All language subtitles for Strafbataillon 999 (Harald Philipp, 1960).english

I WAS A COWARD

Col. von Bartlitz is sentenced to
five years for insubordination in combat

and declared unfit for military service.

The Wehrmacht High Command determined:

1. The decision is upheld

2. Pardon is denied

3. The sentence will be served
in a parole battalion

- Where are your leave papers?
- Uh, I...

- When did your combat leave expire?
- About a week ago.

The beet harvest and...

and the Frenchman...

My wife is expecting.

That's 11 days overdue. Let's go.

- I have to say goodbye.
- You're under arrest.

He alleges he was self-testing

a new gas gangrene serum
he had discovered.

The limited means
at Dr Deutschmann's disposal

to test his anti-toxin

implies a lack of faith in its efficacy.

The timing of his experiment
is clear evidence

that he sought to evade
his military obligation.

Here's another reminder.

TRANSFER ORDER
BERLIN, 29 OCT 1943

10 YEARS DEPRIVATION OF LIBERTY
AS A WARD OF:

PUNISHMENT BATTALION 999

The title represents many penal units

and parole units
which served on the front.

They determined the fate of
well over 100,000 convict soldiers.

All names are fictitious,

but the lives and deaths depicted
tell the stories

of the few convict soldiers
who survived World War II.

Down!

Up!
Double time!

Left face!

Down!

Up!

What do bunnies do?

Hop, hop!

Once for Mom!

Once for Dad!

And Granny!

We'll drill that again.
Duck those aircraft.

We're up shit creek.

Where have all the flowers gone?

Shut up.

- Shithead.
- Krüll's not here?

Here he comes.

Down.

Up.

To the horizon.

On the double!

Attention!

I'm 1st Sgt Krüll, aged 37.
Successfully inoculated twice.

You'll learn more later.

Down.

Up.

- Name?
- Gottfried von Bartlitz.

- Name?
- Gottfried von Bartlitz.

Field marshal?
General?

- Private.
- Exactly.

Pvt Bartlitz...

Down!

Pvt Wiedeck, sir.

Who asked you, horseface?
Down!

That's an ugly puss.

Homely as a mirror.

Down.

Down.

Column right!
March!

About face.
March.

About face.
March.

Krüll's tough on them.

But he saves
you a lot of work.

The four newcomers are yours.
Here are their files.

Karl Schwannecke - burglar.

Leads your company
with 11 convictions.

Krüll can handle him.

On the double!

Attention!

To quarters, march!

Air alert!

To quarters, march!

Down!

Erich Wiedeck, farmer, AWOL.

Ernst Deutschmann, M.D.,
self-mutilation.

- Self mutilation by a physician?
- Not unheard of.

A company of 150 criminals.

You have only one, Obermeier.

I have three.
The guy on the wall has 100.

100 suicide battalions.

Did you know
we have a 95% casualty rate?

It's my third crop in a year.

I was astonished by my
transfer to a parole unit.

- But maybe it has a good idea.
- Like what?

It's a proving ground for strays...

as well as outright criminals.

I can help them seize a new chance.

That gives me a mission.

I'll tell you what our mission is.

By 24:00 on 30 November
we have to take over security

of logistics at Barssdovka.

And your company...

will clear mines and dig trenches
in the worst sector

and bleed to death.

And don't forget it's an operation
with inadequate or no weapons.

That would be a crime.

Now you know our mission.

Spiritual guidance is not included.

Attention.

In single file, fall in.
Double time.

Who is the graybeard, captain?

Must be the colonel.

It's Col von Bartlitz,
my war college commander.

- Yeah?
- What's he here for?

The remnants of his division
moved out against orders.

To the rear.

To save the lives of 500 wounded.

Same thing once more.

Pvt Bartlitz, sir.

- And you?
- Pvt Deutschmann, sir.

I asked for your name.

My name is Deutschmann.

You were a doctor?

Yes, sir.

- At a hospital?
- Yes, sir.

- You must have spoken softly there?
- Yes.

In this clinic
you needn't whisper.

To the horizon on the double.

Attention!

Now loud and clear:
I am Pvt Deutschmann.

I am Pvt Deutschmann.

Can't hear you.

I am Pvt Deutschmann.

Louder.

I am Pvt Deutschmann.

