- Let's be off.

Sergeant.

Mr. Russell and Smythe
are flying four and five.

Yes, sir.

This way gentlemen.

- Cheerio.
- Thank you, sir.

Oh, Hollister.

You're an old hand now.

We're counting on you.

Right.

Watch him.

Remember, you're protecting
the tail.

- Righto.
- Hey, Scotty..

And watch yourself too,
old man.

That goes for you too,
old friend.

- Good morning, Mac.
- Good morning, sir.

- Flight's alright?
- Tip top, sir.

Contact.

Has the officers got any papers
on his person

that might give information
to the enemy?

Has the officer got any papers
on his person

that might give information
to the enemy?

Happy landing, sir.

Not, Mr. Scott, sir?

He was trying..
Scott was trying to help me.

He got me along and..

...suddenly the Boche came.

He as trying to help me
get away and--

Blubbering can't help matters.

You're alright, aren't you?

Well..

We broke up the counterattack
for an hour.

Then the Heinies found us.

We lost Smythe...
Wilson..

...and Scott.

- I'm awfully sorry, sir, I--
- Thanks, Bott.

Yes.

Can I do anything, old man?

You can...
Have a drink.

Thanks, I will.

What happened?

Well, after the first barrage,
we were..

working under a cloud bank,
strafing a convoy.

Focus?? dropped down on us
and knocked down Smythe

before he could even
fire a shot.

I didn't even see Rosie go.

Then Hollister funked.
Got into a jam.

And Scott went after him..

That Jerry and shot him
out of control.

Are you sure?

Yes, his tail surfaces
were shot away.

He was only a little way
below me and..

As he went into a spin,
he waved goodbye.

Go ahead and play it.
What does it matter?

And then what, Courtney?

Well, I went bullheaded
for the Jerry that got Scott.

I put a bullet in his motor.

Where'd he go down?

Somewhere behind our lines.

Some others got after me.

I was so busy I didn't even see
where Scott fell.

I just happened to think..

Scott was wearing those...
red polka dot pajamas.

What a shock that'll give
the devil.

Alright, bring him in.

Oh, sergeant, you can send
that car back.

'Yes, sir.'

- Just wait here.
- Yes, sir.

Major, artillery car just
brought in a German aviator.

Where was he captured?

'They say...leader of A Flight
brought him down.

'That's you, Courtney.'

Steady, old man.

- Bring him here.
- Alright.

Come along now.

Hauptmann Von Mueller.

Captain Von Mueller,
Major Brand.

'And Captain Courtney.'

Phipps, tell him Courtney
is the man that shot him down.

He says he's delighted
to meet you.

Ask him if he wants a drink.

Prost.

♪ We stand beneath
resounding rafters ♪

♪ The walls all around
us are bare ♪

♪ They echo the peals
of laughter ♪

♪ It seems that all the dead
are there ♪

♪ So stand by
your glasses steady ♪

♪ This world is a world
full of lies ♪

♪ Here's a toast to the dead
already ♪

♪ Hurrah for the next man
who dies ♪

No, no, no, no, no.

Now, if you must sing,
don't say,

"The next man who dies".

"The".

Tee?

- "The", "the".
- "Tee"?

- The next.
- Next.

- Man.
- Mann.

- Man.
- Man.

♪ So stand by your glasses
steady ♪

Stop it!
Stop it!

I can't stand it!

Don't you know they're dead?

Blaine, Smythe, Machen.
My best friend Machen.

He's dead!
You hear me? He's dead!

Scott.. Scott tried to help me,
he's dead too.

'They're all dead!'

'And they're not
coming back anymore.'

And you laugh and sing...

Machen and Scott.
Scott!

- You killed Scott!
- Huh?

'Yes, you!
You tried to kill me.'

You tried to kill all of us!

And you...
you can drink with him!

You can laugh with him..

You can laugh with the man
that murdered your best friends!

'Why you've forgotten Scott
already!'

You're forgotten--

You little rotter!

You think that a drink
and a song could make me forget?

