Battleground Page #2

Sarge, you got any of them

rubber overshoes, them galoshes?

Can't fit you, Abner. Your feet's too small.

Take care of that gas mask, soldier.

It might save your life someday.

Yeah, if you can find some cognac.

- No dice?

- I gotta wait for the letter. Regulations.

It's gonna be a cold trip.

Maybe you can ride in the driver's cab.

Wind it up.

Let's get this show on the road.

- That the new platoon leader?

- Yeah, fresh off the boat.

I understand your problems, men.

- I used to be an enlisted man myself.

- For six months, maybe.

And 17 weeks at OCS,

and he's an officer and gentleman...

- by special act of Congress.

- Sound off!

Shut up!

- What did he say? Where are we?

- Are you kidding?

Do you speak French, sir?

Yes. Immediately.

- Cigarette?

- Thank you very much.

I don't smoke, but thanks anyway.

Thanks a lot.

What time is it, Hansan?

- 11:
30.

- What?

It can't be that late. We left at 2:00.

- Near lunchtime in Springfield.

- You never changed your watch?

What's the use of changing your watch?

What's the use? You're here,

you're not in Springfield, Illinois.

I hear you.

This is what I like about the infantry.

You always know just what's going on.

How do you like this guy?

He don't like the infantry.

- Must be off his nut.

- He never had it so good.

He found a home in the Army.

Chewing gum? Cigarette for mama?

Chocolate, please.

Isn't she cute?

Chewing gum? Cigarette for mama?

Here.

Get a load of mama!

I'd like to keep her in chocolate

for about a week.

What's she saying, Jarvess?

She wants to know

if we'd like to come inside and warm up.

- Yes. Warm up, please.

- Oh, brother!

- I like these secret moves.

- We sure slipped one over on the Krauts.

How do they find out these things?

Who tells them?

- I keep them posted. Short wave.

- Somebody does.

They only occupied France for four years.

Naturally they left a few spies

when they pulled out.

That's an idea.

Why don't us Gls hire some spies...

so we'll know what's going on

once in a while?

Get them inside! Come on!

On the double!

Kinnie, how about getting

these men in out of the hot sun?

Wolowicz, Garby,

in there with the second platoon.

This corner house.

I forgot to tell you.

Put those shoulder patches back on.

- Pop, I hear we're bedding down here.

- Overnight?

Yeah. Looks like a good house, too.

Smoke coming out of the chimney.

For once, we get a break.

Bastogne. I won't be forgetting

this place in a hurry.

I wouldn't mind holing up here

till Christmas.

I hear tell we might.

All the rumors is good ones.

This is the United States Armed Forces

Radio Service broadcasting from London.

Let's see if we can get some news.

- What's he selling?

- Wait till he slows down.

Ask her. I'll guarantee you

she can sprechen sie Deutsch.

Let's live a little, Jarvess.

- Come on, mama, get yourself in gear.

- No, not mama.

These two little children,

they live with me, but...

Slowly, please.

She said she's not the mother

of the two little girls.

They're from a town near here.

Bombed out, both parents killed.

They all got a sob story.

- Let's cut a rug, Denise. Danser?

- No, we've cut enough.

You gotta keep paying these taxi dancers.

Fork over another chocolate bar.

What you say, please?

I said do you think

the rain'll hurt the rhubarb?

What he say?

Is there any coffee left?

- Yes, plenty of coffee. Immediately.

- Thank you.

Anything you want.

Sure, as long as you pay for it.

They're all alike here.

Yes, they're all alike, Kipp.

Scared, hungry, lonely.

Come on, stop beating your gums.

Let a guy get some sleep.

Yeah, it's about that time.

We sure come a far piece today.

- You okay, Kipp?

- Okay.

Poor tired soldiers.

- You want?

- Thank you.

I go now?

I guess so. I'm all beat-up.

It never fails.

Every time you meet a pretty babe...

you're either out on your feet

or you get the order to move.

- What you say, please?

- Nothing.

- Thank you very much.

- All right.

Good night.

- Where are you going?

- Guard.

What did she say?

She said she's gonna hide the chocolate

from the kids till Christmas.

I wish I knew for sure

we'd be here tomorrow.

- You'll be here.

- Are you sure?

All we do is lie around till the fog lifts...

so the air corps can come out

and win the war for us.

In that case, I guess I'll take a chance.

This may go down in history

as the greatest gamble of the war.

- Good night, Denise.

- Good night, soldier.

Wolowicz, are you absolutely sure?

Yeah, the C.O. Told us himself.

Wake me up early, will you?

Maybe.

I ought to report this

to the Inspector General.

There's supposed to be 18 inches

between bunks.

This is dangerous, spreads germs.

There's some hot coffee on the stove.

I can use it.

Don't worry about that plane.

It's one of ours, I think.

Halt. Password.

- Hamburgers.

- Onions.

I thought the 101st

was the only division here.

They will be

as soon as the rest of us can get out.

- What's up?

- We were a little over to the east.

Been there for weeks without firing a shot.

Then they started coming.

Tanks, planes. Everything

you ever heard of and then some.

A Jerry plane turned on a loudspeaker

in English.

It said Hitler will give Paris

to the Germans for a Christmas present.

But they told us

it was just a weak little counterattack.

They'll probably tell you

that this is a strategic withdrawal.

- Good morning, soldier.

- Bonjour.

I'll be back in a minute.

Keep an eye on... What's going on?

Me and Gen. McAuliffe decided to move

I Company up on the line.

- That is, if you agree.

- I should have known better.

Maybe she'll give you a refund

on those chocolate bars.

How much time have I got?

Ten minutes? Five minutes?

Anything you gotta do,

you better do in 30 seconds.

Saddle up. Let's go, Holley.

Drop your packs and rolls.

Third platoon, on your feet.

We've got that patch of woods to clear.

Third platoon,

any time there's a dirty detail.

Let's not be having

any talk like that, soldier.

Let's go.

Keep sight of the man on each side of you.

Watch out for snipers.

Snipers, the man says.

Second squad, over here. Dig in.

You're in charge till I get back.

I'm going to see the Lieutenant.

- Don't go volunteer for any patrols.

- Who do I dig with, Sergeant?

That's right, we've got an odd man.

You can triple up with me and Hansan.

- Thanks. You want me to go with you?

- No, you stay and get the hole started.

Come on, Hansan, let's go.

Take ten, Jarvess.

Time for me to spare you.

Get out of here.

I'm sorry.

Let's not try to reach China this time.

There's no sense digging

if you don't go deep.

Last time we dug one together...

you went so deep that when I climbed out

I got the bends.

- How does it look?

- Great.

Only one thing wrong. We're moving.

- What?

- You heard me. It ain't my idea.

Saddle up, everybody, let's go.

Oh, no!

Just once I'd like to dig a foxhole...

and find out that's the one I'm sleeping in.

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