The One That Got Away (1957) Movie Script
- Choose your targets.
- Pull it up, pull it up!
Tally-ho! Tally-ho!
Pull it up, pull it up.
Right... Charge!
Keep weaving!
You're on fire! You're on fire!
Bailing out.
I'm on his tail, Charlie. He's going down.
Another score.
I've got one! I've got one!
I've got one. Let him go.
He's had it. He's had it.
Another Jerry?
- Yours?
- Mine.
All right, you two,
stand guard over the plane.
Open it, Scott.
One Bosh, sign here.
Come on, you. Out you get.
Thanks for the ride and for
your so amusing conversation.
Is this a prisoner of war camp, Sergeant?
Right. He's all yours.
This way.
Guard, halt.
Sergeant, I want to see
the Commanding Officer immediately.
Does nobody speak in this country?
By the left, quick march.
Another German pilot, sir.
Name of Franz von Werra.
I've put him in Room 13.
- Have you spoken to the escort?
- Yes, sir.
Were standing orders followed
during transit?
Yes, sir. Usual routine, sir?
Yes, let me have his file.
- Is there any pre-war record?
- Yes, sir.
He joined the Luftwaffe four years ago.
His file's being brought up to date
now, sir.
Stay where you are.
I will not be treated like this.
I am an officer.
This way, Mr. Werra.
Where am I going?
To a prisoner of war camp?
- What rank is he now?
- He's a full lieutenant, sir.
Halt!
- All right, let's have him.
- Sir.
- You waste your time, Captain.
- Oh, hello.
You already have my name,
rank and number. I say nothing else.
No, of course not.
Just wanted to meet you
and see if everything was all right.
How are they treating you?
Are you fairly comfortable?
No. I wish to be sent immediately
to a prisoner of war camp.
Yes, of course you do. Leave it to me.
Cigarette?
Do sit down, Oberleutnant.
Don't think we need that guard, do we?
- You needn't wait, Thompson.
- Right, sir.
Let me compliment you
on your English, by the way.
Very much better than my German.
If you think to get anywhere
with flattery, Captain,
- You waste your time.
- Get anywhere? How do you mean?
- Is this not an interrogation?
- Oh, my dear fellow.
A chat and a smoke by the fire?
As for getting any military secrets
out of an officer of your standing,
well, I know it's just not worth trying.
- Well, as long as that is understood.
- Indeed, it is.
Oh, I'm so sorry,
you haven't got an ashtray.
Souvenir of the old 1418 scrap.
I wonder who's going to win this one.
That's a very silly question, Captain.
Oh, you Germans are
so supremely confident.
- Don't you know why?
- How should I know?
- I'd like to if it's not giving anything away.
- I'll tell you. That's not secret.
You must understand, Captain,
morale depends on strength,
and we are strong.
Stronger in every respect.
- And that's the whole basis of it?
- Absolutely.
The German people are as one man.
Our will to victory is...
How would you call that?
- Irresistible?
- Irresistible.
That is our strength.
- Sounds logical enough.
- It's simple.
Of course we admire England's courage
to go on fighting alone,
but it's hopeless.
If only you would recognize that.
Oberleutnant,
you're trying to convert me.
It's I who should be trying to
break down your morale.
It's a waste of time. In a few weeks,
it will all be over.
Same old claptrap.
Well, that's all been most enlightening.
Thank you.
Oh, not at all. Most pleasant.
- Captain?
- Yes?
One question.
When shall I get my personal belongings?
And when shall I go to
a prisoner of war camp?
You said one question.
When shall I go to a camp?
Why did you choose that one, I wonder?
Oh, because I like to be
with other German prisoners.
- So when shall I go?
- In due course.
Form up!
Air Defense Intelligence, Cockfosters.
- A.D.I. Cockfosters.
- A.D.I.K.
- Hello?
- M.I. London Cage here, sir.
Von Werra, conditioned.
- Usual sort of thing, I suppose?
- Not quite the usual.
All the routine jargon, of course,
but he doesn't believe a word of it.
It just happens to suit his own book.
- Is he a keen Party member?
- No, sir.
The only thing von Werra believes in
is von Werra.
A mixture of bombast and sheer nerve.
Yes, sir.
I should say that would be the best line.
He's certainly ripe for it.
