All language subtitles for The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell 1955 1080p BluRay YTS.MX-English

- Jimmy, how are you?
- Billy, it's good to see you.

Admiral Sims,
General Mitchell.

We've met.

Mitchell, you know
Admiral Gage?

We've exchanged
correspondence.

This is Commander Landsdowne
of our lighter-than-air service.

His dirigible will patrol the
area during maneuvers.

- I know the commander.
- General Mitchell.

I'd like to
clearly state, Billy,

that I'm extremely
and utterly impartial

in your dispute
with the navy.

That's why the general
staff assigned me

to decide whether to allow
you to carry out this mission.

I assume you have
no objection to me.

I wouldn't want
a fairer judge.

Very well, then. Admiral, will
you state the navy's position?

That battleship is the primary
target of our maneuvers.

The air service believes that it can
be sunk by aerial bombardment.

The navy denies this

and asks that they be allowed
to sink it with naval gunfire.

Why does the navy feel the ship
can't be sunk from the air?

That ship was once the pride
of the German navy.

The battleship
Ostfriesland.

The British called her
"the unsinkable Dreadnought."

- Are you aware of these
facts, General? - Yes, sir.

General, would you care to fly
back to Langley Field?

I'll show you exactly
how I intend to sink her.

Yes, I'll be glad to.

Gentlemen.

- What'd you think of that, Jimmy?
All hits or near misses. - Quite impressive.

We'll send that scow to
the bottom in nothing flat.

Somebody's burning!
Someone's burning!

Look! He's burning!

Call out the crash truck
and the ambulance!

- Why doesn't he use his parachute?
- We have no parachutes.

- Are you all right, Bob?
- Yeah, I--

I'm just-- I guess so. I'm a little
singed around the edges.

- Careful.
- What happened?

It's that fuel line. I--

I smelled gas in the
cockpit when I took off.

Why'd you go up when you
knew something was wrong?

General... if it isn't
one thing, it's another.

Today it was that fuel line.
Yesterday it was an oil pump.

And last week
I almost lost a wing.

And yet I'm luckier
than a lot of the guys.

Now you see, Jimmy,
why I need money so badly.

She certainly could
use some improvements.

But that's not an impressive
weapon, any way you take it.

It can be. Come here.
I'd like to show you something.

Halt!

Sentry, this is
General Guthrie.

Give me a hand,
will you?

Where'd you get those?

I had Ordnance
make it up for me.

One ton
of cast T.N.T.

You're not trying to tell me that your
planes can carry a 2,000-pound bomb.

Of course, they can. And they'll sink that
battleship as though it were a tin can.

Let's be realistic,
Billy.

A 2,000-pound bomb is not
practical under wartime conditions.

Maybe you'll get it in the air,
but never to the target.

That's exactly
what I want to do.

Give me a chance, and
I'll show you it can be done.

On a staged exhibition, maybe,
but never in combat.

- How high do you want to fly?
- I'd like to come in at a thousand feet.

Now you know as well as I do that anti-aircraft
will knock down any planes lower than 5,000.

Anti-aircraft?

In a real fight,
our pursuit ships

would be in there
strafing their decks.

I have to be realistic
in this, Billy.

After all, we have performance
figures on our guns.

But the airplane
is an unproved weapon.

I'll prove it to you
if you'll let me.

One of these days, half the world
will be in ruins from the air.

I want this country
to be in the other half.

If I sink that ship, we may
have a real air force.

Where's the money
coming from?

There's not enough to go around
for the army and navy now.

Well then, forget them. The next war
will be fought in the sky anyway.

No war is won until a bayonet
is put to the throat of the enemy.

The foot soldiers won the last war,
and they'll win the next.

In the end, it's the infantry
who will lead the way.

Yes, and we'll blast
the road for them.

- Your attitude isn't helping
your case any. - I'm sorry, sir.

Well then, let's forget
the next war.

I'm in a war
right now.

My boys are dying
every week...

in these obsolete, moth-eaten,
antiquated, flying machines.

Let me get in there and prove
that we're entitled to live.

Billy, this test is supposed to
simulate wartime conditions.

If you come in
at a low level...

and drop a bomb too big
ever to be practical,

you're simply staging an exhibition
for your own purposes...

and you'll give
the wrong impression.

Now, in order to be fair to both sides,
I'm going to give you two cracks at her.

But you'll have to come in at 5,000 feet
and carry only the thousand-pound bombs.

Five thousand feet? Why, that'll
rig it all in favor of the navy.

I'm sorry.
Those are your orders.

Have you a car available
to take me back?

Yes, sir.

I'd like somebody
to tell me...

why the taxpayers of this country
should throw their money away...

on a useless, military toy
called the airplane.

The theory is, Senator, it might
come in handy in time of war.

War is a serious business,
Congressman Reid,

and it's got to
be taken seriously.

The taxpayers don't want their money
wasted on a lot of silly kite-flyers.

One six-inch naval gun
is worth the entire air service.

Exactly, and I think it should be
reduced to its realistic proportions--

an entertainment unit for
holiday parades and state fairs.

If we have another war, Senator,
I hope you fight it personally.

Gen. Mitchell has signaled, requesting
permission to commence bombing.

- Has he reported his altitude?
- He's at the 5,000-foot level, sir.

He didn't even scratch her.

- I knew he couldn't sink her.
- Sink her? He didn't even touch her.

- After all, the British fleet couldn't sink it.
- I knew he could never do it.

General, I want new
orders for tomorrow.

- In what way?
- I want to use 2,000-pound bombs.

We've been
over that before.

Request denied.
You're dismissed, gentlemen.

But, Jimmy,
with 2,000-pounders...

I don't have to
hit the ship.

Water concussion will blow
her bottom out. I can prove it.

A 2,000-pound bomb
is an unrealistic weapon.

Make your run
as before.

I'm not going out there and
make a fool of the air service

in front of 40 foreign nations
and the world press.

You will carry out
your orders.

Let's-- Let's postpone the run.

Let me off the hook
till I can figure something out.

I think it would be most unfortunate
if you were to sink that ship.

What?

Twice during my lifetime
this country's gone to war...

with an army untrained,
unequipped and unready.

I don't want to go to war
that way again.

But I might have to if you can make Congress
believe that this country can be defended

by airplanes alone.

You will attack from 5,000 feet
with 1,000-pound bombs.

Good day, Billy.

Go on, go on.

What's going on,
boys?

We've been talking.

What about?

We've come
to the conclusion...

that we're just not
getting anyplace.

I see.

And?

And...

there just doesn't seem
to be any future, sir.

Everything seems
kind of hopeless.

So... we've decided
to ask your advice...

if we should resign
from the service.

You want me to tell you
to quit flying?

Sure, the planes
are no good and--

and the pay is small,

but 20 years from now, San Francisco
will be just a few hours from New York,

and New York will be
a bombing run from Berlin.

The whole-- The whole
world will be in the air.

Go ahead and quit, if you want to,
but don't ask me about it.

- Oh. Billy.
Come in.

Oh, I, uh... I didn't think
you'd gone to bed yet.

- I'm sorry I woke you. Go on back
to sleep. - No, no, come in.

- Billy!

What are you doing
in Washington?

Well, I-- I didn't
mean to disturb you.

I've just been driving around,
thought you might be up.

- I'd better go.
- Don't be silly.

Can I get you
anything?

No, thank you,
Margaret. I--

I wouldn't be very
good company tonight.

You look tired. Why don't you sit down.
I'll get you a glass of milk.

I know how
you feel, Billy.

It was tough luck
about the ship.

Well, it's not only
the ship.

The whole thing
has fallen apart.

My boys came to me tonight.
They want to quit. All of them.

I'm not surprised.

We all get a little discouraged
at one time or another.

I've been thinking maybe I have
been wrong about everything.

Maybe men
weren't meant to fly.

That doesn't sound
like you, Billy.

When I got to be a general,
I thought,

"Now I'll be able to do things,
change the whole works."

But they're out
to stop me.

There's always
a bigger general.

General Yesterday.

Oh, no, thank you, Margaret.
I really don't care for anything.

You go back to bed,
and I'll go where I belong.

Now, Billy, drink this
and relax a while.

You can't possibly sleep,
the way you are.

Sleep?

