Original subtitles

So this is Brene, huh? Yeah.

21st bypassed it five days ago.

They're here in Senegal now.

You know, mopping up these, that town's really giving you the creeps, Kirby.

Yeah, like going to funerals. What's wrong with funerals?

Everything's always nice and quiet.

Yeah, but first, I'll take Paris. If the crowds keep pulling back, we'll be there

near Dino. Yeah. Hey, did you ever see a can-can kid?

A can-can?

You mean I never had any at those Sunday school picnics?

Let's go.

Cover me.

Heavy! Smoke in the archway!

Baker, Nelson, cover those windows.

A Selmer Production.

Combat.

Starring Rick Jason.

vic morrow

co

-starring denise alexander guest star gunner hellstrom

He says he's not armed, Lieutenant.

No.

How many Germans in the building?

Five. Five in there.

He

says

not to go into town because they are holding five kids in the library and the

librarian and himself.

It says paratroopers landed two nights ago. It says they have a radio and a

telescope.

It looks as if the crowds have set up an advance observation post up there.

They got a fine mezzanine seat for the entire enchilada.

Perfect view of the entire battalion position.

Explains the pinpoint shelling of our supply lines.

Let's go and tell them the show's over. It's only five of them.

It's not that simple. What about the kids?

Yeah, that's the race in the hole.

You gave him my instructions?

Carefully? Then what is detaining him?

He would do nothing to harm the children, especially his own grandson.

But I told you, he does not speak English.

When he must.

A man makes himself understood.

Even if you and I didn't speak English, we would understand each other.

No?

Please, Lieutenant, please let me speak with them, too.

A warning from the lips of a beautiful girl.

Who would take it seriously?

But I would make them see how serious it is, I promise you.

You might not come back. I would lose the pleasure of your company.

But if they do not understand French, they will begin to shoot again.

And unfortunately, we will shoot back.

Well, please at least let me take the children down into the cellar. The

children stay here. Right here.

Lieutenant, you are soldiers. The Americans are soldiers. But why should

those children have to suffer?

You make matters difficult for me, Fraulein.

But I made my decision.

Now the Americans must make theirs.

It's up to them what happens.

You have to take this place.

We'll find no one alive in it.

No one.

What a pity.

What if I made him come back to town with the kids anyway?

Well, you can't blame him, Lieutenant. He's the janitor up at the school.

I guess they came back for food.

How could he know the paratroopers would show up?

Are the kids watched all the time?

He says every instant there's no chance of him getting away. He

wants us to leave town, Lieutenant.

Tell him to take it easy. He's safe with us.

He says he has to go back. The Germans are waiting for him.

They have his grandson.

All right, I get the message.

Tell him he can go back.

Well,

what shall he tell the Krauts, Lieutenant?

Tell him we'll pull out.

Not now, Sergeant. Let's get

out of here. Let's pull back.

Be careful.

You had an idea?

I don't know. I figured it'll be dark pretty soon, and maybe... maybe some of

us can get in there fast enough.

Get those kids out while the rest of us keep those crowds busy.

You know those paratroopers are on a suicide mission. They've got nothing to

lose.

If those kids didn't get shot up while we were going in, they'd be dead by the

time we reached them.

All right, what are we gonna do? They're holding an old man, a woman.

And five kids. Stack that up against what can happen to a lot more of us if

those Krauts keep tipping off their artillery.

Time.

Time. We need more time.

Nelson, give me the chatterbox.

Checkmate King 2 to Checkmate King. Over.

This is for the captain, urgent.

It's for you, Captain.

Checkmate King 2, Lieutenant Handling.

What's your problem?

Five of them and Bernay?

Well, what are you waiting for?

Kids. Did you say kids?

Yes, sir. Two civilians. An old man and a woman. A librarian.

I see.

I see. That's a rough one.

What's your recommendation?

Time? How much?

A couple of hours at least, sir.

We need more information.

I don't know.

I sympathize with those people, but you know what's at stake.

Okay, I'll give you three hours, that's all.

Meanwhile, I'll take it up with the old man. Let him handle this. It's too hot

for me.

