Fighter Squadron Page #4

Here's a letter

confirming your command.

This was sent before

Brick asked me.

He knew he could count on you.

Here's a reminder to write

letters of condolence.

Brickley always write

those himself?

Always. He never

could remember

how to spell "courageously."

I won't fit this desk.

Oh, you will, colonel.

Keep them on their toes,

strict rules,

split-second timing.

Tomorrow's mission, colonel.

2000 weather reports clearing.

Berlin. First

strike on Berlin.

We escort over target.

Goering won't have his

Abbeville boys up for this.

Still no permission

to drop tanks.

At least we'll establish

a new high in losses.

When I put the coat on him,

he was happy,

so I told him, "Wilbur

did all the sewing."

Then I put the pressure

on him for your stripes.

Gee! Do you really

think I'll get it?

You stick with me, you

know you'll get it.

Where's that no-marriage sign?

It was there this morning.

It was there this afternoon.

Who took it?

Captain Hamilton... Tonight.

And when I return, you'll

find me a changed man...

A man you will admire,

able to make a four at

the flip of the wrist

to support my lovely bride!

We've been waiting for you.

To the group commander...

Our beautiful big wheel.

Hooray! Hooray!

Now we can really celebrate.

One more mission, then

home to be married.

You'll still be

best man, by proxy.

To Mrs. Hamilton.

Sorry I can't drink to that.

Ha ha! Always a guy for a gag.

This is no gag.

You don't mean that

crazy idea of Brick's.

We followed it

while he was here,

but you're in command.

It isn't crazy. His rules

aimed to save lives.

The outfit is stuck with it?

We're also stuck with the

highest score in the group.

Brick wanted one kind of man

that thought flying, lived

for nothing but flying.

He said that when a man

has a wife and children,

he finds he can't

gamble his life

with split-second

aggressiveness.

That can make the difference...

one less pilot.

You've broken plenty of rules.

You're alive.

I've broken General

Gilbert's orders

but never one of Brickley's.

You're not Brick.

It's not your rule.

He asked me to take his place,

to see this outfit through.

I'm going to.

Corporal, take that sign

back to the hut.

Yes, sir.

"Transfer from

this group first."

I can do better.

I can get a training

job in the States

with a home and wife and kids.

Yes, you can, Stu.

Many men have gone

home after one tour.

You've put in two.

Until you make that

decision official,

you'll move to

squadron commander.

I'll make that official now.

Then fly your regular position

for your last mission

as my wing man.

Captain Chappell, after

tomorrow's mission,

you'll be squadron commander.

Atkins, take Chappell's place

as flight leader.

You may want to start

logging sack time.

Weather reports clearing.

Tomorrow's mission

will be target cover

on the first

bombing of Berlin.

Berlin!

Yow!

Wilbur. Hey, Wilbur.

What's the matter?

Throw them a bloater

and shut them up.

Oh, the cats?

We'll run out of fishies.

That's better than

running out of cats.

Let one out first

thing in the morning.

I got to be in Dorset.

I'm in trouble with

Sybil's mother.

She's hard of hearing

and kept tuning in

on our conversation,

so I stole her hearing aid.

There's a beef going

on at the house.

I'll get it back

in the morning.

Say something. See

if I can hear.

What can I say?

Anything.

Good night.

She didn't hear

anything with this.

All pilots, attention.

Report to briefing room.

Report to briefing room.

All pilots, attention.

Report to briefing room.

All pilots, attention.

Report to briefing room.

Report to briefing room.

What are you doing?

If I have to get

up this early,

ain't no birds going

to be sleeping.

Attention!

As you were.

Today's job is to fly

target support over Berlin.

They're making a test strike

with 30 B-17s.

When you fly over

the flak emplacements

on the Dutch coast,

have your squadron at

25,000 feet, Harris.

I'll be at 24. Ward,

you'll be at 23.

We'll fly a "V" by squadrons,

low squadron, up sun.

Takeoff time, 0900.

Dutch coast south

of Breskens, 1010.

Rendezvous with the

heavies at Belzig, 1115.

Break escort, 1200.

Major?

We've learned that Goering's

moved three groups

of Abbeville boys

to the Spandau and the

Charlottenburg fields.

They'll think this

strike's on Magdeburg

until you make the

rendezvous turn.

Then expect them to put

up everything they have.

Call. General McCready, sir.

The logical area of

interception will be here,

from the south...

Colonel Hardin speaking.

Your first one in command.

Good luck.

Thank you. I didn't

call for that.

I've got a favor to ask.

Brick talked about

dropping those belly tanks

but couldn't prove it.

Now we've got to.

I can't. Staff says

it's not policy.

We'd make it policy if

you'd give us a fighting chance.

Putting me on the spot?

I got to take those

men to Berlin.

They've never done it.

They'll be attacked.

If they can't

drop those tanks,

half of them will

never get there.

It's not only staff.

I'll have Bomber

Command on my neck.

I remember when you had

a tough neck, Mike.

All right, Ed. One mission.

I'll cut a tape on it,

but you'd better

find some Germans.

I'll get a fat one

for you, sir,

and thank you.

Good luck.

Hold it. Hold it.

General McCready just told me

he's sending through an order.

If we're attacked

on this mission,

we're to drop tanks.

He wished us good luck.

That's it.

In nomine patris, et filii,

et spiritus sancti. Amen.

O Almighty God,

the Supreme Governor

of all things,

whose power no creature

can resist. Amen.

[Speaking hebrew]

Looks like I got

the hex on me.

Sergeant Dolan!

What's that doing here?

Here's your friend.

We told you to get rid of it.

I took him 40 miles away

and dropped him

at a fish store.

Take it 50 miles,

but get it off this field.

Take it to London.

Yes, sir! Yes, sir.

What are we waiting for?

This is Yardstick.

We using runway 26?

Haystack to Yardstick.

Takeoff runway 2-6.

Wind from the

west, 10 degrees.

Taxi out when ready.

Over and out.

Hold this till I get back.

When do the fighters and

bombers rendezvous?

Third group to position

between hannover

and magdeburg.

Third fighter group 10

minutes from rendezvous.

Hardin checking R.T. Stu?

Hamilton. Roger.

Chappell. 1, 2, 3, 4.

This is Hardin. German

fighters, 2:
00 high.

Drop belly tanks

if they jump us.

[Speaking German]

If we could see their

kissers now. Drop tanks.

[Speaking German]

Hold it, Fritzie.

Papa's got something for you.

That's it.

Heavy, isn't it?

Compliments of

Captain Hamilton.

Let's get 'em!

Right in the gas tanks!

Mein gott! Das schwein!

Hey, fellas, I got me one!

Weaver, look out! 6:00!

He's bouncing you!

Get him off my tail, somebody!

Du schwein!

Weaver, hit the silk!

I'm bailing out.

Chappell, take over.

I wish I had that Paris

blonde's address.

Paulette. 29 Rue de Rivoli.

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