Who said to stop?

Carry on!

I am Pvt Deutschmann...

I'm Julia Deutschmann.
I'd like to see Dr Kukill.

He is on his rounds.

- Mrs Deutschmann?
- Yes.

I'm Kukill, looking for me?

Yes.

A few more minutes, Colonel.

- Who's she?
- Mrs Deutschmann.

It'll take more than a few minutes.

If I'm not mistaken,
you're a physician too.

I'm a bacteriologist
and I assisted my husband.

Right.
I gave evidence at his trial.

His appeal was refused.

- The decision is final but maybe...
- My opinion isn't?

That what you mean?

And now you think you
might be able to motivate me

to revise my opinion?

My husband is a researcher.

A finding of self-mutilation
is absurd.

Your opinion is absurd, my dear.

The court considered his reputation.
It could have condemned him.

- To death?
- Yes, to death.

You can read in my testimony
how senseless the experiment was.

I know it by heart.

Gas gangrene raged in World War I.

And now?

We have sulfonamides...

anti-toxins
and the pharmaceutical industry.

Not enough to stop the dying
at dressing stations.

My husband wanted to test an
improved serum on himself.

He didn't act rashly.

You can take my word.

Words aren't enough.

Get my husband back.
Tone down your expertise.

Tone it down?
How?

Your renown and part affiliation
permit you small errors.

Listen, Mrs Deutschmann.

Your husband exposes himself
to gas gangrene

and applies his own remedy.

He barely survives the infection,

takes months to recover,

thus avoiding military duty.

Self-sacrifice for
untold fellow sufferers.

His timing was poor.

Time was running out for him.

You're a doctor.

What do you call a researcher
who exposes himself to clostridium

after only 11 animal trials?

On the day he is drafted!

Is your husband suicidal or foolish?

Get my husband back.

He didn't do anything wrong.

Dry your tears and stop crying.

Please help me.

What should I do with you?

Your husband is enviable.

Continue your husband's tests
and verify his findings.

That will take months.

- He's in a penal battalion.
- Then we'll have to hurry.

The two of us.

Mrs Deutschmann.

I'll help you,

not your husband.

Introduce me to her one day.

- NCO Hefe, on watch.
- Where's the office?

- Here, sir.
- Thank you.

Kentrop, Company 2
receiving coffee.

Thank you.

On the double.

Hey, mister.

Me?

Why didn't you salute?

I didn't see you.

- You ran over me.
- What about the jug?

You drop the jug and salute.

It's the only coffee of the day.

Dump it out.

Now!

What are you waiting for?

No deal.
My buddies are thirsty.

Hit the dirt!

Up.

Down.

That will cost you plenty.

Tonight when we're off duty

we'll learn to clean pants.

Clean pants, sir.

- Your name?
- Schwannecke.

Lt Bevern reporting to staff
of Fortress Infantry Battalion 13/999.

- Welcome, Bevern.
- Heil Hitler, Captain.

- You attended a party school?
- Yes, sir.

This is Lt Bevern, our adjutant.
That's Obermeier.

- Hi, Bevern.
- Heil Hitler.

Careful, Bevern's political.

Obermeier is not in the party.

- Are you, sir?
- Of course, since March 1933.

Now, to you, Bevern.

Obermeier has already briefed us.

You will have to adjust
to our irregular status.

- I noticed it.
- What did you notice?

A coffee mug accosted me
without saluting.

- Rank doesn't guarantee respect.
- It isn't only respect.

The fool spilled a jug of coffee
on my cuffs and boots.

Intentionally.

- Did you get his name?
- Yes, sir. Schwannecke.

- I have a date with him.
- Let me handle this.

- Why you?
- He's in my company.

- Why spoil my fun?
- I disapprove.

He will be punished by me.

You treat them like soldiers.

They belong in the pen or hanged
and should be grateful for a reprieve.

Or does your opinion differ?

I doubt if it's an
unambiguous blessing.

Were leaving soon

because we have obtained
mailing privileges.

Not so fast.

You can go on.

I still don't know if it was a boy.

Ratface, give me a light.

- Is she allowed to write to me here?
- Maybe.

- Hurry so I can write too.
- To your wife?

Your old lady pretty?
Got a picture of her?

- Who owns that?
- It's mine.

I'll give you three pinups for it.

- Give me the case back.
- Three pinups, man.

Cut out the nonsense
and put it back.

You get three pinups
and I keep the case.

- And that's final.
- Are you crazy, Schwannecke?

- Give the man his property back.
- Drop dead, monocle shitter.

- You're all I needed.
- Give the case back.

- Mow him down, Karl.
- Beat it, beanpole.

- The noise bothers me.
- What's that?

- You're in enough trouble now.
- Get lost, fartass.

Give it back.
Honor amongst thieves.

Mess his face up, Karl.

Thank you, pal.

I'm not a pal.

I'm a comrade but not yours.

All I want is a quiet barracks.

Thanks anyway.

Take note:

colonel or crook,
it's all the same to me.

Attention!

Room 6 with 11 men
attending to cleaning and mending.

Is that so?

We were writing letters, sir.
The privilege was granted.

To set matters straight...

Writing privileges are suspended.

For the duration.

You seem to be quite acrobatic.

Let's see how good you are.

Put a stool on the table.

Hop up on it.

Higher.

Knee bend.

Raise the right leg.

Lift the left leg.

Raise the right.

Carry on.

I'm going to kill you for that,
you filthy pig.

You are assembled to
swear a sacred oath.

Everyone has his post and duty.

You seeming outcasts are
wearing the nation's honor dress.

Your hour of trial will strike.

You can return as heroes.

Battalion,

Attention!

I'll administer the oath.

I swear in God's name
this sacred oath.

I vow to the Fuhrer of the Reich
and the German nation, Adolf Hitler

to the Wehrmacht
Commander in Chief,

absolute obedience.

As a brave soldier I am prepared

to risk my life
at any time for this vow.

Give us this day
our daily bread

Forgive us our debts

as we forgive our debtors.

Lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom
and the power,

and the glory forever.

They dig under enemy observation.

They fire at all moving targets.

At moving criminals.

They're digging you a dry-ass hole.

Shit!

Give me a hand.

- Gravely wounded.
- Lightly.

It's a ticket home.

Afraid not,
but it warrants a few days off.

- The sun will rise soon.
- What's on the rise?

Aircraft, if anything.

I'm wounded, Sarge.

- Seriously?
- Hardly.

I'll accompany you to the rear, Sarge.

Now it's rising.

- It was a direct hit in the back.
- Get lost.

- Or a near miss.
- What is it?

- Nothing.
- Back to work!

And you?
Go on out.

Lower your bean or lose it.

With no gun
we're like cattle going to market.

Wow, the sun.

Looks more like an eclipse.

No mortar, no machine gun.

The top dogs sent us to die.
I'd prefer an anti-guerrilla mission.

They must have a great view.

Funny.

What's so funny?

I thought I heard the sun.

You nut!

When you close your eyes,
do you feel the like you're home too?

If you're really quiet
maybe you can hear the sun.

Yeah, now I hear it.

Krüll.

The captain went
to the dressing station.

Can't tell you that, Lieutenant.

Right.

It's been executed, Captain.

Calling Nettle 1.

- The line to headquarters is broken.
- Yes, sir.

- Kentrop.
- Yes, Lieutenant.

The line to the field is out.

Troubleshooters.

Yes, Sergeant.
Intact so far.

You take the cable, Ernst.

Shit.

Hold the cable and give me the gun.

Those woods scare me.

Quit talking stupid,
Schwannecke.

They're coming.

Let's go.

I found it.
Some bastard severed the cable.

Guerrillas, keep down.

Deutschmann.

Shot in the belly.

Finished.
Come back in three days.

Give me a light.

Not in here.

- I said not in here.
- Shut your trap.

- Wait for the old man.
- Isn't he here?

No.

- He needs immediate surgery.
- I'm no doctor.

- I am.
- Who, you?

- Get morphine and a syringe.
- She's an aide and I'm the medic.

- Get lost, Polish pisser.
- What's wrong?

Take it easy.

- Water.
- After I attend to your gut.

Come and restrain him.

Water.

- We must act now.
- You really a doctor?

- Give me a hand.
- Wait for the old man.

It can't wait.
Scalpel, scissors, forceps.

The old man will kill me.

- Get Evipan ready for anesthesia.
- No Evipan, only SEE.

