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Squadron 303 (2018)
RADIO CRACKLES:
Sector, 0-9-0. Repeat: 0-9-0. Five hundred plus bandits beehive over Rochester... OPERATOR RADIO CUTS IN: Sundial here. Steer 0-9-0. One hundred plus bandits approaching. - RADIO TRAILS OFF RADIO CRACKLES: Angels 1-8. Repeat. 1-8. Faster! GERMAN VOICES MIX ON RADIO GERMAN PILOT: Achtung! PILOT 1 ON RADIO: There's hundreds of the bastards! 0-9 is OK. Here they come! PLANE ENGINES WHIR PILOT 2 ON RADIO: Watch out for the Hun from the Sun! PILOT 3 ON RADIO: Tally-ho! - PILOT 4 ON RADIO: Tally-ho! CHATTER ON RADIO PILOT 5 ON RADIO: Jerry at 6 o'clock! GUNFIRE PILOT 6 ON RADIO: Damn it, I'm hit! CHURCHILL (VO): The Battle of Britain is about to begin. PILOT 7 ON RADIO: I'm out of ammo! CHURCHILL (VO): Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilisation. All fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free. But if we fail, then the whole world including the United States including all that we have known and cared for... will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves... that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last fora thousand years men will still say: "This... was their finest hour." - Tolo, what's he saying? He's saying that when we finally start combat... we'll be fighting not only for Poland. ENGINES HUM PLANE ENGINE CHUGS MILITARY-STYLE MUSIC PLAYS CAMERA WHIRS MAN, IN GERMAN: Attention! IN GERMAN: What's that? OFFICER, IN GERMAN: I'm sorry. Come here! Quickly! Clear this up. We've captured five new airfields in France. Together we have 1000 fighters with fuel and ammunition. And the English have 1000 planes including 600 fighters. We outnumber them 3 to 1. But one of our aircraft is like two of theirs which gives us 6 to 1. Pretty well, isn't it? Poland and France are already conquered. Now give me the head of that English bulldog. HE CHUCKLES - OFFICER: Sieg Heil! MEN CHANT: Sieg Heil! IN GERMAN: Ah, I love the aroma of a good cigar. And I love the smell of burning English aircraft. THEY CHUCKLE - OFFICER: Schn. PLANES ROAR MAN 1, IN POLISH: What's going on? This again? Medical check-up? MAN 2, IN POLISH: Are you surprised? They don't want us to fly. ...would you mind fetching... MEN GREET EACH OTHER IN POLISH Gentlemen? Three of you, please. Come along, don't be shy. Oh! Your blood pressure is too high. Because I look at you. Should I get naked completely? That won't be necessary. I just need to know of any diseases you've had in the past. All of them? NURSE: Name? Zumbach, Jan... John... Donald. Which one is it? Donald. Go ahead. P, E, Z, O, L, C, S, F, T, D Are you blind? Oh, no, Miss. I just read the last row so we could save time. Come here. Next. You can call me Johnny. You can go now. IN GERMAN, OVER SPEAKER: Fighter Wing, prepare for take off. Attention! Attention! Third Fighter Wing, prepare for take off. ENGINES CHUG AIR RAID SIREN - BELL RINGS KENT: Get to the shelters! Hurry up, hurry up! Come on, come on! Hurry up! Hey, son! What's your name? It's Wilson. - How old are you? I'm 18. Why? How many hours have you spent in the air? Ten. Ten hours. PILOT, IN POLISH: How many? Did I hear correctly? How many hours have you flown, Tolo? Four hundred hours. Donald, even more. We could help, Captain. They're just kids! Your training flight is tomorrow. Focus on that. Captain! To the shelters. PLANES HUM OPERATOR ON RADIO: Captain leader, Sundial here. Steer 0-9-0. One hundred plus bandits approaching Southend. Angels 1-5. Buster! PILOT 1 ON RADIO: Red and Blue 3, stay close to me. Captain leader, I've got to keep in formation! God almighty! A horde of bandits. Concentrate and fight. INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER GUNFIRE Where's he gone? PILOT 1 ON RADIO: Red and Blue 3, stay in formation! PILOT 2 ON RADIO: Blue 3, bandit behind you! PILOT 3 ON RADIO: What? I can't see him! VINCENT: Watch your nine! IN GERMAN: The Brit is 200 metres behind me. I'm attacking! GUNFIRE Roger! PILOT SCREAMS Captain leader, Captain leader! Blue 3... Blue 3 just bought it! SCREAMS ON RADIO Captain leader, bandit at two! ON RADIO: Wilson, ignore him! - WILSON: He's in my sight! ON RADIO: It's a trap! - WILSON: Just a few more seconds. Wilson! ON RADIO: Get back in formation! It's a trap! HEARTBEAT SOUNDS HE BREATHES HEAVILY ON RADIO: Watch your port side! Watch your back! Where is he? GERMAN PILOT: Fire! GUNFIRE WILSON ON RADIO: Oh, my God! Sir... when will all these training exercises stop so that we can get into the real action? You're not ready. How much longer must we wait? There are procedures. The squadron will be operational when I'm satisfied. HE SIGHS Procedures are what lost France. What am I supposed to tell my pilots who don't know if their families are alive or dead? Sir? More patience? Yes. More patience. Thank you. PLANE CHUGS OFFICER: This Royal Geographical Society saving policy. What do you make of it? I always thought the idea was we sent our boys off to conquer overseas and they