02x01 - The Bridge at Chalons

[bunniefuu]

Okay, Saddle up. We're moving out.

Sarge, that ain't right!

We just got here, Sarge!

Sarge, I just washed. You said rest and recreation were coming up.

Yeah well, I talk too much. We're going on a hike.

Kraut pontoon bridge. A couple of engineers are going to blow it up and we're their escorts.

Where is this bridge, Sarge?

A town called Chalon.

What? Are they kidding?

Chalon is four miles beyond the German lines!

Yeah, well why don't they b*mb it?

I don't know. Weather's got them socked in. The planes are grounded.

Well, let's wait. Maybe it'll clear up.

Sergeant?

This is the engineer personnel.

Sgt. Turk, Cpl. McQuillan.

Sgt. Saunders.

Hi.

They told me I'd have a platoon.

You were told wrong. Squad is all we can spare.

Saunders, you'll be responsible for getting these men in and out.

Sgt. Turk will be in charge at the bridge. Any questions?

Yeah, I got a question. How do I get a hundred pounds of high expl*sives

to that bridge and get out without being picked off by the Krauts with this outfit?

Those are your orders, Sergeant.

Now the truck will take you as close to the lines as it can get.

Good luck.

We'll get you to that bridge.

Or die trying.

Everything.

Take off.

Hey! Take it easy, will you, Caje?

This isn't K-rations, you know!

Oh, boy. It sure makes me nervous, snuggling up to this stuff.

What happens if you get hit carrying it?

It can't go off. You can sh**t right into it and nothing can happen.

He's right only don't try it.

It takes a detonator to set it off and cap.

They'll go off if they hit but we'll be carrying them.

- Forget it, McQuillan.

- It works like this.
- Forget it, McQuillan.

You'll get your chance to shine at the bridge.

The only thing they have to know about composition C is

how to carry it.

All right, everybody, gather around here.

Here's where we are right now.

This is the river and this is the bridge at Chalon.

We can expect outpost lines here and enemy patrols all the way to the river.

Now we're not looking for a fight.

Our mission is to get to the bridge. We're going to go in here.

We're going to go in here.

What's so special about this bridge?

How long you been in the w*r, kid?

I came in at Normandy.

Well, start acting like it.

By blowing up that bridge, we're going to cut off the German retreat.

Tanks, trucks, g*ns. So we don't have to fight them all over again on the other side of the river.

Are the Krauts at the bridge yet?

No, but they're pulling back fast.

Any more questions?

Caje, take the point.

All right.

You fall in the middle right behind Nelson there.

Any trouble, just follow my lead.

Say, Sergeant, I've been thinking.

A guy sure has to know what he's doing when he's playing around with expl*sives

Y'know, I've had some experience with expl*sives.

Not composition-C, we used to use dynamite.

- Is that right?

- Back home, I used to help my dad blow stumps.
- Is that right?

- Is that right?

Yeah but, listen Sarge, what I really wanted to say is I know more about...

Get away from me!

But I thought when we got to the bridge I could...

Look, stump blower, if and when we get to that bridge, I don't want you anywhere around me.

Do you understand that?

Now get back on the file, where you belong.

We'll go behind, along the face of the slope.

All right.

Kraut outpost.

We'll slip up the hill behind them. Pass the word.

[speaking German]

Are you trying to foul up this mission?

It was a loose rock. I couldn't help it.

You got loose brains. A guy with clumsy feet don't belong out here.

All right, hold it.

What happened back there was an accident. Could have happened to you, me or anybody else.

From now on, you got any complaints against the men in this squad, you make them through me.

I'll do that.

Is Turk always that touchy?

He's one of the best demolition men this Army's got.

He's just worried you won't be able to get us to that bridge.

Okay, let's move.

Take cover!

Doc!

Little John's hit!

Drag them off to the side, hide them in the trees.

The bikes too.

Turk's responsible for this! He fired that first shot!

Well, what do you got to say now? This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't fired too soon!

How do you think I was to set those charges without this primer cord?

Besides, those Krauts would be on their way to report this patrol right now if I hadn't of.

You big expert! You stump blower! You had no right sticking your nose in that pack!

Let him alone, he's hurt.

Get out of here!

Look, I said let him alone!

Boy, you guys are experts.

First of all you try to get rid of the primer cord. Now you're trying to blow up the detonators!

Soldier, you are going to get court martialed, I promise you that!

We get out of this, you are going to be court martialed!

Is this what you got so hot about?

You had to get off that early shot and get one of my men hit?

That Kraut had to be stopped.

We would have stopped them as soon as Little John took cover.

Maybe. But that's a margin I can't afford, Sergeant.

You know, we don't have much chance to get to that bridge as it is.

If those Krauts got away, we'd have no chance.

You listen to me. I'm going to remind you just one time.

I'm in charge of this outfit until we get to the bridge.

