A Bridge Too Far Page #7

The words come through. I don't know

if I follow the military strategy.

We have the main hospital, of course,

but it is full to bursting.

Perhaps you understand

that we have great need...

of additional space.

Our house would seem suitable.

It's just for the slightly wounded.

You know, we'll patch them up,

send them back... that sort of thing.

I feel it will need

a little more than that.

We're wasting time. Come.

- Doctor.

- Thank you, Kate.

I will see you.

I will come back.

You come in. Let's see.

Please sit.

Come take this chair.

- Come over here with me, lads.

- Thanks very much.

Sit down.

Let me help you.

Oh, Colonel,

the major wants you upstairs, sir.

Okay. Thank you.

All right?

Thank you.

Still in one piece, Dodds?

Good. All right, Potter?

That's far enough!

We can hear you from there.

Rather an interesting

development, sir.

My general says there is no point

in continuing this fighting.

He is willing to discuss

a surrender.

Tell him to go to hell.

We haven't the proper facilities

to take you all prisoner!

Sorry.

What?

We'd like to, but we can't

accept your surrender.

Was there anything else?

All right.

And now?

Flatten Arnhem.

- Any movement at Nijmegen?

- None.

No way of blasting through

to the bridge?

I'd lose all my men for nothing. There's

God knows how many out there already.

You mean it's over?

I didn't say that, did I?

We've paid for that bridge,

and we're going to collect.

But to do it,

I need tank support.

You've got it, Jimmy.

The Grenadier Guards will be happy

to oblige. Is that all right, Alex?

Absolutely.

It's not just tanks.

I need boats.

If 30 Corps were American, we would

have boats. Did you bring any?

- Mike?

- We might have a few about somewhere.

- Can you get them here by tonight?

- It won't be easy.

We've got one road,

ten-mile traffic jams on it...

and Germans throwing shells at us.

-I don't know quite what we can do...

-Except try. You can do that, can't you?

Thank you, gentlemen.

Now, look here.

About these boats...

What is your opinion?

How many?

The general's a bit scratchy today,

but it's nothing personal.

When we dropped on Sunday...

I think he cracked his spine.

- How many boats have we got then?

- About six in each truck.

Where's Major Cook, soldier?

- I think over there, sir.

- Thank you.

Julian, where the hell are you?

Here, sir.

We're going to take

Nijmegen Bridge tonight.

- What's the best way to take a bridge?

- Both ends at once.

I'm sending two companies

across the river by boat.

I need a man with

very special qualities to lead.

Go on, sir.

He's got to be tough enough

and experienced enough to do it.

Plus one more thing.

He's gotta be dumb enough to do it.

Start getting ready.

What was all that about?

Well, someone's come up

with a real nightmare.

Come on! Keep moving!

We just got word from

the Dutch Resistance people at Arnhem.

- And?

- It's not going well for the British.

Their main force

never reached the bridge.

Those that did are hanging on

by their fingernails.

- And General Urquhart?

- He's got his back to the river.

The Germans trapped his men in a pocket

and they're squeezing it smaller.

How long can he hold?

Where are those goddamn boats?

Just keep it clear.

Right.

They're no further

than we thought. Julian.

- Sir.

- There's been a change in plans.

We're gonna make the crossing

in daylight.

- Daylight.

- Traffic's all screwed up for miles.

By the time we're ready,

it'll be 0800.

- That's when we go.

- Fine.

I'd like to wait and go tomorrow night,

but the British can't hold.

Better by daylight.

Much.

- Any news of the boats?

- No. We're switching...

- You want some?

- No, thank you.

We're switching the start to 9:00

just to make sure.

You start laying smoke

just before we go.

Fine.

They're going to get creamed

from the far embankment.

Your smoke screen's gonna be

their only protection.

Don't worry.

We'll cover you.

Please.

Okay, can I have

your attention, please?

I'm pleased to inform you that our 9:00

departure has been postponed till 10:00.

So you can all have

an extra hour's fun and relaxation.

- Major?

- Yes.

We got any more information

on those boats?

We're reliably informed that they float.

Outside of that, we don't know squat.

Not how many, not how heavy,

not how big.

We are sure that the river is wide

and that the current is strong.

As any more cheery information comes

my way, I'll be happy to pass it along.

In the meantime, just think of this

as on-the-job training.

What's the matter?

No sense of humor?

Goddamn it!

We go at noon.

Come on. Clear those roads!

You men are probably wondering

why I've called us here together.

I've reached a decision

that I'd like to share with you all.

I intend to go across

like George Washington...

standing on the prow.

You guys can do the rowing.

- That's it! Move 'em out!

- Here we go!

Get up there, guys.

It's heavy.

What the...

What'd you expect, destroyers?

Come on, put it together. Unload 'em.

Easy on them, guys.

- How many more?

- Get those sides up.

Fire!

What else can you see

besides smoke?

Nothing yet, but they are

going to try a river assault.

It will fail.

Of course it will fail, but...

what do we do

if it doesn't?

I ask your permission

to blow up the bridge.

Out of the question.

I understand, Field Marshal.

They will not cross the river

and we will blow no bridges.

Have all demolition charges

been checked?

Yes, sir.

Everything is wired and ready.

Captain Krafft

is standing by as ordered.

The bridge will not

fall into enemy hands.

As soon as the first

British tank starts to cross...

I'll blow it sky-high.

- Let's get going!

- All right! Go, go, go!

Go on. Don't wait. Go.

Jump in, boys.

If you don't have an oar,

use your rifle butts, anything.

Row!

One, two.

The current's taking us down.

Stay to your right.

- Support fire ordered, sir.

- Right. Thank you.

Get down!

Hail Mary, full of grace.

We're drifting!

Pull to your left!

Pull!

Keep it going, boys.

Keep rowing.

Stay down.

Come on, boys.

Thy will be done.

Come on. Let's go.

Let's go!

Snipers!

Help me.

Go up the side.

Second platoon!

- Can we make it through the tunnel?

- No way, sir.

Up the bank.

Cover.

Come on.

Sergeant.

Take four across, draw fire.

Harry and I'll go up the side.

You cover.

Go, go, go!

Come on.

Let's go!

Are you ready?

Yes, General.

Goddamn it.

My God, they're only

Who can stop them now?

No one.

Oh, hell.

Any chance, Whitney?

No, sir, not unless we're relieved

in the next few hours.

Harry?

- Try and get him down to the cellar.

- Very good, sir.

It's working.

I'm through to H. Q.

Where's the colonel?

- Down below.

- Get him.

- Colonel Frost!

- What is it?

Up top.

It's Headquarters, sir,

on the radio.

Coming.

Sunray on set.

Pass your message. Over.

What's your situation, Johnny?

Over.

I hadn't expected

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