sent back the spoils to King and Country. Now it seems like... we're asking any foreigner who's got a grudge against Herr Hitler to come over here and enjoy our hospitality. Quite! One of Winston's more eccentric ideas, I'd say. IN POLISH: Crop dusting again? THEY CHUCKLE IN POLISH: Very funny! Who's next? DOG BARKS IN POLISH: Gentlemen, let's draw. The highest card flies. Can any of you chaps take up a kite without pranging it? IN POLISH: Tolo, what's he saying? The Brit said you don't know how to fly. THEY CHUCKLE Hmm? Any of you? Sir, we've got a volunteer. He loves to fly. MAN SHOUTS: Fly, fly! OFFICER: Oh, I say... I say, old man... The Hurricane. MEN GASP IN AWE MEN, IN POLISH: Go! Go, go! OFFICER: Go! IN POLISH: Hi! IN POLISH: Are you placing your bets, gentlemen? He won't do it... All the money that he'll take off. - Alright. ENGINE SPLUTTERS ENGINE CHUGS TO A STAR IN POLISH: I'd love to fly that! Oh, bloody idiot. He thinks we can still see him under the cover of the clouds. How many flying hours has he done in a Hurricane? None. But don't worry... there must be some kind of m-manual inside. Inside... Inside the cockpit. What? There isn't? OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany training. Sundial here. Steer 2-2-0. Repeat 2-2-0. Angels 1-5. Sundial. Apany training here. 2-2-0. Confirmed. GERMAN PILOT ON RADIO: Paula 3. Enemy in front of you. 200 metres. I'm attacking! - ON RADIO: Roger that! Good hunt! OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany training. Abort and pancake! Bandits in your area! ENGINE REVS GUNFIRE IN POLISH: What's that? Damn it! Bandit behind me! OPERATOR: No Polish! Repeat! - ZUMBACH: Bandit behind me! Sundial. Apany training here. Bandit at 7 o'clock. OPERATOR: Apany, do not engage. Repeat, do not engage! Pancake! Pancake! Apany training, what's your position? IN POLISH: It's complicated! OPERATOR: In English! IN GERMAN: Where are you? ENGINE REVS HEAVILY GUNFIRE HE SCREAMS IN GERMAN ON RADIO: I'm hit! Breaking off! I return to the base! GERMAN OPERATOR: Understood. Sundial... Apany training here. Enemy hit. I return to base. OPERATOR: Apany training, Sundial here. Abort and pancake. Ah! Here he comes! He thinks the wheels are down! Oh, no. He hasn't flown a plane with retractable undercarriage. Good God, he's going to crash! THEY CHEER It would be nice to get a copy in Polish. LAUGHTER IN POLISH: Hey, tell us how it was? Tell! Poland one, Germany zero. THEY LAUGH AND CHEER - Seriously? Well done! Send in the Pole. Enter. Flying Officer Zumbach to see you, sir. Yes, send him in. Zumbach. Well, come forward. Flying Officer Zumbach, you might consider yourself somewhat of a daredevil. Risking your life is one thing - the lives of other people not to mention our rather expensive planes... That's just reckless. Reckless? - Quite. Sir. I shot the Messerschmitt down! - VINCENT: That is not true. Observer Corp hasn't reported any downed Messerschmitt. Flying Officer Zumbach, you are being reprimanded for insubordination. Your lot have to learn to take orders from their superior officers. You will be trained to learn our battle tactics. That's all, thank you. So up to this point we've lost 432 planes. And we're producing new ones. Planes, yes, but not the pilots quickly enough to fly them. That's why we need to get the Poles on board. Are they up to it? - Doubt it. They've already lost two wars. Then why use them? - An average pilot survives 10 hours in battle. The best, two weeks. We need the Poles to buy us some time so we can train up our own chaps. And what happens to the Poles? They all die? And you don't care. Has anyone ever told you you're a cold-hearted pig? They don't have to. My reflection tells me that every morning when I'm shaving. RADIO: One of our CBS correspondents in London, Eric Tate told us from Trafalgar Square that the Germans were continuing their all-day attacks around London. DOOR OPENS - But the British remain unimpressed. Oh, Jones... What does MI5 want this time? Hitler and his bloody army are about to cross the English Channel but of course the most important thing is that your feet are dry. The Royal Air Force is keeping Britain's feet dry. Yes, but for how long? I don't know. - Well, let me tell you. Two months, max. Unless we use the 8,000 Polish air and ground crew at our disposal. They didn't do very well against the Germans. They'll buy us time until the Americans enter the war. Bloody Poles. Sir, would you like to join me? Yeah, sure. Well done. - Thank you. Now your turn. I can see you've made yourself at home. What icon is it? - MAN: Our Lady of Czestochowa. She's been with us since the Deblin School. She protects us. OFFICER, IN POLISH: Gentlemen, remember that you've got only 300 bullets of ammo. That is enough for only 13 seconds of firing. At ease. How are things, Major? Will we turn them into fighter pilots? I'll train them to be able to fly even on a barn door. Who's next? OK. Daszewski. I also need a volunteer. Please, choose someone