- Well, let me have him as soon as you can.
- Right, sir.
I'll have him sent over
tomorrow afternoon. Good night, sir.
Oberleutnant von Werra, no less.
Now then, who would you like to be with?
We've got quite a few of your chums here.
I'll read out a list of the names
and you let out a yell.
Now, how about
Lieutenant Fritz Wolff?
Oberleutnant Heinrich Mannheim?
Lieutenant Peter Kleinhert?
No?
You will not get my unit that way.
Never mind. I just thought you'd prefer it.
That's all.
Let's see,
come along with me, will you?
Oberleutnant von Werra.
Cheer up, it wasn't your unit we wanted.
Oh, Carl, Carl!
A black thing with wires.
- He's found the dummy.
- Bright boy.
Rather sooner than usual.
Here we go.
Oh, dear.
Hello, RAF Intelligence. Hello, RAF.
I'm looking for the microphone hidden
near the window of my room.
This is Oberleutnant von Werra
calling the RAF.
Are you receiving me?
Werra calling and testing.
You, Oberleutnant. Out.
I want to see the Commanding Officer.
Later.
- I need a wash and a shave.
- Later.
Something to read.
Later.
- I have to go to the lavatory.
- Later.
Well, then, when do I have
the interrogation,
- Sergeant "Later"?
- Now.
Von Werra, sir.
Thirteen aircrafts, shot down in combat.
Six destroyed on the ground.
That's quite a score, Oberleutnant.
Let me warn you, Squadron Leader,
- I do not talk.
- As a minor ace of the First War,
I'm privileged to meet
a major ace of the Second.
Perhaps it was you
who shot me down the other day.
Oh, I regret. I'm sorry.
You mentioned your unit
a moment ago, Oberleutnant.
- I tell you, I will not reveal.
- And I wondered which of your friends
in the Headquarters Staffel of
the Second Gruppe of
Number Three Fighter Geschwader
will look after Simba, your lion cub,
now that your deathless exploits
with that unit have come to an end.
- Your old friend Sannemann, perhaps?
- How...
You've come a long way since you
joined the Luftwaffe in 1936, haven't you?
From obscure private,
to Oberleutnant Franz von Werra,
cover boy of the magazines.
With competition for promotion
so keen in the Luftwaffe,
your flair for publicity has served you well.
While other pilots keep dogs,
falcons, pigs as pets,
you have a pet lion cub.
A German radio magazine, hor mit mir,
dated 24th of August, 1940.
With German bombers overhead,
it's a pity you are so concerned
with the lion cub of a captured pilot.
What about this one? You're leaning on
the wing of a Messerschmitt.
This could be anybody.
Any of a thousand German pilots.
It lets you down, doesn't it?
That signet ring.
And the rigid forefinger.
I tell you nothing.
Don't you?
It's not my fault
if magazines admit my unit.
They don't. You do.
This lieutenant is...
Care to tell me the date
of your promotion, or shall I tell you?
It followed your celebrated
broadcast of August 30th, surely.
You surpassed yourself then,
Oberleutnant.
The German radio described your action
as the greatest fighter exploit of the war.
Remember?
I do not know what you speak about.
Deutschlandsender 1,571 meters,
1800 hours, British summer time.
In German for Germany.
Listen to yourself, Oberleutnant.
"Six Hurricanes circling over a field.
"I hit on the idea of pretending to be
part of the English squadron."
As I understand it, you claim that
while you were over a British airfield,
you shot down three Hurricanes,
possibly four,
as they were going in to land,
and destroyed five more on the ground.
Prefer to read it?
Tell me something, Oberleutnant,
where exactly was this airfield?
I should like to know where
so distinguished an action took place.
We have no record of it.
- It has nothing to do with me.
- Come, are you so modest?
- I know nothing about it.
- Or so ashamed? Now,
you could persuade the German public
to swallow such rubbish,
but you never dreamed of being
faced with it by the British, did you?
But even your own people, do they really
believe you could tag along
behind six Hurricanes and not be noticed?
Have they never heard of
the Tail-end Charlie,
whose job it is to protect the rear?
Do they think we can't tell
a Hurricane from a Messerschmitt?
Difference in size, the black cross,
the swastika.
And what about the airfield control tower?
It has nothing to do with me.