- How about ether?
- Yes.

- You a trained nurse?
- I help.

Cancel the surgery.

I told him to wait, sir.

I wanted to give it a try, sir.

- Are you a surgeon?
- Bacteriologist.

I admire your bold experiments.

The expert witness didn't.

I knew Dr Kukill in Berlin.

He's a medical authority
by virtue of Party affiliation.

His affidavit was convincing evidence
of his professional skill.

- Tried appeals, second opinions?
- Everything.

Unless Kukill recants,
I'm a penal battalion regular.

You should be retried
with another expert.

The prerequisite is new findings
of a scientific nature.

Who could obtain them?

You have to get out of here.

How?

If not, you'll be...

The adjutant calls it 'slaughtered'.

Why are you here?

My wife is Jewish.

I didn't want to leave her.

First the medical insurance
deserted me.

After, a series of sanctions...

I'm in the same boat as you.

The same as me?

Our status here is not similar.

What's the difference?

The last time I saw my wife
was in court.

No word from her since.

And she's had no word from me.

She doesn't know if I'm alive.

And I don't know if she survived
the air raids on Berlin.

I'm forbidden to write two words:
"I'm alive."

The uncertainty will force her

into doing something completely...

irrational.

You see now, sir?

That's the difference.

Of course.

I get letters from my wife.

She's 62.

She writes:

"I can bear the humiliations
because you didn't divorce me."

She writes:

"I'm always alone."

"Nobody visits me anymore."

"I sit by the window
and watch for you."

"I don't feel like walking our
favourite paths in the park."

"Doing what we always did together
is unbearable alone."

How do you think I feel
when I read these lines?

The Reich Medical Chamber
must confirm Kukill's findings.

That might be your chance.

One should never lose hope.

Never.

Lt. Obermeier.

This is Bergen.

You have a Pvt Deutschmann
in your company.

He's a born medic...

We were lucky again.

One dislodged curtain rail
is easy to fix.

Bombers peeling off
over Hanover and Brunswick.

More later.

I'm allowed our during air raids.

I have special papers.

- Did you just happen by?
- Yes.

Now I needn't call you
to find out about your tests.

You'll have one of my aides
to assist you

and everything else you need.

I'm giving you access to my labs.

- As a Good Samaritan?
- No.

- Do you know Cpt Bergen, M.D.?
- No, why?

- No reason.
- Do you know Col Wendt, S.S.?

- Yes, why?
- Tell him to stop sending roses.

- He sends you roses?
- And offers aid too.

Please call me tomorrow.

Time is short.
Your husband is in a penal unit.

What are you looking for?

What do you want?

Medicine.

Medicine, at this hour?

For whom?

My uncle, he's sick.

- What's the matter with him?
- Hand hurt chopping wood.

Does he have a fever?

I'll have a look at him.

You not come.
I go alone.

I give a shot
and make better Uncle.

- What would you inject?
- Tetanus.

Tetanus?

Where is he?
I'll have a look.

If you come, Uncle angry.

Anger won't hurt
like lack of care.

Give me a drink.

You'll get better.
Don't you worry.

He's a doctor.

He wanted to see for himself.
I said he'd be safe.

Fill it with tetanus vaccine.
It's high time.

Why didn't you say
it was a gunshot wound?

Pyotr, Dimitri,
get ready.

The German doctor
knows we're guerrillas.

German.

He'll help and not betray us.

You are a doctor
and won't give us away.

I'll be back in the morning
to re-bandage him.

I know you are guerrillas.

Tell your friends to leave town.

The wounded man can stay.

Let me go now.

He really won't say anything.
He's a good person.

Your help is good.

But war is bad.

If you betray us, five die.

Better you die.

Take him away.

If you dare harm him
I'll kill myself.

You dirty bitch.

No...

Sergei...

He'll heal me.

Okay, leave him alone.

Go on!

All right.
I'll spare him for you.

But if he betrays us,
you're done for.

Yes, but...
That's a job for engineers.

I can't let them clear mines
with a soup spoon.

Captain, I'm not objecting but...

Sgt Krüll.

Yes, sir.

What's that, sir?

Clear mines?

Me...?

Aye..., aye, sir.

Get the lead out.

It's not an egg hunt.

Get the lead out.

My head aches.