today. - OK, Tolo, go. Today, you go. - No, you go. Cadet Zumbach, please come here. Cadet Zumbach... please hit me. Don't be shy. Just hit me here. PILOTS CHANT: Janek, Janek, Janek! Gentlemen... Just hit me. Don't be shy. THEY CHUCKLE You see, cadet, in order to attack effectively you need to be as close as possible... Ah! - Ooh! And attack by surprise. That's how you should act in the air. Fire when you're really close to the enemy and catch him by surprise. I always tell my mechanics to synchronise the guns from 250 metres to 150 metres. That way you're saving ammo and are far more effective. Now, in place of engineer Kochan, his beloved daughter, Jagoda Kochan. She'll explain why P-11s choke when they dive during acrobatics. Miss Jagoda, come here, please. I'll also watch... I mean, listen. OK. So I'll tell you how it looks. It looks good. Very good! - THEY LAUGH Gentlemen! The reason for this engine's behaviour is its float carburettor. During violent acrobatics, it simply chokes. It's said the Germans have direct fuel injection but we aren't sure. I'll show you on the model, but I need a volunteer! Me! - Me! IN GERMAN ON RADIO: It's a hospital, not an airfield! MAN 2 ON RADIO: Paula 5, coordinates are correct. An order's an order. EXPLOSION To the shelter! To the shelter! EXPLOSION - GUNFIRE Bloody hell, what are they doing? IN GERMAN ON RADIO: Stop attacking! Immediately! Stop attacking! Immediately! MAN 2 ON RADIO: Paula 5, I don't understand... IN POLISH: Gentlemen! Major! England has declared war on Germany. France will be next. There are huge crowds at the embassy in Warsaw! Thank God! IN RUSSIAN: Gentlemen, any of you got a smoke? Easy, easy! I'm Polish! IN POLISH: I'm a pilot. Lieutenant Urbanowicz. What's going on? Are the Germans close? Soviets. They invaded this morning. Our battery is smashed. Our commander wounded. Let me see. Bloody hell... It's one of ours! - Thank God. IN RUSSIAN: Freeze! Hands up! - Easy! Hands up! Easy! We have a wounded man. Please, help him. GUNSHO - No! Does anyone else need help? Huh? IN POLISH: Thank God you're here! You have no idea what's been happening here. I know, darling. I know. Were you able to fix it? Just finished. We've been ordered to evacuate. Russia invaded in the east. The Germans are everywhere. Who are these children? Hello, hi! From a village. I have to help them to find their parents. For now they only have me. So... listen. Take Mayer with you. He'll be more useful to you. No. No way! Jagoda, you come with me. Janek. I can't. I have to stay here. Listen. Maybe I can get them to Warsaw. Take the motorcycle, it'll be easier. Let's go. ENGINE STARTS Take care. HE WHISTLES So, how far will it get us? No worries. Romania shouldn't be a problem. What about Jagoda? Start it! ENGINE ROARS GUNFIRE IN RUSSIAN: Take him away. Get up! Come on! Move! Anyone else wants to escape? Maybe you? Polish pig. Eh? I'm asking you! You took my coat, my watch, don't you want to take my shoes? SOVIET LAUGHS So, you are such a hero... - MAN: Sashka! I'm not finished with you. Understood? I'm coming! HE GROANS THEY GRUN GLASS SMASHES - Leave me alone! I don't want to go! - GERMANS YELL Jagoda! Zosia, I'll be back! Zosia! Four gin and tonics, please. Sure, right up. Can I buy you a drink? - Four gin and tonics. Alright. Er, I pay. Sure. Stefan Wjtowicz. Who? Stefan. - Stefan? Maggie. Nine shillings, nine pence. Thank you. JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS MAN: Oh, look. Flying fairies... I don't think we have that much. Please send the bill to General Sikorski. Sikorski? - Yeah. General? - Yeah. Alright. IN POLISH: One more? - Sure. Once more, please. ENGINEER: Good evening, gentlemen. PILOT: Good evening, engineer, sir. - Good evening. PILOT: Here you are. - ENGINEER: Thank you. PILOT: Andruszkow, it's time for us. Good night. - Good night. No, no. Thank you. Do you know that the latest Spitfires still don't have direct fuel injection? I wasn't able... to find our Jagoda, neither through the resistance nor contacts within Poland. Do you think that-- - But we're working on it. Things will be fine. INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE PILOT: Tighten the belts! Good. ENGINE ROARS OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany leader, Sundial here. Steer 0-1-0 over St Albans. Angels 1-5. Practise on the Blenheims as targets. PILOT ON RADIO: Sundial, Apany here. Roger that. Out. All Apany aircraft keep formation. IN POLISH: Cobra, Germans on two o'clock low. OPERATOR ON RADIO: No Polish. Yellow 2 here. Bandits at two o'clock. Low. OPERATOR ON RADIO: Ignore and stay in formation. PILOT: Sundial, I can't hear you. IN POLISH: Paszka, take the bastard. PASZKIEWICZ, IN POLISH: OK, Cobra. OPERATOR ON RADIO: No communication in Polish. No Polish chit-chat. IN GERMAN ON RADIO: Enemy! Distance 100. Faster! GUNFIRE IN POLISH: So that's your play? GUNFIRE EXPLOSION - GERMAN SCREAMS PILOT ON RADIO: Apany leader, I hit bandit. I pancake. OPERATOR ON RADIO: God help us. but well done. All Apany, escort the Blenheims and pancake. RADIO CRACKLES RADIO: The RAF is bombing German and Italian bases in revenge against the Nazi air offensive. The next couple of weeks of Luftwaffe air operations are likely to prove, one way or the other if the Nazis will defeat the British and achieve air supremacy. British air raids on northern Italy have caused Mussolini to make vigorous protests to neutral Switzerland which is being overflown by the RAF. The Swiss are, in turn, protesting to London about abuse of their airspace but can do little about it. KNOCK ON DOOR Come in. Sir, Flying Officer Urbanowicz. Sir. Sir. Pilot Officer you will take over the command from Squadron Leader Krasnodebski. 