This man's name is von Werrer, E-R.
My name ends with "A".
And he is a lieutenant.
- Look.
- Is that the best you can do?
Tell me,
supposing your comrades were to
hear the truth about this
notable exploit of yours?
Their achievements are genuine.
What kind of a life do you think
you will lead among them
in a prison camp,
when they know that your glory
is largely fictitious?
If I were this Lieutenant von Werrer,
if I were,
I would answer you,
"Tell my friends what you like."
They will say,
"But naturally the RAF will not admit
"the loss of nine Hurricanes
that afternoon."
Why not? We usually do, when it's true.
How do you prove it untrue
to the friends of Lieutenant von Werrer?
So, it is his word,
the word of a German officer
and fellow prisoner,
against yours,
an enemy interrogator.
Which do you think they shall believe?
You or him?
Then I would ask myself,
"What is it you want?"
Even if you could prove
Lieutenant von Werrer's claims untrue,
I would still not give you military
information to keep you silent.
If I were that officer.
Here's another version of your story
that your friend Harry Gehm
wrote for the Berliner Zeitung.
He spells your name correctly,
and mentions your promotion.
Now you can speak for yourself.
The answer is the same. No.
You admit to this then?
You have, perhaps, the power to make it
hard for me to live with my comrades.
But if I were to give you
military information,
I would not be able to live with myself.
You have a unique code of ethics,
Oberleutnant.
Now shall I go to a prison camp?
You ask that question too often.
You're not going to escape.
Squadron Leader,
I bet you a magnum of champagne
to 10 cigarettes
I do escape,
within six months.
- Daily inspection in 20 minutes, sir.
- Oh, thank you.
Oh, you'd better read this.
Well, it appears the Germans
have decided to postpone
their invasion of this country.
- You know what that means.
- Attempts to escape, sir.
I don't see anybody
getting out of this place.
We intended to see.
I shall want
a general tightening up all round.
- Have you got a notebook?
- Sir.
In the last months,
there have been many plans
from officers who are in the camp
a long time.
- You are here only 10 days.
- What is the hurry?
Trying to get your name
in the English papers now?
What are you trying to prove all the time?
That you're a fine fellow?
Everybody knows it.
Except von Werra,
who is just a little not so sure.
The Wehrmacht will soon invade
this country,
why escape now?
The invasion is postponed. I have told you.
Impossible. I do not believe it.
You do not wish to believe it.
I do.
And I want to escape.
Somebody must tell the High Command
of these British interrogation methods.
I did not talk. You did not talk.
But many have, and more will.
They must be warned.
Anyway, I don't like barbed wire.
What is your plan?
My plan is this.
The daily exercise march.
As we leave the camp, we sometimes
turn to the right, sometimes left.
Right is no use. We must turn left.
And follow this road.
Here we halt for a rest. By this wall.
So, the Tommies
always rest on
the other side of the road. Here.
Go on.
Behind the other officers, I get on the wall.
Like this.
And wait for the end of the rest period.
Then I drop below the wall.
Like this.
And then run. All this way
behind the wall
I am out of sight of the Tommies.
Here, beyond this bend, still out of sight,
I cross the road into the woods
and hide until the night falls.
And then? This is an island.
Then across country to Liverpool.
A neutral ship.
- Good afternoon, Wilson.
- Afternoon, sir.
And what if the guards do not stay
where they usually stay?
You will be seen on the wall.
One must have luck sometime.
If something breaks the routine.
If a truck, anything at all,
comes along that road... Finished.
I come.
One thing would help much.
To have the exercise march
in the afternoon, instead of the morning.
There will be less time
to wait for darkness.
We'll consider it.
Up, sentry!
We'll start through
the Common Room, Major.
Very well.
Be seated, gentlemen.
Any complaints?
A word of warning.
In the new circumstances,
of which you are no doubt aware,
some of you may be
contemplating escape.
Let me dissuade you from any such folly.
If you should get out of this camp,
which is in the highest degree unlikely,
the surrounding country is such that
you'd probably die of hunger or exposure.
- That's all.
- Oh, a request, Herr Kommandant.
Yes?
Just to have the exercise march
in the afternoon instead of the morning.
Why?
In the morning,
we have our educational classes.
- Very well. Make a note of that, Singleton.