There's a little job I have
to figure out for tomorrow,

"How to sink a great, big, steel-covered,
unsinkable battleship"...

when my commanding officer
has made it impossible.

You can't blame Guthrie
for that, Billy.

He's just going
according to rules.

That's the way we all have to work.
"By the book." You know that.

Sure.
We go by the book.

Suppose some other country throws
away the book. Then, where are we?

I've got to open their eyes
to what can happen to 'em.

I've got to sink
that battleship.

- You can't do
the impossible.

I can try.

Zach, will you call Langley Field,
ask for Russ Peters,

tell him to get the boys up and say
I'm on my way back there now.

Now? Oh, can't you
wait till morning?

No, there's-- there's something
I've got to do tonight.

And you know what?

I'm scared to death.

But, Zach will tell you
that's normal for a flyer.

- Billy, what are
you going to do?

You'll hear about it.

Don't forget that call, will you,
Zach? Good night, kids.

- Good night, Billy.
- Night, Billy.

- What is this all about?
- I don't know.

Call came from
Washington.

What's up,
General?

There's been a change
in orders, boys.

We go in at low level today
with 2,000-pound bombs.

- Hey, now you're talkin'! - That's
more like it! - When do we start?

- How did you work it, General?
- Never mind about that.

- Get the ordnance men out
and start loading.

- Yes, sir.
- Come on.

General.

Is this really
on the level, sir?

Did new orders
really come through?

- You heard what I said,
didn't you? - Yes, sir.

General.

This is a strange time of night
for orders to come out, sir.

Are you sure you're not
just doing this on your own?

Don't you worry
about that, Russ.

You just get out there on the field
and get those planes ready.

- Okay?
- Yes, sir.

- What are they doing?
- They're dropping down
for a low-level attack.

But that's
against the rules!

- Did you authorize this?
- Absolutely not.

How was that for
a military toy, Senator?

"General Mitchell's whole course
has been so lawless,"

"so lacking in
reasonable teamwork,"

"so indicative of a personal ambition
for his branch of the service..."

"at the expense of everyone
with whom he is associated..."

"that his actions render him unfit
for a high administrative position..."

"such as he now occupies."

"The secretary of war
hereby directs..."

"that Brigadier General
William Mitchell..."

"be relieved of his command
in the air service..."

"and be assigned to duty
at Fort Sam Houston, Texas."

"To accommodate
his new duties,"

"General Mitchell will revert
to the rank of colonel."

Would you excuse us,
gentlemen?

Progress is necessary...

in an army, Billy,

but you've first
got to have an army.

There's no progress...

if your officers
are undisciplined.

I put my star on the line
for something I believe in,

and I lost.

Your contribution
is on record, Colonel.

It won't be lost.
I hope not, sir.

But there's more
at stake than me.

It's the air service.

It's a new weapon,
a big one.

The biggest
in the world.

Put me down
another step.

Make me a captain, sir, but let me
stay in the air with my boys.

Sorry, Billy.

Anything else?

No, sir.

It's not so bad
in Texas, Billy.

I've been there.

Yes, sir, General.

Without a doubt, your fort ranks
at the top of the list...

of the military establishments
we've visited on our tour.

That's right, General.

That's mighty fine
of you gentlemen.

I appreciate it.

- A little more, Congressman?
- No, thank you, General.

- There's a request I'd like to make though.
- Certainly, Mr. Reid. What is it?

There's one of your officers I'd like
to talk to. Could I see Col. Mitchell?

Mitchell? Why, of course.
I'll send for him right away.

No need to take him away from
his duties. I just want to say hello.

If somebody could show me where
he is, I can find my way back.

Why, of course,
of course.

It is recommended...

that said shed be located within
20 yards of the machine shop...

and be of
sufficient capacity...

for the storage
of spare parts as well.

Suggested dimensions are--

Thanks very much.
I'll find my way back.

- Frank!
- What are you doing here?

I'm on a junket. Thought I'd drop
around, see how you are.

Well, I lost my stars,
but I still have all my buttons.

Gee, I'm glad to see you.
How are things in Washington?

Give me the news.

There hasn't been any
since you left.

Sergeant, take these
to Major Anderson.

- Tell him they're okay.
- Yes, sir.

How are all my boys?
Have you seen them?

The ones that are left
are all right.

Have you seen Russ Peters?
I haven't heard from him lately.

He's all right.

He's better off
than you are.

This climate must remind you
of your Philippines campaign.

Nobody's shooting
at me here.

The heat should be great
for your malaria.

I haven't had
a chill all summer.

Say, Frank, do you know
if the army's ordered any of
those new Ford Tri-motors?

I know. No.

They're a wonderful
airplane.

Isn't there something
you can do about it?

They won't listen to me.

What are you
gonna do about it?

All I can do. I'll write another
letter to headquarters.

- I write one every day.
Sometimes two. - Ah.

Billy, they just put up a new building
in Washington for letters like that.

It's built in the shape
of a wastepaper basket.

I'm the man
that can fill it.

It's disgraceful what
they're doing to you, Billy.

- You may not know it, but
you've got plenty of friends,

- and I'm speaking
for all of them.

- Give us the word, and--
- I'm sorry, Frank, but politics
and the army don't mix.

All right, if you can't
tolerate politics in the army,
how about outside the army?

Why don't you quit
and run for the Senate?
Wisconsin would elect you.

You could take
your father's old seat.

He was a great senator,
and you'd be every bit as good.

With you in the Senate
and me in the House,

we'd squeeze an air service out of them
that'd blacken the sky with planes.

I'm not a politician,
Frank.

I don't want to turn the air service
into a political football.

Besides, how would I look in
a winged collar and a frock coat?

I'd look great,
wouldn't I?

Billy Mitchell, I don't know
why I bother with you.

- You won't do anything that makes sense.
- We're both professional men.

You work by your rules.
Let me work by mine.

Some rules. It's the same set of rules that has
your boys falling out of the sky in flaming coffins.

They're dying
by those rules.

But at least
they go quick.

You're just sitting around
here rotting away.

I must be too stupid
to understand the military mind.

I guess you have to be
born with one.

Well...

so long, Billy.

Don't get
writer's cramp.

Sergeant, cancel my reservation
to Milwaukee.

- Yes, sir. - Check the train
schedules to Washington, D.C.

I'm taking my leave
there.

Good afternoon, sir.

- How do things look today?
- Not very good, I'm afraid.

Now, listen here.

For two weeks I've been trying
to see General Pershing,

and for two weeks you've been telling me
to come around again in a couple of days.

I want a definite appointment
with the general,

and I want to
talk to him today.

I'm sorry, sir. General Pershing
has been very busy.

- If I may suggest you try some other department--
- Yes, you told me that before.

And I've tried.

They've all referred me
back here.

Gen. Pershing is the only
one who can help me.

Colonel, a great many people
want to see the general.

You must realize his time
is extremely valuable.

I'm here to try to
save lives, not time.

And if you'll forgive me
for saying so, Colonel,

I think the lives of flyers are equally
as important as the general's time.

Gen. Pershing has an important staff meeting
scheduled for the remainder of the day.

Thank you, Colonel.

You're welcome, sir.

Hello, General Pershing.

I'm glad I ran
into you.

I have nothing
to say to you, Billy.

(Doorbell ringing)

Billy!

Hello, Margaret.

Well, there's been
a few improvements.

Including you.
You're prettier than ever.

- How's Zach?
- He's fine. He'll be home later.

Oh, my... it's good to see you
again. We've missed you.

And needed you.

- I'll set another place.
- Can't stay for dinner.

- I have to catch a train for Texas.
- We heard you were in Washington.

I tried to drop around sooner,
but I couldn't get off the flypaper.

I hope our army is as invincible
in the field as it is in its offices.

Yes, I know.

Zach's been after
the navy department...

about the Shenandoah.

They want him
to take it to Detroit,

to a state fair.

Is that old river cow
still around?

- Hi, honey.
- Hello, darling.

Billy!

Gee, I'm glad to see you.
I called the club. How are you?

- You're looking great.
- Feeling fine.

Except for a couple of sore feet
and a slightly, sore head.

Yeah, I heard.
It's a shame.

How do you happen
to be home so early, Zach?

Orders came through.

What orders?

- We're taking the Shenandoah
up in the morning. - Oh, no!

It'll be all right, honey.
Don't worry.

