Raid on Rommel (1971) Movie Script
Captain, I've come from Tobruk.
I've a message from General Lederer.
And these cigars with compliments.
Major, I have orders.
Your men are to leave for Tobruk.
Tobruk? Why, that's crazy!
- Those are my orders.
That's an active war zone! Prisoners
of war are to be sent to a safe area.
Tobruk is now ours.
I assure you it is safe.
The Geneva Convention
has explicit rules...
We also have those rules. Your side
was notified about this movement.
Heil Hitler!
You will do that too. So prepare!
We leave immediately.
- And what if we refuse to go?
We will leave you here.
Then you will see there are
worse things than dysentery.
Merrihew!
- Sir?
Pack it.
- Yes, sir.
Captain, the girl. She is crazy.
She is speaking of an airplane.
I will see to her.
Italian whores don't impress me!
Speak English, you Kraut!
What is the problem, Signorina?
- Why am I not leaving to Tobruk?
Special air transport calls for
special authority. - I got!
Courtesy shown the bearer
will greatly oblige General Banducci.
Yes, I know of your position
with the General. - Position?
You are very attached to his staff.
He's molto grande, il Generale!
You only piccolo Captain.
Italians are stylish warriors. I wish
they'd keep their women on a leash.
Any other jokes?
Yes.
You will travel like the rest of us.
How is that?
- In a truck. Continue packing.
Amsterdam. The Hollanders.
They make good cigars, no?
Very nice. - Cured dry as the Sahara.
Rommel himself smokes these.
You know Rommel? - Yes.
He loves the Sahara. We all do.
By "we",
I mean the professional military.
I'm not a military man, Captain.
War holds no romance for me.
The side effects are repulsive.
- Here there are no side effects.
No women, no children,
no towns to get in the way.
Just men, my Doctor.
Just men?
- Yes...
Halt!
Get out of the vehicle!
Give orders to leave the vehicles!
Yes, sir!
Follow the vehicle cautiously.
He's alive, Captain.
Dead or alive?
- Dead. They stink already.
Search the dead and the cabin.
Bring me all the papers!
The man is suffering from exposure
and dehydration. He needs treatment.
Give it to him.
We camp here for tonight.
Use the trucks to make a camp.
Pitch the tents.
We will stay till 4 a. m.
Corporal, your pulse
and respiration are quite normal.
You're shamming. Why?
I'm Foster.
Your ID tag reads Weatherly, J.D.
That's my cover. I'm Foster.
Captain, 53rd Combat Engineers.
You don't know?
- What? - 8th Army Intelligence.
I've never had contact with
Intelligence, 8th Army or otherwise.
You are Major Farrow, aren't you?
- I'm Tarkington, Hugh. Medical Corps.
Where the hell is Farrow?
- Who?
Those prisoners in the convoy
are the 5th Commandos, aren't they?
No, that's my outfit,
the 15th field hospital unit.
God damn it to Hell!
The moment he is conscious
bring him to me for questioning.
It may be a little while, Captain.
I'm afraid he's in shock. - Yes...
We continue now with a report
from CBS London and Edward R. Murrow.
This is London.
The loss of Tobruk will make
supplying Malta even more difficult.
And the battle for Egypt
may even now be underway.
At the moment, all that can be said
is that Parliament and the press
are looking for someone to blame.
There's no question
about the conduct of British troops.
Their bravery deserved victory
but they were defeated.
But Rommel is fond of the unorthodox
and speculation is futile.
Rommel is being
reinforced through Tobruk.
Tell me! Are you
a member of the 5th Commandos?
Get him out of here.
Quite a performance.
What in the name of God is that?
Don't worry, she's real.
Belongs to an Italian general.
Any more? - No, she's the only one.
Signorina Vivian something or other.
English pigs!
She's the only passenger...
- What happened to the 5th Commandos?
That's an interesting question.
To ask it makes this the bloody
muck-up of all time. - Who are you?
Sergeant MacKenzie, 5th Commandos.
- 5th Commandos? Any others here?
Well, we're it.
Ed Brown, Bill Wembley,
Dan Garth and Reilly.
We were left behind when
our unit was moved. Acute dysentery.
Except me. I got a bad tattoo
from Alexandria. - And the others?
Shipped to a prison camp in Tunisia.
- Oh, Jesus Christ.
I don't see why that's a surprise.
- Did he brief you? Major Farrow?
Only what he had to. He told us
we were going to Tobruk as prisoners.
On the way, we'd scuttle
the German guard and take over.
Your credentials say you're an expert
on the harbor guns at Tobruk.
If it's any comfort, we had 50 men
trained to blow them to Hell.
You said
he only told you what he had to.
Any idiot private
could spell it out, sir.
Rommel is building up supplies
in Tobruk for his next attack.
He controls the air. The only way
to clobber Tobruk is from the sea.
To clear the way for Navy
those guns have to be knocked out.
That's it, isn't it?
- That's it.
I don't think it concerns us.
- It does. How many men do you have?
Whatever nonsense you have in mind
you're not involving my men.
At 1700 hours tomorrow, one of
our planes will attack the convoy.
The purpose was to create confusion
so the 5th Commandos could take over.
A deliberate air attack?
- Nevertheless, the pilot will strike.
To scrub this mission
I need a radio. The only way I can
do that is by taking over the convoy.
And then?
Then we drive back to British lines.
A long way through enemy territory.
But with wheels and guns
and fuel and a little luck...
Who knows? One further question:
Where is the medical kit kept?
I know the truck it's on.
But why, sir?
We need weapons
in order to acquire better weapons.
I'll see to it, sir.
- Good, good.
I accept that you are dedicated,
Captain. You will do what you must.
But without me or any of my men
that don't want to be involved.
Sir, I'm a Quaker. I'm in the Medical
Corps as a conscientious objector.
I cannot help you in a mission
where I would have to kill someone.
Sergeant...
The next morning, the Hitler Youth
marched at the Berlin Stadium.
In spite of rain and fog,
Everything you are,
you are through me.
And everything that I am,
I am through you.
And because the German nation's
master race
in its pride and confidence,
bravely and daringly
demands leadership,
the people
in ever-growing numbers
pledge allegiance to our leadership.
Sieg Heil!
Isn't that a Luger?
- No, it's a Walther. Automatic.
Beautiful.
Really something, eh lads?
What are you doing in the box?
What are you doing back there?
My arm hurts bad.
Very badly. I need medicine.
OK, take the medicine.
ETHER
The people of Germany
rejoice in the knowledge
that the eternal need to flee
has been replaced by
an eternal sense of belonging!
Any of you chaps got the right time?
I make it nearly 5 o'clock.
How about a tea break, for instance?
- Or a beer break? - Is that a Rolex?
Yes. English. Rolex.
- Rolex?
Rolex is not English.
It's a Swiss watch. - Yes.
How much? - Maybe I'll make a deal
with you if you play your cards right.
It's a Swiss watch. - That's right.
- How much do you want for it?
How much?
Spread out!
Stay there!
Foster, you goddamn boy scout!
My God, help!
Too bad about the radio, sir. - Yes.
Make up a burial detail
and post a guard over the prisoners.
Do you know of the Geneva Convention
concerning treatment of prisoners?
There's more to the Africa Corps
than uniform, much more.
You all will be shot as spies!
I wish I could shoot you myself!
You won't be buried, Superman.
We'll leave you for the vultures.
The burned-out truck is hopeless.
The others are ready to roll.
Feed the men.
- The Germans too, sir? - Yes.
I haven't found any papers, sir.
- I've got them. - Are they in order?
Official passage for British prisoners
with Africa Corps escort to Tobruk.
MacKenzie...
- Sir?
We're a long way from our lines.
Let's get going. Now.
There's been a change of plan.
- Change of plan?
The radio has been blown to bits
so we stick to our original operation.
The next step is an airdrop
of weapons and explosive devices.
Do you propose to raid Tobruk with
a hospital unit and 4 sick commandos?
No, I'm going to blow up their guns.
The device involved
could be carried in your medical kit.
But the delivery requires men.
The truth is it's a suicide mission!
No. The Navy picks us up.
I've no more desire to die than you.
What about them?
They remain here.
- Alive.
Here comes our supply drop!
Look sharp, lads! On the double!
Cut those supplies loose
and bury the chutes. Hurry it up!
Here's some more, fellows!
Get moving! Get over here!
Get a move on now,
we haven't got all blooming night!
Get them in, cowboys!
I give you my word, alright?
What about the girl?
- She stays with us.
She's an integral part of the convoy.
On the official bill of lading.
She's yours, Doctor. All yours.
- Mine?
I don't care if you cut out her
tongue. She's your responsibility.
But the prisoners live.
- Alright. Deal.
Right lads. Over the side.
You grip the rope with the right hand
and pay it out with the left.
Hold it tight but let it out slowly.
Easy does it. Pay attention,
your life depends on it.
You're not rolling pills now.
We'll teach you how to be Commandos.
Careful.
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight, nine...
Listen carefully. This weapon can
hurt you as much as the enemy.
This cylinder contains Napalm,
the other contains compressed air.
You release it by pulling this valve.
The air comes up here.
You pull the trigger. And here
is a thing called an "increment. "
This thing spins around and
operates like a cigarette lighter.
Don't get forward!
Never get in front of the machine!
Hold it up away from you. Put your
finger on the trigger. And press!
I'd hate to lead them into
a real brannigan at this point.
But they're better than I expected
and, well, we'll play it by ear.
Silence. Quiet.
Quiet. Silence. You know silence?
- Silence.
What about that girl?
- She's going to be difficult.
She's unpredictable, sir.
- He's right.
We'll run into Nazis in 100 miles. If
she blows the whistle, we've had it.
There must be something we can do.
Pity you're not helpful. - Pardon?
- Eating out of your hand in no time.
Doc, you're supposed to know
about women. - Not this kind.
I can picture your patients
in Harley Street very clearly.
An emotional appeal doesn't work. I
dare say she has a price. - No doubt.
I gave in on the prisoners.
I hope we don't have to pay for that.
As far as the girl goes...
- Let me try again.
There's very little time.
- There's no time, Captain.
For God's sake... Hold it!
Alright, get out!
Two full Panzer divisions.
What the devil are they doing here?
Never mind. My men are ready.
Let's attack!
Fork to the left, the sea and Derna.
Our Tobruk road lies straight ahead.
Suspicious, our standing here, sir.
- Yeah.
Your other German-speaking man?
- Garth. - He rides in the rear.
You come along with me.
Shall I take care of her, sir?
- No, she's in the clearance papers.
You said she's my responsibility.
Well, I've got something.
Too late for that. - I'm a doctor.
She'll be taken care of.
What's the problem?
The Italian lady. Where is she?
- She's there.
Corporal!
She belongs to one of
Mussolini's generals. Understand?
Yes...
We'll take the road to the sea.
- No, that area is off-limits.
You'll continue on to Tobruk.
- We'll camp here. - That's allowed.
Park there.
Park there!
When I suggested we attack the Jerrys
I was venturing a little joke.