- Sir.
Something's hatching.
Prisoners always have complaints,
as a matter of principle.
When they haven't, then you watch.
I was a prisoner myself once.
I recognize the shining eye.
Do you think it has something to do
with the exercise march, sir?
What's the usual strength of the escort?
- A mounted sergeant and four men, sir.
- Well, see to it that's doubled.
- And I'll do the rest.
- Yes, sir.
Did you escape, sir?
Oh, yes.
Give me Area Headquarters.
And then the police.
All right, gentlemen, fall in.
Whatever happens they must turn left.
Guards, attention.
At ease. By the right, quick march!
Left, left. Left, right, left.
Left, left. Left, right, left...
Left wheel.
Stop at the usual place, Sergeant.
Company, halt!
Five minutes rest. Fall out.
- Good afternoon. Got any apples?
- Aye.
When you've quite finished
foddering your horse, Sergeant.
Stop.
Time's up! Fall in!
By the right, quick march!
Left, left. Left, right, left...
- Look!
- What?
Over there.
- One of them's got away!
- Come back, Daisy.
- Come back, he'll kill you.
- Shout, girl, shout.
Don't, you'll get hurt.
- Hey, no!
- Look out! Look, he's over there.
- Look, one's got away!
- Hey, look, he's got away, over there!
Look to your front, there.
- They won't listen. Hey!
- Hey! Look, he's over there.
Hey, there!
There's women for you,
waving to a lot of Jerries.
Oh, come on.
Stop that singing! Quiet!
Sergeant, stop the column.
Company, halt!
Count them, Sergeant.
Stand still.
- Twenty-three, sir. Should be 24.
- 23, sir.
Get after him, Sergeant. Where we halted.
Corporal Wilson, inform the C.O.
There's a call box in the village.
Yes, sir.
Now. Who is it?
- Sergeant, over there, on the right.
- He's there!
C.O. Grizedale.
Right. Tell Mr. Singleton,
bring them back immediately.
If there's any breakaway, shoot to kill.
Get me the Area Commander. Priority.
Grizedale here, sir. Anti-escape Plan B.
One German officer.
Direction almost certainly west.
Coniston Police. Priority.
...property in the capital.
Some damage was done in a town
in the South West of England,
and a balloon barrage at Dover
was twice attacked.
A German Air Force Officer
escaped from a military camp
in the North West of England
at 3.:15 this afternoon.
He was dressed in a blue shirt,
black leather jacket and trousers,
and black boots or shoes.
He was wearing no hat or overcoat.
This man has fair hair, blue eyes,
is clean-shaven and the forefinger
of the right hand is stiff and straight.
Any information about this prisoner
should be given immediately
to the authorities.
That is the end of the news.
You're bunching up in the
center! Keep spread out, look about you!
Move up there, on the right there.
Move up hill.
Don't close in down the hill.
Yes, sir. Five days now.
He was last reported four miles
from the coast,
but he may have doubled back, of course.
Oh, yes, we're combing the entire area
between Coniston
and Duddon River tomorrow.
The Army from the north, and the police
from the south and east.
Yes, we'll get him.
Good morning! How's it going?
- Nothing, sir.
- Confounded nuisance, the whole affair.
Oh, I don't know.
Useful anti-paratroop exercise.
- Good for us.
- Yes, sir.
Hey! Hey! Come on up here!
I can see your man!
Sergeant Wilson!
Up the hill, look sharp!
There he is! There he is!
Look! Over the hill!
Right-O. Thank you. Come, boy.
Hey!
He went over the hill!
She must be mistaken, sir.
- You see that patch of rough turf?
- Yes, sir.
- Walk towards it.
- Right, sir.
- This way, sir?
- Go on.
Watch your feet!
Is he dead?
No, Colonel.
Very nearly.
See if anyone's got a spare
ground sheet or something.
Get fell in on the road.
Under the terms
of the Geneva Convention,
I can sentence you
to 30 days solitary confinement.
It's the duty of an officer to try to escape.
Twenty-one days solitary confinement.
After that you'll be transferred
to another camp.
All change!
Oh, blast!
Derby!
- Derby!
- Come on.
All change! All change!
All change! Derby! All change!
Derby! All change!
What's the nearest station to Swanwick?
Sorry, old boy, no more trains
going that way tonight.
Do you mind if I ring up the camp?
Get them to collect this character.
- RTO. Try the phone next door.
- Thanks.
Yes? Yes. 0800 hours.
Four carriages reserved. Yes.
This is an air-raid signal.
- Cup of tea, dear?
- Thank you.
Fire away.
Green Howards? We'll need the lot.
All right. 1915 hours. Tuesday the 17th.
Fine. What?
Oh, she loves it. Shame to take it almost.
Goodbye.
- They're sending a truck for him now.
- Jolly good.
- Where's this Swanwick?
- You'll find out.
And you won't get out of there.
The Swanwick Construction Company
is in business.
Stop!
Okay.
Stop it again.
So you'll settle our bet, huh?
I say the British identity disks
give name, number and religion.
My friend says no. Which is it?
Here you are, Mr. Werra, see for yourself.
I win. You see?
"C of E," Church of England.
- That's right.
- Yes, that's right.
- Thank you.
- Okay.
Inspection. Stand to your beds.
- Come.
- No, no, look. Look, I hide in here.
- No, no, no, you'll suffocate.
- There's no air, you'll choke.
Put the cover on and get out!
- Who's in there?
- Unoccupied, sir.
Open it up.
Franz.
Franz!
Let's go over the plans once again?
We all meet at the farm, then separate.
- Walter and Heinz.
- Sheffield and then Glasgow.
We stow away on neutral ship.
Yes. And Johannes and Ernst,
Manchester then Liverpool.
And you, Franz?
I am Captain Wilhelm Van Lott.
Dutch pilot.
Mixed Special Bomber Squadron.
Based at Dyce, Aberdeen.
Yeah. But, Franz, you never tell us
what you going to do.
I'm going to steal a British airplane.
Listen.
- Here they come again.
- Yeah.
- All right. Where's Walter?
- I come.
What is that?
For my girlfriend in Hamburg.
She has a great passion for chocolate.
I save it.
Well, that's a beautiful thought, Walter.
Don't forget, at the farm.
Excuse. Where's the telephone, please?
I crashed in a Wellington.
I'm a pilot. I crashed. Forced landing.
Down there.
Get away.
Look, I must telephone
the nearest RAF airfield.
- Telephone.
- Oh... Oh, yeah, telephone.
- They got one in the office.
- Take me there.
- You're not English.
- No, Dutch.
Oh, up here.
Can he use the phone? He's a Dutch pilot.
He's had a crash.
I must get to the nearest
RAF aerodrome, immediately.
Had a crash, have you? Where?
In the fields near the railway.
Yes, it's about... I would say,
it's about two or three miles from here.
What about your crew?
Oh, we were very lucky.
The crew is with the Wellington.
But I must get them picked up
and return to my base in Aberdeen.
So, will you please use the phone,
it's very urgent.
No, thank you. The 6:22 is just coming up.
- Do you mind if...
- No, no, carry on.
- Give me the police station, will you?
- No, no, RAF please...
- RAF.
- Hello, police?
Oh, Codnor Park booking office here.
There's a fellow here
says he's a Dutch airman,
crashed about a couple of miles
down the line.
- He says his name's...
- Captain Van Lott.
Captain Van Lott.
Yes, Dutch, he says. Wellington.
Yes. He seems all right to me.
Better if you do. Right-o.
Why call the police?
I must get to an aerodrome.
Well, they won't be long,
and they can help you better than I can.
- Langley Mill, single.
- Sorry.
There she is, Jim.
Langley Mill, single.
Oh, I must get to an aerodrome.
Oh, the police won't be long,
and then Hucknall's only a few miles away.
- Don't worry.
- Hucknall?
Oh, yes, Hucknall.
Yeah, that's long-range bombers, isn't it?
A training field, I thought.
Look, I...
I tell you in confidence.
I'm of a special bomber squadron.
Last night we tried out a new bombsight.
And now, crash. Understand?
I must return to my base at once.
Nippy.
All right, I'll ring Hucknall for you.
After all, it can't do any harm.
Oh, thank you very much.
They will send a car for me.
Hello, give me the RAF, Hucknall,
please, miss.
Oh, look here, you had better
give me your unit and so on...
Write it down there, will you?
