Reach for the Sky Page #8

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Woody, can't see any planes hereabouts.

Over.

Hello. Bandits should be close to you.

Patrol North Weald.

That's no good to me.

Turning west, climbing up sun. Over.

I hope you're right, Douglas.

We're sticking our necks out.

Enemy aircraft, 10 o'clock level.

Green Section, take on the top lot.

Go through the middle of 'em!

Achtung!

(rapid gunfire)

- "Six bandits behind us!"

- (rapid gunfire)

(rapid gunfire)

Watch out!

(rapid gunfire)

"Six bandits behind us!"

"Look out, he's right on top of you!"

(rapid gunfire)

"Crow, one's on your tail, break right!"

"I can see him in the mirror."

- Put me down for two. Definite.

- Right.

- What's the score?

- 12 confirmed, several probables.

- No bombs dropped.

- No casualties.

Here's Leigh-Mallory, skipper.

- Good show, well done.

- Wish we'd had more aircraft, sir.

- One squadron not enough for you?

- With three times the number...

...we'd have shot down three times

as many-we had height, sun.

How would you have handled, say,

three squadrons?

The same as one-get in the best

attack position and then attack.

Once the battle starts,

it's every man for himself and that's that.

I'd rather have started it

with 36 aeroplanes than 12.

I agree with you.

It's a good idea. We'll try it.

Woodhall, arrange that 19 and 310

fly with 242.

Yessir.

I'll tell the Squadron Commanders.

Bader will lead with 242, of course.

Try to keep him out of trouble.

- Yessir.

- I'll have a word with the boys.

Mr West!

I've collected a few bullet holes...

...and the cockpit's full of glycol.

- Get it ready in half an hour.

- It'll take two days.

- No! I said half an hour.

- I can't let it fly, sir.

- All right, get it done as soon as possible.

- You caught a bullet hole yourself.

Near miss. Must be getting careless.

- Hi, Woody.

- Well, how was it, Douglas?

Not so good. I had to attack on the climb.

We got bounced by the enemy.

- Somebody got you.

- Should see the other fella!

- Crowley-Milling got him.

- Good.

If we were up there waiting for 'em,

we could fight on our own terms.

With five squadrons,

I could really start something.

The AOC's coming tomorrow.

Tell him. I'll back you.

Good show. Thanks.

(Sanderson) Douglas was soon leading...

...a unique formation of five squadrons.

This became known as the Duxford Wing.

His pilots looked on him as a superman...

...and his breezy confidence in the air

reassured young pilots.

(Woody) "Douglas, Vector 190,

orbit North Weald."

Woody, do me a favour. I'm playing

squash with Peterson in an hour.

Ring him to say I won't be back till later.

I haven't got time, Douglas.

Can't you make time?

Just pick up one of those telephones

in front of you.

For the sake of peace and quiet, I will.

"Now, would you mind

getting on with the war?"

(rapid gunfire)

(Sanderson) By the 12th October...

...Hitler had postponed his invasion

until spring.

Hitler the invincible

had suffered his first defeat.

The Battle of Britain was over.

Well, Douglas,

the Duxford Wing did splendidly.

- What was it? 150 enemy aircraft?

- 152, sir.

- Oh, thank you, Turner.

- You're welcome, sir.

- Like to be a Wing Commander?

- I'd like it very much, sir.

Good.

We want to carry the fight to France.

- We'll build more fighter wings.

- Would I stay here?

- You'd go to Tangmere.

- With my squadron?

No, you'd have three Spitfire squadrons.

- You can't post our CO, sir!

- Why?

We won't work...

Turner, stop poking the AOC

with your pipe.

Oh, sorry, sir.

- Let me get you another drink.

- Thank you.

If I can't take my squadron with me,

I'm not sure I want to go.

- You'll do as you're told.

- Very good, sir.

Dougie.

Welcome to Tangmere.

If I'd known you were here,

I'd have thought twice!

The old man wouldn't let you think once!

Your office.

- Bags of bumph?

- Floor to ceiling!

Just in case you thought you'd be

flying all day. See you later.

Thanks, Woody.

Hello, hello, what's all this?

Three bus drivers waiting to sign on, sir.

I must want my head examined!

- (knock at door)

- Come in.

- Who are you?

- Sgt Williams, sir, orderly room.

- What are these?

- Files for your attention, sir.

I see. Now they've had it.

Anything else?

- No, sir.

- Good.

- Let's get on with the war.

- What's the gen?

Looks like a sweep over Rouen...

No, I'm sorry,

you must have the wrong number.

- Hello, dear.

- Oh, darling!

You were so late! I've got some coffee

for you. Come and sit down.

Thank you. I lost three pilots today.

All first-class chaps.

If only I could... (sighs)

I don't know.

Don't start blaming yourself again.

You can't do any more than you do.

You've done more sweeps

than anyone in Fighter Command.

- This can't go on indefinitely.

- Who says?

The AOC for one. Woody spoke to him.

He thinks you should have

a spell off operations.

Why? I'm fit.

I'd like to finish the season.

Sounds like a cricket match!

Why can't you rest?

Because the Wing needs me.

If you're killed,

the Wing'll have to do without you!

Let's go to Scotland for a fortnight.

We'll tour the golf courses.

No.

They're lovely courses,

the best turf in the world.

By the sea.

You'll find them far more difficult

than the English ones.

I'll think about it.

No, this time you're going to do

something about it.

Twice a day I know you're 30,000 feet

over France. You may not all return.

One day, I know it's going to be you.

I'd like a week off. Just a few days

of knowing you'll be home for dinner.

It would help you, too.

All right, I'll go.

- When, Douglas?

- Next week.

Promise?

Yes.

(knocks on wood) Touch wood.

Darling, it's not that I'm selfish.

A dead hero's no good to the Air Force.

By now, everyone in the Wing

felt Douglas was invulnerable.

It was as if his presence shielded them.

The whole station came to believe

the enemy would never get him.

Dogsbody calling.

Enemy aircraft 10 o'clock below.

OK, chaps, let's get 'em.

(rapid gunfire)

(Radio) "Heinkels behind."

(rapid gunfire)

"One-0-Nines overhead."

(gunfire)

(rapid gunfire)

(explosion)

You haven't said anything.

What do you really think?

You'll have to face it. We should've

heard something by this time.

I'm sorry... I guess he's had it.

(phone rings)

Hello? Yes?

Yes...

Well, where is...

Yes... thank you, Woody.

- Douglas is a prisoner.

- (men cheer)

- You were quite wrong.

- I'm always wrong.

Where? How?

Woody doesn't know, but the Germans

asked for a leg to be dropped.

- We'll do that.

- No, they'll do it on a bombing raid.

In my heart, I knew they'd never get him.

- Ah, bonjour, Lucille.

- Bonjour, Commandant.

Thank you.

What's that?

A step in the right direction -

all you need now is clothes, a rope...

...and you're in luck.

- You have everything you want?

- Not exactly, doctor.

I've got my legs,

but I can't walk around in my nightshirt.

- Why not?

- It's embarrassing for the nurses.

- It's regulations.

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