Two Panzer divisions...
I don't understand that.
Maybe Rommel's waiting for the right
time. - Rommel waits for nothing.
They might have come from Derna.
No, that's the 11th and 21st Division.
Reps camp! Parts. Repair shop.
- They could do that in the field.
Fuel!
Rommel must have a fuel dump nearby.
Heavily camouflaged.
- Underground? - Where?
A Panzer division without fuel is
scrap. If we could immobilize two...
But it's all... You've got no radio.
No way of communicating...
Communicating?
How you do go on, Doctor.
If I locate the bastards
I'll blow them sky high.
Maximum security installation.
How do we get in?
If you get past the road block
you can ask Rommel.
Doctor...
Ipecac! That would get us through.
We'd give it to some of the boys...
You've gone crazy. - The Germans will
go crazy when they think it's typhus.
You can't fake typhus! - We can
fake it enough to get us through.
I'll get a couple of the lads.
How's our little darlin', then, eh?
You're a devil, Merrihew!
When the war's over, you ought to
go into white slavery. With me.
How do you feel?
- Christ, bleedin' awful!
Good.
I'll take these prisoners to Tobruk.
The Doctor says it's contagious.
They must go to hospital.
We have two prisoners with typhus.
They are very ill.
Yes. He wants to talk to the Doctor.
- He doesn't speak German.
The English Doctor
says it's contagious
and we must go to the hospital.
Hauptmann Schroeder,
ask the doctor to make a smear test.
Test it.
Rommel.
Doctor...
How is the pain?
- Better, General.
Feeling better?
- Yes, thank you.
This is the captured English doctor
with his sick men.
May I translate for you?
Not necessary. Good of you to help.
Do you really believe it's typhus?
We're making tests, but let's hope
it's something less serious.
You are being well-treated?
- Very well.
Despite the circumstances,
I'm particularly pleased to meet you.
You and I share a common hobby.
- Which is? - Philately.
You are a stamp collector? - My South
Pacific collection is almost complete.
I wasn't aware
I was known as a philatelist.
I mentioned it to the Hauptmann
as an irony of war.
I made a joke about it. How the
collector was collected by you.
President Roosevelt
is a famous collector.
I'm sure he would like to collect me.
If time permits,
perhaps we could talk.
I don't often meet a stamp expert.
- We'd be honored, but the Doctor...
A few hours won't make a difference
and it will be my pleasure.
I will send my car for you, OK?
What are you doing? I only wanted
to look. - Don't flap. - I'm not!
You are! You wanted to find
a petrol dump and you've got it.
What if they find out it's not typhus?
- We shall all be vastly relieved.
Now, while Erwin and I talk stamps
you start looking and listening.
He won't tell you where the bloody
fuel dump is! - Brace up, Captain!
But that's Rommel!
- Just another stamp enthusiast.
He probably
writes letters to The Times.
Relax, it's a tank. KW 3.
Shut up!
Come here.
- I can't!
Do anything. Shut her up.
She'll have the bleeding Jerrys over!
I give you all of my money.
- I know how you feel,
God and sin and all that. But
you're doing this for His Majesty.
I have the complete 1893 issue
of Tahitian stamps. Do you know them?
Yes, Gring once showed me
a collection of Tahitian stamps.
Where he got them, I have no idea.
Although I can imagine...
The set must be extremely valuable.
- Yes, quite.
In my own collection I have
some stamps from the South Pacific.
The Caroline Islands, which was a
German possession until World War I.
There were only two original issues
during our occupation.
If I'm not mistaken, sir,
you're wrong about that. - No...
I'm sorry, but you are.
- The 1900 and 1910.
There was the 1915 issue, but it
wasn't distributed because of the war.
The 1910 five Pfennig brown was...
- Excuse me, General...
What is it?
- Excuse me,
may I use your communications centre
to tell Tobruk we're delayed? - Yes.
That tent over there.
Tell them I approve.
You don't agree, eh?
- I most certainly do not.
I'm not sure I like you, Doctor.
- Nor I you, sir.
I don't know if there is any point
in continuing this discussion.
Send this to the medical corps
in Tobruk. - Yes, sir.
The Caroline Islands were German
so I ought to know more about them.
Ought to, yes.
But the simple fact is, you don't.
I've not heard one word from you
about the 1900 three Pfennig brown.
That one?
- Yes, that one!
It's taken care of, Captain.
Button up!
The five Pfennig stocks
that was destroyed in the big storm.
The Typhoon Provisional!
- Yeah, the Typhoon Provisional!
Excuse me, we must
return to our unit immediately.
The Doctor is needed to look after
British prisoners in Tobruk.
Rudolf! Bring the gentlemen
back to their convoy.
You cannot imagine
what a pleasure this has been.
Perhaps another time we meet again.
- I hope we do, sir. Who knows...
Three Pfennig...
Hurry!
MacKenzie, pack it up, move it!
We turn hard left at the next road.
Take the rest of the convoy
and meet at the nearest wadi.
If we're not back in an
hour, ' you re on your own.
What about the men we sent back?
They're alright, sir. You were
gone so long, I almost began puking.
And the girl,
is she still under sedation?
Oh, yes, sir.
She's under that right now, sir.
Good man, Merrihew.
I request to speak with Rommel.
- Do you have identification. - No.
No identification? Do you know
this man? - No, I've never seen him.
The English commandeered my convoy
and have papers to get to Tobruk.
What do you think?
- Let him wait here.
Yes. Wait here until Rommel comes.
Any of you boys got a map?
- Here, sir.
If I get on top of the tank,
follow me.