And if anything happens, I'll decide what we do about it.

You got it?

- Okay.

- How you doing?
- Okay.

- Okay.

Don't be a hero, we got a long way to go.

I said I'm okay! I'm going to be there when the great master puts on his show!

If you hadn't tangled with him, somebody else would. You had good reason.

Thanks.

Hey, don't forget that, will you? Because you'll probably have to tell it to a court-martial when we get back.

Yeah. It'll be a pleasure.

Sarge?

How's Little John doing?

He's okay.

I've been talking with McQuillan, Sarge.

He tells me Turk has had a long go at this demolition business without any relief.

All right, come on, get to it.

Well, he's been on these missions since Africa, Sarge.

Sicily, Salerno, Normandy.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to excuse him.

I just thought it might help you to know a little about him, that's all.

All right, so I know a little bit about him.

Well, too much tension and not enough rest

is a tough combination. You know that, Sarge.

A guy gets to think his luck's run out on him.

Do you know the last time out he lost a longtime buddy?

So? Who hasn't?

What makes you think Turk is any different to me than any other G.I I've been thrown in with?

This is just another job.

And I'm doing it.

Well, I better get on back.

I understand you've been blowing up stuff since Africa.

Medic told me you lost a buddy last time out.

C'est la guerre, huh?

Look, Turk, we drew each other.

I didn't ask for this any more than you did.

All right, you've been run dry maybe but you can better your chances and ours if you'd slack off a little.

Oh, I got it.

Mother hen's worried about her little chicks.

You think that a little soft soap will make me drop my charges against that slug-happy buddy of yours.

Well, you're wrong.

So why don't you stop trying to understand and just do your job.

Its not much but you're all the protection I have

and I'd feel a little bit better if you'd at least take your place up on the line.

Kirby!

Bear a little more to the right up on that high ground.

Those trees will give us some cover.

Say, Caje, you got the language and all

You ever think of staying over here after the w*r?

Yeah, some.

Sure is pretty.

I think Wilkinson's dead!

- Yeah?

- Kirby?
- Yeah?

- Yeah?

You're with me. Caje, you follow us.

Come on, give us some cover here!

Doc!

Nelson, take the point.

After all this racket, we'll have to clear out fast. Keep your eyes open!

Doc, I'm going to send you back with Caje and Little John.

Can't make it all the way, you hole up and you wait. You got it?

Right.

Get to that man's pack.

Don't touch those packs!

We'll carry them.

All right. Let's move out.

Kirby.

What's the trouble? You're not keeping up.

Well, I think it's my ankle, Sarge. I must have sprained it or something.

Your ankle? Okay, let's take a look at it.

[winces]

When did it happen?

Well, it's not serious.

I think I had it laced too tight for one thing because it feels better already.

How long you been walking on this?

This happened when you fell back at the cemetery, didn't it?

Come on, Sarge, I don't want to hold you up.

You're holding us up right now! What do you think I'm doing back here?

You were so far behind, we were losing you.

There's nothing to it. It's just a little sprain, that's all.

Now don't give me that! Don't you know Doc needed you?

You, at least, could have handled a r*fle. You should have gone back with them.

Okay, come on now, start back. Try to catch up with Doc and give him a hand.

I'm not going back! I'm not going to quit and give him the satisfaction.

You're going back.

The bridge should be right around the bend.

If you brought us the right way.

Krauts.

Should have been here sooner.

I thought we were supposed to get here before the Germans pulled back this far.

We were, junior.

It wasn't that close. They didn't just get here. There's more coming.

Do you still think you could blow the bridge?

Still think you can get me there?

We haven't got a prayer of getting at it from this side.

We're going to have to cross the river.

Billy, take off your packs. We'll hide them here. Turk?

You stay here and watch the equipment. McQuillan?

You look up and down the river. Try to find a boat but keep out of sight.

Billy, you come with me. We're going to scout what's left of that farmhouse up there.

Now we all meet back here in thirty minutes.

You do any good?

No, I went down as far as the next bend. We're out of luck on a boat.

Or are we?

Did you find a boat?

All right, maybe this will do.

There's a backwash down there practically surrounded by brush. We could try it out there.

Well, if it works, we'll lash everything on the top and make it in one trip.

Do I load it up now? Then we'll be ready to go the minute it gets dark.

Right. Billy?

Go with me up the hill, we'll pick out a spot for you to dig in.

You want me to stay on this side?

You'll give us cover. Let's go.

What are you doing?

I'm thinking. I gotta blow a bridge.

Where's McQuillan?

He's down by the river putting that raft together.

What kept you?

Did you have to hold Junior's hand to get him to stay by himself?

He's dead.

He stopped a Kraut from getting off a shot.

Where were you? Keeping the Krauts off our necks is the escorts job.

That's why you're here, Saunders.