Out. Get me a battalion.

Well, we got three hours.

After it's dark, somebody's got to get into that building with a handy talkie.

Get a layout of the place, flash it back. The rest of us take it from there.

Well, that makes sense.

You want me to go?

No, you stay here.

This is my idea, and I'm stuck with it.

What, are you pulling rank on me?

That's right.

Hey, Lieutenant, why don't you take me along with you? I'm the one to speak

French. I can help you.

No dice.

Half the time is gone.

Stick Lou to the other squawk box.

Move it or any conditions, I'll contact you when I can.

Maybe someone ought to go with you.

You know as well as I do this part of the operation's a one-man job.

Well, uh, take care of yourself.

Thanks.

Three kilometers, 200 meters, direction north-northwest.

Train between Beausé and Cahiers-les-Pins. Area 7.

What book is this?

It is a history of our country.

It is called The Glorious History of France.

Does this glorious history tell how German power brought France to her knees

in 1870?

And also in 1916?

And now again?

No.

It is an old book.

But a country's true greatness does not come from power or making war.

Oh.

Really, Fraulein?

It is the beauty of its art.

The influence of its philosophy.

You read that in another old book.

Yes?

Do you think books teach you about life?

Real life?

Poor little librarian.

It is an honor for a girl of Bernet to be made librarian.

Forget your books, Fräulein. Life is to be lived, not read about.

I suggest you don't wait too long.

That looked, Fräulein...

I've seen it before many times.

In Czechoslovakia, Crete, Norway.

And at times I've seen it on your face too.

It does not become you.

No! No!

Please! All printed matter capable of arousing resistance is to be destroyed.

Oh, please, Lieutenant, I beg of you not to do this. They are the only ones of

their kind.

So?

They are irreplaceable?

Not for sale?

Any price?

I'm looking for gasoline. Wait a minute. Yes, sir.

Impressionable young minds must be protected from decadent influences.

Thank you.

There are only books.

Soon there will be nothing but ashes, as you and I will be.

Who knows when?

Tonight, tomorrow, whenever the Americans stop being sentimental fools.

If they do not attack, when will you go?

In a few days.

But I wouldn't count on them not to attack.

Tell me, Fräulein, how long have you lived here?

All my life.

You never thought of leaving this dull little place to see the world?

What was here for you?

A man, perhaps?

No.

There was no one.

No one and nothing, except your books and your dreams.

You see, I know you, Fräulein.

I've thought about you a great deal.

I was not unhappy.

Unhappy?

How did you know?

But there is still time.

A few moments, perhaps.

But I wouldn't cheat myself of them.

Are you cold, Fraulein?

Perhaps the wine will help you.

What shall we drink to?

Life?

Death? Or both?

A true Wagnerian toast.

I talked

to you again later.

Ryan?

This is Badger to Checkmate King 2. Over.

Checkmate King 2. Come in, Badger.

This is Badger. I'm in a wine shop near the place.

I saw the librarian for a moment.

She's hardly more than a kid herself and scared stiff.

I'm gonna try to get in there through a window in the cellar.

Well, here's the situation at this end. The crowd shut up a convoy three miles

north of here.

And Topps, I told Captain Wintlow those paratroopers have got to go.

They gave us until 2200.

That's two hours.

We sent Arturia a fix on the town hall, so if you get those kids out, give us a

flash and I'll start shelling.

But hot or cold, they commence firing at 2200.

And it makes it pretty tight.

That's the best they can do.

Just keep your watch wound.

Out.

I'm glad you reject me, King, too.

i trapped myself down here without risking another man time's running out

we can't leave you in a spot like that i don't want anybody else sticking his

neck out that's an order if i'm still down here a couple of minutes to ten

i'll pistol a century and make a break for it before the barrage starts out

Oh,

you have blankets in the cellar?

And you want to get them?

One moment.

Go, but do it quickly.

Yes.

I said I would get blankets for the children.

Thanks for coming.

I only came to tell you once more, you must go.

