I never thought I'd get through d-day, let alone the next phase or the next phase.
I thought I was gonna get killed instantly.
I thought one of two things: A quick death...
Or I'd come through probably without a scratch.
I think everybody had fear. I think there's people that can handle fear.
I think I was probably one of them.
I think I was just as scared as anybody else, except I could think.
It's a feeling you would not let yourself down...
And you would not let your comrades or your unit down.
We all had fear, but we all had training to know...
That you try to handle your fear...
And work to accomplish what you're supposed to be doing.
Hey, it looks like what's-his-name.
You know, from 1st platoon?
- Our 1st platoon? - It sure does.
Hey, blithe.
Blithe!
Keep moving! Get down!
Thought that was you.
You alone?
You're the first familiar faces I've seen.
I ain't surprised. They dropped us all over the contentin peninsula.
We've been fighting with the 502nd since we hit the ground.
You?
Oh, I've been...
- Trying to find easy. - Join the club.
Spread out!
Hey, fellas.
- Well, look who decided to show up, Floyd. - —hey, Luz.
- Thought we'd never find you guys. - You okay?
- Get a load of this. You like that? - Yeah, it's the real stuff, eh?
- Yeah, of course. - You like this?
- Oh, nice. That's a beauty, sarge.
It's a hell of a poncho.
My luger's gonna put you all to shame when I get it.
How was yourjump?
- Missed the dz. - Yeah, that goes without saying.
- I guess so. - Got any souvenirs to trade?
They're all ticking, unlike their previous owners. Got anything good?
Not yet.
So have we lost anybody?
Tommy burgess took one in the face. Popeye wynn got pinked in the behind.
- They're gonna be okay. - That's good.
- You run into it. Meehan on your travels? - No. Why?
Company hq's still missing. They think the plane went down.
- They say he's gonna turn up. - Yeah, I ain't holding my breath.
- Who's in command now? - Winters for now.
It. Welsh is 1st platoon.
- Easy company on the road! - Let's go! 1st platoon!
- Platoon! Move out! - 1st platoon, on your feet!
Let's go, 1st platoon!
- Easy's moving out. On your feet. - Let's go!
- Stand up, let's go! Here we go! - Today, people!
Listen up! It'll be dark soon. I want light and noise discipline from here on.
No talking, no smoking and no playing grab-Fanny with the man in front of you, Luz.
- So where we headed to, lieutenant, huh? - We're taking carentan.
That sounds like fun.
It's the only place where armor from Omaha and Utah beach can link up and head inland.
Until we take carentan, they're stuck on the sand.
General Taylor's sending the whole division.
"Remember, boys, give me three days and three nights of hard fighting...
And you will be relieved."
Lieutenant. Lieutenant, I'll take point.
Cpl. Hoobler will be lead scout.
- Blithe, glad you could join us. - Thank you, sir.
1st platoon, fall in behind fox company.
You people from 2nd and 3rd platoons, follow us. Shake a leg.
"Another thing to remember, boys: Flies spread disease.
So keep yours closed."
Don't wake Jerry.
- Damn it. - What?
- We lost f company, sir. - Again?
- We lost f company. - Again? Hey, blithe, skinny, guess what.
Perconte, go back and pass the word to hold up.
Yes, sir.
- Hoobler, take blithe. Go find f company. - Yes, sir. Come on, blithe.
Shit.
Did you send somebody?
Yeah, I got hoobler and blithe out there now.
Why are we stopped?
This is about officers crapping out on theirtraining, nix.
Come on. Let's get this show on the road.
Dang mosquitoes.
What is it?
- Flash. - Thunden
- I can hear y'all all the way across the field. - You f company?
That's right.
Where y'all been?
Blithe, go back to the lieutenant, tell him we found f company.
- I'll figure out where these yokels are at. - Hey, who y'all calling a yokel?
He's dead, private.
- Did you find fox company? - Yes, sir.
Thought he... I thought he had me.
Paratrooper?