I think I have a fever.

Should I report in sick tonight?

My bowels are loose.
I'd better see Deutschmann.

These self-mutilators should be jailed.

Otherwise they'll blast off.

Medic.

Medic.

Would you believe, 101.8?

- Null ouvert.
- Contra.

Drop your pants and
show your damn Null ouvert.

You're a daredevil.

- Are they the right tablets?
- Certainly.

Queen, king...
Where's the ace?

You fart, ruined my grand.

Attention, the adjutant's coming.

Attention!

Cpl Kronenberg.

That's what I thought.

You jerks think
we're in a sanatorium.

In 10 seconds all you pigs
will be outside.

Out, you lazy bums.

- My uniform is being deloused, sir.
- You allergic to lice?

- I was sent to bed so I thought...
- Put a mask on and get out.

- Care to join us?
- I'm a medic.

Nurses stay fit with morning walks.

Please let me nurse those who
aren't up to a morning walk.

Attention!

Take cover.

Attention.
Fall in, double time.

What's your problem, Martian?

Right face.

Forward, march.

Left, two, three, four...

Column right.

Forward.

Column right.

Lazy bums,
I'll bust your butts.

Left, two, three, four.

Column right.

Forward.

- He forgot the grenade suppository.
- Sing.

I said to sing.

Mercy doesn't reach us here,

- Hit the dirt.
- But we do not complain.

- Stop the music.
- The only time we shed a tear

- Is when our seniors aren't slain.
- Attention!

I was ordered to bed for three days.

- We got the message.
- Can I have a tablet?

Medic, go get the chorus line.

Three, four.

We are the hopeless victims.

Relieved to be alive.

At home the rosebuds
now do flourish

And here the briars thrive.

This gloomy morning

We are not mourning,

But how much longer

Nobody knows.

Squad... halt!

Fall out.

Lt Obermeier, how's that pal?
Some drill was due.

- They're sick.
- Playing sick.

- Doctor's orders.
- He's out of order.

I'll report you for harassment.

- Are you crazy?
- If I weren't I'd kick you out of camp.

We're missing 50 metres of trenches.
You can't fool me.

The drawing is wrong.

- My drawing is right.
- We're doing all we can.

I decide how much you can dig.

- What's up?
- I have determined

that 50 metres of trench
were not completed.

- You determined that?
- Yes, sir.

When were you last forward?

Yesterday, measuring.

Tonight you won't return
with the chuckwagon.

You'll stay there
to recheck your drawings.

Rice pudding as a main course.

- Let Deutschmann relieve Kohlhaas.
- Yes, sir.

Tell Deutschmann to
relieve the medic up front.

Hold that.

You're undressed, Doc.
You two reviewing anatomy?

Galeforce, Bloomprince, giddyup!

Come this evening.
I have to talk to you.

Turning a hut for the ill
into a house of ill repute.

Dr. Ernst Deutschmann.

Yes, I know you send roses, Colonel.

Why shouldn't we both send roses?

Sorry, I didn't think you would mind.

How long have you had
Mrs. Deutschmann under surveillance?

Her and me?

Okay, she's yours.

Are you satisfied?

I'd appreciate it
if you'd tell the medical chamber

not to undermine my testimony.

Thank you.
Heil Hitler.

Our new colleague is here.

Go ahead as instructed
and take plenty of time.

Mrs. Deutschmann...

This is Martinsen.
I hope you make a good team.

Would you excuse us a minute?

I told my aide to proceed rapidly.
We've no time to lose.

- Then I can start testing today?
- Tomorrow.

I'll drop in tonight
to discuss details with you.

- Details?
- What you have to do...

to redeem your husband.

See you tonight.

What's the delay?

Your teardrops need a hanky?

Quit loafing.

This isn't a boardwalk stroll.

Come on.

Hurry.

- That a ticket home?
- To camp, leaving now.

- What are you doing here?
- Krüll ordered me forward.

You can set your watch
by this 5pm salute.

The truck won't leave for 10 minutes.

- Want to roll one?
- No.

I'll never learn how.

What does a colonel have to do
to merit a transfer around here?

What did you have to do?

- You refused to obey a command?
- Yes.

And that carries a death penalty.

Even if it saves the lives
of thousands of men?

Yes.

