A Bridge Too Far Page #2

Only that the Germans first tried

to take Nijmegen Bridge themselves...

back in 1940,

and got slaughtered.

Go back!

Go back!

Do as I say!

But my friend lives

down the road.

It's my birthday

and she has a present for me.

Please let me through.

All right. Be quick.

Are you sure about the colors?

I'm sure, Father.

Believe me.

Model?

A field marshal in Arnhem? Why?

The British will have

an explanation.

Did you pass on

the message about the tanks?

Of course. But Model is

something more important.

You're a good boy

and a wonderful spy.

Now go and help

your mother with supper.

- Sir?

- Yes, Fuller?

- We've got some information on tanks.

- What?

Dutch Underground reports

from the Arnhem area.

- Established their strength?

- No, sir, but I've got...

- Have they been identified?

- Not by our intelligence, sir.

So it's the same rumors

as before, right?

- I believe these rumors, sir.

- Why?

The general consensus of opinion

is that our opposition...

will consist entirely of Hitler Youth

or old men on bicycles.

I don't really know why, sir.

Perhaps because no one

in Intelligence does.

I just want to be sure

our airborne carpet...

consists of live troops,

not dead ones.

I know everybody thinks

I'm overanxious, sir...

but I would like to order another

low-level reconnaissance of the area.

If that's all right

with you, sir.

Very well.

All right, Wilson.

Very well.

I wouldn't be too concerned

about what people think of you.

You happen to be somewhat

brighter than most of us.

Tends to make us nervous.

Naturally we'll do our utmost

to meet your tactical requirements, sir.

But please keep in mind...

the one factor which is

crippling all our plans.

It may seem improbable to you...

but we are desperately short

of transport aircraft.

I am aware of that.

I was surprised that nobody mentioned it

to Monty when he dreamed up this plan.

I need drop zones as close

as possible to the bridge.

This area's no use at all.

Can't have my chaps landing on chimney

tops, but this looks inviting here.

- What's the terrain like?

- Sorry, sir.

Our reports indicate that this terrain

is too soft for glider landings.

The nose digs in first on touchdown,

the thing goes ass over tip.

Total write-off.

All right.

- What about there?

- Afraid not, sir.

You see, after the drop,

when we bank for our return...

we run into

a whole lot of flak...

from this Jerry airfield

up here at Deelen.

Presumably you're intending

to let us land somewhere?

Oh, yes.

Hopefully, sir.

But as I was saying, we cannot afford

to lose a single aircraft.

That is the problem.

My problem is,

I don't just need drop zones.

I need drop zones

I can hold and defend.

The rest of my division arrives

with the second drop...

and General Sosabowski's

Polish Brigade with the third.

I understand, sir, but we really

think we've found the right place.

It's large enough for your needs,

it's flat and firm.

- It's also easily defended.

- Where the hell is it?

Well, it's not actually

on this photograph.

It should be...

Excuse me, sir...

It would be about here,

I think.

That could be

ten miles from the bridge.

It's just under eight actually, sir,

if you'd like to have a look at this.

You see, the terrain

is easy to traverse.

All our information

substantiates that.

Yes, sir?

Just making sure

whose side you're on.

Now, a drop zone

eight miles from Arnhem Bridge...

might be thought by some

to present problems.

My God, he can't mean it.

I'm afraid he does.

Must know what he's doing.

That's more than I know. Why should

he have a corner on the market?

...cannot under any stretch

of the imagination be considered ideal.

But the gliders will be bringing in

a reconnaissance squadron of jeeps...

specially fitted

with twin Vickers machine guns.

The instant we land,

they will race ahead to the bridge...

and hold it...

until the other battalions

arrive on foot.

And they'll be quick enough

to secure both ends of Arnhem Bridge?

- Most certainly.

- Good.

My headquarters will be

in the center with 82nd.

Now, just you remember that

we're all totally interlocked.

This is a bottom-to-top operation.

on to 82nd.

to British Airborne.

If any one group fails,

it's total failure for us all.

All we need now

are three days of clear skies.

Thank you, gentlemen,

very much.

Only the weather

can stop us now.

Weather! Cristos!

What of the Germans?

Don't you think that since we know...

that Arnhem is so crucial to their

safety, they might know that too?

Now look here.

The few troops

in the area are...

second class.

They're not front-line caliber.

Not at all.

Do you understand?

You ought to have more faith

in Montgomery's intelligence reports.

He's done pretty well for us

in the last three or four years.

I will tell you

the extent of my faith.

I'm thinking of asking

for a letter from you...

stating that I was forced

to act on your orders...

in case my men are massacred.

I see.

Yes, I do see.

Do you wish such a letter?

Of course not.

In the case of massacre,

what difference would it make?

- You don't believe me, sir?

- Clearly not.

All right, boys, Naafi's up.

Take your break.

God Almighty!

Sorry about that, sir.

But what then?

I just don't believe these

damn radios are strong enough...

to carry the eight miles

from the drop zone to Arnhem Bridge.

Don't happen to have

any cigarettes, do you, sir?

They're perfectly okay.

I've used them God knows how many times.

You've already told me that

God knows how many times.

Well, I didn't have any problems

with them in the desert.

Yes, I know,

but you see, Cole...

what genuinely and truly has me more

than a bit disturbed is that Holland...

being half underwater, is soggier

than most deserts you're apt to find.

Tends to have

a lot more trees.

- Any biscuits?

- Your biscuits are in your tin, sir.

Shouldn't you tell the general

if you're so certain about it, sir?

If I were,

believe me, I would.

- What if they really don't work?

- What difference will it make?

The general will be on

the bridge himself by nightfall.

He won't have to make contact with

the bridge if he's on it, will he, sir?

Well, if anyone

rocks the boat...

it's not gonna be me.

The regular projector chap's at lunch,

sir. I'll have it in a moment.

You're doing splendidly, Fuller.

Don't worry. I don't need lunch.

Damn. Nearly there, sir.

It's really worth your time, sir.

Believe me.

There.

Splendid view of the Dutch countryside.

Can't see any tanks.

Wait a moment, sir.

It's a lot clearer in the next picture.

If I can just...

Now.

- Next.

- Yes, sir.

I've had this one enlarged.

I shouldn't worry about them.

But, sir, you see

that they are tanks.

I doubt if they're

fully serviceable.

- Still got guns.

- So have we.

But, sir...

if they weren't serviceable,

why would they try to conceal them?

Normal routine, Fuller.

But, sir, we keep getting reports

Rate this script:3.5 / 4 votes