I'm sorry.

I lost my head.

But you're new up here,
Hollister.

You have a lot to learn.

I know, sir.
I'm sorry.

'You wait out here and I'll be
back in a few minutes.'

Cheerio!

- 'Why, it's Scotty!'
- Look who's here..

'Hold on, hold on.
Anybody think of the king.'

Boy, I'm in a delicate
condition, wait a minute.

- Hello, Scott-o,
- Hello, son.

You're just in time.
We were celebrating your wake.

Oh, I've gotta be here
for that.

Can't have a wake
without a corpse, can you?

Tell me.

What in the world ever
happened to you?

Well, I got a whole
load of bullet.

The last thing I remember
was pancaking into a trench

and watching my wings fold up.

And then I woke up with a bump
on my head...Feel it?

And a stretcher bearer
pouring rum down my throat..

We should have
some of that rum.

- You didn't take any, did you?
- No, no, just a spot.

But I stopped at all the pubs
on the way back.

I brought a surprise
for you.

Come on, open them up!
and go right on the..

Oh, what's that?

That's the man
who shot you down.

The what, the who?

Phipps, introduce them.

How do I get rid
of the blighter?

Ask him to have a drink.

Will you have a drink?

- Yeah?
- Yah!

- Goodbye!
- Goodbye.

You're not gonna
go and break up your own wake.

Yes. We've got a car
and a chauffeur

and we're gonna see France.

Hello, Flaherty.

Court, this is Flaherty.

How are you, Flaherty?

Best driver on the western
front. Good singer too.

We sang all the way home,
didn't we?

You know the words
on part of Plum And Apple?

Yes.

Fine.
We'll all sing it together.

♪ Plum and apple
apple and plum ♪

♪ Plum and apple
there is always some ♪

♪ The ASC gets strawberry jam
and rations of rum ♪

♪ But we poor blokes
we only get apple and plum ♪♪

Let's sing it again.

♪ Plum and apple
apple and plum ♪

♪ Plum and apple
there is always some ♪

♪ And rations of rum.. ♪

Beg pardon, sir.

But ain't it time
B flight was back?

Yes, Bott.

'Alright.'

Watch it, pal.

That's right. That's right.

- They winged me, Courtney.
- Too bad, old man.

- I'll take him home.
- Yes, sir.

'What a bloomin' mess
they've been in.'

'A nasty mess I calls it.
Like a little rubbish.'

It's a rotten scene, old boy.
Come on now.

Help him out
with his things, gents.

- Steady, old man.
- Easy, fellows.

Come on.

Can you move your right arm?

Here you are, Spires.
It'll fix you up.

'What happened?'

We've got visitors, Brand.

'What do you mean?'

I mean, Von Richter's moved in
across the line.

- Von Richter?
- Yes.

We ran into one flight,
then another.

Suddenly the air
was filled with them.

What a mess!

It's lucky any of us
got back alive.

'Get it inside the bandage.'

What fliers they are.

We didn't have a chance.

Out numbered, four to one.

They got Thornburn and Barton.

And Hollister.

A damn shame.

Does your face hurt,
Squires?

No, just a splinter
from the windshield.

That means blighty for you.

Take him over to the M.O.

Shall I send you back some
hops to play with?

Squires..

Tell me, Hollister..

...how did he die?

He was trying
to help Thornburn.

He died like a man.

Oh, I'm glad.

I'm glad.

'Get cover! Jerry up!'

...:::Lord Sadler:::...
lordsadler2012@gmail.com

Boots?

- Why, George, that's queer.
- What does he want?

Say, Courtney, what is it?

"One pair of trench boots

"for the use of British
flying officers.

Signed Von Richter."

Damn him!

- You can give those boots.
- I'll keep them.

- I want them.
- Just a minute, me lads.

'Hold on.'

There's gonna be no
voluntary patrols.

Don't you lads realize that
those boots are just a trick

to get you up into
the air?

None of you are gonna commit
suicide by going out alone.

You'll die soon enough.

Not a man leaves the ground
without my orders.

Understand?

Now, listen to me.

Service both planes.

Rig them up with bomb racks.

Look the guns over
extra special.

Don't start before midnight.

And if any of you blokes
make a noise or show a light..

...I'll knock your bloomin'
heads off.

Understand?

You're going home.

Somebody's gonna get
hell for this.

Who from?

The major, of course.

Oh, I thought
you meant Von Richter.

Ah, let's hop it
and get 'em ready.

- Morning, Mac.
- Everything is ready, sir.

Good.

- Give them hell, Scotto.
- Right-o, son

Beg your pardon, sir.

I've been saving this up
since Neueve Chappelle.

Would you mind dropping it on
their head

with my compliments, sir?

- Alright, Ackroyd.
- Thank you, sir.

Here are the boots, sir.

Thank you, Mac.

Make it quick, sir.

I'm gonna have tea and
strawberry jam waiting for you

when you come back.

- Happy landing, sir.
- Thank you, Mac.

'Contact.'

'Get down here with those
planes, damn you!'

Didn't you hear my orders?
I'll break your necks!

You can keep the boots!

Right here, Scotto!

Take her up, Scotto. Gotta get
back to strawberry jam.

Fire!

What's the matter, Scotto?

Can't see.
Oil in my eye.

Get her high!
We're going down!

Alright. We're out of it.
Keep going.

We are almost down.
Wing out. Let 'em hit.

Scott, look out!

Scotto...are you alright?

Yes, I'm alright.

I got you, son.

I can't see. Oil.
Give me something, quick.

Okay, that's better.

Well, we made it, didn't we?

Maybe he's right.
We better go.

You were certainly right
about that front-line rum.

Courtney and Scott
have just returned.

Came in a French staff car.

'Do you want
to see Courtney now?'

Yes. Send him in.

Right.

Courtney.

Wanted to see me?

You think you're gonna get away
with this, Courtney, eh?

'Well,
you think wrong this time.'

'You disobeyed
my direct orders.'

You think I issued them
to hear myself talk?

You went out against
Von Richter.

Von Richter, do you understand?

When we're outnumbered
four to one.

You fool, we need every man.
Every plane.

And you went out
and smashed two of 'em.

I'm gonna have you
court martialed for this.

I'm gonna break you out
of the Flying Corp.

And when I've finished with you,
Courtney, you'll wish that you..

Hello...yes, speaking.

'Yes.'

What?

Who?

Right.

Right, thanks.

I've got you, Courtney.

I've got you
just where I want you.

You've refused responsibility.
Flown wild.

Disobeyed orders. Blamed me.

Accused me of putting
kids in canvas coffins, eh?

Well, I've just been transferred
up to wing.

'And they've appointed
someone in my place.'

- 'In my place, understand?'
- What?

And that someone
is going to be you.

And see how you like it,
Mr. Squadron Commander.

Hello? Hello.

Speak louder, will you?
I can't hear you. What?

Well, let the infantry get
demoralized

I can't put planes over them.

Six replacements?

Replacements? More kids.

You're making
a death house of this place.

Von Richter's squadron
just shot us out of the air.

Driven us into the ground.
Killed our best men.

You expect green kids
to stop him?

Right, it'll be done. But I tell
you, they won't have a chance.

Brass hats, sitting back there
on easy chairs

and making excuses
for sending men up to die.

No use trying
to reason with them, Courtney.

Well, how about
getting on with this letter.

Where did we leave off?

'"And I can only hope,
Mrs. Blythe, that.."'

I can only hope, Mrs. Blythe..

...it will give you some measure
of comfort to know that..

...your son died in combat.

Fighting valiantly.

You know, Phipps, I will
never forget that boy.

I asked him
how many hours he'd had.

He said, "Seven and a half."

And they keep sending
more up like him.

Kids against Von Richter.

'Anything more to add to this?'

No, finish it yourself.
What does it matter?

Come in.

Hello, Carl.

Hello, Scotto.

Court, don't you think
you've had enough of that?

That's my business.

Oh..

Sorry, Scotto,
I shouldn't have said that.

I'm getting jumpy.

Nerves aren't
what they used to be.

That's alright, old son.

I am rather jumpy myself.

Can't get used to
being alone in flight.

I am always wishing
that you were along.

Yes, I wish I were too.

Better than sitting here.

Come in.

- What is it, Mac?
- Well, new men outside, sir.

More lambs for the slaughter.

Fix them up, will you, Scotto?

Make them as comfortable
as you can.

Right. Come along, Mac.

I'm Scott.
Skipper of A flight.

At ease, gentlemen.
No formality here.

Billing. Second lieutenant, sir.

Reporting
from the pool for duty.

Right.

Billings, Moorhead, Gregory

go to the first house
on your left.

- That'll be your quarters.
- Right, sir.

- Night.
- G'night.

"Ranson, Jones, Ca.."

- Donnie!
- Scotty.

Aren't you glad to see me?

But I...I thought
you were in school, old man.

Oh, I couldn't stand
not being in it any longer.

So I left and enlisted.

Went through ground school
in four weeks.

Oh, that's-that's grand.

Mac, this is my brother.

- Your brother, sir?
- Yes.

Show the other gentlemen to
their quarters, Mac?

This way gentlemen.

You always thought
I was a kid, Scotty.

I'm going to
prove to you, I am not.

That's right.
You...you are a man...now.

Wait till you see me
fly out there.

I passed
combat maneuvers perfectly.

Well, that's...that's splendid.

- Is Court around?
- Yes.

Let's go see him later.

Come on,
I-I'll show you your quarter.

Alright.

See, isn't this..

Hello? Hello, yes, speaking.

What's that?
Wait a moment.

Alright, go ahead.

What?

'Yes, go on.'

'Four patrols a day.'

I can't do that.
I can't do it, I tell you.

The lot of green men
will be wiped out.

Alright. Will do it.

Right.

Before the week is out, Phipps..

...you'll see the end
of Squadron 59.

There isn't an end to anything,
Courtney.

It just goes on and on.

We'll be under everything
that flies.

Cold mutton.

Well, ready for orders.

'Yes.'

Settle down, will you?

Gents. Quiet, lads.
Quiet please.

Orders for tomorrow.

Orders, fellows.

There's no need for secrecy.

JHQ has found that Fritz starts
the big push day after tomorrow.

They're starting
minor advances now.

More patrol
in the Mantes Wood sector.

opposite the German 6 army.

We'll have to fly
four patrols a day.

And every man goes into the air
at dawn tomorrow.

'This means you'll have to do
all the dirty work.'

Machine gunning infantry. Flying
low. Stopping supply trucks.

And any shock troops
they may try to bring up.

You will be pitted against
Von Richter.

'You'll be flying
below enemy patrols.'

'You'll have to watch out.'

That's all.

Court.

Donnie.

Hello, Court,
it's great to see you.

So you are
one of the replacements?

Yes. Didn't expect me,
did you?

Scotty was surprised too.

Oh, it's great to be
up here with you both.

And just think,
I'll go up tomorrow. Won't I?

Yes.

Just a minute, Donnie.

You're not gonna send
this kid up in the air?

- Hold on, Scott.
- Hold on nothing.

If you think
I am gonna take him up

against Von Richter,
you're barmy.

Flier, ground school, he doesn't
know what it's all about.

What chance would he have?

As much chance
as any of the others.

I'm sorry. It's orders.

We're all on the same boat.

I can't make exceptions.

- But, Scotty--
- Shut up.

I won't take him up.

I said every man in the air.

And you were the one who talked
about sending a school--

Quiet!
Those are orders, you hear me?

Orders. Now get out!

Get out, I tell you.

Right.

- But, but--
- That's enough.

You be ready at dawn tomorrow.

That's all.

Yes, sir.

Come in.

Sit down, Donnie.

I am sorry I spoke that way.

Oh, that's quite alright.

I don't think
you need to worry about me.