That's why they called it
disobedience in combat.

Would you do it again?

Yes, the same as you with
your self-mutilation.

Move it you sissies.

Faster.

I'll be damned.

A dormitory bull session.

You college toilet sitters
should be flushed away.

Keep us waiting
till we're gassed to death.

Cat got your tongue?

Shit in your gowns
up to your caps.

It's all right, Sarge.
Nobody's perfect.

Move out.
You'll learn one day.

You lazy bums will learn.
I'll teach...

40 replacements for
Company 2 reporting.

Thanks.

Carry on.

Don't fall asleep, babies.
Single file, forward march.

What are you doing at base camp?
You were to spend the night out.

Sgt Krüll was buried
in a bunker by a grenade blast.

He has a shoulder contusion.

Excuse me.

Deutschmann.

Your SS friend.

Shall we discuss the details now?

- I think you misunderstood me.
- No, I want my husband back.

- You're wrong, Julia.
- Not about you, Mr Kukill.

Do I get him back if
I meet the requirements?

You're unfair to me.
I'm not a trader in kind.

Will you revise your opinion?

If I do I put my
reputation on the line.

Will you do it?

Because I love you.

I love my husband.

You don't know how I feel.

I could force you.

But I want more.

Don't go.

You have reinforcements.
Or did you want a party for two?

I can get my husband back
from him too.

Who gets me?

The medical profession or
the elite corps?

Same price for all.

Give me back my husband.

Tanya.

What did you want to tell me?

Come, sit here.

Hold this.

You and I leave here.

German soldiers will all die.

Canons on wheels are attacking.

Thousands of them
are coming here.

Tartuchin says you saved him...
and you are mine.

My dear husband.

After this letter
I will repeat the experiment.

I am afraid of the consequences.

Each line, each word I write,
delays the future.

The letters I write every day
don't reach you.

I don't know your address.

So you may never know
what I am doing.

If the trial succeeds,
you will be home soon.

Dearest, one day...

one hour is a long wait.

Almost an eternity.

If the test fails,
I will die.

I am all alone.

There is no one to save me
if your serum fails.

That's a good thing.

I don't want to live
any longer without you.

I believe we'll meet again.

We are passing through
a long, dark night.

I kiss you in my thoughts.

Why did God make me so happy
and then let me be so unhappy.

We build a thatch hut
out in the farthest forest.

You my husband.

Tartuchin brings food every day.

When war is gone here
all German soldiers dead.

Except you, you my husband.

I love you.

You are good and brave.

I love you.

When war is over
we back back to Smolenski.

My parents there... once.

Are they still alive?

War.
Both dead.

We be happy, Misha.

Don't go away.

I love you.

You know, Tanya...

TO MY HUSBAND

Sgt Hagedorn.
NCO Kentrop.

NCO Wolf.

- More for Hefe.
- Let's see.

From his wife?
Wasn't she notified?

I don't know.
That's all today.

Schwannecke.
Report to NCO Wolf.

- You get the right machine gun.
- You the merry mailman?

Get lost, man.

- Wait for the letter.
- Yes, sir.

24 ENEMY BOMBERS
DOWNED IN BERLIN!

Have a seat.
Give your neck a break.

Thank you, sir.

The number of bombs they dropped
isn't mentioned.

- What part of town do you live in?
- Krumme Lanke.

Nettle 1 Headquarters.
It's you, Captain.

Lt Bevern?
No.

He filed a report?
Sorry, Captain.

I won't apologize to Lt Bevern.

Even if you have to
forward the complaint.

Nice of you.

Thanks.
Out.

- In Krumme Lanke?
- Yes.

If only I knew how
things were at home.

Do you have a phone?

84 94 95.

I still remember it.

There you are.

Maybe my mother will call your wife.

Inge.

The operator says
the number is working.

Deutschmann's phone
may be off the hook.

- I'll look.
- And your rounds?

Call Martinsen.

- All quiet at MG position.
- What were you firing at?

- Snipers in the woods.
- Any other flank security?

Schwannecke is at the
edge of the woods.

Schwannecke? Hmm...

Lower your head a notch, Lieutenant.

The trees are crawling
with Siberian rifles.

You'd better reinsert the pawl.
It may come in handy.

- Did you sleep well?
- I was awake but didn't want...

to spoil your fun.