- But you said you wouldn't take her up again.
- I did everything I could.

- I kept arguing till the order came
through. - You can't stop now.

- You said you'd never take her up this
time of year. - Honey, I've got my orders.

I'd understand if it were a war
or even a maneuver,

but they're just doing it
for publicity.

The publicity's supposed to make
Congress vote us money.

Billy, please tell him not to go.
You're the only one he'll listen to.

- Margaret, please--
- Don't worry about it, Margaret.

It's a lousy balloon, but it'll
have a good crew aboard...

and a good skipper.

Besides, if the Navy's not worrying
about it, why should you?

Look, uh, I've got
to run now.

I'll be back for another crack
at Washington in a few months,

and we'll-- we'll have
a real reunion then, hmm?

- Do you have a car
outside? - No.

I'll help you
flag a cab.

Good-bye, Margaret.

- Be right back, honey.

How bad is the
Shenandoah?

In this weather,
it's a deathtrap.

- Then why do you take it up?
- I've got my orders.

- You could disobey them.
- Are you out of your mind?

No.

But you are, if you follow orders that send
you and your crew to your deaths.

Billy, you know
better than that.

If I refuse to go up, then I'm relieved
of command and get a General Court.

Someone else takes her up.
What have I accomplished?

At least you'll have brought attention
to the fact that the flight is unsafe.

That isn't the point. Drawing attention
to it isn't gonna save the men.

And I'm better qualified to fly my ship
than any replacement would be.

Zach, don't you see
what I'm talking about?

If you refuse to take
that thing up,

there'll be such an unholy row
that it might never take off.

Yeah, maybe.

But why should I stick
my neck out...

on the improbable chance that
they might ground the ship?

- No, it doesn't make sense. - What's your neck
compared to the whole future of aviation?

How much are you doing for the
future of aviation buried in Texas?

Never mind about me.

- We're talking about you.
- Mm-hmm.

Well, there's not much
I could do...

if I were court-martialed
and dismissed from the service.

There'll be no
service left if--

unless people know
how bad things are,

unless it's shown to them.

You must think
that over.

I don't have to think it over.
I've got my orders.

This flight has
been studied out.

They're taking
a calculated risk.

"Calculated risk"?
Uh--

You're staking
the lives of your crew...

to protect your career
in the Navy.

Oh, hello, Billy.

Sit down. Sit down.

Terrible thing, this
Shenandoah business.

It's all over
the front pages.

Makes all the services
look bad.

Tough enough getting
recruits as it is.

What did you want to
see me about, Billy?

I request the general's
permission...

to attend the funeral of Commander
Zachary Lansdowne at Arlington Cemetery.

- Was he a friend of yours?
- A close friend, sir.

Why, sure, sure.
Go ahead.

Emergency leave
granted.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, wait a minute, Billy.

You're one of
those flyboys yourself.

I don't know how headquarters
is reacting to this.

Public opinion may be
running very high.

Reporters running
all over the place...

covering the funeral
and asking questions.

Better let me get a confirmation
from Washington...

before you take off.

May I ask the general's permission
to withdraw my request, sir?

You mean you don't want me
to get a confirmation?

No, sir.

Whatever you say.

Thank you, sir.

Heard the news? Those planes making
the nonstop to Mexico are reported lost.

Where'd you get that?

My gunny says he heard it
over the radio.

- How does he know they're lost?
- He didn't know. That's all he told me.

Wait a minute.

"We interrupt
this broadcast..."

"to bring you
a news bulletin."

"In the greatest disaster
in aviation history,"

"six planes en route from San Diego
to Fort Huachuca have crashed."

"The flight was composed of members
of the famous Billy Mitchell squadron..."

"which, in 1921, bombed and sank
the battleship Ostfriesland."

"Ground parties
have been dispatched..."

"to the rugged mountain area
near the Mexican border..."

"to search for
possible survivors."

"We now return you
to our program."

I've asked you gentlemen
of the press...

to come here because
I want to make a statement.

Flying is a very
dangerous business...

and a normal amount
of accidents are to be expected.

But these
recent disasters...

of the Shenandoah...

and the planes of the army
of the Mexican flight...

are outside the range
of normal accidents.

I would not be keeping faith
with my dead comrades...

if I kept quiet
any longer.

These--
These accidents...

are the direct result of--

of incompetence,

criminal negligence,

and the almost treasonable administration
of our national defense...

by the navy...

and the war department.

That is my statement.

Well, that's
sure somethin'.

Is this off the cuff?
You want us to print it?

It's a statement
for publication.

Baby, is this gonna
blow some brass tops off.

Would you mind
initialing that?

Colonel, my editor's
an ex-army man.

- He may call you to verify
this. Do you mind? - No.

I don't know anything about
army procedure, Colonel, but...

couldn't you be
court-martialed for this?

That's exactly
what I want.

Colonel Mitchell?

Major.

By order of the
Secretary of War,

you've been placed
in arrest, sir.

I've been ordered to serve on you
the charge sheet and court-martial papers.

Thank you.

I'm instructed to tell you that you're
restricted to the Washington area.

You will remember at all times that you
are in arrest and deport yourself accordingly.

I understand, Major.

You will report to the office of the
Adjutant General by noon tomorrow,

where your quarters
will be.

- Is that all?
- Yes, sir.

Now that that's over, will you
gentlemen join me in a cup of coffee?

Thank you, sir.
I really don't quite--

That's okay, Major.
Carry on.

Mitchell.

Good morning,
General Guthrie.

I don't suppose it's occurred
to you to resign.

Resign under fire?
Not a chance, sir.

I must say
I'm sorry, Mitchell.

Sorry for the army.

- Good afternoon, Colonel Mitchell.
- Hello.

I'll send it
right up.

Welcome back. It's good to see
you again, sir. - Thank you, Phil.

- Can I have my old room?
- It's ready for you, sir.

- Excuse me. You're Col. Mitchell,
aren't you? - Yes.

I'm Lt. Col. White.

I've been appointed your defense counsel
by the judge advocate general.

I'm glad to see you. Come up
to my room. We can talk there.

Fine.

I assume, sir,
that you've been served.

Got them right here.

I don't think there'll be much for you
to do. It's an open-and-shut case.

Is it?

Oh, yes, I'm guilty.

Definitely.

You'll plead guilty?

No, I guess I'll have to plead not guilty
if I want my day in court.

You mean, you, uh...
you did it deliberately?

I had to make somebody
listen to me.

You chose the hard way,
Colonel.

I know it, and I haven't
got a chance,

but I want to go
through with it anyway.

- Sound crazy, don't I?
- No, sir.

No, I, uh...
I think I understand.

Have the members of the court
been announced?

Just came through. I saw
General Guthrie downstairs.

So did I.

What does he
have to do with it?

He's been appointed
the president of the court.

Who are
the other members?

A regular who's who
of the army.

"Maj. Gen. George L. Irwin,
Gen. Slade, Gen. Graves,"

"Gen. Ford, Gen. Douglas MacArthur,
Gen. Bolling."

There's not a flying officer
among them.

Sir, have you considered
taking on a civilian counsel?

You're entitled to one,
you know.

Could use the
heavy artillery, huh?

Well, honestly, sir, I don't think we
can afford to overlook any possibility.

- Big name?
- The biggest possible.

I've never had to go
outside the army before.

Why, Col. Mitchell! It's so good
to see you again, sir.

You look as well as ever, Mrs. Sturges.
Is Congressman Reid in?

- Yes, he is. Go right in.
- Thank you.

Hello, Frank.

Billy! It's about time
you showed up.

Well, boy, you finally did it.
You kicked 'em where it really hurts,

and I'm proud of you.

I hope you're here for the reason I think.
Gonna let me handle this for you?

- You're stuck with me.
- I've been counting on it.

Been preparing for you ever
since you got in your jam.

I'm ready to go
to court tomorrow.

Now, let's see what section
they've thrown at you.

I thought so. Article 96,
the catch-all clause.

Covers everything from kicking
a horse to kissing a sergeant.

"Conduct prejudicial to the good
of the service," my eye!

This is the way
I see it.

We won't wait for the court-martial to start
in on us. We'll open up on them first.

We'll call a press conference, we'll issue
a statement, blast the navy out of the water.

Then we'll take on the
general staff of the army--

- No, Frank, no.
- What's the matter?

I don't like it. I don't want it.
I won't fight that way.

This is what you've been
fighting for all these years.

A chance to get recognition
for the air service,

to tell the people about
the importance of air power.

You haven't changed your
mind about that, have you?

No, I haven't. I want a new air
program and a new air service.

But I don't want to wreck the army
to get it, or the navy either.

I don't understand you, Billy. In a fight
like this, it's all or nothing.

I don't see it that way.

I see. You want to kick the army
in the pants, but do it politely.

All I want is a chance to tell
the whole tragic story...

of this country's
air defense.

All I want
is my day in court.

And that's exactly
what you'll get.

One day, with Gen. James Guthrie
as president of the court.

Have you heard
about Guthrie?

What do you think I do around
Washington, warm a chair?

What can I do?

Challenge him for prejudice
and kick him off the court.

I'll not be a party to anything that casts
aspersions on the integrity of an officer.

The old school tie, huh?

The army took me in when I was a raw kid.
It taught me everything I know.

I'm not at war
with the army.

Billy Mitchell, you're not talking
like your father's son.

That great old man would be fighting with
everything he had to get a fair trial.

I'm being court-martialed by officers
of the United States Army.

I'll get a fair trial.

Unless you believe that, Frank,
don't take the case.

All right. You've handcuffed me,
but I'll try to get you off.

If I do, it'll be
quite a trick.

- This looks like a warehouse.
- It was a warehouse.

Last night they converted
it into a courtroom.

Just one second,
Colonel, please.

Thank you.

- Good morning, Colonel Moreland.
- Well, I see we're tangling again.

Yes. Well... good luck.

It's a fine place
to hide a trial.

Colonel, I would say they want as little
public attention as possible...

for your day in court.

Colonel Mitchell?
My name is Carlson.

I'm reporter
for this court.

- George Carlson.
- Yes?

My son served
under you.

He was shot down
over the Argonne.

- Do you mean Glen Carlson?
- Yes, sir.

Well, I'm very glad
to meet you.

Glen was a fine boy.

Looked a lot like you,
as a matter of fact.

I've always wanted to thank you
for the letter you wrote.

It was such a great
comfort to us.

I wish I could've
done more.

Well, I'm sorry
about all this.

I'd just like to say--

- Stand up when
the court enters!

good luck.

The court
will come to order.

Colonel Moreland.

The prosecution is ready
to proceed with the trial...

of The United States against
William Mitchell, Colonel.

Whom does the accused wish
to introduce as counsel?

As counsel,
the Honorable Frank R. Reid,

and as associate counsel the
regularly appointed defense counsel,

Lt. Col. Herbert A. White.

Before this court
is sworn,

I would like to state that it will be
conducted as a military tribunal.

I expect the fullest cooperation
from both sides...

to bring it to the speediest
possible conclusion.

The trial judge advocate will now
swear in the court and read the charge.

"Further, that the accused
did conduct himself..."

"to the prejudice of good order
and military discipline,"

"and in a way to bring discredit
upon the military service."

"Further, that the accused,"

"with intent to discredit the
administration of the war department,"

"did make a statement highly contemptuous
and disrespectful of said administration."

- Colonel Mitchell, you have heard
the charge and the specifications.

How do you plead?

Not guilty.

The prosecution
may proceed.

The prosecution does not desire
to make any opening statement.

If the court please,

I wish to withhold
my opening argument...

until the government
states its case.

However, we intend to show that
Col. Mitchell's statement was justified...

by the deplorable conditions
in the army and navy.

Justification
is not an issue here.

This is a very simple case.

Did or did not the accused make the
newspaper statements attributed to him?

- If he did, he's guilty.
- Not if the statement's true. We want a--

You will have an opportunity
to develop that point later, Mr. Reid.

The trial judge advocate
will call the first witness.

The prosecution
calls Carl Tuttle.

- Carl Tuttle!

Mr. Tuttle, are you
the author of this article...

which contains an alleged
statement by the accused?

Yes, sir, I am.

At this time I ask that this
newspaper be received...

as the prosecution's
exhibit number one.

It will be
so received.

Now, Mr. Tuttle,

who gave you this statement which later
appeared in the columns of your newspaper?

Col. Mitchell, sir.

- And it was printed exactly
as he gave it to you? - Yes, sir.

Where did Col. Mitchell
give you this statement?

In his office
in Fort Sam Houston.

How did you happen
to be there?

Col. Mitchell telephoned my editor
and asked him to send over a reporter.

No further questions.

Does the defense desire
to cross-examine?

Mr. Tuttle,

did your paper
make any effort...

to find out the truth or the untruth
of Col. Mitchell's statement?

Yes, sir.
I was put on the story.

What did you do?

I called up 50 officers in the
various branches of the service...

and asked their opinion--

- Objection. This is hearsay.
- Sustained.

Did the 50 officers
you interviewed all agree...

that the conditions in the army and the navy,
as described by Col. Mitchell--

Objection!

This is irrelevant and calls for a
conclusion on the part of the witness.

- Sustained. You must stop when
you hear the court's ruling, Mr. Reid.

I'll put the question
another way, General.

The question is irrelevant
in any form.

The court directs you to confine yourself
to evidence permissible under its rulings.

Col. Moreland,
call the next witness.

The prosecution
calls Howard Millikan.

Mr. Millikan, did your paper receive any
letters from your readers in this matter?

Yes, many.

What would you say was the
general tone of these letters?

- Objection. Question is irrelevant.
- Sustained.

Were your readers
shocked?

What was their feeling about Col. Mitchell
and his devotion to his country?

Objection.
Question is immaterial.

Do not answer,
Mr. Millikan.

Mr. Reid, my patience
is nearing its end.

My belief in military justice
is also nearing its end.

We have a right to prove the defendant
was justified in saying what he did.

In a military court,
Mr. Reid,

there is no justification for disobedience,
insubordination or treason.

I don't agree,
General.

It's one thing when a man accuses another
of being a murderer without cause.

- It's something else when
he can prove it. - I object!

Mr. Reid
is arguing his case.

The issue here is, did the accused
make the statements attributed to him?

And did he make them
without authority?

On this point, uncontradicted
proof has been presented.

And on this point,
the prosecution rests.

- You may step down.

Is the understanding
of the court correct?

The prosecution has
no further witnesses?

That is correct, sir.

The defense may summon
its first witness.

- We got anybody on deck?
- No.

I had no idea
they'd finish so quickly.

If it please the court, witnesses
for the defense are still en route.

They're not present
in Washington?

The brevity of the prosecution's
case has upset our timetable.

These witnesses should
be standing by, Mr. Reid.

That would've been very difficult
for most of our witnesses, General...

because they're officers
in the armed forces...

and need special permission
to leave their posts.

Who are these officers?

- "Major H.H. Arnold, Major--"
- Just a moment, Mr. Reid.

What would be the nature
of these witnesses' testimony?

- To prove the truth of Col. Mitchell's statement.
- The prosecution objects.

The truth or falsity of Col. Mitchell's
statement is not an issue here.

Was this Major Arnold
present...

when the accused made the
alleged statements to the press?

- No, sir, but he'll prove
justification. - Objection.

- The court has already ruled
on that issue. - Sustained.

Who are your other
witnesses, Mr. Reid?

- "Major Carl Spaatz, Capt--"
- Objection!

May I see that list,
please, Mr. Reid?

"Captain E.V. Rickenbacker,"

"Congressman Fiorello
La Guardia,"

"Admiral William S. Sims"?

Were any of these people present
in Texas at the stated time?

- No, sir, they were not.
- Then, I regret to say, they're inadmissible.

Without them,
I haven't any case.

Then the court
will stand adjourned...

and give you time
to prepare one.

What do you think about
the day's doings, Col. White?

It's court
procedure.

My dear friend,
that's not a court.

A man's allowed to defend himself
in court, even a triple murderer.

They're operating under
army rules, Frank.

You stay out of this. I got to figure out
something, or we're through, licked.

No way of changing
the procedure, Mr. Reid.

You call that
procedure?

The accused is permitted to give his name
and address, then off with his head.

We'll get our innings.

We'll get nothing.

You don't have a chance if they don't
let us try to prove you were justified...

in making that big
pronouncement of yours.

It's like refusing to allow a
defendant to present an alibi.

I'll give them
what you call my alibi.

I'll testify and give them my story in full,
for the court and for the whole country.

And I'll bring up all the
justification there is.

You're talking through your hat. You be asked,
"Did you make that statement? Yes or no?"

- Am I right, Colonel?
- That's right.

Colonel, what do you think
the chances are...

of our getting one justification
witness into this trial?

Nonexistent.

If they let one on the stand,
they'd have to let them all.

Then I've got to stall
till I can get an idea.

Do you know
what a filibuster is?

When a politician can't think
of anything to say, he talks.

I'm going home
and gargle.

And now,
if the court please,

I ask permission
to read into the record...

newspaper comments
concerning this trial.

These are editorials...

which have been printed in
newspapers from coast to coast.

I wish at this time
to have them entered...

as evidence
for the accused.

What is your purpose,
Mr. Reid?

Are you seeking to delay
the proceedings of this court?

I believe public opinion has a bearing
on the deliberation of this court.

Objection. Irrelevant
and immaterial.

- Sustained.

You are obviously addressing
the ears of the press, Mr. Reid.

You are instructed to make
your publicity statements...

outside the precincts
of this courtroom.

I have here...

a copy of the Manual
of Courts-Martial, 1921.

It states that under the procedure
governing trial by court-martial,

a charge having been made
must first be referred...

to the immediate commanding
officer of the accused,

and, thereafter, the person
who preferred the charges,

together with available witnesses,
shall appear before him,

and the accused shall then be given a chance
to defend himself before that officer.

The court is aware
of all that.

You're referring to paragraph
76-A of the Manual.

Well, if the trial judge advocate
is aware of that clause,

I ask why this opportunity was
never afforded to Col. Mitchell?

I ask the name of the officer who
preferred charges against Col. Mitchell.

That name is not
presently available.

It shouldn't be
so hard to find.

Wouldn't he be Col. Mitchell's immediate
commanding officer at Fort Sam Houston?

- Not necessarily. - Then according
to the chain of command,

wouldn't he be the commanding general
of the core area in which Col. Mitchell served?

That need not be so.

Well then, he'd certainly be the chief
of staff of the army, wouldn't he?

He would not
have to be.

Well, somebody must have preferred
these charges against Col. Mitchell.

And since we can't
seem to locate him,

I'm left no alternative but to name
the one officer in the army...

who's the commander of every soldier
serving under the American flag.

I name the president
of the United States.

Order in the court.

For the court's convenience,
I have prepared here a subpoena...

calling upon President Coolidge
to appear before this tribunal...

and to testify as to his personal
knowledge of the facts of this case.

I call upon the court to issue this subpoena
and have service made upon him.

This will be considered in closed session.
Court will adjourn.

- Congratulations, Frank.
Congratulations.

(knock on door)

It's open.

Morning.

I'm disappointed. I thought
it would be President Coolidge.

- Had your breakfast?
- Yes, thanks.

They're all
in a dither.

- Who's that, Colonel?
- The newspaper boys.

That Cal Coolidge thing
has them all agog.

The newspapers
aren't gonna help us.

They're good for crying
at a funeral or a... hanging.

- They've never yet
stopped one. - Hmm.

(knock on door)

Come in. It's open.

Gentlemen,
we can make a deal.

- A what?
- A compromise.

Now, this isn't official yet,
but my connections assure me...

that if you'll retract your Texas statement,
they'll pressure the War Department...

into letting you off
with a reprimand.

I have a draft of a statement
here I think they'll accept.

Can I see it?

Hey, this isn't bad, Frank.
In fact, it's very good.

Dignified, no crawling.

"I errored through
overzealousness."

That's fine.
Excellent.

- Have you got a moment, Billy?
- I can't do it.

- How's that?
- I can't retract what I've said.

For heaven's sake, why not? You only
said it to get your day in court.

You found out you can't have a day in court
where you're allowed to prove anything.

- So you're losing nothing.
- The trial isn't over yet.

Maybe I'll get a chance
to say what I've got to say.

What are you expecting,
a miracle?

Day after day, you've
sat in that courtroom.

You know you'll never be allowed
to open your mouth...

on anything other than the charges
brought against you.

Don't be a fool, Billy. This is no good.
Get out of it while you can.

I can't think of myself alone.
There's all the rest of them.

There's the whole future
of this country in the air.

I've got to go on with it while there's
any chance this trial will break open.

And you must go on trying
to win for me, Frank.

I never said I'd win for you.
I hoped I'd get you off.

That's just what I've done.
I've saved your career for you.

I've made it possible for you to stay
in that precious uniform of yours.

That's the best I can do.
That's the best anybody can do.

Now sign this.

I can't do it,
Frank.

As I don't believe
in miracles,

I should tell you to get
yourself a new lawyer.

But I do believe a man should
be buried by his friends...

so I'll stay
for the funeral.

Come on, Colonel.

Ah, why don't I give up?

What am I
struggling for?

If we could only get
one witness on the stand...

to punch one air disaster
into the record,

we'd punch a hole
in the dike.

Impossible.

Margaret Lansdowne.

It's against procedure.

It's perfect. It's the
other half of our case.

Don't you see? It wasn't only the army
Billy accused. It was the navy, too.

The navy wouldn't
listen to Lansdowne...

any more than the army
would listen to Mitchell.

Perfect justification.

Mr. Reid, the court has ruled
repeatedly on this.

- They won't allow her to take the stand.
- The widow of a naval hero?

Huh. When the papers
print her story...

and spread it in headlines
across the country,

no court on earth can refuse
to put her on the stand.

I'll see you in court
tomorrow.

- Mrs. Lansdowne?
- Yes.

- I'm Congressman Reid.
- I know.

- I've seen your picture in the papers.
- May I come in?

I know what you're here for,
sir, and my answer is no.

- I'm sorry.
- May I talk to you a minute, please?

If you wish.

Do I understand you
correctly, that you...

don't want to testify
for Col. Mitchell?

- That's right.
- But why?

You must have
a reason?

I wish you'd tell me
what it is.

I'm sorry. I can't.

May I sit down,
please?

I don't think we have very much
to say to each other, Mr. Reid.

I think we have
quite a bit to say.

Please?

All right, if you don't
want to tell me,

I won't ask you why
you don't want to testify.

Maybe you have a reason. Maybe somebody
got to you and convinced you not to talk.

Maybe you think you ought
to protect somebody.

I don't know,
and I don't care.

But one thing
I must know though.

Please don't think I'm
impertinent, Mrs. Lansdowne.

- I assume that you loved your
husband. Am I right? - Of course.

- All right. And you know that
he died fighting for a cause. - Yes.

That his sense of duty
was so strong...

that he took up a ship
that he knew was unsafe...

and that he fought in every way
possible to keep grounded.

- How do you know all this?
- That's immaterial.

I'm trying to tell you
that Billy Mitchell...

is fighting the same fight
your husband fought.

And if your husband
were alive today,

he'd be right in there with Billy
helping him in every way he could.

Please, I wish
you wouldn't.

The only way to avoid such needless,
futile sacrifices as your husband made...

is for the people
to know the truth.

Billy Mitchell has staked his entire
military career to get it to them.

And I know that your husband
would want you to help him.

And you know
he would, too.

Mrs. Lansdowne, may I ask why
you have waited until now...

to spread this tale
in the newspapers?

Nobody asked me before.

And who asked you now?

It was my own decision.

As I understand it,
Mrs. Lansdowne,

you and Col. Mitchell have been...
close friends for a long time?

That's right.

Isn't it possible that you came
here to aid an old friend...

at the expense
of the exact truth?

- I object!
- Sustained.

Very well.

You say, Mrs. Lansdowne, that
Col. Mitchell did not ask you to testify here.

- That's right.
- Did someone else ask you?

- Yes.
- Who?

- Congressman Reid.
- Congressman Reid?

And did Congressman Reid
suggest that you...

tell the story
as it actually happened,

or did he perhaps suggest that
you emphasize elements in it...

which would prove favorable
to Col. Mitchell?

I object!
I object most violently...

the suggestion that
I suborned this witness.

I am only trying to find out
why this witness--

You are trying to imply that
I put pressure on Mrs. Lansdowne...

to come here
and perjure herself.

I think, sir, that my reputation
in the Congress of the United States--

- I am not impugning your reputation.
- Order in the court.

Allow me to rephrase
my question.

Prior to your appearance here,
was pressure brought to bear on you?

Yes.
Very strong pressure.

Well.

Suppose you tell us
about it.

- I was told not to testify.
- Not-- By whom?

I'd rather not say.

Go ahead. Tell them.

Tell them who told you
not to testify.

Some friends of my husband--
naval officers.

- Objection! I withdraw--
- Let her speak. Let her speak.

- Tell the court what they said.
- Just a moment, Mr. Reid.

Mrs. Lansdowne, you're making
a very serious charge.

Are you telling this court that you
were approached by naval officers...

who asked you
to withhold information?

- Yes, sir.
- Tell the court who they were.

I object! This is irrelevant
and immaterial!

Objection overruled.

I would rather not
identify them.

They thought they were doing it
for the good of the navy.

- What did they say? - They said
it was the duty of a navy wife...

to protect the service
at all costs.

- Didn't you
agree with that?

Yes.

They told me that my husband
was a naval hero...

and that I owed it
to his memory...

not to drag his name
through the mud of a trial.

Then what made you
change your mind?

Because
I realized...

that by
telling the truth,

I would be doing my duty
to the navy and to Zach.

If Zach were alive, he would
be here to testify for Col. Mitchell.

I am testifying in his place
and telling the truth.

He tried everything.

He wrote letters,
made phone calls,

protested to everyone.

He knew it wasn't safe
to take that ship up.

On the last day, I drove out to the
mooring mast with him to say good-bye.

Everything was ready
for the takeoff,

but he kept delaying
the departure.

He was waiting, hoping for some
last-minute word from Washington.

We walked to the communication
shack together,

and he asked the chief on duty
if a message had come for him.

There was none.
And when the ship was ready,

he kissed me good-bye
and climbed into the cabin.

He waved to me
through the window once,

and then he gave the order
to cast off.

I never saw him again.

Zach and his men were sent
to their deaths by indifference!

Zach was too young
to be insubordinate,

too young and too brave
to save his own life.

I see no need of prolonging
your appearance here.

Thank you, madame.
You are excused.

The prosecution moves that
Mrs. Lansdowne's testimony...

be stricken from the record
as irrelevant...

and as a violation of the court's previous
ruling on justification witnesses.

The defense considers Mrs. Lansdowne's
testimony to be of extreme relevance.

Moreover, I request
the court to reconsider...

its prior ruling about
justification witnesses...

and allow the defense to call the witnesses
whom it has previously requested.

In my opinion, the entire court
should vote on this objection.

- Court will be closed.
- Stand up!

Sit tight.
Keep your fingers crossed.

Thank you.

I'd say that this changes
the whole picture.

I don't see how. She's just
an emotional woman.

Emotional or not, I think
we ought to listen to her...

and to anyone else who may
have pertinent testimony.

- I agree with MacArthur.
- Well, I don't.

We're here to try Mitchell
for insubordination.

We're not here to listen to a lot
of wailing about the navy...

or to hear people try to
justify his behavior.

You just said it.
We're here to try Mitchell.

And to give him a fair trial, we have
to listen to every bit of evidence...

whether or not it's technically
called a justification.

Did you hear what that girl
said about the Shenandoah?

Suppose other witnesses
had equally positive testimony.

The trial would go on for weeks,
and the publicity would be bad for everybody.

Well, that's the chance
we have to take.

The whole foundation of our
legal system and of our country,

for that matter, rests on the right
of a man to defend himself,

on his right to use every
means to defend himself.

He may be wrong, but at least
he's entitled to tell his story.

And the minute we forget that,
we're in grave danger.

I mean that, gentlemen.
Very grave danger.

I agree wholeheartedly
with General MacArthur.

- Anybody else have any
thoughts? - I haven't.

- No.
- I think not.

Then I suggest
we vote on it.

- Court will
come to order.

Under the 31st Article of War,
it's the court's ruling...

that the motion to strike Mrs. Lansdowne's
testimony is overruled...

and that the defense may
proceed with its witnesses.

Order in the court.

- Are your witnesses present?
- Yes, sir.

One witness, Mr. Reid,
will not be here.

The president has declined your kind
invitation to appear at this court.

The defense wishes
to thank Mr. Coolidge...

for his gracious
consideration of our request.

Our other witnesses,
however, I'm sure,

will compensate
for his absence.

- Major Hap Arnold.

Major Arnold, how many pilots
have we lost in peacetime flying?

The total is 517, sir.

That is from
January 1919 to date.

How many of them met
their deaths in modern planes?

In machines built since
the war, 12 were killed.

To your knowledge, Major,
have there been any recommendations...

made to the general staff with respect
to safety measures for the air service?

Yes, sir. Dozens of them,
most of them by Col. Mitchell.

Do you know
what became of them?

Yes, sir.
They've been filed.

Captain Rickenbacker,
will you tell the court...

how many enemy planes
you brought down in the last war?

Yes, sir.
Twenty-six.

Approximately how many hours
did you spend flying over enemy lines?

- About 300. - Now, based on your
experiences in the World War,

I should like to ask you
three questions.

First, is it proper to send
an aviator up without a parachute?

It's suicidal. It's like sending a man
to sea without a life preserver.

Second, what is your opinion of the aircraft
presently being used by our flyers?

The graveyards around
our airfields prove their worth.

Third, do you happen to know what
the aviation rank of the United States is...

in comparison
with other nations?

According to the latest information I have,
we're now in eighth place.

Thank you,
Capt. Rickenbacker.

- Your witness.
- Would it surprise you to know, Captain,

that the latest official
reports contradict...

most of your so-called
informed statements?

I wouldn't be surprised at anything
in the official reports you refer to.

I would be surprised
if anybody believed them.

No further questions.

Major Spaatz, what is your
present military assignment?

I am chief of the tactical unit section
of the training command.

Now, Major Spaatz,
can you inform this court...

as to how many planes our armed forces
presently have for combat purposes?

Yes, sir. Nine.

But the War Department carries
on the army list 1,800 planes.

That is technically
correct, sir.

But of that number,
1,400 are museum pieces...

which are obsolete and
of little serviceable use.

And the remaining 400?

331 of those were flown
in France in 1917...

and have not been modified
or improved since.

And the remaining 69?

Sixty are used
for training purposes.

That leaves nine for use
against a possible enemy.

And of that number, not one pursuit ship
is equipped for wartime service.

So you believe the organization
of the tactical unit of the air service...

is being retarded
by the War Department.

- I do. -Thank you, Major.
Thank you very much.

Is it your experience, Mr. La Guardia,
as a member of the Congress,

that younger officers invariably want
to carry out the wishes of the general staff?

Well, let me put it
this way.

When the army testifies
before Congress,

it operates like
a self-greasing axle.

Thank you, Congressman.
Your witness.

Mr. La Guardia, is it true
you made a speech in New York...

in which you said Col. Mitchell
is not being tried by a jury of his peers?

- That is correct. - By what logic
do you arrive at the conclusion...

that general officers in the United States Army
are not equals to Col. Mitchell?

That's easy. Their feet
are stuck in the mud.

Not one of them has ever
flown in an airplane.

Isn't it possible, Congressman--
having flown a plane yourself--

that your judgment is clouded
by the natural sympathy you feel...

for another man
who also flies a plane?

I have no more natural sympathy
for an airplane pilot...

than I do for some
of my colleagues in Congress.

Yet you say that officers
who have never flown...

are not equals
to Col. Mitchell.

In that respect only. It's as reasonable
to have them judge him...

as it is for you
to run for Congress.

No further questions.

Admiral Sims, how does the
United States Navy handle its aircraft?

- What is its policy?
- Well, it has no policy.

It bumps along
from day to day.

Does the navy consider
the airplane a major weapon?

The Navy Department
is ignoring the airplane...

in the hope that, if they don't notice it,
maybe it'll disappear.

Thank you, Admiral.
Your witness.

Admiral, how do you account for
this difference of opinion...

between you and your
colleagues of the navy?

Well, they are just not
educated about the air.

Surely, they're
capable officers...

who can inform themselves
on the problems of aviation.

Reading a lot of golf books doesn't
make a man a good golf player.

As I understand it, Admiral, you
are no longer in active service.

- Is that right?
- Yes, sir. I am retired.

But I can still think for myself, and
I'd like to tell this court one thing, sir.

This row on air power is not
a row between the army and navy.

It is a clash between men who
love to fly and men who don't,

men who think
in terms of air power...

and men who can't
think at all.

Col. Moreland, this Mitchell business
is getting out of hand.

It looks as though
he's put the army on trial.

Mr. President, the army has no
intention of being on the defensive.

You may depend on that.
The complexion of the trial...

is going to change
very shortly, sir.

- Thank you.
- Yes, sir.

- Where's the--
- ♪ Come, Josephine in my flying machine ♪

♪ Going up, she goes
Up she goes ♪

♪ Balance yourself
like a bird on a beam ♪

♪ In the air, she goes
Hey, here she goes ♪

♪ Up, up
a little bit higher ♪

♪ Oh my, the moon is on fire-- ♪
- Hey! There's Mr. Reid.

Hey! Hey! What's the matter
with Congressman Reid?

He's all right.

- Who's all right?
- Congressman Reid!

- Hello, fellas. - George, bring Congressman
Reid a couple of brass hats on toast.

They're not very good. They're
hard to digest. Give you gas.

Gentlemen, I move that we appoint
Congressman Reid President of the United States.

Thank you, gentlemen.

I promise to move the
White House into a bomber.

First, I'd like to talk to my client.
Where's Col. Mitchell?

- He's still in his room.
- Come on, Mr. Reid. Let's go get him.

♪ Come, Josephine
in my flying machine ♪

♪ Going up, she goes
Up she goes ♪

(Knock at door)

Yes?

Billy?

- You all right?
- Me? Sure. I'm--

Just a little headache.

Well, forget the party
and get a good night's sleep.

I want you fresh on the
witness stand in the morning.

Look at me, sir.

Go away, Russ.
I'm all right.

I thought so.
It's his malaria.

He needs more than this quinine.
I'd better get a doctor.

You'll do nothing
of the kind.

Come back here, Russ.

You can't go on the stand
in this condition.

I'll be all right tomorrow.
I've had these attacks before.

I've got to go
on the witness stand.

Why do you want to do it?
You don't have to.

- I haven't testified yet.
- But you don't have to. We won.

I haven't won. Not till
we get an air force.

- Listen.
- I'm listening.

Frank...

...are you gonna
put me on?

If you insist.

Better get that doctor, Russ.

Ask him to stand by
in court tomorrow.

He may be needed.

Court will come to order.

Col. Mitchell, at this time, I remind
you that under the Articles of War,

you have three choices
as to procedure.

You may remain silent,
and, if you do so,

no inference will be drawn
one way or the other.

You may, if you wish, make
a statement not under oath.

Or you may be sworn,

in which case, you'll be subject
to cross-examination.

The rights of the accused
have been explained to him,

and he elects
to testify under oath.

Do you swear the testimony you shall
give in the proceedings now before us...

shall be the truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth, so help you God?

I do.

May it please the court, I should
like to note the addition...

of Major Allan Gullion
to my staff.

He shall conduct the
cross-examination of Col. Mitchell.

- Who's he? - One of the best
legal minds in the army.

I didn't know
he was in Washington.

And now, Colonel,
as an aviation expert,

as a flyer who's been highly
honored by his government...

for his services
in war and in peace,

is there something you wish
to say in conclusion?

As an officer
in the United States Army,

I had to choose between
my duty to the army...

and what I considered
to be my duty to my country.

I chose the distasteful method
of inviting my own court-martial...

because I felt, in no other way,
could I focus attention...

upon a desperately
urgent problem.

I hope I've made it clear that our
country needs an adequate air force.

But above and beyond that,
it needs immediate consideration...

for the safety
of our flyers.

Order in the court.

- Order in the court.
- Thank you, Colonel.

I know your words will not go unheeded
by the people of this country.

You may cross-examine.

Col. Mitchell, I've been
studying your war record,

and I must confess
it overwhelms me.

Those ribbons on your breast, sir, would you
mind stating what decorations they represent?

The Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished
Service Cross, the Legion of Honor,

the... the Crown of Italy,

the Order of Saint Michael and Saint
George and the Croix de Guerre.

That's very interesting, sir.
Now, Colonel, to your knowledge,

are you the only American officer in the
army today that wears such decorations?

Of course not.
Many other officers wear them.

I see.
Now, tell me this.

Have any of these other officers
ever been court-martialed?

- Objection. That's immaterial.
- You needn't answer that, Colonel.

I was merely trying to establish
what a unique officer you are.

But you are. You are
very, very different...

and a special
sort of man.

I assume, Col. Mitchell, you share
with me the respect I have...

for those officers
in the American army...

who wear as distinguished
decorations as your own?

Of course.
They earned them.

By risking their lives in combat
in the defense of their country?

- Yes. - Then why did you
call such men traitors?

Objection. That question
assumes facts not in evidence.

Objection overruled.

To repeat the question,

in your statement
in San Antonio,

why did you call
such men traitors?

I wasn't referring
specifically to any officer.

But you certainly must
have had some men in mind...

when you accuse the general staff
of conduct that was virtually treasonable.

I was thinking of the system, the
system of administering air power...

in the army
and the navy.

- I see. You were speaking
in generalities. - Yes.

But isn't it possible, sir, that many
of your statements have been generalities?

No, sir.

And am I to understand,
when... you use a phrase,

"guilty of criminal negligence,"
that you meant that?

That statement was
and is accurate.

- Negligence of the ordinary--
- No. Forgive me--

Forgive me for
interrupting, Colonel,

but I'm sure the court would
like to be clear on this point.

You do then reiterate
your accusation...

that certain high-ranking officers
in the American army are criminals.

You're twisting my words.

Col. Mitchell, did your
public attack on the army...

start after a series of accidents
involving your friends,

in which some of your friends
were were... were killed?

- Yes.
- Isn't it possible, sir,

that the sense of grief
that you felt over their loss...

inspired you to make
your statement?

- It did not. - Then why didn't
you attack your superiors...

before the accidents
involving your friends?

I wasn't ready.

You mean you didn't think the iron
was hot enough to strike?

I recall no such thought.

And don't you mean that you
wanted to wait until you felt sure...

that the newspapers
would be on your side?

On the side of a bigger
and better air service.

You consider the press qualified to
influence and dictate to the armed forces?

I object to this whole line of questioning
as irrelevant and immaterial.

The matter before this court
is the facts behind the alleged offense.

May it please the court.

The accused is attempting to
establish justification for the offense,

and I'm trying to prove
that there's no justification.

- Sustained.

Colonel, I have here
original letters written by you...

to the War Department over
the period of the last two years.

- You recognize them?
- They're mine, all right.

I've read them
with great interest.

I'm glad somebody did.

I should like to question you
about some of the statements...

you make in these
communications.

You say here that
"In future wars,"

"soldiers will invade
peaceful lands..."

"by leaping in parachutes
from airplanes in the sky."

Would you care to reveal who
gave you this startling information?

Nobody gave it to me.

It's quite obvious to anyone
with the slightest foresight.

I see. Then do you mean that the
chiefs of staff of the army and navy...

are not only treasonable
and incompetent...

but are lacking
in foresight as well?

You said that.
I didn't.

Now, in this letter, you recommend
that the armed forces...

be separated
into three branches:

the army, navy
and the air force.

- Is that your opinion?
- It is.

Why did you seek to divide
the fighting forces of this country?

I didn't mean
to divide them.

I recommended that
they all be combined...

under a single Department
of National Defense...

with specialists
in command of each branch.

And did you see yourself, sir,

in the role of the specialist
in command of the air force?

Objection. The line of questioning,
up to now, is a familiar one...

seeking to falsely
characterize the accused...

by the clever manipulation
of semantics.

Sustained.

You state here that "The army should
investigate methods of protection against air raids,"

"including alarm signals
and bomb shelters."

Bomb shelters.

Is it your actual belief that this country
is vulnerable to attack from the air?

It is my belief, if not now, at least
within the foreseeable future.

Col. Mitchell, do you have any idea
of the width of the Atlantic Ocean?

Approximately 3,000 miles.

- And the Pacific Ocean? - I know
what you're getting at, and I tell you,

it won't be long before an airplane
will fly nonstop across both oceans.

- Carrying bombs.
- Carrying bombs.

Col. Mitchell, do you realize that
your declarations, if taken seriously,

could result in creating panic
among the people of our country?

I'd rather have the people
scared than dead.

Now, here's one in which
you propose that the government...

build an academy
like West Point for airmen.

What do you have
against West Point?

I have nothing
against West Point.

It's a fine school
for infantrymen.

There should be an equally
good school for flyers.

Now, in this one, you make
the statement that, quote,

"Airships traveling
a thousand miles an hour..."

"will fight each other
in the stratosphere." Unquote.

Col. Mitchell, do you have any comprehension
how fast a thousand miles an hour is?

- Of course I do. - Do you know that
it's faster than the speed of sound?

It's approximately 250 miles faster
than the speed of sound.

Are there any airplanes today
that can go 250 miles an hour?

We don't have any.
I can tell you that.

But you said, sir, that they wouldn't
only go 250 miles an hour,

but they would go
250 miles...

faster than
the speed of sound.

- That's correct. - Well, now,
would it be asking too much...

if I could learn from you
what crystal ball...

you got these
astounding facts from?

Objection. The prosecutor's
attempting to ridicule the witness.

I'll answer that question.
There is no crystal ball.

Anyone with any knowledge
of the air knows...

that the ultimate speed
of aircraft is almost unlimited.

It depends only on
technical developments.

Amazing.

Here's a letter to headquarters
you wrote after a short trip to Hawaii.

You say, quote, "The army and navy
commands here are concerned..."

"principally with the
question of jurisdiction."

"There is so much petty
bickering between them..."

"that the Islands are virtually
undefended." Unquote.

Do you consider that
a proper observation...

to be made by an officer
about his superiors?

That was written in
connection with my belief...

that air power
will control the Pacific.

It's very important that the missions
of the army, the navy and the air...

be-- be sharply defined.

Thank you.

You seem to have quite a bit
to say about Hawaii, Colonel.

For example,
you write that...

"Pearl Harbor has no adequate
defense against air attack--"

- It hasn't. - "...and that a
foreign power could attack..."

"and reduce the Hawaiian Islands
in a matter of minutes."

- Do you actually believe that?
- I not only believe it,

if you'll look into those letters,
you'll find my specific observations...

on how it can be done.

I was coming to that.

Oh, yes. Here it is.

Your letter dated
December 14, 1923.

I'll read this slowly
and distinctly...

because I want the court to know
that you are second to none,

that you are an expert
in palmistry,

table-tipping and the
reading of tea leaves.

I object!
The prosecutor's being abusive.

- Objection sustained.
- My apologies, Colonel.

I'll let your words
speak for themselves.

"Preceded by
scouting submarines,"

"enemy aircraft carriers
will lay off the island of Oahu..."

"at a distance
of about 150 miles."

"The attack will be launched in
two waves and without warning."

"The first wave will strike
at Pearl Harbor,"

"Schofield Barracks,
and the Ford Island airdrome..."

"and the naval fuel and
ammunition dumps."

"This attack will be followed
by a second shortly thereafter,"

"its objectives being the
city and wharfs of Honolulu."

Colonel...

Colonel, what was
your condition?

What was your state of mind
when you wrote this?

If you mean was I crazy,
the answer is no.

And you still cling
to this, uh, prediction?

Unless we repair our defenses,
we can certainly be attacked.

I see. Now, there's
one piece of information...

I couldn't seem to find
in your communications.

Perhaps you could
enlighten us.

Does your crystal ball
reveal by what enemy...

this mythical attack
will be made?

- Objection! The prosecutor is goading the witness.
- By whom, Colonel? By whom?

Will the court instruct the witness
not to answer that question?

I'll answer that question.

The attack will be made
by the Japanese.

The prosecution would like
to submit these documents...

as the exhibit
next in order.

They will be received.

Col. Mitchell, what explanation
the War Department...

will have to make to the
Japanese ambassador...

is beyond the province
of this court.

However, now that you
have said your say,

now that you have done
your... your little piece,

now that you have, uh,
proclaimed your vision,

might you not say that you
have overstated your case,

and, upon sober reflection,
things aren't as bad as you said?

Most certainly not.

I meant every word of it,
and I still do.

Then I submit,
Col. Mitchell,

that you are guilty of the
most flagrant disorder...

to the prejudice of good
military discipline.

I don't agree.

Col. Mitchell,
is it, uh...

is it your desire today
to remain in the army?

- It is. - And should the occasion
arise in peace or war,

and you thought
your superiors wrong,

would you rush
to the newspapers...

with attacks
against their behavior?

- Objection. That question
is ridiculous and outrageous.

The witness is being asked to
speculate on his future conduct.

- Why not? Why not,
if the witness can speculate...

on the future conduct
of the world and its armies?

The issue bears on the only
question before this court.

Col. Mitchell's qualifications to remain
in the United States Army.

I'll answer that, Major.

I don't know what
I would do tomorrow.

Then you don't know if you
could behave as an army man.

- I didn't say that.
- Are you ready...

to give unquestioned obedience
to your superiors,

even though you may consider their
conduct negligent and incompetent?

I consider myself
a good soldier.

Oh. Well, now,

then you have changed from
that William Mitchell...

who denounced
his superiors in Texas.

- I have not changed.
- Oh, then you still insist upon...

your right to break
an army rule.

- I didn't say that either.
- I am merely trying to establish...

your exact feelings on the
question of insubordination.

Col. Mitchell,

what is
the first duty...

of a soldier
to his superior?

- We've been over that.
- Are you afraid of the word, sir?

- What word? - The word
that answers my question,

in all the armies
of the world,

is the word "obedience."

You're trying to quibble me
out of the army.

You know better than
to call me disobedient.

Col. Mitchell, why didn't you
resign from the army...

and conduct your campaign
legitimately from a civilian position?

Because
I'm an army man, sir.

And do you consider your
statement in Texas justified?

- Objection. The witness is being
asked to pass judgment on himself.

- I'll answer. My-- - Col. Mitchell, you don't
have to answer that question.

Objection sustained.

In view, then, of your
present opinion...

that your superiors are
negligent and incompetent,

could you give them
unquestioned obedience...

should you be
returned to duty?

I ask the court to instruct the witness
not to answer that question.

I'll answer
that question, too.

You have asked me to state that
I am unfit to remain in the army...

because I have incurred the
hostility of my superior officers.

I can't admit that,
and I won't.

I've been wearing the uniform
of the United States Army...

most of my adult life,

and I've worn it
with pride.

But if being a good soldier
is your kind of good soldier,

of being unable to think
for himself and say what he thinks,

of being narrow
and blind...

and insensible
to a higher duty,

you can have the uniform
and all that goes with it.

If trying to do something
for your country,

if fighting
to correct injustice...

is being a bad soldier,

then I'm glad
I'm a bad soldier.

This issue goes far beyond
being a good soldier in...

in his sense of the word.

It goes beyond
blind obedience...

and depends on...
on a man's faith...

in his knowledge
of what is right.

If being
a good soldier is...

submitting dumbly
and passively to...

to injustice, indecision
and complacency, then I'm--

I'm glad I'm a bad one.

Billy.

Thank you, Col. Mitchell.

That's all. No further
cross-examination.

The army rests its case.

Does the defense wish
to make a closing statement?

The defense
has nothing further.

The court will retire
to consider its finding.

Stand up when
the court enters!

The court
will come to order.

The accused will stand.

Col. William Mitchell,

the court,
in closed session...

and upon secret
written ballot,

two-thirds of the members present
at the time this vote was taken...

concurring therein,

finds you, of all specifications
and the charge, guilty.

Order in the court.

The court,
again in closed session...

and upon secret
written ballot,

two-thirds of the members
present concurring therein,

sentences you to be suspended
from rank, command and duty...

with forfeiture of all pay and allowances
for a period of five years.

The court is thus lenient because
of your military record during the World War.

The court has adjourned.

- Do you have a statement to make, Colonel?
- Will you remain in Washington?

- No comment. - How do you feel
about the army now, Colonel?

The army owes me nothing.
I owe the army everything.

What do you intend
on doing--?

Ten-hut!

Thank you, gentlemen.

Russ.

Carry on.