Halt, who's that? - British prisoners.
Where is the main road to Derna?
Derna is over there.
- Could you show me?
Alright, come up here.
Someone could shoot at you,
running around here!
Reilly!
Corporal! Where are the Englishmen?
- They camped there.
Where are they now?
- They left for Tobruk.
Have you heard anything?
Messages, any news?
Nothing. A man drove up,
they got in and left for Tobruk.
Back to camp, to Rommel!
This looks like a good place.
Turn left and over the gate.
Yes, sir!
There's an 88 on the left, sir.
- I see it. Ready, Mac?
Ready, sir!
Ready, Mac?
- Ready, sir!
To the right, a pump station.
- Yes, sir.
One of ours.
Our own men!
Reilly, get us out of here!
- Yes, sir!
You alright?
- Yes, sir.
The thing is stuck!
Oh, fireworks! Molto bello...
Two Panzer divisions without fuel.
It's enough to drive you mad!
You stupid idiot!
That was their assignment, not Tobruk!
I should have you shot.
But they tricked me too.
This British captain is dangerous.
He must be caught. Block all roads.
I'll fly to Tobruk
and you come with me
to deal with this from that side.
You know the convoy and the men.
If they get away again this time,
I'll kill you myself! Is that clear?
As I recall it,
your plan was merely to escape.
If it happens, would you want it
any other way? - I suppose not.
Do you seriously propose to carry out
this escapade? Those guns...
At 2100 hours the ships are in Tobruk.
I can only hope we're not too late.
What's lacking
is a sandstorm to cover our tracks.
Reilly,
turn onto those tank tracks.
MERSA - NO ENTRY
AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY
When we reach Tobruk
according to plan at 2100 hours,
the 5th Commando unit
will have knocked out the shore guns.
We will move in close
and open fire on the area.
Landing craft pick up the commandos.
- What if they fail, sir?
We do our part.
I hope they'll do theirs.
Field police!
You can't use those again, Alex.
Chew them up or something...
Reilly, keep up with them.
If you can't fight them, join them.
Yes sir, Captain Schrder.
Captain Schrder.
With a military police escort?
No, they wouldn't be escorted. No.
Wait!
Give me the Field Police.
Give me
the Field Police again, alright?
Now we're in, which way do we go?
Captain Foster was quartered here
until Rommel broke his lease.
Merrihew, get her out.
German pigs, English pigs!
I hate them all!
How is she?
- I think she'll be alright.
Does she know where we're going?
- She hasn't the foggiest idea. - OK.
That's it, gentlemen. British Navy's
target for tonight. If...
If we succeed.
No more news from the field police?
- No.
Did you secure the harbor at Tobruk?
In every way possible? - Yes.
The entire fuel depot here?
- Yes.
Most important, the munitions depot?
- It's fully secure! - Good.
Field Marshal,
a message from headquarters.
The English fleet
is headed for Tobruk.
The Royal Navy can't
have suddenly gone mad!
They know perfectly well
that our shore artillery will...
The shore artillery!
Give me the field police.
Who's guarding the shore artillery?
The Italians? - Yes, sir.
Hello? This is Field Marshal Rommel.
We expect an attack within hours.
Hello, can you hear me...?
We've been disconnected. Get me
the 3rd Panzer Brigade on the radio.
Here...
An enemy tank patrol is in this area.
It must be stopped.
Yes, sir. - And I will
hold you responsible for it.
Yes, Field Marshal!
Their telephone lines are cut.
Are the volunteers ready?
- Absolutely. God help them.
Down!
Major? - Yes? - About the girl, sir,
my conduct...
Dear boy, overnight you've become
a legend among men. Don't spoil it.
I don't want to... - Turn off
that remarkable conscience!
Remember,
virtue has its own reward!
We've got to knock out
the pillboxes to get at the guns.
See you on the beach, later.
Navy's on time.
Our only hope...
Alright, Mac. Now!
- Now!
Rope me!
They're still outranging us, sir.
Sir...
- Maintain our present course.
Sir, look!
Get to the trucks! We gotta act fast!
You take them mortars.
All the men this way! Right now!
Sir, lookout reports heavy fighting
on the hill above the guns.
Launch landing craft.
- Yes, sir.
Oh, God...
Help me!
I can't take it!
Bring out the flamethrower.
- Aye, sir.
Give it to me!
I'll cover you while you get
more ammunition for the guns.
You!
Cover me!
...that they could ever defeat us,
is impossible and unthinkable.
National Socialist Germany
and the states allied with it
will be the young nations...
Hook up the demolition squad
and let's go.
Get the men out of here!
- Come on, lads!
You swine!
"I'm a Quaker. I'm in the Medical
Corps as a conscientious objector.
I cannot help you in a mission
where I would have to kill someone. "
Get going! Get going!
Signal all units to reverse course.
- All units, reverse course!
Open up! Africa Corps!
All units resume original course.
- Resume original course!
All units fire as guns bear.
- All units fire as guns bear!
Get going! Get going!
Get down on that bloody boat!
Why don't you get on that boat?
I'm a doctor. Maybe we can
save you for a Nazi firing squad.
Perhaps Rommel won't shoot
such devoted stamp collectors as us.
Here they come.
Thanks to CBS London,
Edward R. Murrow reporting.
This is London. The battle of Egypt
continues to go well.
The Axis radio talks of allied
movement near Gibraltar.
The British are a cautious people.
Their hopes have been raised before.
They'd rather wait and see.
But official quarters
are more confident than ever.
They don't believe Rommel
can get reinforcements in time.