303 Squadron is now combat operational. Thank you, sir. - Tell me... how do you think your compatriots will fare? You'll not find better pilots on this Earth, sir. Attention! At ease. Gentlemen... it is important to understand that we are all many cogs in the machine that is the defence of Great Britain. Our radar networks and coastal observation stations give us just 15 minutes warning of impending German attack. If even one squadron lags, we lose that advantage. We fight as one unified fist. Is that clear? If I may... I know all of you. Some of you I've taken under my wing and trained personally and... I know the fight is in your hearts and that you are more than just cogs in the machine, but... I know that you are worried. That your thoughts are with your families back home. Our... brothers and sisters in the underground Resistance continue to fight the enemy whether he be Nazi or Bolshevik but focus, gentlemen. Be here. Think what each one of them would give to be where you are now. Because here is the only piece, the last piece of our free Poland. Our Polish army is here. We are here! We are the Polish army! And we refused to surrender in '39 and we'll continue the fight as long as we draw breath. Our enslaved brothers and sisters put their faith in us and... you know how they call us back home? The Angels of Vengeance. But enough talking. You were born to be fighters, so give those bloody Germans hell! THEY CHEER AND APPLAUD And show everyone here how it's done, OK? That's all what I wanted to say. Is that clear? - ALL: Yes, sir! IN GERMAN, OVER LOUDSPEAKER: Attention, attention! Attention! Attention! Fighter Wing, prepare for take off. IN GERMAN: They don't have a chance today. We will kill them all. OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany Red Leader, Sundial here. Steer 1-5-0. Bandits over Hastings. IN POLISH: Tighter! Tighter! Tighter! Tighter! I don't want to go bouncing like a dick in loose pants. OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany Red Leader, Sundial here. Steer 1-5-0. Bandits over Hastings. Angels 2-0. Buster! URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: Sundial, Apany Red Leader here. Roger that. Out. IN POLISH: I can see a lonely bandit here. Don't touch him! He's all mine! ZUMBACH ON RADIO: OK, Cobra. It's for 1939. We'll clean up the Channel and then straight on to Poland. Now watch and learn. GUNFIRE I'll finish him off! - PILOT: His engine is hit He's going down. Cobra, come back! Bandits on 12! I can see them. Can't you manage by yourselves? I was going to finish him off! OPERATOR ON RADIO: No Polish chit-chat! PILOT SCREAMS IN GERMAN: Paula 5 to base. HE GROANS I got hit! ON RADIO: Emergency landing on the airfield! Emergency landing! HE SCREAMS Damn it! Dear God! That was close! Which pilot has the number RF-B? I'll get the bastard! Those were Poles. One of them hit you. Poles... I knew a Pole who could fly like that. Shit! Six kills in the first mission. Tell me, Major, is it possible? Well, Kent and Kellett were up there with them. Sounds like rather good stuff. Have the newspapers been told? - No. Not yet. And I'm rather inclined to think that Kent and Kellett did the killing while the Poles are trying to take the credit. Perhaps you ought to fly with them. Ha! JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS To Squadron 303! THEY CHEER Sorry, Ox, your tab is empty. I'll order on General Sikorski's tab. - No, no, no! General Sikorski really appreciates your initiative but after paying the last bill he asks not to be billed in the future, so. Don't worry. Tonight is on me. OK. Thank you, mate. Thank you. - You're welcome. Oh, shit... Morning, sir. Airman. Yes, sir? Was it you who crash landed last week? Yes, sir. How old are you? In two weeks, I will be 22 years old. Sir. JONES: Let's hope you survive, son. Shall we get this photograph taken? Ready? - Come with me. PHOTOGRAPHER: Smile, please. Would you mind? - SHUTTER CLICKS Come on, Miss Brown, you're the film actress. Put some heart into it. SHUTTER CLICKS - PHOTOGRAPHER: Another one. Once more... - Let's go. PHOTOGRAPHER: Once more, please. SHUTTER CLICKS - Wait, wait, wait! PHOTOGRAPHER: Thank you, ma'am. Together! Big smiles, boys. THEY CHEER IN POLISH: And up! ROOSEVELT ON RADIO: The Nazi masters of Germany have