I couldn't go even if I wanted to, not yet anyway. But you know what will

happen if they find you here.

I know what will happen if we all don't get out of here. No, the Charmands will

leave soon.

I heard him say the same thing, but he's lying.

Finding you and the others here was a break they hadn't counted on.

They grabbed it to get more time. That's costing us lives.

But what about my life?

You have no right to cheat me of my life.

I'm trying to save it.

Please do nothing.

Please.

Now listen to me. You're scared.

So am I.

If you'll only tell me where the Germans are and what they're doing.

No.

Look, you're a librarian.

You can see what they do to books.

If everybody felt the way you do, they'd win the war.

Now those kids have got a right to live too.

Let that drool you know it. Now put yourself together and answer my

questions. No, I can't. I can't.

What?

This soldier will let me come. He's impatient. I must go. Wait.

I'll talk to him. At least translate for me. Let me go.

Listen to me.

At exactly 10 o'clock, that's 27 minutes from now, our artillery has orders to

wipe this place out.

They cannot do that.

They can.

And they will.

But you must stop. them it's impossible how long did you think we'd let the

crowd stay here they're starting to be rubble now if it wasn't for those

children i will tell the lieutenant he will take his men and go

he will let us go yes you do that you tell him and

ruin whatever chances we have

Where is the girl and the old man?

In the cellar, Lieutenant.

The children were cold. They have a blanket.

Wilhelm!

Bring the girl and the old man from the cellar.

Get back!

He's dead.

The old man had a knife.

I tried to stop him.

So you tried to stop him?

Yes.

Thank you.

You see, one never knows how long one has.

Willem was young, strong, full of life.

Now it's all over for him.

Forever.

The old man's grandson.

The boy had nothing to do with it.

Why should he live to kill other Germans?

One little boy's life.

Can that matter to you?

It matters to you?

To be merciful is to be weak.

We will see.

Badger to Checkmate King 2, come in.

Badger, Checkmate King 2, come in.

This is Badger.

Badger to Checkmate King 2.

Request denied, Sergeant. I'm not countermanding his order. He's in a

better position than I am to call this.

But he might have changed his mind, sir. We can't contact him. His radio seems to

be dead.

Or he is.

Sit tight, Sergeant.

But we've only got 14 minutes left to get in there, sir.

You heard me the first time. Request denied, Sergeant. Out.

I'm going upstairs.

Do you want me to say your prayers?

Don't forget.

Thank you.

Can you, Jean, give this message to the officer in the cell?

It is foolish, no?

After what has happened, I worry about my heir.

Women are vain.

You are no exception.

Why do you wear it like that?

You do not find it becoming?

Prim, modest, businesslike.

Appropriate for a librarian.

You were right, what you said about me.

I have had nothing but books and dreams.

I always thought there would be time for other things.

And now, when there is no time left,

I realize that my life has been empty.

and wasted.

And I do not wish to die with such regrets.

You remember the toast you made in the wine shop?

Shall we drink it together before it is...

Too late.

Halt!

What is your name?

Does it matter?

No.

Only us.

Could I have one more glass of wine?

Please.

What's going on?

How different you suddenly seem.

Your eyes and your lips.

Only an hour ago I thought they were hard and cruel.

And now?

Now?

Now I see you as you are.

A conqueror, yes.

Strong.

What's going

on?

Just be good.

She's an idiot!

Let's go. That's right.

Let's see what's for dinner.

Hey, fellas, help me out here.

Break out the rations, gang.

You gonna talk to Mark Kirby? Yes, sir.

He's okay.

You all right, darling?

Yeah.

You caught your shots pretty close, Lieutenant.

Not me, Sergeant.

Girl named Annette.

Wait a minute.

Where are you going?

Going back to look for her.

After that barrage?

If she didn't leave with you, she's not leaving.

I want to find out for myself.

Cage. Yes. Take over. It won't be long. All right, sir.

How old was she?

I don't know.

20, maybe.

She said I had no right to cheat her of her life.

You told me she called the shots.

There was no other way.

Just think of those kids.

They're alive and safe.

I guess there was no other way.