Original subtitles

Terrific.

Bottoms up, boys.

Did you call that a landing?

Well, we're down, aren't we? Yeah.

Yeah, we're upside down.

Well, I must have hit a bump.

No, you didn't.

You just made another lousy landing. How do I get out of this?

Well, you ought to know it's your sixth crack -up.

Well, what's that to you?

Nothing at all. Nothing at all.

Except that as a pilot, you're an A -1 gunner. Oh, yeah?

I can fly all right. Sure, sure. You make nice landings, too. Well, nobody

fly these cockeyed training hacks.

It's a sense you can.

What's so funny? You are.

Look at this.

Lay off.

All right, all right, all right. You don't need to get up on your ear about

I'm just trying to teach you how to... Well, you better see how you can duck

those bullets before you start telling me what to do.

Hiya, Mike.

What are you two guys doing? Looking for wrangle worms?

Yeah. Well, you're out of season.

Lovely fellow.

Yeah. What's the argument about him?

This. He thinks it's a pretty good landing. Well, what's the matter with

You're able to walk out, aren't you?

Yeah, if we can walk.

The colonel wants you immediately, sir. The colonel, eh? Yes, sir.

My compliments to the colonel. And tell him to keep his shirt on. Yes, sir.

You're a lovely warrior, you know, Mike, if it weren't for colonels. Yeah, and

the army.

Hold everything. Hold everything. Listen, I got some terrible news for

gentlemen. We're going to France.

Who told you?

Nobody told me. I was peeking through the colonel's keyhole. Who told you?

Listen, the colonel's giving Jerry all the dope. He's on his way down. Hey,

listen. Give him back.

Tomorrow,

he'll be up there taking a crack at them. Yeah, and vice versa.

All right, Jerry.

When are we going? Where are we going?

What's this all about, anyhow?

Who told you? A little bird.

Mike. Cheep, cheep.

We leave at seven in the morning. What, the colonel thinks I've got his son

here? There's no time to crawl out of a warm bed. Make it noon.

The colonel asked me to give you the list.

Thomas? Yeah.

Travers? Yes, sir.

Galloway? Halfway to France. Wilson? Here.

Baxter? Rather.

Smith? Smythe, if you don't mind.

But I'm here.

Harrods? Present.

Richards? Who, me?

Boy, I'm going to have to go to the dentist tomorrow.

There's the list, gentlemen.

Let's go.

I'll tell you what we do.

We go to Princess for dinner, and we go on to Murray's afterward.

Hey,

haven't you forgotten something?

I don't get you.

Well, my name's not on that list.

What did you have to do with it?

Well, uh, Colonel asked me if I thought you could fly, and... Yeah, I know, and

you told him I couldn't.

Now, listen.

You're the best gunner in the bunch.

But you're gonna kill yourself if you keep on trying to fly.

Well, it's my life, ain't it?

You couldn't mind your own business.

You had to clear the one thing I wanted to do.

It got me grounded. No, no, no.

Oh, you're going to be an observer.

An observer, huh?

That'll be fun.

I'm going to stay here in England and you're going to France.

Well, take this with you.

Amen.

I wonder how far we are from Paris. Did you see those shells bursting up there?

Hey, listen. Remind me of the 4th of July in Batuca.

I hope they send us over today.

Yeah, well, if they do, I want to get back in time for supper.

Is this the... Let me have it.

Come on.

Nous sommes les deux aviateurs from l 'Espadron over to Angleterre.

Voulez -vous nous annoncer à la commandant? Très vite.

You know I spoke French, don't you? No, don't you?

Are you two gentlemen the new replacements?

Yeah, yes, we are. I'll have your kit sent over right away, sir. There you

Hogan!

Come on, Mike. Take these gentlemen to the quarters. Mr.

Kingsford, this is Mr. Young, your new pilot, sir. Glad to see you. I'm glad to

be here.

Well, dump yourself and make yourself at home. Thank you.

Just arrived?

Yes, just.

Yeah.

You mind if I wash up a bit? Why, go ahead. I'll get some off order, sir. Oh,

fine. Here's a clean towel.

Thank you.

Have a good trip over?

Yes, fine, thanks.

I see you're an American, aren't you?

Yes. How did you get?

Young, sir?

Right here. Major Dunham would like to see you at once, sir.

You take off in ten minutes, Mr. Kingsford. Thanks.

Ten minutes, eh?

Hey, you'd better take your flying gear over. You're going to do a show.

Are we right away? We don't waste any time, do they?

Hey, Mike.

What? Did he send for you, too?

You don't think I'm calling the major for fun, do you?

Come on, let's be in it.

That your dog?

Yes, that's right.

We're Young and Richard, sir.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, the two Americans.

How are you?

Glad to have you with us.

How was your trip across?

Tiresome? Not at all.

In fact, I could go back again right away.

How's everything in London?

Last we saw Piccadilly Circus, sir, things seemed to be sort of going around

around. And around.

Well, things go round and round up here, too, sometimes.

You only got one job here, and that's to take photographs and to bring them

back. Now, that means flying close to the ground.

Where the enemy can shoot at you with everything he's got.

Everything?

Come in,

Kingsford. The ship's ready, sir.

There's a new enemy battery.

Reported G4H3.

Our GHQ wants photographs at once.

The Kingsford here is an old hand. You do the flying and he'll do the rest.

We'll get them for you, sir. That's their stuff.

Off you go. Good luck to you.

Yep.

Have a good day, sir.

Oh, one moment.

I'll give you your instructions in a few minutes.

I can hardly wait.

Well, I didn't have any idea I'd get to go up this soon.

Well,

let us be out.

Look,

Mike, do you want to go up to my place?

Oh, no thanks. I'm tired.

Seven months of training for the first minute of action.

Yeah, seven months. I need seven years.

Nervous? Oh, you know, just a little.

If the pipe wasn't his magic, he'd hear his teeth shatter. This is an easy one.

Jump over the line and keep your eyes open.

And if you see anything you think I haven't seen, hit me. I'll do the same.

Oh, it'll be all right.

Major Don Azada, sir. You take off immediately.

Who, me?

Yes, sir.

What?

Sir.

Terrific! How'd you do it? How'd you do it? Get back, all right? Well, look at

me here. I have two arms, two legs, two of everything.

Did you see anything?

Well, the last time I opened my eyes, one of the big black things went boop. I

know. Oh, you got two. Listen, if you get two a day, there's one. Oh, boy,

a kick. First time over the line, Stuart. Why didn't somebody tell me

man's walk?

Wait for it.

You want to end there, Bert? Get a scoop.

Wait for it.

There you are.

All right. All right, man. Go on, stand back.

He's got it proper, he is.

Come and find out.

How about it, Dad?

Did you get your photographs, young?

He's dead.

Yes, I know.

But did you get your photographs?

was it my fault nobody's fault and he's dead i'm afraid

you have to get used to that

any time, do you?

No, sir.

That's the third officer I've lost today.

Too bad about Mr.

Kingsford, sir.

He was a nice chap, Mr. Kingsford.

That's his wife and child, sir.

Allen's death.

Yes, I know.

That's the fifth observer I've lost in two months. Yes, but this is war, and

death's what we've got to expect.

Yes, I know, sir, but five.

Stop thinking about it.

I can't.

You volunteered for this war.

Now, what was in your mind when you came into it?

Well, I wanted to fly. I thought there'd be some sport in it.

I thought I'd be fighting alone. I didn't expect to be a chauffeur for a

graveyard, driving men to their death day after day.

And yet that's just exactly what it is.

Day after day. Yes.

And maybe tomorrow you won't come back.

Have you thought about that? No, that doesn't matter. Oh, that's where you're

wrong. It does.

What do you suppose they gave you that cross for?

Some absurd idea about bravery. Nothing of the sort.

Oh, of course, that was part of it.

But whether you like it or not, you're becoming a sort of shining example to

these youngsters who are coming out to us.

You don't know it, but we're telling them, be like young.

Get yourselves across.

Cover yourselves with decorations.

Oh, I see.

Sort of a shining example.

That's it.

It's a swell job for a guy.

Yes, but it's your job, and you've got to finish it.

Yeah, I know.

That's right.

Too bad about Mr. Allen, sir.

He was a nice young chap, Mr. Allen.

Oh, well, they come and they go.

Let me see now. There was Mr. Allen, Mr.

Carruthers, Mr.

Howard, Mr. Warner, Mr., you know, so that nice gentleman

with the wife and child, sir.

Kingsford.

Kingsford, that's right, sir.

Good night, sir.

You're my new observer?

Yeah.

Well, well.

I hear you lost five men in two months.

Whose fault was that? Yours or theirs?

Yeah, I wish I knew.

Yeah, that would be nice.

Funny you're being assigned to me, Crocker.

No, it isn't.

I asked for it.

I thought you didn't like me. I don't.

Then what the... Curiosity, fellow.

Curiosity.

I heard about you and your medal.

I wanted to see how you did it.

And how long you could keep on doing it.

How can you tell?

I don't have to get mine any minute. I didn't mean that.

I was just wondering how long you'd go on before your nerves would go to

You think I'm yellow, eh? Sure.

I know you are.

Remember that day in England when I laid one on your jaw and you went down flat

on your back and stayed there?

Remember that?

Yeah. Yeah, I remember.

Well, supposing it was me you'd sock down the jaw, what do you think I'd have

done?

I don't know.

Well, what would you do?

Now, wait a minute.

You just got out here and you don't know what it's all about yet.

As long as you're here, you and I have got a job to do. Together,

You just stick in the back end of the bus and I'll stick in the front. And

take you anywhere you want to go.

To see that you don't miss anything.

Want a drink?

Well, they live and breathe in short pairs, but they don't stick in the mud.

You're still a funny fellow, huh?

Now, that backseat drive in there, sunshine.

Oh, lay off.

Hiya, slug. What do you say, Jerry? You say, listen, they tell me to keep flying

this guy right, set up, they're going to give you another ribbon.

Don't you worry about us. You worry about your own decorations, fellas.

the way I'm missing those enemy planes, you ought to be giving me the Iron

Cross. Not me.

Listen, whenever there's any dangerous work to be done, who's the man you start

paging? Me?

Never. He always asked for Lieutenant Jerry Young, that guy with the ribbons

his chest.

Can I help it? Not now, you can't. You're marked.

You see any ribbons on my chest, though?

No, you never will.

There'll never be an officer look at me and say, there's a brave man.

Let's get him to do the dirty work.

What do you join us on before you stop?

trying to do? Kill me?

Now, who's flying this ship anyway?

It made me miss. I had him cold.

That's what I tried to do. Yeah, but the next time...

What was that you were saying up there?

What's the matter? Did your guns jam?

Yeah, they jammed.

And the next time you pull one like that, I'll jam them down the back of

skull.

The next time you take a pop at a fellow in a parachute, you won't get a chance

to.

What do you want me to do, kiss him?

You all right, Jerry?

Yeah, with the skin on my teeth.

Sweet Christopher, can that green tail fly?

He's going to see them ride me down the spin. I tried everything.

He was on my tail all the way. Yeah, well, how's about that? Well, hear me,

a great gunner. Yeah, he shot down a defenseless observer at 600 yards.

They're all over us.

One little case for the gang of us.

Where have you all been?

Oh, I'm poisoned, huh?

Well, not that it makes any difference, but what is it?

Well, it's simply this, old boy.

We don't shoot down observers when they're getting away in parachutes. I

get it.

That fellow was in an observation balloon.

Maybe he observed something that would help the LME wipe out this whole sector.

I kept him from landing with that information.

And for that, I'm a dirty deuce.

Well... Maybe you can tell me why.

Like shooting a man in the back.

Nobody does it, that's all.

Sort of a gentleman's agreement, old chap.

Say, listen, why don't you get wise? Why don't you get wise? This is a war.

I'm hired to kill the enemy.

And there ain't no book of rules about that.

Every one I put away means one less to kill me.

That's my job and I'm doing it. You're doing it darn well. But get this.

You're not popping off guys in parachutes from any ship I'm flying.

Well, that settles that, as my grandma said, as she laid the egg in the coffee

pot. We're going to buy the next drink, dear.

What's your pleasure, gentlemen?

Hello, sir.

Where's Young?

Oh, uh... I don't know.

He and Richards are around somewhere, I guess.

Oh, I suppose I'll have to turn out the guard to find him.

Anything wrong?

Huh? No, no.

Only GHQ has just telephoned that some French general will be here in about

an hour to decorate him with the Croix de Guerre.

Oh, another medal, huh?

Well, I suppose he deserves it.

You're getting one, too, Crocker.

I'll go and get it.

I think he's over at Madame's. Oh, no, never mind.

I'll send an orderly.

I, uh... I suppose he's getting Blotto again?

