Attack On The Iron Coast Page #5

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- Not a word, sir.

And the RAF?

No change.

This been checked?

Double checked.

What happens

if the ship's power supply is cut?

The firing circuit

is entirely self-contained.

Once it's set, nothing can stop it.

Not even hitting the gates?

No. The shock of impact

won't detonate the charge.

Only that clock can trigger the fuse.

That's how we can guarantee the time

interval for you to get clear of the ship.

Well, we won't need much time.

Anyway, the longer

the explosion is delayed,

the greater will be Jerry's surprise.

With luck, by the time she goes up,

this old lady will be crawling

with inquisitive Germans.

You can pass the word.

In exactly 60 minutes from now,

this ship explodes,

whether we're aboard it or not.

Aye-aye, sir.

Time to start the minstrel show.

- How are the men?

- Fine, sir.

They've got the picture?

I trust they're clear

on the function of the launches.

Once they've been deployed,

we'll be on our own.

If they can reach the jetty

without giving the game away

and silence those batteries,

we'll be in clover.

Once the men have disembarked,

will the launches lay off, sir?

No, they'll stay alongside the jetty,

ready and waiting to take us home.

I want you to stress this to your men.

If things get sticky,

you'll be in a hurry.

But that doesn't mean panic.

Orderly embarkation.

Understand?

Yes, sir.

There's room for everybody.

Providing they keep to their groups

and don't rush the first launch they see.

They understand that, sir.

Good. Then get them blacked up

and standing by.

That beard helps,

but you need a touch.

Thanks.

Come on, girls!

A little faster with your makeup.

We'll be on pretty soon.

We're not going to a party, you know.

Come on, behind the ears, all over.

Look nice for Daddy.

How do I look, me darlings?

You're not fit to be seen!

You'll scare 'em to death, Sarge!

Take your teeth out, Sarge.

He looks like my grandmother.

Battery D, sir.

Patrol sighted, unidentified.

What patrol?

- Inside the estuary?

- Inside, Herr Oberst.

What do you mean, unidentified?

German markings,

German camouflage,

but they don't give

the correct code signals.

"They"?

What do you mean by "they"?

The ship's in company

with four launches.

Four launches?

What kind of launches?

- I don't know, Herr Oberst.

- Well, find out.

Light flashing off the starboard bow, sir.

Light flashing off the starboard bow, sir!

He's challenging, sir.

- In code?

- Yes, sir.

Make the repeat sign.

Request repeat!

He's called

for an identification signal, sir.

Then give it to him.

Whitehall. 1-2-1-2.

- But that's-

- Enough to really confuse him.

- What was that code number?

- Whitehall 1-2-1-2.

Well, you won't find it in there.

Then it doesn't exist.

Of course it exists!

It's the telephone number

of Scotland Yard.

Stand by to signal deploy.

Deploy.

Sound the general alarm.

Alert K Command.

Send C and D companies

to cover the airfield.

Inform WB and Luftwaffe.

All batteries to engage the enemy.

I've released the launches, Major.

They're on their way.

If we knock out those heavy guns,

we've got a chance.

The launches should be ashore by now.

There's a boat making for the dock.

Making for the docks?

Are you sure?

Where are the gates?

Open or shut?

Shut.

B Battery's under attack, sir.

B Battery under attack?

What are they, parachutists?

Don't know, sir.

Radar to bridge.

Radar to bridge.

1-4- 1.

Distance, five miles.

Aircraft.

Bridge to radar.

Bridge to radar.

Is there any IFF showing?

Radar to bridge.

IFF showing.

Aircraft friendly.

They're ours, sir.

Remind me

to compliment Bomber Command.

Rather like the Navy, Major.

They get there in the end.

You give me that

normal procedure bit again, and I'll...

There you are, Commander.

Some tea.

I don't understand it.

I've tried them

five times already and no reply.

They should be here, or they're...

They could've ignored us

and gone in anyway.

RAF reports

sighting Mad Dog in estuary,

approximately three miles from target.

Thanks for the good news.

Three miles.

She can't take much more of this.

She won't have to.

They're coming in under our guns, sir.

Targets below our maximum depression.

- And the number two position?

- Minus 15 degrees.

Clear the safety stops.

Move target right!

Pill box, dock corner.

Yes, you're hitting them!

Keep firing!

Stand by for ramming.

Stand by for ramming.

Starboard a little.

Meet her.

Steady as she goes.

Engine room, give her all she's got.

If you'll pardon the expression, sir,

you're about to see the ship hit the fan.

She's all yours, Major.

All commandos on deck.

All commandos on deck.

Get moving.

The ship hit the dock.

Hit the dock?

Why? Why?!

- What damage can it do?

- Not much that can't be repaired-

- Are we concentrated there?

- Up to a point.

Are we or aren't we?

Companies C and D have moved

to cover the airfield, sir.

Bring them back,

and get that ship out of the dock!

Come on, come on, come on!

Come on!

- Sir, you all right?

- Keep moving, sailor.

Keep moving!

Major.

I don't know.

But the wheelhouse got a direct hit.

Was he still inside?

I'm going back.

Stay with him.

Come on, move.

You British.

You are mad.

Still fighting storybook wars.

Do you really think

that old tin can of yours

can seriously damage 35 feet

of concrete and steel?

It's pathetic, Captain.

Pathetic.

You haven't got an answer, have you?

There's your answer.

All right, check them.

Are you all right?

The Major said

to keep an eye on you, sir.

Let's go.

All right, come on, move!

That's it, Graham.

That's it, sir.

- Fire the retire.

- Yes, sir.

It worked this time, Jamie.

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