Away All Boats Page #3

He's a natural leader,

natural in the boats.

Excellent. I'm making Sherwood

boat group commander.

You'll then have time to train

new officers...

and keep an eye out for me.

But I'll be well

by the time-

Oh, be practical, man.

It'll be months

before you can climb.

It'll be weeks before

you can walk again.

I don't want to lose command

of my boats.

We all want things our own way.

I wanted command of a cruiser

instead of this...

The Belinda

will get me that cruiser...

by being the top APA

in the fleet.

I need a real sailor

on the bridge with me.

That's where

you come in, mister.

For your information,

we're all through with dry runs.

Next time, we hoist our boats

in enemy waters.

Away all boats.

Away all boats. Away.

Now hear this.

Man your debark stations.

Boat 22 to White Three.

Amtrak's in line of departure.

Boat 17

to Green Five.

Boat 17 to

Blue Six.

Boat 10, bear a hand.

Getting alongside

at Yellow Eight.

Boat 11 to Red Two.

Amtrak's on beach, sir.

All right, Willie.

Let's take Makin!

all boats.

It's better time than I'd hoped

for our first combat.

I will not tolerate complacency.

We have to stow the tank ladders

on number five hatch.

They'll always be

the controlling factors-

CAPTAIN:
I am the controlling

factor aboard the Belinda.

My ship will set speed records

every time she goes into action.

The Belinda will be the most

efficient APA...

in the Pacific fleet.

Is that clear, Mr. MacDougall?

MacDOUGALL:
Yes, sir.

Get this man

back to the Belinda.

Flagship calling, sir.

Answer him.

Queen Bee, this is Tango.

Go ahead.

Tango, this is Queen Bee.

You are forward of your area.

Put ship back on station

immediately.

Repeat:
you are forward

of your area.

Put ship back on station

immediately. Over.

Queen Bee, this is Tango.

Wilco. Out.

Put the ship back on station.

Wait 20 minutes,

then crowd our area.

I want to reduce the time

for the boats to the beach.

Sir?

I don't believe

that's Boski, sir.

I can read his flags

like a book.

Have him repeat. I can't tell if

he's sending a Howard or Baker.

TWITCHELL:
Boski!

Come up here!

Forget the flags.

Use a searchlight.

Get going. He's itching to put

somebody on report this morning.

Yes, sir?

Where were you going?

Why didn't you report to me?

Why are you aboard?

I come after some batteries

for the beach transmitter.

That's a job for a radio man!

You were to stay

to receive my signals.

You deserted your post!

Exactly why did you come aboard?

Mr. Twitchell, sir...

Mr. O'Bannion ordered me

to get them batteries.

Mr. O'Bannion commands

the beach party.

I'm in the beach party and do

what he tells me to do, sir.

But I'm the signal officer!

I'm the signal officer!

TWITCHELL:
Boski!

You come back here.

How dare you walk away from me

like that?

Why did you do it?

Answer me!

Mr. Twitchell, sir...

if I stayed here when you

talk to me like that,

I'd have to clobber you.

To keep from doing it, I left.

TWITCHELL:
I'm an officer.

I'm your superior officer!

You disregarded me.

You order me to stay, and I'll

stay as long as you tell me to.

Sir.

So, what's left of these

two platoons of infantry...

are cut off about here...

near the tip of Wo Chi Island.

If not rescued by dawn, they'll

be wiped out by the Japanese.

The chart shows this reef

between the lagoon and island...

but the captain thinks

there's a passage somewhere...

wide enough for a P-boat.

Our job is to find it

and rescue the troops.

Now who'll volunteer?

It's a very simple job,

gentlemen.

If it's so simple,

why don't you go?

Why, I-

Gentlemen, the army

needs a hand.

Thank you very much, gentlemen.

I'll inform the captain.

I'll get a flag and wave it.

That's not funny.

I don't think it's funny,

those guys being trapped.

It's Quigley-I wanted to belt

him the first time I saw him.

MacDOUGALL:
He's trying.

Give him a break.

That teacup admiral's

had nothing but good breaks.

It's time he found out

it takes more than...

a toothpaste-ad smile

to pull his weight with men.

Mr. Kruger, you're elected.

You'll take four boats

and rendezvous with...

a flagship P-boat

for instructions.

You'll find it somewhere

this side of the reef.

- Good luck.

- Thank you, sir.

QUIGLEY:
The captain said

to take orders...

from the senior officer

regardless of service.

- Yes, sir.

- I'll fix you some sandwiches.

Fine. No use dying

on an empty stomach.

- Good luck, Kruger.

- Jim.

- Good luck.

- Good luck, Kruger.

- Good luck.

- Good luck, Kruger.

MacDOUGALL:
Commander.

Why wouldn't the captain

let me go?

QUIGLEY:
He didn't say.

I'd like to speak to him.

Go right ahead.

Tell you something.

I'd like to go myself,

but I can't.

I need you, so you can't.

I'll tell you something else-

Commander Quigley also wanted to

go. He volunteered immediately.

Yes, Mr. MacDougall, our

executive officer may well be...

growing into his stripes.

May I join you in a cup

of coffee, Commander?

I'd like that very much,

Mr. MacDougall.

Major Scott, there's a reef

between us and that island,

and these boats

will get hung up on it.

Come daylight, they'll be

sitting ducks for the Japs.

You're the navy.

I can't order you in.

But somewhere on that beach

are some guys that need help.

About where can we find

your people, Major Scott?

- You'll try for them?

- That's why we're here.

Are you crazy, Kruger?

I told you there's no passage

through that reef.

My skipper

thinks there is, sir.

OK if I come?

I'm to take orders

from the senior officer present.

That's you, isn't it?

- That's me, mister.

- Climb aboard.

You Belinda people.

You're all wise guys.

I got a Silver Star at Attu

that says you won't make it.

Lieutenant, notify my regimental

headquarters that we'll try.

Yes, sir.

Stay close together in column,

keep me in sight,

and keep blacked out.

Pass the word.

Take it slow along the reef.

Eddie, lower the ramp.

What's the plan?

Find a hole in the reef.

Come ahead.

Come ahead!

Hold it.

Solid coral. Back off.

Over this way.

Back off, Willie.

Easy. Easy.

Hold it! Hold it!

Maybe he's right.

Maybe there isn't any way in.

Maybe.

I found it!

Come ahead, Willie.

Hold your fire.

Don't get trigger-happy.

Annie, this is Lulubelle.

That you, Blanchard?

Yeah. Are you Major Scott?

Right.

Man, you don't know.

We were cut clean off.

Runners never got back.

Japs everywhere.

It wasn't so bad

when they charged-

Sure, sure. Let's go now.

Get your men in the boats, huh?

Anchors Aweigh will be my hymn

from now on.

Come on, fellows. Into the

boats. Let's go. On the double.

All you'll have to remember this

by will be your Purple Heart.

You've been hurt worse

in football games.

Yeah, I sure have.

You know, I wanted to be

a football player.

My feet couldn't take

those shoes.

Always felt like the cleats

were on the inside.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

That's funny. I didn't want to

play football.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes