Original subtitles

[marching feet stomping]

[Chief Petty Officer] Ship's company, halt!

Call that a destroyer?

Right turn!

Looks more like Battersea Power Station

Keep silent! By the left, faoe!

Snip's company present and oorreot, sir

Snip's company, stand at ease!

Here, Fanny, take a signal

To Winston Cnuronill, free so-oalled destroyers in tnem tnere islands.

-You've been done, mate. No politios on an empty stomaon, please

Got any guff on the skipper, Stripey?

A dugout, so tne buffer reokons

A bit rigid by all aooounts

She'll be nasty with a bit of sea running.

Yes, all of these rookies are in for a fine time.

That inoludes me, Guns, and l'd rather not be reminded of it

Seasiokness? IVlerely a question of relaxation

Famous last words, Doo?

Ship's oompany, hup!

Attention on deck

Stand easy, please

IVly name is Fraser

I shan't keep you long tonight

But as this is the first time we meet as a full ship's company,

there are a few points to be made

This ship is the United States Navy destroyer Whittier.

She is one of the 50 destroyers the Americans are lending us,

and we have been sent here to man her

Lieutenant Commander Carson and his officers and men

will do everything they can in the shortest possible time

to show us the ropes

We are going to work very hard

We have a job to do in the fighting of this war,

and the sooner we are doing it the better.

There's just one other thing

This ship, as you may know, has been laid up and sealed off

for a number of years

And, quite plainly, she is no longer young

However, at this stage in the proceedings

she is worth her displacement in gold

With that in mind, it may be worth remembering

the useful old saying never look a gift horse in the mouth

Finally, l'm glad to welcome you here

Carry on, First Lieutenant -Aye-aye, sir.

Ship's company, hup!

Fall out the officers

IVlarch them aboard, please, Chief

Yeah, I know

Fall out the privileged classes, remain to work yourself to death

You all heard what the Captain had to say

and you all know what it means

No loafing about, no skylarking

and no peggings on the upper deck

Ship's company, left turn!

Number One -Sir!

The next time you report the ship's company present and correct,

see that they are

The majority of those men are improperly dressed.

Aye-aye, sir

[siren blares single note]

Just like a herd of cattle, we are

Ah, mate, don't pick on me Write to your I\/IP about it.

No use, he's a Tory

Well, where do we go from here?

[groans]

-Oh, thanks for the lift. Don't mention it. See you later

Oh, sure

-Who's the midget? I don't know. New boy, I think

Came on that last drop this morning -Oh.

Cut the cackle and get below. And you, Daniels, square your cap off

King's Regulations, Article Number 174, sub-para 3(a)

Caps are to be worn square on the head so that no hair is viewed."

[American on PA] Now hear this! Now hear this!

Al/ hands /ay aft to the fantai/.

Al/ British ratings report to the mess decks

You know, I envy you, Commander

It must be fine to have a whole crew with combat experience.

I've got a hundred men in the ship's company.

Only four officers and 14 ratings have been to sea before.

I'd heard you British were scraping the bottom of the barrel, but...

We are. As a matter of fact that's why I'm here.

Aren't you being a little modest Commander?

Oh, these, you mean? Well, they belong to the last war

Commonly known as Squeak and Wilfie.

No, I've been on the beach since '32

I was dug out, as we say when the war started.

Since then, I've been sailing a stone frigate

-A stone frigate? IVIm, shore establishment

Ordinary Seaman Flanagan, sir

Chief said I should report to you for duties as Captain's ser\/ant.

Are you trying to be funny?

No, sir. That's what he told me, sir

Say, you are an American

No, I come from Ireland

Oh, I see. And what part of Ireland are you from, Flanagan?

Chicago?

How long have you been in the Royal Navy?

Four months, sir. I enlisted in London

[Captain Wilson] Enlisted, huh?

Well, you certainly ought to feel at home on an American ship.

-Yes, sir. Very well, Flanagan

I'm glad to have you aboard

Thank you, sir. I'm glad to be aboard

[American sailor] Now sweepers, man your brooms

Clean sweep down, fore and aft

You know, in a lot of ways I wouldn't mind changing places with him.

I must have cursed this old bucket a hundred times since I took it over

-And now I... I think I know what you mean

Well, I‘ll say one thing for you British, Commander

you certainly don't waste much time

We haven't got much time

[orchestral music]

What's our position, pilot? -I'll get a fix, sir.

Grant, I know where we are and so should you.

Next time I ask that question I want a proper answer.

Aye-aye, sir

IVIidships

Steer O-8-2

Midships, steer 0-8-2, sir. -Take over, Number One.

Let me know when you sight the convoy -Aye-aye, sir.

I wish he wouldn't make me feel so conscious of being a Saturday night sailor

He seems to think I'm not trying

[chuckles]

I guess those wavy stripes of yours get in his hair.

-Starboard 15! Starboard 15, sir.

I'm afraid he doesn't think much of me as a Number One

-No. If Canada had enough ships to go round

I'd have a command of my own

IVIidships, steer O-9-6

-Midships, steer 0-9-6, sir. Why don't you turn over now?

He wants me to plot latest U-boat dispositions

Oh, I never get a minute's peace. It's worse than being a school master

Is that what you were? -Among other things.

Journalism, advertising

Civil Service. A sort of rolling stone, you know

Uh-huh

Convoy on the starboard bow, sir.

Very good

Captain, sir

Yes?

Convoy sighted on the starboard bow, sir.

Very good, Number One I‘ll come up.

1-3-O revolutions

Did you get a star sight this morning, Grant?

Yes, sir -Good.

I said 1-3-O revolutions

Now!

910 revolutions a minute, sir

That can't be right. She'll take off at that speed

She'll only do 400 all out. Try again. I‘ll tell you when

Had better engines than this driving milk lorries in Tonypandy

Now!

Keep well up, visibility's dropping -Another gale warning, sir.

Why have the engines stopped? -Now what is it?

Cut the steam! -[bell rings]

Pressure's gone, sir

Take over, IVIorgan

Stop everything except the auxiliaries

-Any report from the engine room? Chief's coming up to the bridge, sir

It's the senior officer, sir "Why stopped?"

Very good. IVIake back

Another one just coming through from him now, sir

Difficult to read his light

-What's the trouble, Chief? Joint burst in main steam pipe, sir

Can't move the engines till it's repaired.

Senior officer again, sir

"If delay is serious, proceed independently to Londonderry

Your present position is..." Then I'm afraid we couldn't read any more, sir

Very good, yeoman -Number One?

-Sir? Secure all movable gear

Rig extra lifelines. Check all hatches and scuttles

-Aye-aye, sir. Think you can fix it, Chief?

Oh, we can fix it all right, sir but it'll take time.

Come on, my lads! Rise and shine! Starboard watch, close up.

Come on, out you get. A breath of fresh air will do you the world of good

How long before we get on an even keel, 'swain?

Only four more miles, I reckon Come on, come on!

Pork chops and pickles for lunch! Now, now then.

IVIind you don't bring up that little hard ring in your throat

You'll never get it down again if you do. Come on now, boy.

Starboard watch, on deck -The doctor...

I want the doctor

She goes on much longer like this, sir,

the ruddy turbines will tear themselves loose

-How's it going? We've nearly fixed the steam pipe, sir

Every time she hits a wave she springs a fresh leak.

There's one in the stern gland now Pumps won't get to it.

Put extra hands onto bailing

Oh, open your eyes!

Oh, now!

Cor blimey! I wish I could be sick and get a bit of blooming peace!

[groans]

Well, now perhaps we can get some peace

Number One -Sir?

Exercise action stations

Aye-aye, sir

[action stations siren blares]

Cor blimey!

Dawn action, dusk action, worse than Beecham's Pills this is!

Now then wait for it, wait for it!

Mail's up!

Have you ever put into Londonderry before, sir?

Yes, once, in '29

Oh, I've been here several times

It's, er... Well, it's not what you'd call a IVIatlow's paradise

I thought the only thing you asked for Guns, was a dartboard.

Oh, that's right enough, sir

Excuse me, sir

I'm just going up to inspect the liberty men

Oh, Number One? -Sir?

I'll take a look round first -Aye-aye, sir.

[ship's siren blares]

Pass the vinegar, somebody

Come on, you shore-going Romeos

It's Saturday, us workers want to get our heads down

[all grumbling] -Oh, shut-up!

-Big head! Why don't you shut up?

[all grumbling]

Here, listen to this

'I've taken in a lodger to help with the rent.

Well, I've got to go and get his hot water bottle now,

so I'll leave you. Love, Elsie

I'm not so sure I like that

I've never had no hot water bottle all the 20 year we've been married

You were never home long enough you dirty old man.

[laughter]

For crying out loud!

What's the matter now? Another strike fizzled out?

No, it‘s thisjersey. I can't get it on!

That's your balaclava, you twerp

Have you got a skirt? -Don't be daft.

It's from my mum

Our managing director says life must be very exciting aboard a modern dreadnought

Dreadnought?

Hey, Stripey!

You know that girl I told you about?

The one that works in the milk bar at Plymouth

Oh, yeah

She says she will

Will? Will what? -[laughter]

IVIarry me, dope

That's her

Blimey, what a chassis -Yeah.

You know, she's won 12 beauty contests.

So that's why this big ape joined the Royal Navy.

What a bloke would do in order to be near a woman

And all he goes through for it what does it get him?

No hot water bottle -[laughter]

[seagulls crying]

[man shouts] Gun deck!

Gun deck!

[boatswain's whistle]

[man] Hean hear there!

All leave is cancelled!

Hands, stand by to clean ship!

[all grumbling]

He can't stop us going onshore It isn't human.

If he thinks he's gonna get me working on Saturday afternoon, he's crazy!

I guess the First Lieutenant didn't think she had enough glamour.

It's not the jimmy it's the skipper.

I don't care who it is, they've got no right to do it

We ought to be allowed Saturday afternoons off when in harbour.

Or overtime in lieu thereof

-Ship clean, Number One? You have a ready wit, Sub Lieutenant

You know, when I was a boy seaman we had a skipper

who used to inspect the ship with white gloves on.

Sure, in peacetime

But this man doesn't only want the old bucket shipshape.

He expects it to be dry cleaned

Can you imagine being married to him? He must drive his wife crazy.

His wife, Number One, was killed in an accident two years ago.

Oh, I'm sorry

Well, you weren't to know

I still don't see the point in running everyone ragged the first day in harbour

The point is, Number One, the Captain was quite right

The ship wasn't clean

Except for the engine room

All right, carry on please, Chief -Aye-aye, sir.

Carry on, leading hands

Liberty men! Front rank, right turn!

Left wheel, quick march! Rear rank, right turn!

Left wheel, quick march!

Number One! -Sir?

I've told you before, our liberty men are not smart enough

They've had a pretty rough fortnight, sir

All the more reason to keep them up to the mark now

Sir, in my experience these sort of men

have done pretty well in action so far surely, that's the main thing.

The main thing, Number One, is that my orders are to be obeyed

Aye-aye, sir

Pipe

[pipe blows]

-Come in, please. Lieutenant Commander Fraser, sir

All right, thank you

Fraser?

That'll be the skipper of the four-funnelled flipper

V\/ho? Him?

The one who got lost? -Yeah.

-[tuts] Careless, very careless

What an earth happened to you? I was diverted to go and look for you

Engine trouble, I'm afraid

Well, sit down, sit down

-Thanks. Good to see you again

It's quite a coincidence

Yes, quite. No, I won't, thanks

I was delighted to hear you were back in uniform

Let's see, how long is it now?

Since my court martial?

Eight years Eight years

On the 9th of December

IVIakes you realise we're all getting on, doesn't it?

How is, erm... How's that boy of yours?

Oh, he's quite a big chap now He'll soon be leaving school.

And what have you been doing all this time?

I've been building boats -Oh?

The fleshpots of civilian life and all that.

Hmm, it wasn't quite like that, no

I've got a cousin. He's got a boatyard on the Isle ofWight

What about a drink? Gin?

Fine, thanks

What sort of officers have you?

Oh, first rate

I have a Canadian Number One who's very popular with the crew

What's your ship like?

What do they call them? Four pipers

Yes, four pipers, amongst other things

Well, here's to the future, Hugh

-Thanks. I'm sure we'll get on all right together

I certainly hope so. Cheers

Cheers

-Skol! Bung-ho!

Cheers

Down the hatch

[man whistles]

Action stations!

Gin and lime, please

[they slap the counter]

Bright smiles, everybody. I say

Are you alone by any chance? -Yes.

You wouldn't care to join the convoy?

Not particularly

You fellows have no finesse that's your trouble.

And what do you do? Drop depth charges?

Bet you a quid you can't get her to have a drink with you.

I'm not in the mood -Two quid?

-I'll make it three. Well, let's make it a fiver, shall we?

All right

Get your money ready, suckers

It would give me a great deal of moral satisfaction, ma'am,

if you would have a drink with me

Thanks all the same, I have one

No, I mean another

I never have more than one gin -Oh.

Well, what about a chaser?

I'd love a glass of water

I don't think they'd swallow that

I mean, er... water's so tasteless, isn't it?

How much did you bet? -Er, bet?

Pretty obvious, isn't it? One look at your friends is enough

-Fnends? Yes, in the members' stand

Oh, them. Oh, that's nothing

They, uh... It's just that they haven't seen a white woman in months.

My mother told me never to talk to strange men.

Very right and proper too

And what did your father tell you?

Being an Admiral, he's a man of few words

[coughs]

Look, I know a place where a fiver would buy champagne

soft lights, sweet music

and the biggest steak this side of IVIontreal.

Suddenly, I find you quite irresistible.

Oh, it's the Canadian influence

The steak

[cash till dings]

And IVIcConalog's Electric Saloon is proud and honoured

to welcome you to its portals

Now, walls have ears, and I know I mustn't ask any questions.

But sure, I don't have to

I've only to look at the gleams in your eyes

to know that you've been performing

some dangerous mission on the broad Atlantic Ocean

Have you?

Well, if you really want to know mate, we're survivors.

Sur\/ivors? Glory be

Drinks on the house of IVIcConalog

[all clamouring]

Is there any truth in them terrible rumours about...

cannibalism?

-Cannibalism? Yes, on rafts adrift with no victuals?

I wish you hadn't mentioned that, mate

Brings back a horrible memory

Something that happened to my cousin, Bert.

Dear, oh dear. Drink up

Have another

Tell me more

Nasty smell round here

Oh, pooh! Like something burning

Shall we draw straws?

And when I see that Bert's got the short straw

and he's the one to be ate, I says to him, "Bert," I says

"You have to admit we done it the sporting way

You don't mean that

Lasted us all the way to the Azores.

He was a bit stringy, Bert was but he was sustaining.

Lordy be!

Funny thing too, he used to complain about his liver something a\/vful.

Took pills by the thousand, he did

And yet three days after we finished him

we were still trying to beat his liver to death with an oar

[laughter]

Here, what do you make of her skipper?

The two and a half ringer? -Yeah.

Couldn't keep a tram on a straight course.

She's full of rookies!

Yeah, not a sailor amongst them -Well, hard luck.

As for the so-called ship, she might as well be broke up. Scrap heap!

From what they tell me, the same goes for the skipper

[they laugh heartily]

Here!

What'll you have, bud?

Pint of black and tan

Pint of black and tan!

-Coming up, sir! How much is that?

One and fourpence ha'penny, sir

So, er

I understand you don't like our skipper, eh?

That's right

UQhj

Ooh!

[all clamouring]

Break! Break!

Brothers, don't fight amongst yourselves!

Brute force never got anybody anywhere! Aagh!

Ah, time, gentlemen, please

[trumpet plays]

[plane passes overhead]

Able Seaman Daniels

Able Seaman Daniels, sir Request for extra pay.

-What for Daniels? Several of us helped to bale out water

in the stern gland compartment on the way across, sir.

What's that got to do with it?

King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions

Volume 1, Article 1635 sub-para (e), sir.

"Extra pay at rates laid down shall be made to all persons

whatever their rating employed in scraping, repainting

or other laborious work in the following confined spaces

Keep silence!

The stern gland compartment's on the next page, sir.

What were you in civil life, Daniels?

Trade union organiser, sir

I see. You were pretty good at it, were you?

Well, I hope you'll be equally successful in the Royal Navy.

Don't forget that there are certain differences, will you?

Very well. Request granted

in accordance with King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions,

Article 1635, sub-para (e)

Request granted

About turn! Return to the table! Salute the Captain!

Now don't you go forgetting that again

Left turn!

Stand up straight, man! Now wait for it. Double march!

Ruddy sea lawyer

The rest are defaulters, sir, from Saturday night's fight ashore

Carry on, please

Ordinary Seaman Flanagan!

Off caps!

Ordinary Seamen Flanagan, sir was guilty of an act

to the prejudice of good order and naval discipline

in that he did create a disturbance onshore

namely by fighting in IVIcConalog's Electric Saloon

Londonderry, being apprehended by the naval patrol at 21:17

on the 28th of September

What was all this fighting about, Flanagan?

Anything to say? -No, sir.

I will not have the ship given a bad name.

14 days leave stopped

14 days!

Able Seaman Wood!

Place lookouts in the crow's nest and the eyes of the ship, Sub.

Tell them to keep silence on deck. Report at once if anything's sighted

-Aye-aye, sir. I'll be in the chart house

Boatswain's mate -Sir?

Pipe all lookouts close up keep silence on deck.

Pipe all /ookouts closed up keep silence on deck.

Have you any idea what we're supposed to be looking for?

Oh, yes, sir. Two merchant ships convoy stragglers.

Thanks. It does help to know

Hello

Any pings?

Not a sausage

I thought I had a whole ruddy wolf pack just now

Turned out to be a shoal of tired fish

And I didn't bring my tackle

This is their probable course, sir

We should be there in about five minutes, dead on time.

The question is, are they early or are they late?

You mean, because of the fog, sir? -IVIm.

Well, if we circle till it clears we're fairly sure to find them

-That means risking a collision. We could turn onto their course, sir

If we're ahead of them on the same course, we'll never see them at all.

-Safer to turn and meet them. But we might pass them in this fog

And they'd carry on and leave us miles astern

They're stragglers. They're bound to be late

We'll go back along their course for two hours then turn.

Plot that please, pilot Speed eight knots.

Yes, Sli”

The mastermind has spoken

Let's hope he's right

Bridge, explosion dead astern, sir!

Right!

Shall we turn, sir?

[explosion rumbles]

Five miles

Yes, please

-Starboard 20! Starboard 20, sir.

20 of starboard we are on, sir.

Coffee, sir?

Thank you, Flanagan

Bridge!

Ship bearing red 4-0, sir!

Right!

[eerie music]

-Signal merchant ship, sir. Very good, bring her round

-Port 20! Port 20, sir.

-IVIidships! Midships, sir.

Steady! Slow ahead both

Ask him who he is -Aye, sir.

What... ship... are you?

[Dutchman] Netherlands, Von Nada

bound for Liverpool

That's one of them, sir

I have orders

to escort you

as far as the north Channel

Have you seen Bostonian?

Bostonian torpedoed at 02:45

Position 55

40 North

21.50 West

Regret master and 19 lost

Eight sur\/ivors on board

three badly injured

Urgently require doctor, please

Number One, standby to slip sea boat -Aye-aye, sir.

Doctor -Sir?

Do your best

Boatswain's mate! -Sir?

Away sea boat's crew!

Away sea boat's crew, sir.

How they brought the good news from Derry to Devonport.

Oh, give it a rest

Let's face it, it isn't exactly what you might call a success story.

Oh, you've got to take the rough with the smooth

Things like the Bostonian do are happening every day.

Oh, sure, sure

What's one merchant ship and 20 lives between friends?

That isn't a very nice thing to say

It's not a very nice thing to have happen either.

We should have turned onto their course.

Aren't you being rather wise after the event?

Well, maybe I am, but I still say the man's impossible.

You're entitled to your own opinion about that.

Personally, I'm prepared to give a man like Fraser

the benefit of the doubt -Well, I'm not!

Especially if he's my Captain Number One.

Liberty men ready for inspection, sir -All right, Chief.

Well, it's a nice how do you do I must say.

Firstjob we get we end up losing the merchant packet

That's the Navy for you -Ah, pipe down!

He's right, you know I heard them arguing

If we'd done what the jimmy wanted we'd have of saved the Bostonian

and most likely got the U-boat as well.

Yeah, that box of tricks of yours was a lot of use

Get your fenders out! Here comes the Swiss Navy!

[all grumbling]

Don't you come near us!

[all shouting abuse]

It was my fault. I made the wrong decision

I shouldn't have assumed that stragglers would be late

If I'd turned the other way I could have saved...

But on the basis of the facts you've stated here, I think...

Well, of course, in the circumstances

it's quite possible I should have made the same decision myself

U

it's just unfortunate this thing should have happened now.

And the Admiral's likely to be sticky one

Oh, I know it's not yourfault but we simply cannot afford

to put up blacks like this, you know

Well, I'll see what I can do

[both] Thank you

So I said, "I don't care if you've been at sea for the last six years.

You keep your hands to yourself -Good for you.

-Er, pardon me. IVIind you, the language!

The air was bright blue!

Er, pardon me!

Half a jiri

Yes, sir, what would you like, sir? -Some information.

Toasted or plain? [9i99|€S]

No, I'm looking for Marge

Oh, you must be Flanagan, the Yank

That's right

And you... you, you're Glad, huh?

She wrote me about you

That you're the life and soul of the party -Oh, go on, I wouldn't say that.

Well, she told you we're going to get married.

Yes, she, um

She did mention it. Well, er

Look, why don't you sit down, I'll get you a nice cup of tea, eh?

Coffee

Oh, you Americans, you do like your coffee, don't you?

Yeah, if it's all the same with you -Oh, it's all the same with me.

It all tastes the same in this joint

One cafe ole!

Here, what am I going to tell him?

-Well, I don't know. [man] One coffee ole coming up

Sure is pretty -Mmm.

Yeah

All right, come on, let's have it

Well, Yank, you'd better take a deep breath. Um..

She's gone off with someone in the black market.

Go on, drink your coffee

Looks like I need something a little stronger

You know the trouble with women? -Yeah, men.

I'm through with them, I tell you absolutely through.

I know just how you feel I'm through with men.

And that's the last double-crossing dame gonna have a chance to take me for a ride

What are you doing tonight? -Tonight?

It's my afternoon off

Well, what are you waiting for?

Aunt Jones has been knitting herself into a stupor.

-How is she? She's very well

And school? -All right.

I've been doing an evening course in navigation.

Wouldn't it be wiser to stick to your own studies?

Well, this war might go on for a long time yet.

IV|ightn't ii?

Yes, it might

Well, when it gets round to

You want to join the Navy, is that it?

We

You know, John, you... you really must get out of that habit of

starting every sentence with "well

Sorry

You see, the plain fact of the matter is,

now you're away I get darn lonely

You've got your school friends haven't you?

They're not the same

That's why I want to volunteer for the Navy now.

Now? But you're only 16

Oh, 17 next April. I've got it all worked out

All I have to do is to put up my age and don't you see?

You now what I feel about the ser\/ice.

You mean, it's like a woman

You could love her and hate her at the same time.

Hmm, yes

You wanted to go back to sea, didn't you?

Yes, I did

Dad, who was Dave Wilson?

Did your mother tell you about him?

No, but Aunt Joan said something about him.

Said I was never to mention him to you Something about a collision.

What exactly happened?

I was held responsible for a collision in which we were both involved,

and then I resigned from the ser\/ice

Were you responsible?

Let us just say, John that Dave Wilson

would have made a brilliant lawyer

SSG

Well, er

You've got me doing that thing now

But it's quite a coincidence as a matter of fact because Dave Wilson's here.

He's my boss. He's Captain D of the flotilla

-Well, I'm blowed. Small world, isn't it?

All right, and what about the other half of this, hmm?

What? Of lemonade?

[dramatic music]

Why are we tailing Charlie again? This makes three nights in a row.

Some armchair strategist in Whitehall had a theory

that a U-boat on the surface might shadow a convoy

and signal ahead to its playmates -How stupid can they get?

Bridge! Submarine on the port beam, sir!

[ship siren blares]

U-boat, sir, red 1-5-0!

Hard to port!

-Hard to port, sir! Target U-boat, red 1-5-0!

Target U-boat, red 1-5-0! -Load, load, load!

Load, load, load!

She's diving, sir! They've seen us!

Standby depth charges!

[steam hissing]

Has the steam pipe blown? No, sir! It's the steam pipe!

It's blown!

What's the matter with the engines?!

-What is it? Starboard engine's out of action, sir

And the port's a bit shaky too. There's no steam for hunting, sir

-Depth charges, sir? No! We'll blow our own stern off

And we're a sitting target if we hang about here!

Better rejoin the convoy!

Aye-aye, sir

Straight in, fore and aft

Senior officer reports enemy aircraft bearing 1-6-0, sir.

Action stations! -Aye-aye, sir.

[ship's siren blares]

Alarm to starboard. Enemy aircraft

Green 8-0 Green 8-0

Enemy aircraft, green 8-0

Green 2-0

[bombs exploding]

Ah, there they are, sir!

-Five of them! Senior officer, sir

Take independent action to protect convoy."

Very good

[bombs exploding]

Hard to starboard Pull ahead both.

Hard to starboard. Pull ahead port, sir.

Starboard engine's out of action -Quite.

[bombers whining]

Open fire!

Fire! Commence, commence, commence!

[bombers whining]

[bombs whistling]

[explosions]

[big guns firing]

[bomb whistles and explodes]

[machine-gun fire]

[bombs whistling]

-[cheering] Well done, fellas!

Good old, Yank!

Another Indian bites the dust!

Senior officer, sir

IV|y bird, I think

Thank you for your help

-The lying... He's the senior officer, Number One!

This is the Captain speaking

We've destroyed our first enemy aircraft

And as soon as possible, I'll see that we celebrate the fact

Thank you

[cheering]

-Hard of port. Hard of port, sir.

-Stop port. Stop port, sir.

What a trip! It makes me feel almost too embarrassed to enter harbour.

Half a loaf's better than none

Oh, you mean the aircraft -Half ahead, port.

-YES. Half ahead, port, sir.

-IVIidships! Midships, sir.

And always remember, it might have been worse

Yes, but not much, sir

Propeller's fouled the boom, sir -Stop port!

-Who's up? Appleby, sir

[ship's siren blares]

From Drummer, sir. "Pardon me but your slip is showing."

From Trigger, sir. "Don't look now, but you're being followed

And from Blaze, sir. Ta-ra-ra boom-de-ay!

[ship's siren blares]

Propellers fouled the boom, sir

[coughing]

From top to bottom, it's just one darn thing after another

The ensign isn't close up. There's too much water in the bilges!

And now, we have to wait ten days to get into dry dock!

And all because one blasted signal was late

He holds me responsible for all the female morons

in the local cipher office!

Well, there's no need to shout about it, man

No, don't you start

I've had enough! I'm putting in for a transfer!

Is that wise?

All right, so he'll write me a stinker. So what?

He's not the kind of man to do that.

Come to think of it, you seem to know an awful lot about him

Well, I ought to. I ser\/ed with him when he was a sub

The point is, if you put in for a transfer

it's going to cause him a great deal of discredit

Oh, I don't necessarily mean today. I'm not going to hit a man when he's down

But the moment things look up a little

|'|| tell you this

he won't get another chance to tick me off

I'm going to run this ship like a clock

even if it has got a busted spring

Now look, sis, reference 1-0

Will you leave that a moment and listen to me?

Reference 1-0-2-9 oblique stroke, you know, 18a

About divers!

The point is, the divers arrived on board

hours before the signal said they were coming aboard!

The result was a blast from my Captain just in the place where it hurts most.

I'm sorry, but I wasn't the officer on duty.

Well, I'm annoyed and very unhappy, and terribly alone.

And what's the Cypher Office going to do about it?

And when are you going to have dinner with me?

-Sorry, I'm on duty until eight. Fine, I'll pick you up at five past

Aren't you rather taking things for granted?

Look, I know a place where we can have champagne,

soft lights, sweet music and the biggest steak this side of IVIontreal

This is where I came in

Don't look now, but I think we're being followed.

Gosh, it's good to see you. I thought you were in Derry

-I was. But this is terrific!

Let's have dinner tonight Oh, I... I'm sorry.

Never mind. Perhaps in some other life

Thanks,pal

How long you been here? -Three weeks.

Well, you must have seen us cavorting about the harbour.

You should have let me know -Why?

What's the matter? Aren't we friendly?

Ah, now look, Joan, I'm sorry about what happened in Derry

But you're behaving like a third officer in the Wrens

Have dinner with me tonight. I promise my intentions are strictly honourable.

That is, unless I'm given a choice

Shall we say seven o'clock?

We can discuss life and things like that.

[ragtime piano plays]

Set 'em up, Ned

How are them muscles? -Fighting fit.

Well, then, don't let them go to your head.

To

What's the matter with your oppo? -Who?

Ah, don't take any notice of him He's all right.

Oh, I don't know about that

Been sitting there the last couple of hours brooding over some letter

Girl, I suppose IVIaybe, maybe

Go and ask him -Shut up.

I'm serious. He's making the whole place miserable

Goon

Goon

What's all the noise about?

Why don't you stop being so pig-headed and wake-up to yourself?

Why don't you mind your own business?

What's the matter, mate?

IVIy mum

She's sick

Serious?

Cancer

Got a letter from some ruddy doctor

Needs an operation and I've got to give him my permission

-Why you? I'm all she's got

-Well, when is it? Day after tomorrow

She done everything for me -Well, go and see her.