You were sound asleep.
I could have taken it all.

I would have barked.

- Can I have it now?
- At a trial leading to a firing squad.

That so?

- Come with me under arrest.
- Maybe I won't.

Don't do anything
you'll regret.

Lt Slickboots.

Medic!

Medic!

What did you do when
Lt Bevern came to you.

Reported:
Pvt Schwannecke manning MG.

What did Lt Bevern say?

Look sharp, you dimwit.

What else?

I should stand up tall.

So I said:
Tall targets invite a bullseye.

Was Lt Bevern shorter than you?

Maybe...

a trifle lower.

- He stood straight up with no cover?
- Yes, sir.

Didn't you warn him about snipers?

I told him not to stick his neck out.

But the adjutant was gung ho.

You didn't like him, did you?

He wasn't my kind.

Why was he shot in the forehead?

I was manning my machine gun.

Lt Bevern was next to the trench
staring the enemy in the eye.

That is Lt Bevern's bride.

- Nice boots.
- They're soft.

No chance for us.
His old lady will get them.

Scram.
That's my tarp.

Scram yourself.

Well?

Well what?

- Did he interrogate you?
- Interrogate?

He asked me what happened.

What did you tell him?

The truth.

You're a sly fox.

But this time you'll hang.

Now it's light, Sarge.

But night is coming.

Be careful what you say.

- Where is Lt Bevern's pistol?
- Did he have one?

Damned right,

and I found it.

Martinsen.

Alert a surgeon just in case.

Get her a stimulant
and some blood.

- Is the colonel here?
- He's waiting.

What's the fuss?

Col Wendt,
I must have your help:

a line to the front.

- The front.
- Battalion 999.

- Deutschmann?
- His serum formula.

What?
You analyzed it as trial evidence.

My analysis focused on
whether a scientist

may risk his life
the day he is drafted.

- Why do you need it?
- His wife does.

- So what?
- Without the serum she will die.

Yes, General.
Lt Obermeier.

My adjutant, Lt Bevern,
got him in the mess.

Bevern has died for his Fuhrer.

I'm not a party to the complaint.

And it will be a moot question
when Company 2 deploys.

Yes, sir.
Out.

Your outfit has a mission
that can redeem your lost souls.

Here's the scenario.

The army expects a
Russian attack in our sector.

Aerial surveillance is out.

The General needs data
on causeway movements

and the zone
between here and there.

Your company must infiltrate
enemy concentrations and minefields.

You transit impenetrable swamps.

It's six kilometers.

Only one man need return.

- I hope it's you.
- Thanks.

My company is fully unsuited.

It has neither
experience nor morale.

Obermeier,
I'll be frank with you.

Two companies
preceded you into hell.

You're sacrifice number 3.
Against my judgment.

I overheard that combat engineers
will follow in our wake.

We're stampeding over a minefield

to pave a lane for elite forces
with our crushed bones.

It's murder,
cold-blooded murder.

You deploy at 19:30,
Obermeier.

Headquarters Nettle 1.

What?
Deutschmann?

Berlin calling?
What do you make of that?

This is Oakleaf.
O-A-K-L-E-A-F.

Calling Cloverleaf.
You already had Iceplant.

Okay, sorry.

How long can it take?

Why did you ban Dr Deutschmann
if you think he's better than Behring?

I don't know anything for sure.

I'll leave no stone unturned.

Arrange for his return to Berlin
so he can test his serum.

Hello.

Excuse me, Lieutenant.

I have the division.

Calling Cloverleaf.

Give me Iceplant at last.

I am repeating a top priority
call for Iceplant.

- A matter of life and death.
- That will shake the trenches.

- Have a seat.
- Thanks.

Still no connection.

No Iceplant, no Cloverleaf.
I want Deutschmann.

With Penal Battalion 999.

Calling Iceplant.
Here's Cloverleaf.

Only he knows the formula.
His wife's life depends on it.

Iceplant, give me Nettle 1.
Yes, priority.

Hello, Oakleaf.
Daisy for Pansy again.

Oakleaf.
Damn, now they're gone.

Here's Cloverleaf for
Pvt Deutschmann.

You had a call from Berlin.
Now it's gone.

What was it all about?

A Dr. Kukill...
something wrong with your wife.