made it clear that they intend not only to dominate all life and thought in their own country but also to enslave the whole of Europe and then to use the resources of Europe to dominate the rest of the world. I've got a mission for you. Right. And what's that? HE SIGHS You were a well-known and talented actress. I can make sure you'll be back on the newspaper front pages. So what do you want me to do? I want you to get close to the Polish airmen. Get to know them. Only heroes make the front page. Are they heroes? Some of them. Urbanowicz, for instance. And if they die? - They die heroes. Your grief. Think about it. Think of the acting opportunities. It better work. Start with Urbanowicz. OPERATOR ON RADIO: 1-2-0, 500 plus bandit beehive approaching Biggins and Kenley. - No English chit-chat! IN POLISH: Tolo, calm down. OPERATOR ON RADIO: 2-0. Buster. Sundial. Apany leader here. Roger that. Out. IN POLISH: Gentlemen, we're being inspected today by the top brass. - Let's show him how to fly! Cover his arse so nothing happens to him. OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany leader, Sundial here. Steer 0-9-0. Bandit beehive. 600 plus over Margate, heading London. Angels 2-0. Buster! URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: Sundial. Roger that. Out. PILOT, IN POLISH: Bandits on ten, low! OPERATOR ON RADIO: All Apany, bandits on ten. Low. Bloody hell! I've never seen so many Jerries. URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: Apany leader here. Blue section breaking and attacking. Very well! URBANOWICZ, IN POLISH: You heard him. Good luck. Red section, follow me! Attack! This one's mine... Donald, what are you doing? ZUMBACH ON RADIO: I am sorry, sir. I just finished him. VINCENT ON RADIO: Never mind. Bloody Poles! This one's mine. GUNFIRE GUNFIRE GERMAN PILOT ON RADIO: On 3, I come down. On 5, you fly away and I shoot. URBANOWICZ IN POLISH: Donald, can you see that? Vincent has a Jerry on his tail. - GERMAN PILOT: Take him down. OPERATOR ON RADIO: Stop the Polish chit-chat! GERMAN PILOT: Three... Sundial leader, bandit on your six! GERMAN PILOT: Four... VINCENT ON RADIO: Oh, I'm in trouble! GERMAN PILOT: Five! GUNFIRE - I've been hit! GUNFIRE Bloody Poles! ZUMBACH ON RADIO: Sundial leader, alright? Thank you, Donald! Thank you! ZUMBACH IN POLISH: At your service. IN POLISH: Mate, if not for you... Got on their tails. - Three times. Three times. He corkscrewed! And on the tail! He'll have to get me and then you... Gentlemen. You saved my life. You know, you flew with us. You are one of us and we always protect one another, so. That's how we were taught. Just like the musketeers. - Yeah. I know in the beginning I doubted you. And I was wrong. You are the bloody best pilots we've got. And you're a great leader, sir. - And you, young man are a diplomat. - THEY LAUGH OK, gentlemen, please. Write down everything. The bloody best pilots... In the world! THEY LAUGH "...in the world." Thank you. And they are really doing it. Doing what, sir? I personally watched them shoot down eight aeroplanes without losses. Look, here... is a congratulatory telegram from Minister Sinclair. Is this with the press agencies and the BBC? Yes, it is. - Good. VINCENT CHUCKLES I want the information about this Polish victory not only on the radio but also on the newspapers' front pages with photos. Unless you still have reservations about foreigners. Oh, no, of course not. No, no. No, no, no. Pub? Pub? Me? And the Poles? Oh, no. MUSIC: "Charleston!" by Donaldson and Kahn TOLO IN POLISH: Gentlemen. Shall we bet on who she's going to dance with? With me. I'm betting on Donald! Thanks, Tolo, but I think it's going to be Urbanowicz! Whatever happens, it's all for one... ALL: And one for all! Good evening. Good evening. Got a light? Shall we dance? Why not? Hm! Thank you. Yes! Do you always treat women that way? Which way? Do you make bets on them often? We bet on who you'd choose to dance with. And who guessed correctly? Tolo. - Which one's he? That one. I know, he's not very handsome. And what was the prize? A round of drinks. Ansell, a bottle of whisky for this man on my tab. Of course, madam. I didn't want to offend you. And yet you have. Gentlemen. MUSIC STOPS MUSIC: "Bei Mir Bistu Shein" by Jacobs and Secunda # Bei mir bistu shein means that you're grand # # Bei mir bistu shein, again I'll explain # # It means you're the fairest in the land... # HE SINGS - Shh! THEY LAUGH This is it. I don't usually make a habit of inviting in strangers. Let me introduce myself again. Donald Zumbach. Enchant. Mademoiselle. SHE SIGHS - I'll never learn. INDISTINCT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER "BEI MIR BISTU SHEIN" PLAYS IN POLISH: Don't take advantage of the situation! Everyone's looking. I'm not surprised. You look beautiful. IN GERMAN: Captain von Ruttenberg! RUTTENBERG: Lieutenant Urbanowicz. Welcome. - Nice to see you. IN POLISH: My friend from air race competitions. Friend? Not all Germans voted for Hitler. Engineer