And they don't believe he can
stand up to superior British Forces.
SkyFury
I've a message from General Lederer.
And these cigars with compliments.
Major, I have orders.
Your men are to leave for Tobruk.
Tobruk? Why, that's crazy!
- Those are my orders.
That's an active war zone! Prisoners
of war are to be sent to a safe area.
Tobruk is now ours.
I assure you it is safe.
The Geneva Convention
has explicit rules...
We also have those rules. Your side
was notified about this movement.
Heil Hitler!
You will do that too. So prepare!
We leave immediately.
- And what if we refuse to go?
We will leave you here.
Then you will see there are
worse things than dysentery.
Merrihew!
- Sir?
Pack it.
- Yes, sir.
Captain, the girl. She is crazy.
She is speaking of an airplane.
I will see to her.
Italian whores don't impress me!
Speak English, you Kraut!
What is the problem, Signorina?
- Why am I not leaving to Tobruk?
Special air transport calls for
special authority. - I got!
Courtesy shown the bearer
will greatly oblige General Banducci.
Yes, I know of your position
with the General. - Position?
You are very attached to his staff.
He's molto grande, il Generale!
You only piccolo Captain.
Italians are stylish warriors. I wish
they'd keep their women on a leash.
Any other jokes?
Yes.
You will travel like the rest of us.
How is that?
- In a truck. Continue packing.
Amsterdam. The Hollanders.
They make good cigars, no?
Very nice. - Cured dry as the Sahara.
Rommel himself smokes these.
You know Rommel? - Yes.
He loves the Sahara. We all do.
By "we",
I mean the professional military.
I'm not a military man, Captain.
War holds no romance for me.
The side effects are repulsive.
- Here there are no side effects.
No women, no children,
no towns to get in the way.
Just men, my Doctor.
Just men?
- Yes...
Halt!
Get out of the vehicle!
Give orders to leave the vehicles!
Yes, sir!
Follow the vehicle cautiously.
He's alive, Captain.
Dead or alive?
- Dead. They stink already.
Search the dead and the cabin.
Bring me all the papers!
The man is suffering from exposure
and dehydration. He needs treatment.
Give it to him.
We camp here for tonight.
Use the trucks to make a camp.
Pitch the tents.
We will stay till 4 a. m.
Corporal, your pulse
and respiration are quite normal.
You're shamming. Why?
I'm Foster.
Your ID tag reads Weatherly, J.D.
That's my cover. I'm Foster.
Captain, 53rd Combat Engineers.
You don't know?
- What? - 8th Army Intelligence.
I've never had contact with
Intelligence, 8th Army or otherwise.
You are Major Farrow, aren't you?
- I'm Tarkington, Hugh. Medical Corps.
Where the hell is Farrow?
- Who?
Those prisoners in the convoy
are the 5th Commandos, aren't they?
No, that's my outfit,
the 15th field hospital unit.
God damn it to Hell!
The moment he is conscious
bring him to me for questioning.
It may be a little while, Captain.
I'm afraid he's in shock. - Yes...
We continue now with a report
from CBS London and Edward R. Murrow.
This is London.
The loss of Tobruk will make
supplying Malta even more difficult.
And the battle for Egypt
may even now be underway.
At the moment, all that can be said
is that Parliament and the press
are looking for someone to blame.
There's no question
about the conduct of British troops.
Their bravery deserved victory
but they were defeated.
But Rommel is fond of the unorthodox
and speculation is futile.
Rommel is being
reinforced through Tobruk.
Tell me! Are you
a member of the 5th Commandos?
Get him out of here.
Quite a performance.
What in the name of God is that?
Don't worry, she's real.
Belongs to an Italian general.
Any more? - No, she's the only one.
Signorina Vivian something or other.
English pigs!
She's the only passenger...
- What happened to the 5th Commandos?
That's an interesting question.
To ask it makes this the bloody
muck-up of all time. - Who are you?
Sergeant MacKenzie, 5th Commandos.
- 5th Commandos? Any others here?
Well, we're it.
Ed Brown, Bill Wembley,
Dan Garth and Reilly.
We were left behind when
our unit was moved. Acute dysentery.
Except me. I got a bad tattoo
from Alexandria. - And the others?
Shipped to a prison camp in Tunisia.
- Oh, Jesus Christ.
I don't see why that's a surprise.
- Did he brief you? Major Farrow?
Only what he had to. He told us
we were going to Tobruk as prisoners.
On the way, we'd scuttle
the German guard and take over.
Your credentials say you're an expert
on the harbor guns at Tobruk.
If it's any comfort, we had 50 men
trained to blow them to Hell.
You said
he only told you what he had to.
Any idiot private
could spell it out, sir.
Rommel is building up supplies
in Tobruk for his next attack.
He controls the air. The only way
to clobber Tobruk is from the sea.
To clear the way for Navy
those guns have to be knocked out.
That's it, isn't it?
- That's it.
I don't think it concerns us.
- It does. How many men do you have?
Whatever nonsense you have in mind
you're not involving my men.
At 1700 hours tomorrow, one of
our planes will attack the convoy.
The purpose was to create confusion
so the 5th Commandos could take over.
A deliberate air attack?
- Nevertheless, the pilot will strike.
To scrub this mission
I need a radio. The only way I can
do that is by taking over the convoy.
And then?
Then we drive back to British lines.
A long way through enemy territory.
But with wheels and guns
and fuel and a little luck...
Who knows? One further question:
Where is the medical kit kept?
I know the truck it's on.
But why, sir?
We need weapons
in order to acquire better weapons.
I'll see to it, sir.
- Good, good.
I accept that you are dedicated,
Captain. You will do what you must.
But without me or any of my men
that don't want to be involved.
Sir, I'm a Quaker. I'm in the Medical
Corps as a conscientious objector.
I cannot help you in a mission
where I would have to kill someone.
Sergeant...
The next morning, the Hitler Youth
marched at the Berlin Stadium.
In spite of rain and fog,
Everything you are,
you are through me.
And everything that I am,
I am through you.
And because the German nation's
master race
in its pride and confidence,
bravely and daringly
demands leadership,
the people
in ever-growing numbers
pledge allegiance to our leadership.
Sieg Heil!
Isn't that a Luger?
- No, it's a Walther. Automatic.
Beautiful.
Really something, eh lads?
What are you doing in the box?
What are you doing back there?
My arm hurts bad.
Very badly. I need medicine.
OK, take the medicine.
ETHER
The people of Germany
rejoice in the knowledge
that the eternal need to flee
has been replaced by
an eternal sense of belonging!
Any of you chaps got the right time?
I make it nearly 5 o'clock.
How about a tea break, for instance?
- Or a beer break? - Is that a Rolex?
Yes. English. Rolex.
- Rolex?
Rolex is not English.
It's a Swiss watch. - Yes.
How much? - Maybe I'll make a deal
with you if you play your cards right.
It's a Swiss watch. - That's right.
- How much do you want for it?
How much?
Spread out!
Stay there!
Foster, you goddamn boy scout!
My God, help!
Too bad about the radio, sir. - Yes.
Make up a burial detail
and post a guard over the prisoners.
Do you know of the Geneva Convention
concerning treatment of prisoners?
There's more to the Africa Corps
than uniform, much more.
You all will be shot as spies!
I wish I could shoot you myself!
You won't be buried, Superman.
We'll leave you for the vultures.
The burned-out truck is hopeless.
The others are ready to roll.
Feed the men.
- The Germans too, sir? - Yes.
I haven't found any papers, sir.
- I've got them. - Are they in order?
Official passage for British prisoners
with Africa Corps escort to Tobruk.
MacKenzie...
- Sir?
We're a long way from our lines.
Let's get going. Now.
There's been a change of plan.
- Change of plan?
The radio has been blown to bits
so we stick to our original operation.
The next step is an airdrop
of weapons and explosive devices.
Do you propose to raid Tobruk with
a hospital unit and 4 sick commandos?
No, I'm going to blow up their guns.
The device involved
could be carried in your medical kit.
But the delivery requires men.
The truth is it's a suicide mission!
No. The Navy picks us up.
I've no more desire to die than you.
What about them?
They remain here.
- Alive.
Here comes our supply drop!
Look sharp, lads! On the double!
Cut those supplies loose
and bury the chutes. Hurry it up!
Here's some more, fellows!
Get moving! Get over here!
Get a move on now,
we haven't got all blooming night!
Get them in, cowboys!
I give you my word, alright?
What about the girl?
- She stays with us.
She's an integral part of the convoy.
On the official bill of lading.
She's yours, Doctor. All yours.
- Mine?
I don't care if you cut out her
tongue. She's your responsibility.
But the prisoners live.
- Alright. Deal.
Right lads. Over the side.
You grip the rope with the right hand
and pay it out with the left.
Hold it tight but let it out slowly.
Easy does it. Pay attention,
your life depends on it.
You're not rolling pills now.
We'll teach you how to be Commandos.
Careful.
One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight, nine...
Listen carefully. This weapon can
hurt you as much as the enemy.
This cylinder contains Napalm,
the other contains compressed air.
You release it by pulling this valve.
The air comes up here.
You pull the trigger. And here
is a thing called an "increment. "
This thing spins around and
operates like a cigarette lighter.
Don't get forward!
Never get in front of the machine!
Hold it up away from you. Put your
finger on the trigger. And press!
I'd hate to lead them into
a real brannigan at this point.
But they're better than I expected
and, well, we'll play it by ear.
Silence. Quiet.
Quiet. Silence. You know silence?
- Silence.
What about that girl?
- She's going to be difficult.
She's unpredictable, sir.
- He's right.
We'll run into Nazis in 100 miles. If
she blows the whistle, we've had it.
There must be something we can do.
Pity you're not helpful. - Pardon?
- Eating out of your hand in no time.
Doc, you're supposed to know
about women. - Not this kind.
I can picture your patients
in Harley Street very clearly.
An emotional appeal doesn't work. I
dare say she has a price. - No doubt.
I gave in on the prisoners.
I hope we don't have to pay for that.
As far as the girl goes...
- Let me try again.
There's very little time.
- There's no time, Captain.
For God's sake... Hold it!
Alright, get out!
Two full Panzer divisions.
What the devil are they doing here?
Never mind. My men are ready.
Let's attack!
Fork to the left, the sea and Derna.
Our Tobruk road lies straight ahead.
Suspicious, our standing here, sir.
- Yeah.
Your other German-speaking man?
- Garth. - He rides in the rear.
You come along with me.
Shall I take care of her, sir?
- No, she's in the clearance papers.
You said she's my responsibility.
Well, I've got something.
Too late for that. - I'm a doctor.
She'll be taken care of.
What's the problem?
The Italian lady. Where is she?
- She's there.
Corporal!
She belongs to one of
Mussolini's generals. Understand?
Yes...
We'll take the road to the sea.
- No, that area is off-limits.
You'll continue on to Tobruk.
- We'll camp here. - That's allowed.
Park there.
Park there!
When I suggested we attack the Jerrys
I was venturing a little joke.
Two Panzer divisions...
