02x25 - What Are the Bugles Blowin' For?: Part 1

[bunniefuu]

We gotta get out of here. Gotta burn this stuff.

How far are we pulling back, Lieutenant?

Aisno.

That's about six miles. Can't we regroup a couple of miles back?

No, the Germans broke through south of here.

We're occupying a blocking position until we can mount a counteroffensive.

Get the squad ready to go out.

They're ready. I'll pull a vehicle from motor pool.

You're walking this time.

Most in Aisno are inoperable.

How come we're using them again here, Lieutenant?

That was before last week's rain.

Quarter all vehicles, no personnel. Only wounded.

We always get the short end of it, don't we?

Message for you, sir.

- There's a flag in the play.
- What's a matter, Lieutenant?

A British infantry unit attached to the First Battalion north of us.

They've been operating on the first right flank .

First is pulling out but they've been unable to contact the British by radio.

To tell them to do the same.

- Well, just where are they?
- At rail depot at Chalons.

Well, can't the First Battalion get word to them?

No, the Krauts are cut between them and the British.

You'll need a squad.

Now wait a minute, Lieutenant, my men are beat!

Take anybody you need. Volunteers!

Hey, Sarge, come on. What's happening?
Let's get out of here.

You guys are going on alone.

Have you seen Cappy, Gebowski or Duncan around?

Yeah, up there. Why? What do you want with them?

- I need volunteers.
- For what?

Some Limeys are cut off up north.

We're going to have to tell them to pull out.

I'll see you later at Aisno.

Later? Listen, there ain't gonna be no later.
The Indians is coming over that hill.

How come you aren't asking us?

You sit this one out, I'll see you back at Aisno.

- I don't get it.
- What's to get?

He knows we're beat and he's going to give us a break.
Now come on, let's get out of here.

Hey, wait a minute, Kirby.

What are you talking about? We ain't the only G.I's in this army.

Oh, sure. There's Grabowsi who handles the BAR like he's got six thumbs.

Then there's Cappy, oh, he's a real Gideon.

You see this dent there? Cappy, yeah!

We were coming over a ridge and he tripped on his
own r*fle and almost put a hole in my head!

That Duncan isn't any Sgt. York.

Look, we're going back to Aisno and no place else!

Krauts.

- They're moving north.
- Yeah, just like us.

Maybe we can reach the Limey's before our paths cross.

- [g*nsh*t]
- Hit it!

It's a kid!

[speaking French]

Says a Kraut came to his house and k*lled his sister.

He knows his face, he's looking for him.

Hey! It stopped raining!

Hundreds of Krauts around here and he's looking for one face.

Well, what are we going to do with him?
They evacuated this whole area already.

Well, maybe the Krauts moved in behind us.

Hey, kid. Let me look at that pea sh**ter.

[speaking French]

Kid says he won't give his r*fle to anybody
until he finds the guy who k*lled his sister.

He wants to find out why we're not moving back like the rest of the Americans.

You just tell him we had an acute attack of stupidity.

Ask him if there are any Krauts between here and the railroad depot.

He says there are a lot of Krauts between here and the station,

but he knows a back road on the other side of the town.

Well, we can't take him with us.

You can't leave him around here with that thing, he's going to get clobbered.

A kid looking for a face to k*ll.

Well, what do we do now, Sarge?

He knows the road.

Tell him to stick close to us.

Kid says this road joins the main road to Lenor, the other side of town.

Says the farmer, he uses that road to bring their crops to the depot.

Maybe the Krauts don't know about it yet.

Let's go.

[g*nf*re]

Hey, Sarge.
The radio's all busted up, a shot went right through it.

All right, ditch it.

Halt!

Who goes there?

Sgt. Saunders, 361st Infantry.

I have orders for the commanding officer.

How did you get here through all those Krauts?

[Kirby] Maybe we flew over.

And maybe those aren't your uniforms.

[Caje] And maybe we really are little elves, eh?

All right, knock it off.
I said, I want to see the officer in charge.

All right.
This way.

Keep your eyes open.