You see, Scotty really doesn't
know how well I can fly.

He can't realize that,
that I've grown up.

Scotty is right, Donnie.

You learned how to fly.

But things are different
up here.

Scotty knows that.

Knows what you're up against.

And I think
that you should know it too.

Now, you are going out there
against veterans.

Superb fliers like Von Richter.

You've got to be
on you mettle every moment.

Remember every trick
you've learned.

And, Donnie,
if you should lose..

...be a good loser.

Just as you
would be in school.

I know what
you are trying to say, Court.

You mean, that tomorrow
I may not come back.

That I may die.

That's it, isn't it?

Well, none of us
will be here long, Donnie

someday I'll go
just like the rest.

But it really isn't so bad
if when you go

you know that you've done
all you could to help.

Oh, it would be splendid
to go like that.

I'm not afraid, Court.
Really. I'll come back.

I can fight better
than you think.

Right.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

Oh, I say..

...perhaps I'd better
leave this with you

if you don't mind.

In case anything
should happen.

'I got it for being
on the crew last year.'

Silly, but it's rather
precious to me.

Of course.

Thanks.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight, Court.

Fly in second position
on my right.

Stick close, Donnie, and I'll
try and get you through.

Don't worry.
I'm not a bit afraid.

Really, you watch me.

I can fly better
than you think.

Good, boy. Cheerio!

In you get.

'How many, Phipps?'

Three.

No, Donnie.
Donnie, no!

Donnie, no!

Donnie, no, no, no!

Two?

The match was wrong, Phipps.

Yeah.

He's dead.

He's dead.

Went down in flames.

'You sent him there,
you dirty butcher!'

- Scott-o--
- 'None of that, Courtney.'

From now on you're just
a drunken sack/sap?? in command.

You sent that kid
up there without a chance.

You even told him how to die.

How rotten.
Told my brother how to die.

Scotty!

- Hello, Phipps.
- Hello, Brand.

Is it really you?

By again!

You're looking a new man.

Thanks. I feel like one.

- I missed you, Phipps.
- Very nice of you to say that.

Courtney inside?

- Yes.
- Right.

- This is Mr. Sterling, Phipps.
- Hello. How are you?

How do you do?

Come in.

Hello, Courtney.

How are you, Brand?

'Fine, thank you.
It's nice to see you.'

Pull up a chair.

- Have a drink?
- Thanks. I will.

That's enough.

Well, the place
looks about the same.

Yes. About the same.

I never expected
you wanted to see it again.

What brought you?

'General sent me.'

Oh! Then I can expect
some pleasant news this time.

Well, what is it?

You've been having a rotten
time, Courtney, haven't you?

I know exactly
how you feel about it.

The old man says that you've
been raising the very devil

objecting to his orders.

This job is far too important
to talk about over the phone.

What is it?

The enemy start their big push
day after tomorrow at dawn.

Now the ammunition
and supplies

have been concentrated
at railhead at Sule.

And the destruction of that
railhead will stop their drive.

'And it's up to your squadron
to destroy it.'

Well, you're barmy, Brand.

Sule is 60 kilometers
over the lines.

If four flight
got half that far

the whole German Air Force
will attack.

Right! A flight
couldn't make it.

It's up to one man,
to go in alone, at dusk.

You've to take a chance
on getting there

before they can stop it.

- I say it can't be done.
- 'It has to be done.'

The man who goes will set
a dog's chance of getting back.

'Then you refuse?'

Well, there's no refusal.

I'll go myself.

Sorry, Courtney.

You're chained to this desk
just as I was.

You better ask for a volunteer.

'Here are the instructions.'

Right.

Gents..

Carry on.

Fellows..

...the enemy has concentrated
munitions for the advance

in a dump, 60 kilometers
behind the line.

Our squadron is ordered
to destroy it.

Now, there's no chance
for a flight to get through.

'One man flying low,
hedge-hopping might succeed.'

'The chances are ten-to-one
that he won't come back.'

I'm not going to order
anybody to do this job.