Division thinks there's a regiment of them holding carentan.
- Well, there's one less to worry about. - Yeah.
That's edelweiss.
That only grows in the alps above the tree line.
Which means he climbed up there to get it.
It's supposed to be the Mark of a true soldier.
I want you to take the 1st straight up the middle, hard and fast.
We have to move quickly.
I'll be right behind you with 2nd and 3rd.
- Go! - Let's go, 1st, let's go.
Go, go! Go!
Fire!
- In the ditch! Down! Down! - Get down! Incoming!
- Goddamn it. - Where the fuck is everybody?
- Where'd everybody go? - I have no idea!
Let's go, easy! Get those mgs moving, will you?
- Let's get them out of there! - They're in the open, for Pete's sake!
Get them going, buck! Follow me, easy!
Move out! Move out, men!
Move out! Move out!
Get yourselves out of that ditch!
We have men getting killed out there, blithe!
Move! You got no cover there! Go!
Spotter! Upstairs window! Left!
Follow me!
Get yourselves out of those trenches!
In the ditch! Down, down, down, down!
- Incoming! - That's an mg42!
- Medic up! - No! Stay down! He's shot!
Get out of the dirt! Nazi!
There's one in the right upper...
Shit!
Sniper! Thattaway! Second floor left!
Shit!
I need some covering fire. Ready, Luz?
Okay, I'm out.
Guarnere! Clear that sector on the right!
Hey, up with me!
- Shit! - Move, Luz! Here! High!
You okay, shifty?
We gotta take that warehouse!
Shifty!
Hammer those windows.
Let's go! Move! Go! Go!
Tipper, take liebgott, start clearing these buildings.
- Right. Come on, Joe, let's go. - Two to a house.
Second two. Go! Go!
Houses on the right!
Check them and clear them!
Turn left! Bring it up!
Smash it.
Grenade! Luz, come on, Luz.
- Come on! - Close behind.
Shit!
They got us zeroed! Spread it out! Spread it out!
- They got us zeroed! - Go now!
- Get out of the street! - Get the hell out of there!
They got us zeroed!
Get out of there! Go! Go!
Get the hell out of the street! Move!
Let's go! Go! Go!
- Take cover! - I need a hand over here!
- Move over! - Through the window!
Come on. Let's get you out of here. Come on, boy!
Come on.
Move! Move! Move!
Get out of the street! Go! Go!
Lip!
Hey there, buddy.
You're okay, lip. Everything's right where it should be.
Come on. Upsy-Daisy.
Let's check up front.
Get tipper up here with the bazooka.
- Check across the front. - Move on one!
Hello? Anybody there?
Tipper! Tip!
Tipper! Answer me! Tip!
- Joe? That you? - Looking good, tip.
Looking real good. Come here, buddy. You gotta sit down. Come here. Come on.
Easy, easy. There you go. There you go.
Jesus.
You hang in there, buddy. Okay, we're gonna get you fixed up, all right?
Okay. Guys, you wanna give me a hand here? Come on.
Take the left flank! Take the left flank!
Got a bad one.
- Can we move him? - No.
- In the name of the father, the son... - Hey, malark. You see what I'm seeing?
Is now and forever shall be, world without end. Amen.
- Crazy fools, the Irish. - You should know.
Smokey, the window. Let's go!
- Morning, sir. - What's your name, trooper?
Sergeant Farnsworth from able company, 501st.
I'm here and I'm supposed to tell you...
That we got it clear from here all the way to the north of them krauts, sir.
Well, tell your co 506 arrived in force and secured all positions south of you.
Yes, sir, I'll tell him. Come on, fat boy, let's go!
Lieutenant winters.
- Yes, sir? - Is it safe to cross now?
- What's that, sir? - Is it safe to cross?
- We wanna move the wounded. - Yes, sir.
Okay.
Come on. Let's get them out of here.
There she is.
Plasma drip.
You're lucky it was a ricochet.
- You just caught a piece of it. - Stupid.
- What? - Nothing.
Walking wounded to the rear.
- You gonna be able to stay off it? - Doesn't look that way.
Well, you gotta try, huh?
What've we got planned, chief?
Well, we expect a counterattack.
Carentan's as important to them as it is to us.
- Any idea when? - We're not waiting around to find out.
Battalion wants us to head east toward high ground, set up a defensive position.
With all the flooded fields, it's the only direction they can approach from.
- You gonna be all right? - Ye... yeah.
What's wrong with blithe?
Well, nothing. Except he can't see.
- He can't see? - So he says.
Blithe?
It's lieutenant winters.
What happened?
I don't know, sir.
Well, things... They just kind of went black on me.
- What, you can't see? - Not a thing, sir.
I can't see a thing.
Well, you just take it easy, blithe.
I'm gonna get you out of here. Get you back to england.
It's gonna be okay.
Sir...
- I didn't wanna let anyone down. - No.
Just take it easy.
It's okay, son.
- Yeah? What is it? - Thank you, sir.
I'm okay.
Yeah, I'm okay.
I'm okay. I think I'm okay.
You can see?
God, I don't know what happened.
I think... I think I'm okay.
All right.
Well, stay here a little while longer and make sure.
And then you can report back to your platoon.
Yes, sir.
Now can we get that bandage on?
- Berlin by Christmas, that's how I see it. - Yeah, you're full of it.
Oh, god. This kraut cheese tastes like...
- It stinks. - Bread's stale too.
- Give me that. - Yes, sir.
The way we came into town today and took over?
You know, it don't seem like Jerry's got too much fight left in him.
Hey, more, don't get hit in the face when Jerry throws in the sponge, all right?
You Mark my words, mal: Berlin by Christmas.
Enjoy it while it lasts. We'll be moving out soon.
Out of town, lieutenant? Already?
That's right.
Don't they know we're just getting settled here?
Nice, Groucho.
- What? - Real smart.
You know, you're taking your life in your own hands. Ain't that right?
I told you. I didn't actually see it.
What, speirs shooting the prisoners, or the sergeant in his own platoon?
- Sergeant? - What? I didn't hear that one.
- Wait, wait. He shot one of his own guys? - Well, supposedly, the guy was drunk...
And refused to go on a patrol.
Who knows if it's true?
- Well, I know a guy... - Hey.
Who said an eyewitness told him that speirs hosed those prisoners.
Why? What for?
On d-day.
Speirs comes across this group of kraut prisoners digging a hole or some such...
Under guard and all.
He breaks out a pack of smokes, passes them out.
He even gives them a light.
Then, all of a sudden, he swings up his Thompson and:
He hoses them.
I mean, goddamn!
He gives them smokes first?
You see, that's why I don't believe he really did it.
- Oh, you don't believe it? - Whoa, whoa, whoa, I heard he didn't do it.
No, no, no, it was him, all right.
But it was more than eight guys. More like 20.
Hell of a shot.
All except one guy, who he left alone.
Well, all I know, from what I heard...
He took that last 105 on d-day practically by himself.
- Running through mg fire like a maniac. - Yeah, that I did see.
- On his own? - Yep.
I don't care if any of the other stuff's true.
Hey, Albert.
Grab your smokes, grab your ammo and gear.
What do you think?
I don't know.
Gonna have to take everybody's word for it. I didn't see any of it.
Let's go! 1st platoon! Weapons on me. We're moving out.
On your feet! Tactical columns! Flankers out!
Flanks up!
- That means you, private blithe. - Come on, bud. Get up.
You want the bread?
Hey, Luz. How far are we going?
Oh, Jesus Christ, frank. I don't know. Until they tell us to stop.
High ground. There's high ground up ahead.
Yeah. Okay, genius. Answer me this, then:
Why is easy company the only company who's either at the front of an advance...
Or, like now, exposed at the far edge of the line?
- To keep you on your toes. - No, that's not what I'm saying.
I'm saying that we're never in the middle...
And we're the fifth of nine companies of this regiment.
- Able through item. Think of it. - See there? You see that...
Incoming!
Contact right! Get in the hedgerow!
See what I mean?
Bring it around!
Right there! Sergeant more! Stay low!
Luz, get down here with the radio! Sergeant more! On me!
Go, go, go!
What have they got to sing about?
Catchy tune, ain't it?
- Hey, lieutenant. What's the news? - Same as it was this afternoon.
- They're in their hedgerow, we're in ours. - Spell me a minute, sir?
You gonna let blithe get some sack time?
- My back teeth are floating. - Get back here asap, Martin.
You can count on me, sir.
How you doing, blithe?
I'm okay, sir.
What happened at the aid station today?
Doc roe, he called it hysterical blindness.
No, thank you, sir.
You know what they said in basic: Dehydration's a soldier's worst enemy.
Here.
It's a game, blithe. That's all. We're...
Hell, we're just moving the ball fonnard one yard at a time.
Nothing but a game.
What is, sir?
This. The whole thing.
No. Thank you, sir.
Just a game.
Harry.
S2 said the Germans only left a company to defend carentan.
The rest pulled out sometime last night.
- I knew that town was too easy. - Yeah.
They regrouped south of town.
May have been on the way to a counterattack when we ran into them here.
Strength unknown.
They want the town back.
And we're in their way.
If they don't come before then, we're attacking at first light, 0530.
I'll tell the men to fix bayonets.
Not much of a limp.
- I'll survive. - How is it?
Hurts.
Smith, wake up.
Come on, Smith. Get up. It's your watch.
Smith. It's your watch.
Easy, Smith. It's me, talbert!
Smith! What the hell are you doing? That's talbert!
- I didn't... - Goddamn!
- Gosh! - Medic!
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. He looked like a kraut.
- Can you breathe? - Yeah, I can breathe.
- Look at me. Look at me. - Yeah, I can breathe!
Okay, I'm just gonna put some sulfur on the wound, Floyd. You're gonna be fine.
What the hell is that?
Sounds like it's coming from 3rd platoon.
Don't you wanna get some sleep?
I don't think... I don't think I can.
Then go take a look.
Yes, sarge.
- Flash. - Thunder. Thunder!
Lieutenant speirs, sir.
Where you going, private?
Check out the noise, sir.
I just came from there. Everything's under control.
Yes, sir.
Got some nervous privates in your company.
We do, sir.
Yeah, we do. I can vouch for that.
They just don't see how simple it is.
How simple what is, sir?
Just do what you have to do.
Like you did on d-day, sir?
Lieutenant...
Sir, when I landed on d-day, I found myself in a ditch all by myself.
I fell asleep.
I think it was the airsickness pills they gave us.
When I woke up, I didn't really try to find my unit...
To fig ht.
just...
I just kind of stayed put.
What's your name, trooper?
Blithe, sir. Albert blithe.
You know why you hid in that ditch, blithe?
I was scared.
We were all scared.
You hid in that ditch because you think there's still hope. But, blithe...
The only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead.
And the sooner you accept that...
The sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier's supposed to function.
Without mercy. Without compassion. Without remorse.
All war depends upon it.
Got any smokes? You want some of this candy shit? No?
- The outpost got ammo. - Hey, boyle.
- Here you go, guys. - We don't know what they've got.
We may be attacking a weaker force, possibly more paratroopers.
- And you know how they can be. - Fire and maneuver.
That's the name of the game: Fire and maneuver.
Dog and fox companies will be on our left flank, moving with us. Any questions?
- Let's make them holler. - It's 9:30 in the evening back home.
- Must be... - Mortar!
- Incoming! Everybody in the hole! - Take cover!
Down, down, down, down!
Get that op in!
Tell them to hold. I'm checking the lines.
All easy stations. Easy 6, hold in position. Over.
Go! Lock and load!
- Easy 6! Easy red 6! - Medic!
I've got mortars all across my line.
No sign of infantry yet. I'm pulling the op in. Over.
Right stake plus 15. Charge three!
Range, 600.
Up and load! Fire!
- Come on! - Come on! Move it! Move it! Hurry!
Watch for silhouettes on the horizon!
Find your target. Muzzle fire!
- Nail it! Keep low! - Watch the horizon!
Keep low! Go! Go! Go!
Perconte! Perconte!
Get your men in order! Stay low.
Pour it on them, perconte! To your left!
Keep going! Keep going!
Keep it up!
I want fire superiority!
Guarnere, keep them pinned down! Keep firing!
Sergeants, reverse! Cover the crest of that hill!
Where the hell did they come from?
Okay, pull back!
Holy shit! There goes our left flank!
- Sir, dog and fox are pulling back. - What?
Who gave that order, goddamn it?
Keep firing! Stay low!
Stay low. Keep firing, perconte!
Come on, blithe. Stand up!
Get up on your feet, soldier.
Get up, blithe.
That's right, blithe. You can do it.
Fire your weapon, blithe.
Hit those goddamn Germans, blithe!
Rip it at them, blithe!
Keep firing! Let them have it!
Keep firing! Don't slack it off!
Let them have it, blithe!
Pour it on them, blithe!
The left flank! Watch your left flank!
Fire!
Krauts over there! Keep the line of fire up here! Move it!
Blaze spray!
Let's go, mcgrath! On me! Shift your fire right!
Down! Down!
Get together!
Come on! You're gonna get me killed, lieutenant.
I knew you'd get me killed!
- Wait until I tell you, mcgrath! - I can't!
- Hold your fire! - No, that's too close.
- Bitch! Son of a bitch! - Too close!
Come on!
Now fire, mcgrath! Fire!
- Yeah! - Yeah!
- Covering fire! - Covering fire!
- Keep firing south! - Fire!
You hit a home run, huh?
- Smith, I've been hit! - I got you!
Get me out of here!
Randleman!
- You okay? Move it! Move it! - Yeah.
- Rounds complete! - Rounds complete!
- Skip! More ammo! Go! Go! - I'm on my way!
Jesus, what was that?
Shermans!
Well, hello, 2nd armored.
That's right, you sorry asses! Run!
The cavalry! Come on in! The tanks!
Oh, you beautiful babies, you!
Let's go! Pour it on them! Let them have it! Come on!
- Check it out! Shermans! - About damn time.
Come on!
Come on.
Hey, buddy.
Hey, buddy, you okay?
Looks like you fellas had a heck of a fight.
Move fonnard on the right flank.
We need to know what's in there.
- I don't know who the hell to send. - Ask for volunteers.
I hate asking for volunteers.
Then pick them.
Need to take a look at that farmhouse. Who wants to go?
I'll go.
Anybody else?
Martin, dukeman, you just volunteered. Hubba-hubba.
Blithe's lead scout. Move out.
Harry, what exactly are you doing with your reserve chute?
You been hauling that thing around ever since we jumped?
Gonna send it to kitty when we get back to england.
Silk. I figure it'll make a good wedding dress, you know, what with rationing and all.
- Jeez, Harry, I never would have guessed. - What? That I'm so sentimental?
No, that you think we're gonna make it back to england.
Okay.
Here we go again. Covering fire! Covering fire!
Come on! Hang in there, blithe. Come on!
Keep moving! Down!
- Medic up! - Top window right!
Hang in there.
Medic! We need a medic down here!
Cease fire! Cease fire!
Take it easy, blithe. Take it easy. Come on, dukeman. Come on.
Move, move. Coming through. Give me room.
Get out of my way. I got it.
- What happened? - Sniper.
All right, blithe, I got you. Nice and easy. Nice and easy.
They're pulling us off the front line.
Now?
To a field camp north of Utah beach.
Hot food and showers.
Then back to england.
- Where's medical supply? - Third tent on the right.