Morning, Yank.

You men can stay here and get a mug up.

Come on, Sergeant.

Come in.

Sorry to interrupt you, Sir. This is Sgt...

Saunders, 361st.

That's right, sir. He wants to have a word with you.

Come in, Sergeant. You look tired.

We've been pushing pretty hard to get here, sir.

Oh? What makes it so urgent?

You and your men are going to have to pull
out of here and fast, sir. Fall back to Aisno.

Fall back to Aisno?

Who ordered this withdrawal, Sergeant?

- First Battalion, sir.
- But for what reason?

Well, the Krauts broke through south of here and
we're pulling back all along the front.

I see.

Unfortunately, our radio receiver broke down this morning.

But it seems that the situation has become more fluid during our silence.

I was expecting a messenger from First
Battalion, American HQ but nobody turned up.

So I sent one of my own men, about an hour ago.

First Battalion couldn't send a messenger, sir.
The Krauts are between the two of you, in strength.

I must say that is very helpful.

Corey O'Wilkins must be halfway there by now.

He is a good soldier, he wouldn't turn back before reaching his objective.

All right, Sergeant. Thank you for delivering your report.

I'll think about it.

But now, I must go to see to my wounded men.

Captain?

Maybe I haven't made myself clear but you
and your men, you have to pull out of here.

Look, Sergeant, you delivered a message.

I need time to consider it.

I suggest that you rest here for awhile.

Until I come to a decision.

Captain, there's no time.

I said, until I come to a decision, Sergeant.

Yes, sir.

Hey, Sarge, when we getting out of here?

I don't know.

Well, Deeks, how are you feeling?

A bit better, sir.

Got some good news for you.

I'm arranging to have you sent home, top priority.

Oh, thank you, sir!

You won't have to wait long.
Just a matter of a day or two.

Oh, it's Boldt, eh?

Oh, that leg. How long is it going to take
before you get that leg healed up?

We've got to get this return soccer match, haven't we?

I'm surprised, sir. The non-coms are three up on the officers now.

Oh, come on, Boldt. Give the officers a chance.

We're entitled a return match, aren't we?

Johnson, have a look at your arm.
How's that hand look?

Well, sir, I can move the old digit a bit.

We'll have the whole lot moving before long, won't we?

MacDonald.

- How's the splint, comfortable?
- It's all right, sir.

We'll have you playing the bag pipes before long, won't we?

Oh, if you'll hold them for me, sir.

We'll have to do that.

Oh, by the way, chaps.
This is Sgt. Saunders.

Since our radio packed up, he's been
sent to keep us in touch with American HQ.

Does that mean we'll be moving out soon, sir?

Yes, Boldt. That's the idea.

As soon as Jerry eases back a bit, we'll be moving out.

See you later, chaps.

See you later, chaps.

You've been hit pretty hard.

Oh, no. Nothing really.

A little a*tillery lace work around the edges and some casual sniping.

Just to keep us on our toes, you know.

That's it, Captain.

You've been hit pretty hard.

Rawlings?

Sir?

Aren't you men in the habit of standing
to attention in the presence of an officer?

That's all right, Sergeant, stand the men at ease.

At ease.

Sergeant, I want to introduce you to one
of our fellow American solders, Sgt. Saunders.

Sergeant.

I'm afraid that Sgt. Saunders has brought us some bad news.

It seems there has been slight German
tactical breakthrough to the south of us.

Our American unit commander has ordered us to withdraw to Aisno.

Withdraw, sir?

We haven't made a withdrawal since we hit the beaches at Normandy, sir!

Yes, I'm well aware of that.

But since our radio is un-serviceable, I thought
you'd be interested in hearing the news.

Sgt. Saunders.

Your men look as though they could do with a hot meal.

We'll get it pretty soon, Captain, as soon as we get back to Aisno.

No, Sgt. Saunders.
We are not withdrawing to Aisno.

At least, not until I am more aware of all the considerations involved.

There is only one consideration, Captain.

You were ordered to pull back.