Well, what if he is? Oh, he's drinking too much lately.

Look, Major.

Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea if some of those other fellas tried the same

brand of whiskey.

Well, I just wanted to know how you felt about him.

Yeah.

Well, don't get me wrong about it, Major.

I don't like that so -and -so. No?

Then why are you going out in this rain to find him?

Oh, darn if I know.

Oh, come on, Jerry. Snap out of it, will you?

I wish I could get it out of my mind, you know.

When you see a guy like that, falling, burning, you know he hasn't got a

You can't snap a picture like that out of your head.

You don't drink enough.

I can't drink enough.

Hey, Fanny.

Richard. Come in the omelette.

That's meaning in English, how's the omelette? Coming up, handsome.

You get that? I've been teaching her English.

English? Night school.

You don't believe me, Fanny.

Put that armadillo down there and show him.

Yes, sure.

Voila.

See?

Might give you that?

Mm -hmm.

He's lonely, good.

The big stick.

That's why I told you to call the major, not me.

Okay, baby.

Oh, you know...

sort of a gun?

He told me your father was of much importance.

He was a big gun.

So you are son of a gun?

Well, I'm here.

Good morning.

How do you do?

Who was that?

Oh, Mike just been kidding along with for them.

Yeah, I've been looking for you. The major wants you.

Hey, what for? What do you want?

He's going to hang another medal on you.

Tell him I've got a medal.

All right, so he's going to have two.

Come on.

Bonsoir, mes amis.

Bonsoir, madame.

Whatever, I'm going too.

Well, Fanny, you don't know how much we enjoyed that meal. I'm telling you, it

was terrific.

Sorry I can't stay and finish it. There you are, honey.

Yes, Mr. Fanny.

Go on, Fanny, give it to him. He's getting it.

Oh, just too rich for the blood.

Well, goodbye, Fanny.

How many times must I tell you my name is Fifi?

Yeah?

Well, you might be Fifi to the rest of the world, but you're nothing but Fanny

to me.

Goodbye, honey.

Hey, what's the big idea?

Come on, cool your head off. You can't fall on your face when you're getting a

medal. That's the name, all right.

You're with the right rudder, Jerry.

Got to get your telephone number again.

There you go.

What did he say? He said you're drinking lousy cognac. The police are going to

send some real stuff.

Now he's going to get you a pillow for

another, though.

Gesundheit.

Well,

well, the pretty old boy, eh, what?

I got this ribbon for being the best dog in the show. I say, is it really yours?

Well, I had to kiss the General's alfalfa to get him.

But wasn't that to a hero?

Yes,

I guess there's only a few of us left.

I just want to tell you, don't get discouraged, see, because as long as

keep giving these medals out, well, I'll keep the war going.

There's work to be done on the major page now.

Come on there, Hogan. Give us that shot.

It was a great day, Hogan. One more. Pardon me.

Are you Mr. Richards?

One of you gentlemen tell this boy who I am? The worst imposter in France. The

worst pilot in France. In the whole world. The teacher's bet.

My pals.

What's on your mind, son?

I'm Johnny Stevens, your new observer.

Your observer?

Hey, Jerry!

Finish what you're doing and come out a little, will you? Look, I'm a father.

Well, sir, step up to the bar, son.

Would you like to have a drink?

Sure, thanks.

Hogan, give my son a bowl of milk, will you? Milk?

Could I have a little whiskey?

Whiskey. Whiskey.

Give him a little whiskey and a bowl of milk. You know, you want to look out for

this whiskey? It's kind of strong, son. Knock you down.

Weamed in a distillery.

This is our mess, gentlemen.

You know, we're not long on formality here.

Now, if you'll come along, you shall meet some of our men.

We'll give you the drugstore at $800.

Congratulations, Jerry. Oh, thank you.

I'm proud of you. It looks great. Hope you get a lot more of them. Thanks.

There's a new batch of youngsters just come up.

Just babies, eh?

Yes, I know.

I want you to say a few words to them. Oh, no, no. Ah, yes, yes. Great for

morale. Buck them up, no end.

Shining example.

Yes, yes, that's it. Now, come along.

Gentlemen, gentlemen.

You probably all heard of Jerry Young.

And I dare say that some of you know the sort of things that he does.

Well, I want you to meet him.

How do you do?

How do you do, sir?

How do you do?

I hope we'll all get to know each other better.

Well, go on.

I've asked him to say a few words to you.

Well, I don't know what to tell you.

Well, Jerry, they're all interested in your latest victory.

It wasn't much of a victory.

Single combat.

Crocker and I were lucky, that's all.

There are a thousand more chaps like the one we got this afternoon.

We need you.

I tell you, the first time you shoot down a man...

Don't let it get you.

Don't.

Just try to remember that the cause you're fighting for is right and just.

They're your enemies.

They're fighting for humanity and for the preservation

of civilization.

That's all.

Thank you.

Is that what you wanted? Yes.

That's just exactly what we want.

Get out, you fools! Get out!

All right, Major?

Hey, Mike, the kid.

Thanks. Yeah, I didn't even get to the front.

Not a chance to do anything, did I?

No.

Only die.

Somebody will get a nice shiny medal for this.

Come on, fellas.

Can't do any good here.

Not now.

Come on, boy.

Shoot. Shoot.

You got him.

You got him.

He's burning.

Look out.

There.

There you are.

There you are. You got him.

You got him.

You got him.

You got him.

Is there anything?

Get up.

He's burning.

He's burning.

There you are.

There you are. There you go.

There you go.

Now shoot.

Shoot. Shoot it.

Shoot. I lost five.

I lost five.

I lost five.

I lost five, sir.

I know, sir, but five.

Five in two months, sir.

Five. Five.

Kingsford.

Howard.

Warren.

Carothers. Allen.

Kingsford. Howard.

Warner. Carothers. Allen. All right. You're good. Fine.

fighting for humanity, preservation of civilization.

Kids, Mike, kids.

Little boys.

Little boys.

Look, Mike.

Look, Mike, they're burning.

Look, Mike, they're burning.

Oh, blood.

Blood. Stinking blood, Mike.

Mike, I can't stand it. I can't stand it, Mike.

I can't stand it. I'm going to stop it. I'm going to stop it. I'm going to stop

the whole rotten mess. I'm going to stop it. Look out, Mike. Look out, Mike.

Anything wrong?

What do you mean?

I heard an awful racket and I thought somebody else was hurt.

Oh, just me having a bit of a nightmare.

Oh.

Sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you. Oh,

that's all right.

It must be great to be able to wear that work.

After all he's been through, sleeping like that.

Yeah.

Wonderful.

Pretty awful, wasn't it?

Seems a pity.

All those boys.

Well,

I guess if they hadn't gotten it that way, they'd have gotten it some other

Well, what's on your mind?

I want to be assigned to another pilot.

What for?

I'm afraid I... I thought you weren't afraid of anything.

Oh, I'm afraid to ride with him anymore.

He's cranky.

Oh.

So that's it, is it?

Well, if you think I'm going to break up the only team I can rely on, you're

badly mistaken.

I'll give him ten days' leave.

Today.

That ought to put him straight.

It might.

And when he comes back, you'll fly with him.

That's all.

Thank you, sir.

I wonder what it's all about.

It's a wonder it hasn't got crosses or circles on its wings.

I hope it ain't a bomber.

You know... Here she goes.

Holden, Holden, Holden.

That's right.

It just fell on her. I couldn't hold it, Seth. Holden, go away from me. You're

bothering me.

I wonder if he's on our side.

Say, Mike.

What? Look out for yourself, will you?

What do you mean?

Well, I had a dream last night. You got all mixed up with Green Tail.

I told you, I'm getting a long white beard.

Morning,

Major. Morning.

Morning.

Well, I got good news for you, Jerry.

What's that?

You're going on ten days' leave.

I didn't ask for leave, Major. No, I know you didn't.

But I thought it would do you good.

You know, change of scene and change of talk.

When do I go?

Immediately. In time to catch the afternoon leave boat.

Boy, London and clean sheets, huh? Yeah, and a private bathtub.

Yes, and it means double work for you while he's away.

Yeah, it don't make no difference to me, just so I get me Thursdays off and my

every other Sunday.

Hey, Major, if Richards is going to fly the toughest jobs, he ought to have

Crocker as his gunner.

Yeah, yeah, well, we'll do that. Good.

Come on, what's the idea?

You know I don't like that guy Crocker. Don't be a sap. He's the best gunner in

the outfit.

If you're together, you'll both be here when I get back.

Listen, Mike.

What do you want me to bring you back from London? Anything you say.