You can have talk with the doc at the same time

Oh, yeah, sure, sure, sure. How? -Put in for compassionate.

I'm not asking no favours from no stinking officers.

It's not a favour, it's a right!

I said I'm not asking no favours from no one, so shut up about it, will you?

You know, Glad, I've always been sort of a lonely person.

Sounds silly, I suppose but sailors usually are.

Lonely, I mean

Perhaps it has something to do with the sea.

But that's why a guy like me needs someone permanent in his life,

just like a boat needs an anchor

Oh, don't talk like that, Yank

-What's this? Don't say anymore

That's a fine way to act just when I'm going through

the agonies of trying to propose to you.

You're... you're just sorry for me

I expect were both a bit sorry for each other, but.

we mustn't fool ourselves. I mean, you're you and an American

And I'm me, and there's a war on

And any other time, you wouldn't have looked at me twice.

I... Well, I make you laugh, keep your mind off the IVIarges

I still think you're cute

I think you're cute too

[helaughs]

[all clamouring]

[upbeat music]

I was married in a church

Over 20 years ago, it was

Seems more like 30 -[men chuckle]

Uh-oh!

Hello, Dripper. Back again, eh?

What's it look like?

I'd like to get my hands on the bloke

who went to see the skipper I'll tell you.

Yeah, some nosy parker couldn't mind his own business, I suppose

Everything OK, Dripper?

Yeah, she's fine

They let me stay till she was safe out the operation.

First time I've ever been in a plane.

Well, I suppose you want me to say I was wrong and how sorry I am?

Now, don't be stupid, mate

You're a seaman in the Royal Navy

You've got your rights the same as the rest of us

Well, I am sorry, see

Can't you give us some idea how long it'll take?

We'll do our best, sir, but unfortunately your ship isn't the only one

that needs a refit -No, of course.

Well, thank you very much Goodbye.

-Goodbye. Goodbye, sir

Excuse me, sir. Would you look at these?

Oh, by the way, I saw Admiral Bartlett yesterday

He was a little difficult

IVIy mishandling of the ship, you mean? -No, no, no.

It's just that you've had an accident or two,

and he takes rather a dim view, I'm afraid

SSG

Of course, I made it quite clear that the ship

was long overdue for a refit

Perhaps he'd like to come and see for himself

No, he's had all the defect lists

It's an awkward situation

Which brings me to my point

The building programme's been stepped up.

There ought to be one or two ships going in a month or so.

I should be able to pull some strings -Very considerate of you, sir.

But I'd prefer to stay where I am

Good heavens, you'd get a decent ship and a chance of a fresh start.

I've already had one fresh start

Frankly, I think you're making a mistake

One has to do what one thinks is right.

Well, have it your own way

I've done my best, but if anything else goes wrong, I

Well, if you change your mind let me know.

Any letters? -Yes, sir.

-Thank you. Any for me?

No, sir, but there's a rating to see you

You want to see me?

I was going to write

but then I thought I'd better come see you and explain.

There's no need to explain anything

Golly, thank heavens for that

You look fine

Well, I haven't got used to all these tapes and things just yet but

You know, this calls for a celebration Where would you like to go?

-I don't mind. Come along then

I'll buy you your first tot -What of?

Not lemonade

-Starboard 15. Starboard 15, sir.

-IVIidships! Midships, sir.

-Steady! Steady, sir.

Any contact?

No echo, sir.

Did the signal say what the U-boat was upto, sir?

No, but it'll be a mine layer

To close to the shore to be anything else.

Where's that bank now, pilot? -Clear of the port, sir.

We're in a good ten fathoms

If they were laying mines, I hope we can pick them up on the ASDIC

Too bad if we don't, sir

Faint tickei; sin bearing red 5-5

Stationary or moving?

Moving slowly right to left, echo fading, sir.

We don't want to go any closer inshore Got a fix, pilot?

Yes, Sli”

Echo's strongei; sir. Seems to be closing

Steady on red 4-5, sir.

Loud speaker, please -Loud speaken sir.

Red 5-0 now, sir.

[sonar blips]

How far can I hold it to port, pilot?

30 degrees, sir. That's safe for ten miles

Bring her round to course 0-6-5 Number One.

-Port 20. Port 20, sir.

IVIidships, steer 0-6-5

Nothing to port, coxswain

IVIidships, sir

Steer 0-6-5

Nothing to port, sir.

[sonar blips continue]

[sonar blips]

What is that?

Echo dead ahead, sir. 900 yards closing, sir.

Anything marked, pilot?

No, sir

[sonar blips get faster and faster]

Bridge, object dead ahead, sir! -Hard to port! Hard to port!

Hard to starboard!

[loud crashing]

-Stop boat. Stop boat, sir.

Boatswain's mate! -Sir?

[bell rings]

[Captain] Coxswain, tell the engineer officer to report on the bridge.

Tel/ the engineer ofiicer to report on the bridge, sir.

Williams!

Bring an inspection light on the ladder up fon/vard!

Right! Right!

Come in

Yes, Grant?

That wreck this morning, sir

I should have had it marked on the chart

She was sunk about a week ago

and the position was given in the notice to mariners

that I got just before we sailed

Why hadn't you plotted it? -I...

I have no excuse at all, sir

You were on the bridge most of yesterday, weren't you?

Yes, Sli”

And you would have marked the wreck as soon as you had an opportunity.

Yes, and the charts are up to date apart from the last batch.

I'm very sorry, sir -[knocking]

Come in

Just bring your charts up to date now, will you?

The wreck... [coughs]

[men whispering]

The wreck wasn't marked, sir -Not marked?

No, sir

Are you aware of the gravity of that admission?

Yes, Sli”

Before you go any further, sir, I should like to make it quite clear

that I have the fullest confidence in Lieutenant Grant.

And I accept full responsibility for the safety of my ship.

Are we to understand that you accept the full blame for this accident?

That is correct, sir

In other words, Lieutenant Commander Fraser

you do not wish to plead ignorance of the wreck's position

as an extenuating circumstance in the inquiry?

Definitely not, sir -That is all?

Yes, Sli”

In that case, there's nothing more to be said

Very well, clear the court

Well, gentlemen, I suppose we must accept the statement

that Lieutenant Commander Fraser is fully responsible for hazarding his ship

Thank you

Wilson, you've been his senior officer for some time

-Thank you. What are your views?

Well, sir, his ship's record since he took her over

hasn't been anything to shout about but I think it's only fair to point out

that it's mostly been a case of bad luck and not bad judgment

However, I'm afraid he can't put fon/i/ard that plea this time

Spence?

Absolutely no doubt about it, sir sheer negligence.

Oh, come, Spence don't let's be hasty

After all, Fraser's reputation's at stake

Reputation?

Has he a reputation?

What do you mean by that? -Oh, come now, sir.

What about his past record?

Gentlemen, I'm afraid I'm a little in the dark.

I think Commander Spence is referring to an incident

that happened some eight years ago

Good gracious, Spence it's no concern of ours

what took place eight years ago

Nor for that matter if the fellow chose to eat peas off a knife at Dartmouth.

It's irrelevant and prejudicial to the matter in hand.

I'm sorry, sir

In any case, it seems to me that Fraser's covering up for his navigation officer,

who probably hasn't got much experience anyway

A lot of these wartime officers arrive in ships prematurely

after a very brief training period

Wilson, I'm afraid you're confusing the issue

You're overlooking one vital fact

And that is that Lieutenant Commander Fraser

is entirely responsible for the safety of his ship

In my opinion, sir, it's a case for a court martial

Wilson?