Kochan. Wilhelm von Ruttenberg. - Kochan. IN GERMAN: Good evening. - Good evening. Captain Johann Behr. - Nice to meet you. I'm pleased to be able to introduce you. Do sit down. Thank you. I can't? - You didn't deserve it. We haven't seen each other for a while. Two years? - Three. Really? Three years? - Yes. How do you know each other? From air race world championships. That's very interesting. Wait. Easy... Is it mechanical or gravity fed? - Excuse me? The fuel injection in the Messerschmitt 109. Jagoda Kochan. Wilhelm von Ruttenberg. It's a pleasure. And? - Yes, and? Let's raise a toast to Lieutenant Urbanowicz! The best pilot I know and to the next air race World Championships probably in London. I hope we win this time. I wouldn't be so sure! We will win for our Fhrer. Let's drink to our friendly rivalry and to the championships! And not to Hitler? Hard times have come for friendship like ours. Unfortunately, we have to... To our leaders. No, to your charming companion. Will I be allowed to dance with you? With your permission, of course. Is he allowed? Of course. So, is it a mechanical or gravity fuel injection system? BEHR: Please, sit down. MARCHING DRUMS PLAY Sieg Heil! PATRIOTIC MUSIC PLAYS THEY SING: "Die Fahne Hoch" by Horst Wessel RADIO: This is London. This morning, large forces of German bombers are continuing their unprecedented attack to bomb England. We do not know yet how many more planes the Royal Air Force have added to their record score yesterday. Would you mind waiting here? Flying Officer Zumbach, sir. Come. How can I help? - Sir. Can we say in French? My English no good enough. IN FRENCH: Of course. I'm looking for the daughter of engineer Kochan. Her name is Jagoda Kochan. would you please, Victoria? Jagoda... Koshon? Kochan. Jagoda Kochan. Ja... Ko... Koshon...? May I, sir? Please. IN FRENCH: We all know who is the daughter of engineer Kochan. If the girl appears in England or in any of our colonies, our intelligence will notice that. We'll let you know. Merci, sir. Good. Anything else? No. Thank you. Goodbye. - Au revoir. Au revoir. IN POLISH: Look, it's the doctor! Flying Officer Urbanowioz. Victoria Brown. Charmed. Miss Victoria? May I ask you to dance with me? I would love to dance with you. STRING MUSIC PLAYS IN POLISH: Donald, bandit at 10 high. Take him, he's yours! Yes, sir. GUNFIRE GUNFIRE GUNFIRE ZUMBACH ON RADIO: Cobra, I'm on your 7. That one went swimming! URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: They'll count that one as a probable. Do you have enough fuel? Enough. Cobra, next one is yours. Morning. What brings you here so bright and early? This. Yes, what a splendid piece of propaganda. I told you, you'd bathe in their reflected glory. Yes, right. And can you show me where I am? No? I'll show you. I'm here! I'm not even in the shot. And where am I supposed to be? Here! Or you could have been here. Next to Urbanowicz. Can't see Zumbach either. Well, darling... C'est la guerre. ACCORDION PLAYS: "Habanera" from Carmen by Bizet IN GERMAN: Look what they found in a shot-down Spitfire! Polish pilots. Pity we have to kill them. We're also in the newspapers. Excuse me, may I? Thank you. Have a look. Have you ever wondered why in their press people like us are on the front page whereas in ours, it's the Fhrer another leader... and the next one? Thank you. Have you something against our Fhrer? What I don't like is that, in the name of the Fhrer some attack Red Cross ambulances. Enemy ambulances. Ambulances carrying wounded. Are you trying to tell me something? MUSIC: "The Infernal Gallop" by Offenbach What do you think? PILOT, IN POLISH: Gentlemen! We have a guest. It's Kent! Hey, boys! Get in the car! Where are we going, sir? We're gonna have some fun. That's an order. THEY LAUGH TOLO, IN POLISH: An order's an order! OX: Tolo, Tolo! HORN HONKS Thank you, sir! Are we going to fit? - OX: No, there's no room! THEY LAUGH AND CHATTER THEY SING MUSIC: "Land of Hope and Glory" by Edward Elgar APPLAUSE FORBES: Gentlemen! The drinks are on me. And tonight you can call me Forbski. The night is young and we're just getting started. THEY CHEER MUSIC: "Down by the Riverside" by Louis Armstrong. Gentlemen! To today's victories. And tomorrow's! Knocked that back quickly. - I'm thirsty. Officer Zumbach? I believe I owe you an apology. Please join us. FORBES: Cheers! Cheers. And then we made our way from Romania to France. Some of us disguised as priests. It's remarkable. - Yeah. MUSIC: "Love Me or Leave Me" by Donaldson & Kahn Janek, Johnny, Donald. Which one of them are you today? None of them. I have a name for you. - Oh? Promise me something and the name is yours. Just one little promise. What kind of promise do you want to hear? Promise you won't die. Of course I won't die. - Liar! ALARM RINGS - AIR RAID SIREN PILOT ON RADIO: Sundial, Apany Blue Leader here. We are in the air. Find me Zumbach! Do you need some cigarettes, sir? I need Zumbach! PHONE RINGS Yes? You have to go. - What? You have to get back to your unit. How do they know where I am? That's what we have intelligence for. URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: Sundial, Apany Red Leader here. Can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you well. Apany Red Leader, Sundial here. Sector 1-6-0. 