Anything? Yeah, well, anything I can bring back here.

Oh.

Well, my second choice is... You know that little place on German Street that

sells that swell garden's older cheese?

Yeah. Well, listen, bring me back a piece of wheat that will come to me when

whistle to, will you? Okay.

Ah, dear boy.

Come on, boy, I got to pack.

He's got me.

And then, my dear chap, when the barrage lifted, we counterattacked.

Drove them from the woods.

And in my position, they followed us through with machine guns on our left

flank. By Jove, we drove them back.

What do you think of that?

Marvellous. The most wonderful thing was that he was shot down in flames from 12

,000 feet. Like a torch he was at night.

Ever see anything like that, Jerry?

Yes. I'm afraid, gentlemen, if you'll excuse me, I've got to be going.

Good night.

Good night, Jerry. It's been wonderful to have you here. I hope you've had a

good time. It's been charming. I thought it would be a relief after all you've

been through.

Yes, thanks.

But before you go, dear, there's one member of the household that you haven't

seen, and he's terribly anxious to meet you.

My youngest.

Oh.

Tommy?

This is Jerry Young.

How do you do, Tommy?

I'm fine, sir. Is it true that you shot down 18 planes?

I guess it is.

I'm planning to be a flyer just like you, just as soon as I get time. Fine.

you think I'd make a good flyer? Oh, wonderful. You're perfect for it.

It must be fun, isn't it?

Well, not exactly, Tommy.

Don't you like to kill the enemy? Oh, yes, yes, of course.

Tell me about it. Tell me about all of it. Well, I...

I'm afraid I wouldn't have time for that, son.

What do they look like when they fall, sir?

Are they on fire?

Sometimes, yes.

Do they look like a Roman candle?

Yes, just like a Roman candle.

Do they explode with a great big bang?

Yes, a great big bang.

Good night, sir.

Can I drop you somewhere?

I don't want to be dropped.

I want a cigarette.

And now what?

Where are you going?

I hadn't thought.

Perhaps around the park?

Tell him that, then.

Through the park.

What are you, Governor?

Pretty bad, wasn't it?

Oh, it was all right until the kid came down.

Can't get away from a pen.

How did you know that?

I've been watching you all evening.

You didn't see me, did you?

I'm sorry.

I'm afraid I didn't.

Do you like this driving around and around?

Oh, not much.

Perhaps you'd like to go somewhere.

I think you need a glass of champagne.

Oh, I couldn't stand to go to a nightclub or anything like that.

I'll just have it here in the park.

In the moonlight.

Stop the driver and send it to Sam.

Stop here.

Rush off somewhere and get me a bottle of champagne and bring it back here,

you? All right, Governor.

You are Alonzo.

No, no, I'm all right. I'm perfectly fine.

Come over here and sit down.

Why are you doing this?

Don't you like it?

I like it very much.

Well... Only I... I don't seem to know what to talk about.

My talk.

Ah, here he is.

Here you are, Governor.

Thank you.

That's fine.

Just wait for it, will you?

Right -o, sir.

Moonlight, quiet, romance.

Why? That's what I want to know.

Why?

Tell me about it.

Oh, there's nothing to tell.

It's the same old thing over and over and over again.

Day after day.

Well?

Well, you see, I thought it was like a game.

A polo or something like that.

And then the first time I went up, I brought down a plane. That started it.

That started everything.

Treadmill.

Somebody slapped me on the back and told me I was great and I had to go on.

More plans.

More dead men.

More medals.

There isn't any end.

And what do you think happened to me?

I was what they call a shining example.

Could there be anything more terrible than that?

A shining example.

The only way I can go on is to kill somebody.

When I get up in the morning, the first thing I say to myself is, well, you've

got to do it again today.

Because if you don't do it, you... Do you know what I'm talking about?

Yes.

They bring young boys, only kids, just away from their mothers, who don't know

anything. Then they point to me and they say, be like him, be like him.

That's what I've got to do.

You don't think I'm afraid, do you?

I know you're not afraid.

Every time I knock some poor devil down burning, they buy me drinks.

Oh, my dear.

My dear.

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have bothered you.

You didn't bother me.

You've been awfully kind.

I want to be kind.

Where's Mike? He and Cocker are out on a show.

He'll be back pretty soon. What is it, scotch? No, no, that's a burger for

Smell it.

Oh, wow.