No, sir. In my view, there has been no negligence on Fraser's part.

Hmm

That leaves the casting vote to me

Here, they said, What have you got there?

He said, "It's Miss Shirley's stuff None of us look like that!"

[laughter]

Now ladies and gentlemen I'd like to give you a toast!

Hear, hear!

To the proud parents

If it's a boy, then here's to his first pair of bell bottoms

And if it's a girl, that she's as sweet as her mother.

And heaven help poor sailors on a night like this.

-I second that! Is that a party motion?

I beg your pardon. Anyway, I think it calls for a reply. How about it, Glad?

Yeah, come on, Glad! Come on! -Well...

-Well, I'd like... You see, she's a bit upset

We're going to have to be separated for a while.

No?

Yeah, I've been worried with all these raids and everything

so I thought I'd send her up to Exeter

until after the child was born -Exeter?

-Not a bad spot that. No, you'll like that, Glad

Then Yank can come up and see you on the weekend sometimes

Sure I will

Well, it's just I was trying to say

thank you for a lovely party

It's been a pleasure, Glad Good luck.

I wonder how the skipper's getting on -Yeah.

Think we'll hear anything about it tonight?

Sure to, if it's bad news

Nothing travels faster than bad news.

Well, come on, let's have another drink while we're waiting

Hey, Ned, set them up again, mate

It's come through! -Oh?

I don't know how, but he's got away with it. No negligence

I'm glad for his sake -Sure, we all are.

What's the matter now? -It's over, that's all.

What do you mean? He'll never keep me aboard now

I've built up quite a picture of my versatile career, haven't I?

All the experience I've had and what a clever fellow I am

What you don't know is that I've flopped at every single job

I've ever tried so far

If there was one thing I wanted to make a go of, it was this.

-[knocking] Officer of the day, sir?

-Yes. Captain's coming aboard now

-Very well. Look, Mike, I'll go

No, I'm duty boy

Evening, Grant -Evening, sir.

Nice night -Yes, sir.

You can tauten up your moorings

Aye-aye, sir

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, skip's off! Skip's off!

Everything's okay! The skipper's got off! Everything's all right, boys!

[all chattering]

Ha, ha, ha!

You know what that means? -Yeah.

We go on acting wet nurse to that floating atrocity.

She's got more harbour time than the whole fleet put together

Proper HMS Wallflower -Hey, Stripey.

If there was any justice, they'd have beached him

Yeah, not to mention the crew

Glad, you go back and meet me at the milk bar

Why? What's the matter?

[bell rings]

[sailors cheering]

[fighting and shouting]

[bell rings]

You ain't half going to cop it this time

Cor, I wouldn't like to be in your shoes

Every crime in the book and a civil action

brought against you by the landlord of the Golden Bull for good measure

Defaulters, 'shun!

Defaulters correct, sir

Quiet a number of them, sir, I'm afraid -So I see.

They'll have to wait till tomorrow coxswain. I'm going ashore.

He went ashore at ten this morning It's now way after six.

He's probably telling that little so-and-so Spence what he thinks of him.

Yes, well, that won't take him long

Maybe he's had an accident

[thudding]

How have the mighty fallen?

I should have been on deck, sir -Not at all.

Steward, large gins all around!

Put them down to Mr Appleby

[laughter]

Let me remind you, gentlemen

that their lordships view with growing concern,

the amount of drinking in wardrooms Don't approve of it at all.

Stewa rd ! -Yes, SII”.

Ten seconds. Not good enough

Gentlemen

I give you a toast

Peace in our time

Goodnight to you

Goodnight, sir Goodnight, sir

Goodnight, sir

Your hat, sir

Oh, thank you, Number One. Oh

Thank you

Goodnight!

I, Edward John Hardy, publican

do hereinafter agree to waive my claim for damages

against any member of the crew of HMS Ballantrae,

hereinafter known as the 'Gift Horse

hereinafter to be referred to as 'the crew

They must have been tight as lords when they wrote this

Furthermore, I undertake to welcome

any member of the said crew to the said pub at any and all times

Given over my hand this 17th day of April, 1941

Edward John Hardy

Witness, Hugh Algernon Fraser

Algernon

[knocking]

Thought you might like some coffee, sir

Oh, Flanagan

Mr Hardy tells me that you tend to resent

adverse comment on my capabilities and about the Gift Horse.

Well, sir, it was just that -Never mind!

Never mind, Flanagan!

I don't like it very much either

[slurred] I don't like it very much either

Defaulters, 'shun!

Carry on with requestment, please -There are none this morning, sir.

No one wanting a draft? -No, sir.

All right, Number one, I'll take defaulters -All right, coxswain.

Standard at ease!

Able Seaman Daniels

Off caps!

Able Seaman Daniels, sir

One, did create a disturbance on shore namely by fighting

in the Golden Bull and being apprehended by the naval patrol

at 21:40 on the 16th of April, 1941 -All right.

Anything to say?

No, sir

One day's leave stopped

One day's leave stopped? On caps!

About turn! Uh... return to the table!

Salute the... As you were! About turn!

Double march!

[loud explosions]

Port 30, 1-4-0 revolutions

Port 30, 1-4-0 revolutions, sir.

-Any echo? No, sir. Lost contact, sir.

No wreckage, no oil, no nothing Just silent sea.

"And we were the first that ever burst into that silent sea

What's that?

The Ancient Mariner' -Oh, yeah.

Echo bearing red 3-0, sir

Very good!

Large hydrophone effect, sir sounds like blowing tanks.

Bring all guns on bearing red 1-5

Aye-aye, sir

All guns, lookout bearing red 1-5

Bearing red 1-5, sir.

Bridge! Submarine flying on the port bow, sir!

All guns, U-boat bearing red 1-0

Open fire!

All guns, rapid, independent! Commence! Commence! Commence!

[guns firing]

[German shell whistles past]

[guns firing]

Eight gun won't bear, sir!

Eight gun won't bear, sir!

Clearfore, sharp!

[machine-gun firing]

Standby to ram, all engine room

Standby to ram, all engine room, sir.

[loud crashing]

That's put paid to the Bostonian incident

-Stop boat. Stop boat, sir.

[ship's bell rings]

[sailors cheering and shouting]

I had a letterfrom him this morning

He's a midshipman now -Is he really? [chuckles]

You must be proud of him -I am.

Well, what I wanted to talk about is this.

Commander Wharton's being reappointed.

That means there's a brass hat for somebody.

But... are you interested?

That's very kind of you, sir -You're not interested?

That's a pity

Because there's a consolation prize

The Ballantrae is going to be released from group for special duties.

It's a job for a young man

Are you suggesting I'm too old? -No.

You want to go?

-Hmm. Uaughs]

I thought you would

What's in the wind? -Search me.

All I know is you've got to report to the Admiralty tomorrow.

And you may grant Christmas leave, by the way

Right, sir. Then that's goodbye for the present

-Good luck Thank you

[radio] In the south, enemy raiders were turned back before reaching the capital.

There were sporadic raids in the north with little damage and no casualties.

A West Country town was also raided,

but damage and casualties were slight.

Slight? Holy mackerel

If that was slight, I'd hate to be there when they really get going.

They have a go at you? -Not half.

Up all night, Iwas, in the truck

Terrible mess. Breaks your heart to see it

Hey, Yank! Where you going?

Do you think we ought to try and stop him?

Ever tried stopping a steam roller?

I've seen blokes go adrift before

Now, you got seven days leave expiring at midnight, December 27th

Opposite watch goes on leave at 09:00, December 28th.