I want a volunteer.

- That job's mine.
- I'll take it.

- I'll fly, Courtney.
- Let me have it.

I spoke first, Courtney,
do I get it?

Right.

You get it.

'Here are the instructions.
Read them carefully.'

You leave at dusk.

In exactly two hours.

Right.

Russell, see that sergeant
gets his plane ready.

Yes, sir.
Right out.

Orders.

Orders!

Executioner Courtney.

Successor
to Executioner Brand.

Well, you've got your volunteer.

Your job's gonna be done.

But it means that boy
out there is going to die.

It means that Scotty
is going to die.

Sorry, Courtney.

Yes?

Get out, Courtney!

Like it or not

I'm going over these maps
with you.

I know what I am
going to do.

I don't need to be told
how to die.

I'm in command here.

You'll just sit there
and listen to my orders.

I wouldn't drink that
if I were you.

You had a lot already.

You can't stand much.

Can't I?

I know how much I can stand.

Well..

Get on with it.

You take this point.

You'll follow through the valley
until you hit the railway.

Here.

Then East until you get there.

Now, here's Sule.

The big warehouses are right
here at the railhead.

And ammunition are piled
in this area here.

A hit anywhere
in this vicinity will do it.

Sorry.

The enemy high patrol will be
on it's way back at dusk.

You'll have to go in
very low to avoid them.

One would think
I were green kid.

First lesson of
them flying grounder school.

Your only chance is to reach it
before they spot you.

Keep a lookout on the way over.

That place is
alive with arches.

They'll phone ahead
and you may run into a barrage.

But you'll have to
keep on going.

Court...time to go yet?

No, you have a good hour.

I'll wake you when it's time.

- Yeah. Oh, Court.
- Yes?

Sorry. I understand.

Brass hats. Orders.

'I can't go out there
still sore at you.'

'Can I?'

Why, of course not.

Now, go to sleep.

Go to sleep.

Happy landings, Scotto.

'Guns are alright, sergeant.'

'Very good.'

Aye, Mr. Scott will find
this in good shape.

'Right, sergeant.'

'Sergeant.'

Hello, Mac.

But..

You're not flying, sir.

Yes, Mac.
Going West.

Get busy there.

- 'Switch off.'
- 'Switch off.'

- 'Gas on.'
- 'Gas on.'

'Duck in.'

- 'Contact.'
- Contact.

Happy landings, sir.

Thank you, Mac.

- Any news, Phipps?
- No.

- Have you?
- No.

I've phoned wing headquarters
and observation posts at Mantes.

Haven't heard a thing.

We must do something, Phipps.
We must do something!

Steady, lad, steady.

We've dug a trench in the field
filled with petrol.

As soon as we hear his motor
we'll light it to help him land.

- What more can we do?
- I don't know.

I don't know.
I don't know.

Why don't you realize Courtney's
out there alone.

Without me. Doing the thing
I should've done.

Oh, God!

Come along, my lad,
come along.

We'll wait outside.

We've petrolled the width
of the field, sir.

Plenty of light to land by
when he comes.

Right.

I'm afraid it's no use, Mac.

'Oh ,don't say that, sir.'

'Listen!'

- 'I hear the motor.'
- 'It's him!'

Light the petrol!
Light the petrol!

Off with it!

Open it!

Back from the trench!

- That's a German plane.
- Look out everybody!

Got incoming!

'He dropped something.'

Here's the package
he dropped, sir.

What's that mean?

It means..

The gallant gentleman died
this afternoon.

Goodbye..

...old son.

Do you mind turning
that off, please.

- Righto!
- Thanks.

Quiet, lads.

Attention over there, please.
Orders for tomorrow.

Orders, fellows.

You'll be glad to know that
our squadron has received

special mention for his part
in checking the enemy advance.

A flight ready
to take off at dawn

to patrol the mass sector
of 3500 meters.

There'll be new men up tonight

to fill in the necessary
replacements.

...:::Lord Sadler:::...
lordsadler2012@gmail.com