I don't understand that.
Maybe Rommel's waiting for the right
time. - Rommel waits for nothing.
They might have come from Derna.
No, that's the 11th and 21st Division.
Reps camp! Parts. Repair shop.
- They could do that in the field.
Fuel!
Rommel must have a fuel dump nearby.
Heavily camouflaged.
- Underground? - Where?
A Panzer division without fuel is
scrap. If we could immobilize two...
But it's all... You've got no radio.
No way of communicating...
Communicating?
How you do go on, Doctor.
If I locate the bastards
I'll blow them sky high.
Maximum security installation.
How do we get in?
If you get past the road block
you can ask Rommel.
Doctor...
Ipecac! That would get us through.
We'd give it to some of the boys...
You've gone crazy. - The Germans will
go crazy when they think it's typhus.
You can't fake typhus! - We can
fake it enough to get us through.
I'll get a couple of the lads.
How's our little darlin', then, eh?
You're a devil, Merrihew!
When the war's over, you ought to
go into white slavery. With me.
How do you feel?
- Christ, bleedin' awful!
Good.
I'll take these prisoners to Tobruk.
The Doctor says it's contagious.
They must go to hospital.
We have two prisoners with typhus.
They are very ill.
Yes. He wants to talk to the Doctor.
- He doesn't speak German.
The English Doctor
says it's contagious
and we must go to the hospital.
Hauptmann Schroeder,
ask the doctor to make a smear test.
Test it.
Rommel.
Doctor...
How is the pain?
- Better, General.
Feeling better?
- Yes, thank you.
This is the captured English doctor
with his sick men.
May I translate for you?
Not necessary. Good of you to help.
Do you really believe it's typhus?
We're making tests, but let's hope
it's something less serious.
You are being well-treated?
- Very well.
Despite the circumstances,
I'm particularly pleased to meet you.
You and I share a common hobby.
- Which is? - Philately.
You are a stamp collector? - My South
Pacific collection is almost complete.
I wasn't aware
I was known as a philatelist.
I mentioned it to the Hauptmann
as an irony of war.
I made a joke about it. How the
collector was collected by you.
President Roosevelt
is a famous collector.
I'm sure he would like to collect me.
If time permits,
perhaps we could talk.
I don't often meet a stamp expert.
- We'd be honored, but the Doctor...
A few hours won't make a difference
and it will be my pleasure.
I will send my car for you, OK?
What are you doing? I only wanted
to look. - Don't flap. - I'm not!
You are! You wanted to find
a petrol dump and you've got it.
What if they find out it's not typhus?
- We shall all be vastly relieved.
Now, while Erwin and I talk stamps
you start looking and listening.
He won't tell you where the bloody
fuel dump is! - Brace up, Captain!
But that's Rommel!
- Just another stamp enthusiast.
He probably
writes letters to The Times.
Relax, it's a tank. KW 3.
Shut up!
Come here.
- I can't!
Do anything. Shut her up.
She'll have the bleeding Jerrys over!
I give you all of my money.
- I know how you feel,
God and sin and all that. But
you're doing this for His Majesty.
I have the complete 1893 issue
of Tahitian stamps. Do you know them?
Yes, Gring once showed me
a collection of Tahitian stamps.
Where he got them, I have no idea.
Although I can imagine...
The set must be extremely valuable.
- Yes, quite.
In my own collection I have
some stamps from the South Pacific.
The Caroline Islands, which was a
German possession until World War I.
There were only two original issues
during our occupation.
If I'm not mistaken, sir,
you're wrong about that. - No...
I'm sorry, but you are.
- The 1900 and 1910.
There was the 1915 issue, but it
wasn't distributed because of the war.
The 1910 five Pfennig brown was...
- Excuse me, General...
What is it?
- Excuse me,
may I use your communications centre
to tell Tobruk we're delayed? - Yes.
That tent over there.
Tell them I approve.
You don't agree, eh?
- I most certainly do not.
I'm not sure I like you, Doctor.
- Nor I you, sir.
I don't know if there is any point
in continuing this discussion.
Send this to the medical corps
in Tobruk. - Yes, sir.
The Caroline Islands were German
so I ought to know more about them.
Ought to, yes.
But the simple fact is, you don't.
I've not heard one word from you
about the 1900 three Pfennig brown.
That one?
- Yes, that one!
It's taken care of, Captain.
Button up!
The five Pfennig stocks
that was destroyed in the big storm.
The Typhoon Provisional!
- Yeah, the Typhoon Provisional!
Excuse me, we must
return to our unit immediately.
The Doctor is needed to look after
British prisoners in Tobruk.
Rudolf! Bring the gentlemen
back to their convoy.
You cannot imagine
what a pleasure this has been.
Perhaps another time we meet again.
- I hope we do, sir. Who knows...
Three Pfennig...
Hurry!
MacKenzie, pack it up, move it!
We turn hard left at the next road.
Take the rest of the convoy
and meet at the nearest wadi.
If we're not back in an
hour, ' you re on your own.
What about the men we sent back?
They're alright, sir. You were
gone so long, I almost began puking.
And the girl,
is she still under sedation?
Oh, yes, sir.
She's under that right now, sir.
Good man, Merrihew.
I request to speak with Rommel.
- Do you have identification. - No.
No identification? Do you know
this man? - No, I've never seen him.
The English commandeered my convoy
and have papers to get to Tobruk.
What do you think?
- Let him wait here.
Yes. Wait here until Rommel comes.
Any of you boys got a map?
- Here, sir.
If I get on top of the tank,
follow me.
Halt, who's that? - British prisoners.
