A Bridge Too Far Page #3

from the Dutch Underground.

I've read them!

And so has Field Marshal Montgomery.

Now look here.

There have been thousands of photographs

from this sortie and from the others.

- How many of them have shown tanks?

- Just these, sir.

And you seriously consider

asking us to cancel...

the biggest operation

mounted since D-Day...

because of three photographs?

No, sir.

Sixteen consecutive drops have been

cancelled in the last few months...

for one reason or another.

But this time

the party's on...

and no one is going

to call it off.

Is that fully understood?

Yes, sir.

Thank you, Waddy.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Do sit down, gentlemen.

Please sit down.

Look after these.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Thank you.

Gentlemen, this is a story

that you will tell your grandchildren...

and mightily bored they'll be.

The plan is called

Operation Market Garden.

Market is the airborne element,

and Garden the ground forces...

That's us.

Now this is our position

on the Belgian border here.

Tomorrow, three airborne divisions

will begin landing in Holland...

thirty-five thousand men

taking off from 24 airfields...

in troop-carrying planes

or towed in gliders.

The American 101st here...

around Eindhoven...

the American 82nd here...

south of Nijmegen...

and our own 1st Airborne boys

and a Polish brigade...

here at Arnhem...

sixty-four miles...

behind enemy lines.

Now, their job

is to take and hold...

all the bridges

in these three areas.

Our job is to punch a hole...

through the German

front line here...

and then drive like hell

up this road...

linking up with each

airborne division on the way up.

Speed is the vital factor.

The plan is to reach Eindhoven

in two to three hours...

and Arnhem in two to three days.

That, gentlemen,

is the prize:

the bridge over the Rhine...

the last bridge

between us and Germany.

Kickoff will be at 1435 hours

tomorrow afternoon.

The Irish Guards, under the command of

Colonel Vandeleur, will take the lead.

- Christ, not us again.

- What do you say to that, Joe?

Delighted, sir.

Truly delighted.

I've selected you to lead us...

not only because of your

extraordinary fighting ability...

but also because...

in the unlikely event

that the Germans ever get you...

they will assume from your attire that

they've captured a wretched peasant...

and immediately

send you on your way.

Now, maintaining

the speed of our advance...

will no doubt be tough going,

as it's a single highway.

But no matter what...

we must reach those

Now, gentlemen...

I'm not saying that this

will be the easiest party...

that we've ever attended...

but I still wouldn't

miss it for the world.

I like to think of this...

as one of those

American Western films.

The paratroops,

lacking substantial equipment...

always short of food...

These are the

besieged homesteaders.

The Germans...

well, naturally they're the bad guys.

And 30 Corps...

We, my friends,

are the cavalry...

on the way to the rescue.

Do you want me

to pack that as well, sir?

No, thank you, Wicks.

I'll carry it.

You haven't forgotten

my golf clubs, have you?

They'll be coming later

in the staff car, sir.

And what about...

Sorry, sir?

What about my dinner jacket?

Are you sure you'll be

needing that, sir?

Well, let's hope so.

Why don't you quit that?

Chock-full of vitamins.

Here, Eddie.

Have a little strength.

Hey, where'd you put that?

- Damn it, Eddie, give it back.

- Right.

There you are.

I wish you hadn't done that.

My problem is, I'm not totally crazy

about the prospect of dyin'.

So don't die.

Drinkin' that garbage

isn't gonna keep you alive.

What is?

- Not gettin' shot.

- And what can guarantee that?

Nothin', for sure.

- You will.

- I will what?

You tell me, Eddie.

You tell me I won't die.

All right, you won't die.

No, no. Guarantee me.

I want you to guarantee me

I won't die.

I guarantee you.

Come on.

Let's get some food in you.

I wasn't kidding.

Hey, Eddie,

were you kidding?

Major Fuller.

My name is Sims.

Mind a bit of company?

Of course not, sir.

Busy times.

You must be exhausted.

Are you exhausted?

Who isn't?

We've been getting reports

from a number of your friends.

They're worried about you.

They think perhaps you need a rest.

We all need rest.

Why are you saying this to me?

Is it because

I rocked the boat?

I'm a doctor.

I'm only concerned with your health.

I think perhaps you ought

to take a bit of sick leave.

But why?

I'm not ill or anything.

I haven't done anything wrong.

Of course not.

You're just a little tired.

I am tired.

I think perhaps we might go.

Can't it be stopped?

I don't want

to be left behind, please.

It's out of my hands, laddie.

I didn't want to miss the party.

Move it, buddy.

That's the way.

Home, sweet home.

When you think we only had seven days to

get everything organized, it's quite a...

Bloody miracle.

It took six months

to set up the D-Day drop...

and that was only

half as big as this.

- How do you feel?

- Fine.

I'll feel even better

when we're in Holland.

Do you remember when I was

appointed to this command...

I told you I had never jumped,

but thought I ought to give it a go?

- Well, you did me a big favor.

- Really? What?

You said, "Roy, you're far too old for

that kind of thing, and much too large."

Did I?

What was the favor?

Well, I didn't quite tell you

everything at the time...

but I'm prone to airsickness.

Good gracious.

What, every flight?

Well, we'll soon find out,

won't we?

Go on! Get that

goddamn jeep outta here!

Who would true valor see

Let him come hither

One here will constant be

Come wind

Come weather

There's no discouragement

Soon be home, Harry.

- Better than the desert, eh, sir?

- What was that?

Easier than walking, sir.

If you say so, Hancock.

Yeah, fine, sir.

The artillery should be able to clear

the way very well. Your initial advance.

Yes, we'll move off as soon

as their barrage has got going.

- Yes, that's absolutely fine.

- Follow behind it as close as we can.

But you know...

this isn't gonna be the pushover

that everybody seems to think it is.

No, I didn't think so.

Morning, Alan. Your sleeping beauties

know there's a war on, do they?

Absolutely, sir.

Is it true that the Germans have put

more troops into the line ahead of us?

Yes. They obviously don't intend

to just let us walk in the front door.

Hello, Bob! Hope that's not

my funeral they're going to.

And I'm still

desperately worried...

about having them throw

everything up this road.

But there's no alternative.

Morning, Tom.

So I've decided to run

the road like a railway.

Nobody, repeat,

nobody will be allowed...

to put any vehicle on that road

without my permission.

- Including me?

- Good luck to you!

You too!

Especially you, Joe.

Morning, Derek!

Glad to see somebody

knows where we're going.

Time, Joe.

That's the killer.

We can't afford

to drop behind schedule.

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