Battle of the Bulge Page #6

what it's like in combat.

You get shot,

somebody takes your money.

Before the plasma comes,

a guy's got his hand in your pocket.

Guffy. Guffy.

- I don't want you to get killed.

- Who's talking about getting killed?

You take care of the money.

Sarge, the tanks aren't there. They've

been pulled back. We gotta catch up.

So long, partner.

Take care of yourself.

Guffy.

Don't you want to kiss me?

Don't forget to feed the chickens, huh?

Keep moving. Let's go, keep moving.

Come on, sarge, we gotta catch up

with the tanks. Let's go!

Goodbye, Louise!

Put that in there.

Come on, get to it. Get to it.

Lion Battalion,

take up bombardment position.

Panther Battalion, stand by.

- Get started.

- Yes, sir.

- Hold it. Where you running?

- The Germans are coming.

- Where's your rifle? Where's your outfit?

- Captured.

- Dead. Gone. They're all gone.

- Sergeant, stop that man!

He's not doing anything we aren't.

We're staying.

Countermand that order to fall back.

All units are to make a stand

where they are and fight.

And that means everybody.

Except tanks.

Clerks, cooks, bakers, staff officers.

Anybody who can carry a rifle

is to use it.

- Kiley.

- Come on, bring it all in.

It's very difficult for me to say this.

I was wrong.

- Sergeant, haul them out again.

- Everybody out.

Come on, what are you waiting for?

Well, it looks like we're staying.

- I never have a rifle when I need one.

- Take mine.

- It's on the house.

- I'll return it later.

- Let's go!

- Let's go. Come on.

We're on the line, sir.

General Grey speaking. Fred.

I'm holding at Ambleve,

but I can't last without heavy stuff.

What can you let me have?

155s will do the trick.

Where are they? On flatcars.

Are we still holding the rail line?

Good.

Now, when can you get them here?

Well, not later, Fred.

We're counting on you.

Bring that ammo up!

Stack it up. Position, on the wall.

Get some beef behind it.

Hey, lay those logs in there.

Let's go! Let's move it out.

First Platoon, follow me.

Second Platoon, over there.

Fire.

Soldier!

Go! Go!

Everybody out!

- Wait a minute. Where you men going?

- To the shelter.

- No, you're not. Grab your rifles.

- But we're cooks.

Lunch is over.

Get your rifles and follow me.

- Stay away from the buildings!

- Soldier, up front.

I'm in the Air Corps.

You're in the infantry now. Follow me.

We're driving them back.

They're running.

This is only the first round.

Why have you stopped?

They have dug in.

- It's a very strong defense.

- Bypass it.

- I have considered that.

- There's nothing to consider.

We must measure what we might gain

by what we might lose.

Come on.

You were to have been 10 kilometers

west of Ambleve by this hour.

Why are you still here?

My first attack failed.

I must take Ambleve.

We are wasting time.

Time, Hessler, you don't have much.

Ambleve is an isolated resistance.

Go around it.

We have surrounded

and bypassed Bastogne. Do the same.

General, it will be dark in one hour.

I want your permission

for a night assault with all my armor.

Colonel Hessler...

...you will break off this engagement,

proceed with your mission.

- That's an order.

- Yes, sir.

General, before you go,

may I show you something?

What is it?

A chocolate cake.

Well?

It was taken from a captured

American private. It's still fresh.

If you will look at the wrapping, general,

you will see it comes from Boston.

And?

General,

do you realize what this means?

It means that the Americans

have fuel and planes...

...to fly cake

across the Atlantic Ocean.

They have no conception of defeat.

We have the opportunity here

to break their morale...

...to destroy their will to fight.

That is why you must permit me

to reduce Ambleve to ashes.

You have until 0400.

That is all.

We have silenced their guns.

Now we will attack.

Your infantry will go in with my tanks.

Yes, sir.

Second Platoon, over there.

Let's go. Move it out.

We'd better get going, sir, before

the town is completely surrounded.

Shall I send a runner to Major Wolenski

telling him to cover our withdrawal?

No, that's the kind of order I give

to a man myself.

Aim at the trench!

Some more. Let's get closer.

Bring up some more plastique!

Major Wolenski!

The general.

Hurry up! Move that ammo up!

Wolenski, we've been ordered out.

I'll need time to save what I can. Your

outfit will have to cover the withdrawal.

- They're coming down the chimney, sir.

- Do what you can.

- Yes, sir.

- Come on.

I only loaned you this rifle.

- See you later, major.

- Yes, sir.

Spread out.

Bring up ammo!

Sister.

Colonel, excuse me.

We are looking for someone

who can help.

Be brief.

There are many wounded townspeople

in the church cellar.

We need medicine, bandages.

Can you spare any?

We have nothing to spare.

If there are captured medical supplies,

give them to the nuns.

Yes, sir. Follow me.

He fired with this.

Jean, Jean, Jean!

Don't do anything to him, please.

This is the boy's father.

I beg you. He's just a little boy.

He's my only child.

Don't do anything to him, please.

Release the boy.

Jean.

Shoot the father.

- Papa! Papa!

- No!

Colonel.

The senior American officer

taken prisoner...

...requests permission

to speak with you.

- What does he want?

- He'll only discuss it with you.

- Rank?

- Major.

- He has two minutes.

- Yes, sir.

Conrad.

- What is this food?

- It's the best this town has to offer.

I told you, tanks run on petrol

and soldiers run on rations.

I must eat as my men do so I know

how far they can go. Take it away.

- Conrad.

- Yeah?

My Christmas present,

it's for your sons.

Your promotion to first sergeant.

My sons thank you.

Go in.

What is it?

Colonel, stragglers you've captured

tell me...

...that helpless American prisoners

have been massacred.

- Where?

- Malmedy.

And as senior officer, I can't control

my men unless I have your assurance...

...they'll not be murdered. I want your

signed order stating that my men...

...will be accorded the protection...

...guaranteed prisoners of war

by the Geneva Convention.

Unless I return with that order, colonel,

the prisoners will riot.

Undoubtedly, you'll kill us,

but so help me...

...we'll take a hell of a lot

of you with us.

There will be no signed order.

There will be no riot.

You will not be allowed to return

to your men to instigate that riot.

You listen to me, colonel.

There are survivors in all massacres.

I warn you,

if any of my men are harmed...

...you will be held responsible. There will

be no place on earth that you can hide.

And when you're found, I hope I'm the

man that ties the rope around your neck.

Major...

...I have never liked threats.

I do not kill prisoners.

But I will have no compunction at

shooting you myself for your last remark.

Then do it.

You are deliberately trying

to provoke me.

Yes, colonel, that's right.

If I walk out of here alive, I know

my men will be properly treated.

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