So don't let me catch any of you going adrift

Left turn! Right wheel, quick march!

Christmas at home, eh?

You lucky people

Sooner have New Year's Eve any time

Yank, might be going as well if only he'd waited.

Probably saved himself three months in the rattle

The big twerp

[loud banging]

How on earth are they knocking down two of our funnels?

Whatever the job is, they probably figure we'll be safer under sail.

You're not looking awfully well, old boy

Hung over?

All the way over

I thought, perhaps, their might be some trouble between you and June, old boy.

No trouble, old boy!

She's just turned me down, that's all -Oh, silly girl, I thought.

Plenty more like her in any case

Oh, very funny! Very funny!

We don't only have hammering, we play little games at breakfast time!

Darling, you don't look awfully well.

I've already had that conversation

We are in a bad mood this morning, aren't we?

Why did you walk out on me last night?

I couldn't stand it any more

I've been played like a trout for 14 months.

Well, you couldn't look more like one at this moment.

[banging continues]

Anything else?

ohiy this

I don't think it's very nice to propose to a girl

with an engagement ring in one hand and a double gin in the other.

You were livid last night because I didn't throw myself

in your arms and say, Darling, I can't wait to marry you

The point is, I can wait

I can wait until you stop taking me for granted.

So when you come round to it, just send an uncoded signal in plain language,

and I'll take it up with the Admiral.

Darling, in spite of an all-time hangover

I think you're wonderful

Just call me "Alka-Seltzer'

I'm sorry to interrupt this idyllic moment,

but the Captain's just coming on board

This is Christmas, not April Fool's Day

So help me, he may be on leave

but he's also on the gangway at this moment.

Where's my cap?

Hooked him?

You said it, brother

When's the wedding? -Next week, sir.

Sudden death, huh?

Utilityjob, registry office, you know

Oh, by the way, sir, some Christmas cards

and telegrams came for you -Oh, splendid.

You'll take Christmas rounds yourself, sir, won't you?

I'd very much like to, Number One -Thank you.

Well, now

Well, what about another drink?

Darling, I shall be tiddly

Oh, this time of night if you can't get tiddly..

Oh, it's my round, is it? Steward -Coming, sir.

-Your round, is it? What will you have?

-Oh... On you?

-Yes, I'm afraid so. Let's make it champagne, shall we?

Four ciders, please -[laughter]

No, it's all right. Same again

I'll buy you a magnum of champagne for your wedding ....

[voices fade]

[Chief] Ready for Captain's rounds, sir

[Number One] Thank you

Ready for Captain's round, sir -What's that?

What's that?

The ship's company are ready for Captain's round, sir.

Have a drink first

Oh, thank you, sir

Well, Happy Christmas, sir

Happy Christmas Happy Christmas

The men would appreciate it, sir, if you'd bring the lady down to the mess deck.

Certainly, Chief, certainly

[Daniels] We couldn't get better than this at home!

-Very kind of her. I'm sure we all thank you very much, Miss

-Yes! Hear, hear!

[indistinct chatter]

[men begin singing a shanty]

Here you are, Miss. Got a kick like a kangaroo

Thanks

Thank you

A beer, sir?

Thank you, Daniels

Thank you

Thank you very much -Not all, sir.

All right, get cracking

Oh, not me, Stripey. I'm no good at this sort of thing

Oh, just imagine you're on a soap box Now get on with it.

Well, erm

Well, ladies and gentlemen

Oh... I mean, lady and gentlemen

Well, here's to our ship the old Gift Horse,

and... and to our skipper

Good luck, sir

Good luck, sir -Skipper!

-Hear, hear! All the best, sir

A very Happy Christmas, sir

Come on, son. The skipper won't eat you

Hey, Drip

Put your hat straight

This is Ordinary Seaman Douglas Adams' elite.

So you're the youngest in the ship? -Yes, sir.

How old are you, Duncan? -17, sir.

I'd like to wish you the best of luck -Thank you, sir.

[Wood] Won't you say a few words, sir? -Yes, go on, sir.

Well, I'd like to give you another toast

To all those who can't be with us today

Our wives

our parents

our... absent friends

wherever they may be

God bless them

[all] God bless them!

[men singing "Silent Night"]

Merry Christmas, sir

J' Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

J' Holy infant so tender and mild

J' Sleep in heavenly peace

J' Sleep in heavenly peace J'

Blimey, she's had herface-lift

The old bag's lost two of her chins.

Six Oerlikons!

Aye-aye. Tropical kit going aboard What's going on?

Blimey, what's that mean, Pacific? -North Pole, more likely.

Stripey, look who's here

Blimey, Yank!

And although you were told you could not be granted special leave

you chose to take it

A man who breaks leave not only lets down his ship

he lets down his family

They're the ones who suffer when his pay is stopped.

And your wife will need the money badly at this time

Has the child been born?

Yes, Sli”

But they were both killed in the bombing

All right, Number One

Put your cap on, Flanagan

Carry on

We've been given another little job to do

It'll be more interesting than some we've had

and certainly more exciting

For that reason, every man who goes will be a volunteer

And I mean that in the literal sense

Not that used by petty officers when picking working parties.

Well, that's all. Carry on, Number One

Aye-aye, sir

Ship's company, hup!

Carry on, please, Chief

Aye-aye, sir!

Right, you all heard the Captain's little joke about petty officers.

No harm in laughing

Anyone who don't want to volunteer come and see me.

All right, make aboard! Carry on with your work!

I don't think there'll be any non-starters, sir

Good

Oh, by the way, your command's come through

A Canadian corvette, I think

-Thanks for recommending me, sir. Your reliefs arrived at Devonport barracks

He should take over today -Yeah.

He's going to be... disappointed

I'm sure he is

Prepare ship for sea by 04:00 tomorrow.

Aye-aye, sir

Top secret, of course -Yes, sir.

Time of origin 14:25

stroke 12

-And, June, don't worry too much -Very good, sir.

G

Here it is

One copy to go to Lieutenant Commander Fraser

Operation Boadicea

Times like these I'm inclined to agree

that a woman's place is in the home

Lieutenant Jennings to see you, ma'am.

Thank you

Ask him to come in, please

Hi, beautiful!

For a man who has been married only two months..

I know

Gosh, you look wonderful

You're not supposed to barge in here when I'm on duty.

Oh, have a heart

I can't go all day without seeing you

It's asking too much

I don't know what I ever did to deser\/e you.

I mean it

Glad you married me?

Even though we're going away?

No harm in saying we are going

You Cypher Office people know everything,

probably more than we do

Do you, by the way? -No. No, I don't.

I have nothing to do with movements at the moment

That's all right then

I wouldn't like to think you were sending me to my doom without a protest.

The skipper hasn't said anything but we all think it's the Far East.

The Far East?

-I see. I can't say anymore

You know, this darn security business.

I know

You'll be all right, won't you? -Of course I will.

I”

I think

we're sailing first thing tomorrow

Just in case you'd like to be there to wish us luck

I'll be there, darling

I wish you all the luck there is always.

Well, don't look so miserable about it.

I shan't be away very long

Fraser told me this morning that my command has come through.

A corvette. Just what I wanted

Well, it's bound to bring me home in a month or so.

Well, what's the matter? Aren't you pleased?

Darling, I'm so pleased and so proud.

I'll see you later

Company, halt!

Commandos reporting from embarkation, sir.

Very good, Major. Make yourselves comfortable, if you can

Make a line. Onboard ship. Come on, hurry up at the front

[ship's siren blares]

[man shouts orders]

[seagulls crying]

[dramatic music]

Six more ML's taking station to port, sir.