100 plus bandits over Horsham. URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: Sundial. Roger that and out. ZUMBACH IN POLISH: Cobra, I'm here, sorry! Better late than never, Donald. Good to see you! It's peaceful today. Frantisek? ON RADIO: Frantisek, get back in formation! Blast! As usual, he's switched his radio off! Frantisek? GUNFIRE Where have you been? Over the Channel, sir. I was chasing another Jerry. Did you get him? And we were all sure they shot you down. The chaps are drinking for you already. What are you so happy about? Because it means you care about me. Sergeant Pilot Frantisek, this is the last time you leave our formation. I'm excluding you from the squadron. IN POLISH: That's not possible. Oh, it most certainly is. you'll be flying separately from our formation. Just by myself? No. Alongside us as a... guest of our squadron. You won't be anyone's wingman anymore but no one will be watching your arse in return. PILOTS LAUGH Thank you, sir. MUSIC: "Little Brown Jug" by Glen Miller PILOT: Forbesowski? Come on. Come on! Listen to him. We'll bet you two double scotches the next girl you meet doesn't walk away from you. Do we have a bet? Done. - Cut. Take off your jacket. Cheater. No one likes a bad loser, Tolo. - Hey, hey... Wish me luck, chaps. Good luck! Hi. IN POLISH ACCENT: Something to drink, you like? Hi. Are you one of those Polish pilots? Of course. My name is Jan. I fly with the 303. Gin and tonic, please. scotch on the rocks, please... IN POLISH ACCENT: And, uh, please put it on my tab. Nice accent, Jan. FORD: Oh, no... IN POLISH: You're buying. - Wait, wait, wait. Hello. Are you a Polish pilot? IN POLISH ACCENT: Yes. Yes. I am flying with Polish squadron. My name is Forbski. Please. One more double scotch, please. And then two for my very good friends at the end of the bar. INDISTINCT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER TOLO: So England is already conquered! AIR RAID SIREN PILOT: Faster! Faster! Close it! OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany Leader, Sundial here. Steer 1-2-0. 400 plus bandit beehive over Maidstone. Heading for London. Angels 1-8. Buster. URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: Sundial, Roger that. Out. OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany. Vector 1-2-0. TOLO ON RADIO: Cobra, Blue 3 here. Bandits at 2 o'clock. PILOT, IN POLISH: Messerschmitts! On 2, high! URBANOWICZ: All Apany, turn starboard and break. Oh, shit, I've got a bandit on my tail! GUNFIRE JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS Lieutenant Urbanowicz. Major Jones. - Evening, Miss Brown. URBANOWICZ: Yes? HE WHISPERS Gentlemen. Arsen Cebrzynski. Stefan Wojtowicz. WOMAN: Stop the music, please! THEY SING IN POLISH: # Poland has not yet perished # # So long as we still live # # What the foreign force has taken from us # # We shall with sabre retrieve # # March, march, Dabrowski, from the Italian land to Poland # # Under your command we shall rejoin the nation. # OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany Blue 3, come in, please. Come in, please. Apany Blue 3, come in, please. Repeat. Come in, please. Apany Blue 3, come in, please. Repeat. Come in, please. THEY DANCE IN SILENCE THEY ALL DANCE IN SILENCE INDISTINCT WHISPERS Amen. Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned and I want to sin again. And I have killed already. And I wanted to kill them all. IN GERMAN: Congratulations on your achievement, Captain! What can I do for you to make it even better? Sir. May I wish you a long and healthy life. IN POLISH: Thank you. MECHANIC: Thank you doesn't buy anything. We'll settle the bill later. Fellas. There's never been so many of them at once before. They have three times as many planes as us. Kellett said that we can fly in a loose formation. The Polish way. - ALARM RINGS God help us. IN POLISH: Gentlemen, to your planes and everyone come back! - They've finally understood! Keep your fingers crossed! AIR RAID SIREN OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany Leader, Sundial here. Steer 1-0-0. 