What's the matter with her?
I don't follow.

Is she sick?

A bomb?

No, she needs a serum urgently...

...death...

Oakleaf Command.
...report...

She's dead.
God, she must be dead.

Why convey Schwannecke
to Division Headquarters?

The commander asked
if we have evidence, Lieutenant.

I said I found Lt Bevern's pistol
in Schwannecke's MG nest.

The commander said to
haul him off to headquarters.

That we're not a murder battalion.

- You found Lt Bevern's pistol?
- Yes, sir.

Schwannecke stays.
We have a night maneuver.

We need every man.

We need you.

You're back on the line.

Kentrop.

Yes, sir.

You're replacing Sgt Krüll
in the office.

- Yes, sir.
- Yeah, yeah.

That's right Krüll.

Tonight you can prove your mettle.

You, Schwannecke and
the whole crew.

There's no guarantee that
one of us will return.

The company reports
to Barssdovka.

You issue arms and assign tasks.

- Kentrop.
- Yes, sir.

I'd like to apply for emergency leave.

- Huh?
- Emergency leave for a funeral.

Emergency leave.

Form a semi circle.

Tonight we can become soldiers
without the 999 stigma.

That means leaves of absence,
mail, promotions.

Some of us will not return.

You have the same chance as I do.

If any of you plan to desert
remember this:

We are scouting the start
of a big Russian drive.

They don't take prisoners.

They regard you as criminals.

They aren't waiting
with open arms.

You go over the hill,
we shoot you.

We aim to execute our mission
and become regular soldiers.

That's the story.

As you were.

Take your weapons and gear.

Right face.

Route step,
column left, march.

Loosen your gear.

Couldn't you find
a flame thrower?

- A gut wound won't aid digestion.
- I'll die on a full stomach.

Time to go, boys.

Good luck.

- Bye, Haack.
- Good luck.

And... good luck.

It's nice of the adjutant unit
to make noise for you.

Aren't you afraid
half your men will bolt?

- What do you mean?
- They're all criminals,

Communists, etc.

That's your opinion.

See you later.

I'm coming.

Up and at 'em.

See that criminal in spot 4?

Col Bartlitz, division commander.

Get ready.

Think he will desert?

15...

10...

5...

Come back in one piece.

Listen...

Report a large column
approaching on the right.

Attention.

Forward!

Fire cover!

Report a large column...

approaching on the right.

Not yet, hold it, hold it...

Now, ready... fire it.

Everybody to the woods.

I'm dropping out... How about you?

I have a pass.

And you have a red cross armband.

What do you say?

Then I'll go alone.

No sense waiting for Haack and Hagedorn.

Headquarters personnel join the fray.
We'll go to the river and turn around.

Come on, boys.

Those arseholes are friendlies.
Back to the woods.

Go on back to the woods.

To the river.

Bear, right.

Keep going.

Our positions are over there.

Jump in.

Keep going.

- Lead them, Colonel.
- Carry him.

Leave me here.
Fight your way back.

Run, boys.

The Russian offensive.

This space is taken.

Beat it.

We wait until dark.

Halt!

Well?

6 km to Barssdovka.
Go along the edge of the woods.

Come on, you lazy bum.

No, take me with you! Hurry!

Hurry. No.

Don't shoot. Stop.

Don't shoot.

Come on!

What happened to you? Say something.

Tell me where it hurts.

You get white sheets,
chow and shut-eye.

Tell Konigsberg I'm on my way.

Take charge of him, I forgot something.

I have seven men left.

- Any officers?
- All dead or missing.

Replacements are no problem for you.

In a week I'll be at full strength.
There's no lack of fodder.

A 999 stray has reported.

Send him in.

Sgt Krüll, Company 2, Battalion 999.

Make it eight.

Was it tough going?

Yes, sir.

We applied for three Iron Crosses,
Class 1.

For your officers, but...

Give him all three.

Thank you. Take a break for now.

You had a Pvt Deutschmann
in your battalion, right?

Yes, sir, a physician
accused of self-mutilation.

- A casualty.
- Of course, why do you ask?

He was ordered to Berlin
to conduct research.

We got a message
that his wife pulled through.

- Was she sick?
- I don't know.

Wait a second.

He's not wounded.
He's dead.

Look alive.