Woo! And some black crepe on it. Is he going to eat it? Sure.

That looks like Mike now. That looks like him. Hey, Mike!

You must have mixed with somebody.

Ah,

there you are, my lad.

The most thoroughly disreputable cheese in the entire British Empire.

Oh, what a lovely steak.

What a dogfight you must have been through.

Hello, Crocker. Hello, Jay.

What happened?

Greentail.

I got Mike to turn back so I could take a crack at him.

I did.

He took 49 at us.

Well, I guess we're lucky to be here.

I'll say you are.

Mike, did you... Mike.

Hey, Mike.

Mike, you can't do that.

I'm all right.

A little gas.

I guess it must be the cheese.

Mike. Mike.

Mike. Do something. Get some... Get out of here, Ronnie.

Hurry up.

Major, you're wanted. Richardson's wounded.

Then you got your crack at Greentail, Crocker.

You got riches to go back and tangle with him, eh?

Couldn't be satisfied to get your pictures and come on home.

You had to be a fighter. He had to kill somebody, eh? Wait a minute, Jerry.

Well, you did it. You killed somebody.

You killed the best guy that ever flew in France.

You and I are washed up, Crocker.

On the ground and in the air.

Hogan, transfer Mr. Crocker's gear.

Mr. Stevens is flying with me.

They bombed 86th Squadron last night.

Killed 11 men and destroyed the hangars. I heard about it. A rotten show.

We want photographs of that drone.

We're going to make a counter raid.

Where is it?

Well, GHQ thinks... thinks it's about here.

Get back as soon as you can.

Jerry.

You know, that's a tough section.

Well patrolled.

You're liable to be attacked.

I wouldn't give you odds.

Wouldn't you rather have Crocker with you than that youngster?

Thanks. I'll take Stevens.

I see.

Well, happy landing.

Thank you sir.

I told him he wouldn't crack up that one. Thank you.

Look to your side.

He got him all right.

Come on, bloke. Put up a good fight. He got him. Got him all right. Construct

him.

Here he comes.

Here's the bloke. Got him.

Why, that's the stuff to give him. He never had no hope, he never.

Where's your pal?

He fell out.

Fell all the way.

His first flight.

You're bleeding well, finish the other kid.

Did you kill him?

Yeah, great work.

You know who it is?

It's Boss.

The great ace. Boss.

He was an oldie terror.

He was the greatest fly they had.

Just a kid.

You'll get a citation for this.

What's the matter with him? The way he's acting, I think.

Boss,

an ace.

Get a combat report, Blank.

Too bad about Stephen.

Yeah.

Goodbye.

What do you want?

They're waiting for you in there.

Major Dunham sent me.

I'm not going.

Well, that's all right with me, but they're giving this binge in your honor.

A binge to celebrate the killing of a 20 -year -old kid.

Gee, that's great.

I wouldn't miss it for anything.

Sure, I'll go.

Come along, Jerry. We've imported some real food.

And the general has sent up a case of 98 Clico.

Why

not?

Gentlemen.

I think we ought to start this affair with a toast to Jerry.

Gentlemen, Jerry Young.

I'm drinking to the man I killed.

Thanks

for

the binge, fellas.

The honor.

Too bad Stevens can't be here.

That meant a lot to him.

He fell out.

3 ,000 feet.

Who never got boss if he hadn't come at me head on?

I'm at the field hospital to see him.

Thought I'd find a man.

Found a blonde kid.

Like a lot of you.

Two bullet holes in him.

They congratulated me for it.

Congratulated me all day. Told me I'd done a great thing.

They set me up as a shiny tin god.

A hero. An ace.

Expect me to act like a hero.

So you can all play at being heroes.

So you go out and shoot other kids down burning. Get killed yourselves.

They'll decorate you for it. They'll give you medals. Just like they did me.

got these for killing kids.

They're all chunks of torn flesh and broken bones and blood.

And for what?

I give you war.

Drunk as an owl.

I'll see you.

Blotto. And who has a better right?

Another bottle of wine, okay?

He got drunk quickly, didn't he?

Yes, sir.

Yes. Well, he'll be all right in the morning.

I hope so, sir.

He's got an easy show tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

Here.

He asked me to fly with him, sir.

So?

Oh, I'm glad of that.

Yes, sir.

You're sure there's nothing I can do?

No, sir.

Good night, sir.