Sergeant, I appreciate the difficulties that you and
your men went through to bring this message to me.

But as you may know, or may not know.

An officer is entitled to make his own decisions in the field,

When it is impossible to communicate with his superiors.

And I have my own wounded men to consider.

Now, Captain.

We found that boy on the other side of town.

He showed us the road that intersects
the main road about a quarter mile from here

Now, it's muddy but it's passable.

You can load up your wounded and get them out that way.

I see.

Garçon?

[speaking French]

Well, it seems that the road does go all the way through to Aisno.

Well, that's one consolation.

Sgt. Rawlings, I want you and Sgt. Saunders to carry out a patrol tonight.

Sir.

Observe the condition of the road and check
any German activity then report to me later.

Captain, me and my men won't be around here tonight.

I thought I made it clear to you, Saunders.

I am ordering you to remain here.

Thank you.

Captain, when we were approaching this village, we saw the Krauts moving in.

They're going to have this whole place locked up in a couple of hours.

All the more reason for you to stay, Sergeant.

I'll need all the help I can get.

Is five or six men going to make that much difference?

That's neither here nor there.

When I was attached to your First Battalion,

My company was considered one of the
best fighting units in the British Army.

If I retreat now and later it proves unnecessary,

I shall not only lose the respect of my men but that that of my superiors.

What's more important, Captain, the respect of your men or their lives?

Sometimes the two are inseparable.

Right, Sergeant?

You're dismissed.

Doc, why don't you give the wounded a hand in there, they could use it.

- Hey, aren't we leaving, Sarge?
- No.

Can he really do that?
I mean, order us to stay like that?

He can.

And he did.

Sarge, I hear something!

Hit it!

Well, there goes the road.

Three Germans don't make an army.

We'll go on up the road, see if they have any vehicles.

We'll never get the wounded over this road.

I say we go back.

Listen, Rawlings this mission isn't my idea.

Your captain ordered us to reconnoiter the
road and that's just what we're going to do!

Let's go.

We go with them?

That's the guys we got this afternoon.

[g*nsh*t]

- Robin!
- Hey, you can't help him!

All right, let's go back.

- Come on.
- Leave me alone!

You got Robin k*lled!

I told you turn back but you wouldn't listen would you?

[distant whistling]

Do you hear that?

[distant whistling]

Advanced, friend, and be recognized.

Hey, what happened? You're late, Sarge.

Well, lads. Did you bring back any souvenirs?

Aw, Sarge, it's a fierce miserable night to be out.

Hey, Sarge, what happened to Robin?

There was three Germans in the middle of the road.

Right away then, I thought this is a poor bet.

Sgt. Rawlings has already told me his version of the mission.

Now perhaps you'd care to tell me yours?

The road is accessible except for enemy patrols.

But you were advised to return, Sergeant,
which advice you disregard, why?

The mission wasn't completed.

As the Captain put it, I made a decision in the field.

And that cost the life of one of my men.

That's right.

Sgt. Rawlings would you say that road is tenable?

It's been heavily shelled, sir, it's muddy.

The condition our vehicles are in and the wounded to consider.

No, sir.

I must agree with Sgt. Rawlings.

If that road wasn't used by occasion patrols,

then your skirmish has now caused the enemy to
concentrate his entire strength in that area.

Also, you haven't been completely honest with me.

I spoke to the boy, Robaire.

And he told me about your earlier skirmish
which also took place on that road.

Now, Captain, I told you the Krauts were moving in.

All right, Sergeant, we'll consider that an error of omission.

But the point is, we must have some clear-cut, positive thinking from now on.

From everyone.

We shall not attempt to reach Aisno. We shall remain here, all of us.

And you will act in accordance with our procedures.

Is that clear?

- Now Captain, you listen...
- That's enough, Sergeant!

You're dismissed.

Yes, sir.

Doc.

Would you mind taking care of my wounded?

No, sir.
I got no part in this argument.

It's part of my job to keep people alive.

Well, that's mine too, isn't it?

Yes, sir. It is.

[bagpipes playing]

They're playing for Robin.