Where is the main road to Derna?
Derna is over there.
- Could you show me?
Alright, come up here.
Someone could shoot at you,
running around here!
Reilly!
Corporal! Where are the Englishmen?
- They camped there.
Where are they now?
- They left for Tobruk.
Have you heard anything?
Messages, any news?
Nothing. A man drove up,
they got in and left for Tobruk.
Back to camp, to Rommel!
This looks like a good place.
Turn left and over the gate.
Yes, sir!
There's an 88 on the left, sir.
- I see it. Ready, Mac?
Ready, sir!
Ready, Mac?
- Ready, sir!
To the right, a pump station.
- Yes, sir.
One of ours.
Our own men!
Reilly, get us out of here!
- Yes, sir!
You alright?
- Yes, sir.
The thing is stuck!
Oh, fireworks! Molto bello...
Two Panzer divisions without fuel.
It's enough to drive you mad!
You stupid idiot!
That was their assignment, not Tobruk!
I should have you shot.
But they tricked me too.
This British captain is dangerous.
He must be caught. Block all roads.
I'll fly to Tobruk
and you come with me
to deal with this from that side.
You know the convoy and the men.
If they get away again this time,
I'll kill you myself! Is that clear?
As I recall it,
your plan was merely to escape.
If it happens, would you want it
any other way? - I suppose not.
Do you seriously propose to carry out
this escapade? Those guns...
At 2100 hours the ships are in Tobruk.
I can only hope we're not too late.
What's lacking
is a sandstorm to cover our tracks.
Reilly,
turn onto those tank tracks.
MERSA - NO ENTRY
AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY
When we reach Tobruk
according to plan at 2100 hours,
the 5th Commando unit
will have knocked out the shore guns.
We will move in close
and open fire on the area.
Landing craft pick up the commandos.
- What if they fail, sir?
We do our part.
I hope they'll do theirs.
Field police!
You can't use those again, Alex.
Chew them up or something...
Reilly, keep up with them.
If you can't fight them, join them.
Yes sir, Captain Schrder.
Captain Schrder.
With a military police escort?
No, they wouldn't be escorted. No.
Wait!
Give me the Field Police.
Give me
the Field Police again, alright?
Now we're in, which way do we go?
Captain Foster was quartered here
until Rommel broke his lease.
Merrihew, get her out.
German pigs, English pigs!
I hate them all!
How is she?
- I think she'll be alright.
Does she know where we're going?
- She hasn't the foggiest idea. - OK.
That's it, gentlemen. British Navy's
target for tonight. If...
If we succeed.
No more news from the field police?
- No.
Did you secure the harbor at Tobruk?
In every way possible? - Yes.
The entire fuel depot here?
- Yes.
Most important, the munitions depot?
- It's fully secure! - Good.
Field Marshal,
a message from headquarters.
The English fleet
is headed for Tobruk.
The Royal Navy can't
have suddenly gone mad!
They know perfectly well
that our shore artillery will...
The shore artillery!
Give me the field police.
Who's guarding the shore artillery?
The Italians? - Yes, sir.
Hello? This is Field Marshal Rommel.
We expect an attack within hours.
Hello, can you hear me...?
We've been disconnected. Get me
the 3rd Panzer Brigade on the radio.
Here...
An enemy tank patrol is in this area.
It must be stopped.
Yes, sir. - And I will
hold you responsible for it.
Yes, Field Marshal!
Their telephone lines are cut.
Are the volunteers ready?
- Absolutely. God help them.
Down!
Major? - Yes? - About the girl, sir,
my conduct...
Dear boy, overnight you've become
a legend among men. Don't spoil it.
I don't want to... - Turn off
that remarkable conscience!
Remember,
virtue has its own reward!
We've got to knock out
the pillboxes to get at the guns.
See you on the beach, later.
Navy's on time.
Our only hope...
Alright, Mac. Now!
- Now!
Rope me!
They're still outranging us, sir.
Sir...
- Maintain our present course.
Sir, look!
Get to the trucks! We gotta act fast!
You take them mortars.
All the men this way! Right now!
Sir, lookout reports heavy fighting
on the hill above the guns.
Launch landing craft.
- Yes, sir.
Oh, God...
Help me!
I can't take it!
Bring out the flamethrower.
- Aye, sir.
Give it to me!
I'll cover you while you get
more ammunition for the guns.
You!
Cover me!
...that they could ever defeat us,
is impossible and unthinkable.
National Socialist Germany
and the states allied with it
will be the young nations...
Hook up the demolition squad
and let's go.
Get the men out of here!
- Come on, lads!
You swine!
"I'm a Quaker. I'm in the Medical
Corps as a conscientious objector.
I cannot help you in a mission
where I would have to kill someone. "
Get going! Get going!
Signal all units to reverse course.
- All units, reverse course!
Open up! Africa Corps!
All units resume original course.
- Resume original course!
All units fire as guns bear.
- All units fire as guns bear!
Get going! Get going!
Get down on that bloody boat!
Why don't you get on that boat?
I'm a doctor. Maybe we can
save you for a Nazi firing squad.
Perhaps Rommel won't shoot
such devoted stamp collectors as us.
Here they come.
Thanks to CBS London,
Edward R. Murrow reporting.
This is London. The battle of Egypt
continues to go well.
The Axis radio talks of allied
movement near Gibraltar.
The British are a cautious people.
Their hopes have been raised before.
They'd rather wait and see.
But official quarters
are more confident than ever.
They don't believe Rommel
can get reinforcements in time.
And they don't believe he can
stand up to superior British Forces.
SkyFury