Looks like you blew it.

Well, not counting Junior up on the hill, that leaves two of us.

I was right.

They didn't send enough men.

Tell me something, Turk.

Why do you hate so much?

You can get a lot done with hate.

Let me put it another way.

What are you afraid of?

I'm only afraid of one thing, Saunders.

That sometime, someplace, some jerk is going to get me k*lled.

I've come a long way.

When I was seventeen, I was setting charges in open-pit mines.

At 21, I was blowing oil wells.

I'd hate to cash in now because some jerk who's not dry behind the ears yet slops up a detail.

You know, Saunders, you don't have to go on with this.

Nobody expected you and one man to hold off the whole German army while I'm blowing a bridge.

My orders are to get you to that bridge and back.

That's what I'm going to do.

That is unless...

unless you call it off.

I mean, you got yourself an excuse, Turk, you lost your assistant.

So it's your decision.

Do we go?

We go.

Okay, Saunders, this is where I take over.

I'm going to go up ahead and have a look see. I'll be back to handle the stuff.

[frogs croaking]

There's a cave over there.

Can you get up? You hear me, Turk? Can you get up?

Come on, get up. Up!

Put your arms around me! Get up, come on!

You can make it! Now get up and help me!

Hold on!

I knew I'd get it this time. I knew it.

My luck didn't run out.

They took it away from me when they gave me you. You and your creeps.

Go on, get out! Save your own neck.

Turk.

Turk, that bridge is still there. Don't quit on me now.

Come on, Turk, don't quit on me now!

What are you doing?

I'm going to blow the bridge.

Not like that, you're not.

I'll blow it any way I can.

Take that mess apart, Saunders.

Don't be stupid. You try to blow the bridge that way...

Krauts will have it together before morning.

Turk, I haven't got time to take a correspondence course and you're in no shape to do the job.

Just listen to me and do like I say.

Bust up that ball into three equal parts.

Don't make the charges no bigger than that.

Make about twenty of them.

Then get the primer cord.

Cut it in three-foot lengths.

Put the end of the primer cord in each of the charges.

All right, I have the primer cord. Three-foot lengths.

All right, what next?

Turk!

Turk, three-foot lengths of primer cord. Now what's next?

Turk.

Turk, what's next?

Now you take the rest of the primer cord...

and lay it out.

That'll be your lead line.

And tie the charges onto the lead line...

About every four feet.

Make sure you press the C-2 in tight around the primer cord.

Right.

Take your main roll of primer cord...

and put it in one of those musette bags.

Then take your charges and put them in last.

So they'll feed out like a trout line.

[singing in German]

Okay, now cut it. One at a time, though.

Take the blasting box here.

Now put those two wires on those two poles.

Make sure they're tight.

All right, we're all set.

I'll count to a slow forty.

That'll give you time to get out.

Give me the handle.

This is my job.

My job is to get you back.

You'll never get me back.

I said give me the handle!

No.

All right, you just relax now, expert.

I'll try to be nice and easy on you.

Just relax.

Don't you mother hen me.

Hold on, hold on now.

Stop.

He's dead!

What are we carrying him for? He's dead!

He can't be.

He can't be.

He's alive!

Turk.

Don't die on me.

Don't die on me, Turk.

You're alive!

You hear me?

I'm going to get you back alive, Turk!

You're going to live until I get you back!

You're going to live, Turk.

Grab ahold.

Grab ahold.

Turk.

Turk.

Get out.

What are you going to do about Kirby?

You listen to me, Turk.

You prefer charges against Kirby and get him court martialed...

I'm going to find you.

Get out of here, Mother Hen.

Go back to your chicks.

Chicks, huh?

I've fought with them ever since Normandy. They're good soldiers!

And because they're out there all busted up is because they tried to get you to the bridge!

Get out of here.

You know something?

I'm going to have to put him up for the Silver Star.

Hey, what's happening, Sarge? What did he say?

- He wont' make them stick if he does!

- Is he going to press charges?
- He wont' make them stick if he does!

- He wont' make them stick if he does!

He should be grateful we blew his bridge for him and got him back alive.

[overlapping chatter]

Is he still made, Sarge?

All right, knock it off. Knock it off!

You guys make me sick!

Go on, look at yourselves!

You call yourself a squad?

You're a bunch of goof offs!

Little John, you caused nothing but trouble!

You mind everybody else's business but your own!

Like poking around with that primer cord and then dropping it on the road?

Now from now on, you mind your own business and you follow orders!

Kirby! Kirby!

You're a hot headed show off who thinks of himself first and everybody else second!

You fly off the handle every time you turn around!

Now cooling your heels off in some stockade may be just what you need!

So you just better shape up!

Now I've had it!

This squad is going to shape up!

You've been on the front lines so long, you're forgetting you're soldiers!

I'm sick and tired of holding your hands every time!