600 plus bandit beehive approaching port of London docks. Angels 2-0. Buster. IN POLISH: Silence in the air! GERMAN OPERATOR: Target Biggins, Kenley and Croydon. We'll win today! Yes, today I'll take revenge. URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: Gentlemen, it won't be easy today. May God protect us. TOLO ON RADIO: That's right. - GUNFIRE URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: We'll go right! Together! This one's mine. GUNFIRE Dornier is hit. Finish it. TOLO ON RADIO: I'm doing it right now! God Almighty! A horde of bandits! GUNFIRE GUNFIRE RUTTENBERG: No! Bloody Brits! I've got him on my tail! RUTTENBERG YELLS GUNFIRE URBANOWICZ: Do you remember that Jerry ace that got away last time? I've got him now! GERMAN OPERATOR: Base to Paula 1. Break off fight. GUNFIRE BEHR ON RADIO: Paula 1 to base. I got hit. Emergency landing! INDISTINCT CONVERSATION He's here. We will continue this later. I'm sorry I'm late. I just landed. And? And... I've arranged a transfer for you. - What? They need flying instructors. You can train the recruits. You don't have to fight anymore. But I want to fight. You can't survive this war. Perhaps. But I have to fight. Why? Because this is my life, my job, my duty. And I don't want to abandon my brothers. Then there is no hope for us. What are you talking about? I don't want to see you anymore. This doesn't sound like you. - You don't know me. What? Just go. You should go. Well done, bravo. I've always wondered what you got up to in the evening. Now I know. Quite a performance. These are for you. They're from Jagoda. Please continue your performance, Miss Brown. I'm not going to play a war widow. The mission is over. JOGODA (VO): My darling... There are black clouds here for the last past year. They're constantly waiting for the weather to improve. Maybe the sun will finally shine. This time, the other way round from the west. I hope that you also have some cloudy, rainy weather. I know that when the weather is bad you have less work chasing those animals. Maybe you will be able to get rid of the whole herd. Hug boys for me. I'm fine. I've nearly recovered. And I love you. With all my heart. Jagoda. IN GERMAN: Good morning. Captain Behr, there is a secret delivery for you from headquarters. Could you open it for me? Yes, of course. Thank you. Oh. This is straight from Reichmarschall. GOERING ON RECORD: The German nation has never in its history been prepared so well for the victory. We have the best aircraft, best strategy and the best pilots! So why didn't we achieve total victory? What do we lack? Spirit! Spirit and discipline. How could our bombers win if they had no cover from our fighters? Why did they shoot you down, you idiot? Now is the key moment of the Battle of Britain! Bring me the head of that English bulldog! If you surrender now, you are traitors. Traitors of the great German nation! Flight Lieutenant Urbanowicz. - Yes? Thank you. For what? For surpassing yourself. You didn't believe in us, did you? Believe, didn't believe... Who cares? You are born fighters. We are born politicians. What's this? JONES: Your obituary. How thoughtful of you. - It's my job. You don't need it anymore? No, you keep hold of it. Good luck. OFFICER: Your Majesty... may I present Pilot Officers Lokuciewski Paszkiewicz Daszewski Sergeant Szaposznikow and Pilot Officer Januszewicz. And, erm... Acting squadron leader... Urban... Urbano...? Witold Urbanowicz. It's an honour, Your Majesty. OFFICER: Pilot Officer Jan Zumbach. Zumbach. KING GEORGE: I've heard about your victories, Pilot Officer. You're all becoming the stuff of legends. For the glory of the nation, Your Majesty. But your name is not Polish, is it? OFFICER: It's Swiss, Your Majesty. But I am Polish, Your Majesty. OFFICER: This is Sergeant Josef... I do beg your pardon. Frantisek. - OFFICER: Frantisek Your Majesty. - Your Majesty. Are you a Czech or Slovak, Sergeant? I'm Polish, Your Majesty. And you? Lieutenant Henneberg, Your Majesty. Danish? - Polish, Your Majesty. And you? Sergeant Wunsche, Your Majesty. This is an old German name. Yes, sir, but I'm Polish. I have no doubt. What is your name? Sergeant Tadeusz Andruszkw, Your Majesty. Russian? Don't tell me. Polish? Da. I suppose being Polish really is just a state of mind. Our country owes you a great deal. You joined us at the 11th hour. But with your heroism in the air and great personal endeavour Together we will defeat this accursed enemy. OFFICER: Long live King George! ALL: Long live King George! OFFICER: Stand at ease. OX: Your Majesty. May I ask for a few words in writing for our chronicle? It would be great honour for our squadron, 303. The honour is all mine. Does anybody have a pen? Yes, Your Majesty. As I stand among you I'm beginning to feel Polish myself. IN POLISH: Long live King George! ALL IN POLISH: Long live King George! APPLAUSE ALARM RINGS Wait! Tadeusz! Don't be afraid. You're crazy! - Crazy for you! Please. Give him to me. - Yes, sir. I'll take care of our little friend until our brave pilot returns. Thank you. OPERATOR: Steer 1-8-0. Three hundred plus bandit beehive over Portsmouth. Angels 2-0. Buster! URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: Sundial, Apany Leader here. Roger that. Out. My God, what a sight. Now I know we'll win this war. OPERATOR ON RADIO: Apany, Kenner here. It's absolutely bloody marvellous to have you chaps from Polish 303 with us for battle. Enjoy the hunt and tally-ho! ALL PILOTS ON RADIO: Tally-ho! URBANOWICZ ON RADIO: We wish you all the same. CHURCHILL (VO): Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. |
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