Harry.
- How's the leg? - Stiff. Sore.
They want me to take it easy for a few days.
Yeah, you should.
Talked to colonel sink.
Said he appreciated easy holding the line.
- Said general Taylor was pleased. - Yeah.
That's why I came to France, to please general Taylor.
In grateful acknowledgment of the blood shed in the service of your country...
It is my honor to present you with the order of the purple heart.
Thank you, sir.
How many does that make?
- You have no shame. - Hey, I got one hole in my shoulder...
A second in my calf. Then there's the boil on my shin that had to be lanced.
And he only gets one.
This is great!
- She fancied me, alton. - In your dreams, buddy.
- Vvhoa! Jesus! - Jesus!
It's good to be alive!
- Jesus Christ, that sure was close. - No. Missed him by a mile.
Hey, bull. Hey, bull, come over here. Hey, come on. Bull, come over here.
- I got a seat for you. - Hey, hoobler.
- Be quiet for the man. - "The night of the bayonet."
The night was filled with dark and cold when sgt. Talbert, the story's told
I don't like this.
Pulled on his poncho and headed out
to check the lines dressed like a kraut
why is everyone in such a hurry to get back, huh?
- Hospital food don't suit you? - Get off.
We don't need you anymore, tab.
Upon a trooper our hero came fast asleep, he called his name
"Smith, oh, Smith! Get up! It's time to take your turn out on the line"
do you guys have any idea what he's talking about?
The night of the bayonet.
- Whatever that is. - But Smith, so very weary
cracked an eye, all red and bleary
grabbed his rifle, he did not tarry hearing Floyd, but seeing Jerry
- oh, my god. - Way to go, smithy!
"It's me, " cried tab, "don't do it!"
And yet Smith charged tout de suite, with bayonet
- he lunged, he thrust, both high and low - oh, come on!
And skewered the boy from kokomo
I'm heading back to barracks.
- You heffron? - Yeah.
- Where you from? - Who's asking?
- You from Philadelphia? - South Philly, yeah.
I could tell.
- Seventeenth street. - Yeah? Front street. Hey.
Come here. Sit down.
Hey, you know a guy named Johnny Waylon?
- Yeah, I know Johnny. - Used to call him tar head.
Yeah, tar head. Yeah.
Since you weren't wounded by the enemy and thus didn't qualify for a purple heart...
We've taken matters into our own hands.
Tab, this is for you.
- A souvenir. - That's right.
- Congratulations! - I could've shot the kid a dozen times.
Yeah, right.
I just didn't think we could spare a man.
Couple of announcements, men.
First... listen up.
First, the training exercise scheduled for 2200 has been canceled.
Oh, yeah.
Secondly...
All passes are hereby revoked.
We're heading back to France, so pack up all your gear.
We will not be returning to england, boys.
Anyone who has not made out a will, go to the supply office.
Trucks depart from membury at 0700.
As you were.
Hello?
Good morning, Mrs. Lamb. Sorry to bother you so early.
- That's all right, private...? - Malarkey.
- Come in. - Actually, it's sgt. Malarkey now, ma'am.
- I just got promoted. - Oh, lovely.
I expect you'll be wanting your laundry. I heard the trucks rumbling by all night.
I guess the yanks must be on their way off again.
Yes, ma'am. Looks like for good this time.
I'm sorry to hear that.
Two shirts, two pairs of trousers, light starch.
Two Bob and tuppence, please.
I can't...
Thank you.
Would you like a cup of tea? I've got the water boiling.
No. No, thank you. I'm in a hell of a...
Bit of a hurry. But thank you anyway.
- Oh, private? - Yes, ma'am?
Lieutenant meehan's one of yours, isn't he?
I hope he hasn't forgotten his laundry.
- I'll take it. - Thank you.
You couldn't be a clear and help me with a few others, could you?
Let's see.
Sergeant Evans, private moya, blowzer...
Gray, Miller...
Owen...
Collins, Elliot...