[bagpipes playing in distance]

If you ask me, they're screwy.

By the time the Krauts get through with them, they'll
be so full of holes, they'll pretend they're piccolos.

You better get used to the tune, Kirby.

We're going to be around for awhile.

Why doesn't Sarge get us out of here?

That Captain's a Limey but he's still a Captain.

Sarge's gotta follow his orders.

[bagpipes continue to play]

Hey, how about getting them to turn that jukebox down a little, will ya?

You keep your mouth shut.
He got Robin k*lled, we'll play our music.

Hey, you.

What'd you say?

I said, you got Robin k*lled.

Listen, nobody's responsible.

I wasn't speaking to you.

Love me, love my Sergeant.

Corporal Joyce?

Stand off.

Go on, off it.

How's your leg?

Been with the Captain a long time?

Since the start of the w*r.

And before that?

I've been in His Majesty's service for 19 years.



Army must be pretty important to you?

Do my job, best way I can.

I guess we all do.

About Robin.

Were you...

together a long time?

Since El Alamein.

Rawlings, I've been trying to talk to your Captain.

I can't get through to him, maybe you can help.

You and the Captain speak different languages, Sergeant.

Maybe you can explain them to me.

I doubt it.

Will you try?

The Captain is a Sandhurst man.

Sandhurst? What's that?

Same as your West Point.

His family had officers in the British army for donkey's years.

His own father was a general.

Well, what are you trying to tell me?

That he's an intelligent, capable officer.

If he is, why all of a sudden is he trying to fight this whole w*r alone?

The Captain's actions are not sudden, Sergeant.

It's the nature of the man. He doesn't know the meaning of defeat.

Why, a couple of months ago, we're passing through the village of Roussillon.

and three of our men, as green as grass, get
themselves trapped with a Jerry machine g*n.

Before you could say, Jack Robinson,

The Captain ran over to that nest and
he dropped a grenade right into their laps.

You're talking about the lives of three men.

I'm talking about the lives of a hundred men.

Rawlings.

Will you talk to your Captain?

You get him out of here before it's too late.

Sergeant, the Captain has given his orders.

And we're going to follow them.

Will you try, Rawlings? Just try.

I can't.

[incoming shelling]

Jerries flanking on our right, sir!

Right, Rawlings. Get everybody out who can walk.

All right, Saunders, follow me.

Hold it! Tell that kid to stay here! Go on!

- All right!
- [Caje yelling in French]

Get it fixed?

I tried, sir, but the bloody thing's jammed.

Well, follow procedure, man!
Get it close as soon as you can.

Stretcher bearer!

Stretcher bearer!

Stretcher bearer!

Better hurry up with that mending, Doc.

That Sergeant of yours might pull that withdrawal he's so anxious about.

Yeah, well that Captain of yours might wish he'd
taken the Sergeant's advice before this is finished.

A British Captain doesn't take advice from an American Sergeant.

Half-track!

You wanted to stay, Captain.

Now we're locked in.

- Captain, do you the bazooka.
- Sorry, it was knocked out.

What about anti-tank grenades?

None left.

A hand grenade won't do much good, Sergeant.

It might.

Fall back, fall back!

Caje!

Fall back, fall back!

Cease fire!

- Wait!
- Go!

All right, Rawlings.

See that the men get ammunition get
distributed to them in their positions.

And work them turn and turn about until they get something to eat.

All right, sir.

- Good work, boys.
- Thanks, Captain, sir.

Well, Sergeant, for a man so obstinate by nature

you proved yourself refreshingly inventive.

If that means thanks, then you're welcome.

Germans have taken up position further down the road.

They'll be back with a lot more like them.

Well, we'll be ready for them.

Look, Captain, those orders I delivered yesterday.
They still stand.

We're not completely cut off yet.
We could still pull out and try for that road.

We could. But Jerry seems to want this depot pretty badly.

He might even give up his advance if he can't get it.

Captain, we were lucky this time.

If they really want this depot, they have
the strength to take it and you know it!

We shall see, Sergeant, we shall see.