Good

-That's the lot, isn't it? Yes, sir. Striking force now complete

18 in all

Lower deck cleared of all available hands, sir.

Right. Take over, pilot -Aye-aye, sir.

Ship's company, 'shun!

Stand easy, please

First of all, you can forget about the buzzes

We're going to raid the enemy

Our objective is to destroy the gate

of the only dock on the Atlantic coast of France

that is large enough to house a German battleship.

The commandos - there are more of them in the ML's

will deal with the port installations

and hit the enemy as hard as they know how

Here's a rough map of the port

We shall be leading upriver ML's following.

There are two sandbanks here and here,

which the planners tell us we should clear by about 18 inches

We shall meet some opposition

But whatever happens, ourjob is to ram that gate

In the bow compartments

there are five tons of high explosive

which will be timed to go off two hours after we hit.

So I'm afraid there won't be much left of the old Gift Horse

Any questions?

What happened to our other two smokestacks, sir?

The idea is to make us look like a German gunboat

and fool the enemy into holding his fire.

Any more?

How do we get out, sir?

We withdraw with the commandos in the ML's

Now, I know how sad you must be feeling

at the thought of losing the old Gift Horse.

We've been together for a long time now,

and we shall have much to remember

No doubt, people will say that

she has been chosen for this operation

because she's old and expendable

or perhaps because we've had some experience at ramming.

But I hope you'll believe, as I do that it is an honour.

That's all, Number One. Carry on

That's all. Fall out

[men talking indistinctly]

When do you want gun crews closed up, sir?

Not till we reach the halfway mark

I want all hands to conser\/e their energy as much as possible

They'll need it -Aye-aye.

Clean unden/vear. Do they think we'll need it?

It's in case of infection if you're wounded.

What a comfort you are to have around.

I suppose you've been on this sort of party before?

Only once, old boy. Filthy business I'd sooner be a vet.

And all groups will rendezvous at this point here

And finally, the password is "ramrod

Ramrod. Now don't forget it

Would you fon/vard these to my Jimmy?

Yes, Chief

What's the joke? -What, sir? Oh!

Oh, itjust... itjust hit me

I've never been what you'd call a sentimentalist, but...

it occurred to me that if we ever do manage to scramble aboard the ML's

and get back to Blighty

things won't be quite the same again, you know?

I know

Close up to operational action stations, Number One

Aye-aye, sir

Men on the swastika ready for hoisting, yeoman

Aye-aye, sir

Number one -Sir?

Tell all guns crews that even if the bridge is wiped out,

on no account are they to open fire so long as the swastika's flying.

Aye-aye, sir

We alter course for the run-in 30 seconds from... now, sir.

[Number One] All gun crews

All gun crews, you will not I say again, not open fire

so long as the swastika is flying

-Too much moon. Dead romantic, sir

Coxswain, steer 1-1-4

Steer 1-1-4, sir.

Yeoman -Sir?

Up swastika Aye-aye, sir

You could get your men up now, Major

Ask them to keep quiet on deck will you?

Very good, sir

Funny to think there's a Jerry working that lighthouse.

I haven't picked up the other light yet, sir

If we keep the lighthouse on our starboard bow, we can't be far out

No, we should be at the entrance by now, sir

They didn't spot us

Were you able to check our position, pilot?

Yes, sir. We're in the estuary now

-How's our depth? All right so far, sir

Another minute and we should have passed the heavy batteries.

-[rumbling] Stop boat!

Stop boat, sir.

[ship's bell rings]

She's clear

-Full ahead both. Full ahead both, sir.

[ship's bell rings]

There's still the other sandbank to cross.

-How far is it, pilot? Within 30 seconds, sir

[rumbling]

-Keep going full ahead. Keep going ful/ ahead, sir.

We're being challenged, sir

Make the German signal Two ships damaged by enemy action

Request permission to enter harbour -Aye-aye, sir.

[shell explodes]

[shell whistles overhead]

Duncan, make the German signal "You're firing on friendly ships."

Aye-aye, sir

We're a sitting target on this damn sandbank!

They're pretty poor shots so far

Signal acknowledged by enemy, sir

She's off, sir

Full ahead both

-Full ahead both. Enemies ceased firing, sir

Well done, yeoman

Well done, Duncan

Course, pilot? -0-6-0, sir.

Steer 0-6-0

Steer 0-6-0, sir. -Blast!

[shell whistles, machine-gun fire]

Flagship on the port bow, sir

Yeoman, down swastika!

-Hoist white ensign! Down swastika, up white ensign, sir

Eight gun train on enemy fo'c'sle

Fix it on the stern

Oerlikons, the bridge!

[shells exploding]

Open fire!

Rapid firing, commence, COI'T'II'T'I€I`1C€, COI'T'II'T'l€I`1C€!

[all guns firing]

Fire!

Eight gun, ship target green 5-0

Gun emplacement

Train left!

Arm!

Ready!

Fire!

Starboard Oerlikons, engage enemy destroyer at 3-9-5!

[gun firing]

Number two!

Steam room, check, check, check!

Change target to searchlight

Ship, steady! -1-2-0.

[shell whistles]

[shell whistles]

Ready! -Fire!

-How's tricks? I couldn't half do with a pint!

Ready!

Ready! -Fire!

Hey, I need a bomb

Ready!

-Hurry up, Drip! All right, all right!

Ready

Ready, Stripey!

All right, mate, hang on, hang on

Easy

Gently... gently now

Lie back

Now... now where is it?

Where is it?

[groans]

Oh, I'm sorry

[shell exploding]

There's the light, sir, dead ahead!

That's the dock! Clear the fo'c'sle!

-Stand back! No, sir, it's the wrong light!

It's to starboard!

Full to starboard! -All guns...

-Full astern to starboard! Accompanying fire, rapid

[explosions]

[shells whistling overhead, machine-gun fire]

Stand by to ram

Get all the wounded off as soon as the commandos are ashore.

Aye-aye, sir

Set all fuses for 03:00

[explosion rumbles]

[explosion rumbles]

[machine-gun fire]

[shell whistles and explodes]

All fuses set for 03:00, sir -Very good.

[explosion]

Pilot -Sir?

Embark all wounded in ML's astern -Aye-aye, sir.

Number One? -Sir?

Check below decks and abandon ship

as soon as all wounded are clear

Aye-aye, sir

[explosions and gunfire]

Lower decks cleared, sir

Very good, Number One

Better get ashore -Aye-aye, sir.

[shell whistles]

[machine-gun fire]

There's the skipper

[gunfire]

[soldier shouts in German]

[soldier shouts in German]

Glad you made it, sir

We got all the badly wounded off in an ML, sir,

but I'm afraid she was the last one

-The rest were sunk. Where's the doctor?

I'm afraid he was killed, sir -Thank you, pilot.

[close machine-gun fire]

She should have gone up by now, shouldn't she, sir?

Why doesn't she go up, sir? -I don't know, Daniels.

[machine-gun fire]

She can't let us down now

[German accent] Lieutenant Commander Fraser, the raid has been a failure.

And we have destroyed all your ships

and killed or captured nearly all your men.

In a day or two, we will have removed your old destroyer

from the dock gates, and you will have achieved precisely nothing.

What was your object?

Why did you lose so many men and ships for nothing?

VVhy?

vvhy?

[speaking German]

-[huge explosions rumbles] [guards shouting in German]

[guard] Fon/vards!

Los! Los!

Hey! Geneva Convention Article 163,

treatment of prisoners of war

You can't do a thing like that to a man in uniform. You ought to know that.

Right, let's go

[dramatic music]