Who shall I ask for?
Oh, Commanding Officer.
Hello? RAF, Hucknall? Oh, could I speak
to the Commanding Officer, please?
Codnor Park Station.
What? No, no, Railway Station.
Codnor Park L.M.S.
Yes. Look, I've got a Dutch pilot here,
says he's crashed in a Wellington.
Who? Oh. Hold on, will you?
- Will the Duty Officer do?
- Yes, yes. Just as good.
Oh, hello, Codnor Park booking office here.
Look, about this Dutch pilot
who's crashed in a...
Well, somebody's got to do
something about him.
Well, he said he wants transport
to Hucknall. All right, hold on.
He wants to talk to you.
Oh, thank you. Thank you.
- Captain Van Lott. Who's that?
- Duty Officer, Hucknall, here.
I gather you've had a spot of trouble.
What's it all about?
Yeah.
I see. Where are you based?
Dyce? Where's that?
Oh, Aberdeen. Yes, I know.
It's funny, we haven't heard of the crash.
Special what?
Oh, no, no.
Mustn't talk about it over the phone.
So, if you shall send a car for me, please.
There will be a plane
to come from Aberdeen.
- It's very urgent.
- Yes.
I suppose we'll have to.
All right, old boy.
I'll get the duty car to come and fetch you.
Oh, about a quarter of an hour.
Goodbye.
- Duty car, sir?
- Oh, yes.
Look, I want you to run over
to Codnor Park Station
and pick up an officer
called Captain Van Lott.
- Captain Van Lott, sir?
- Yes, he's Dutch.
Or so he said.
And bring him here.
You'd better take my pistol.
He may be genuine,
probably is, but you never know.
Don't let him catch on.
Treat him as you would a British pilot.
- All right, you can go.
- Yes, sir.
And he's not to leave the car
until you've dumped him here
at HQ, got it?
All right, sir.
And how was the new bombsight?
Oh, excellent!
Wish I could tell you, but you know.
So, suddenly we were caught
in the searchlight
and... When is that car coming?
Oh, shouldn't be long now,
Hucknall's not far away.
Oh, there's the car.
Thank you very much, gentlemen,
and, oh, would you please explain
to the policeman that I cannot wait.
Thank you very much.
Oh, I'd given you up. There's a car
coming for him from Hucknall, now.
A little.
Most Dutch people do.
- Coastal Command are you?
- Yes, yes, we bombed Esbjerg last night.
- I nearly bought it, I tell you.
- Pancaked a Wimpey, did you?
Yes, we were very lucky,
came back on one engine.
Single to Langley Mill.
You say they're sending a car
from Hucknall?
- I spoke to the Duty Officer myself.
- Yes, I had a word with him, too.
- Seemed satisfied, did he?
- Why not?
What's the hurry to get to Hucknall?
Oh, I have to return to my base at once.
You see, we tested
a new bombsight last night.
Now, I have to report immediately.
You better keep that to yourself.
Why didn't you bring
the rest of your crew with you?
And leave secret equipment
not guarded, huh?
What I don't understand, sir,
is why the crash hasn't been reported.
- What time did it happen?
- About 4:00, I think.
- Where?
- Oh, it will be in the fields,
west of Langley Mill.
There was one crashed there
a month or two back, remember?
Well, how could you see
where you were coming down?
- Airman's luck, you know.
- Did you hear the all clear?
Yes, of course,
about an hour after we crashed.
- Now, let's look at your identity papers.
- Sergeant!
You know as well as me,
airmen are forbidden
to take personal papers on bomb attacks.
And I'm of a special squadron.
- Captain Van Lott?
- Yeah, that's me.
Your transport to Hucknall, sir.
Oh, thank you. Thank you very much.
I'm coming.
Gentlemen, I thank you very much.
Excuse me, please.
Good luck and so long.
Better drive me straight
to the control tower.
Perhaps they have news of the plane
that comes for me from Aberdeen.
Sorry, sir, my orders
are to take you straight to HQ.
But I shall be only a minute.
Beg your pardon, sir. Must obey orders.
Well, it doesn't matter.
Would have saved time.
- Oh, Hurricanes.
- Oh, yes, sir.
Experimental works, that is.
Civilian, very hush-hush.
Oh, yes?
- Captain Van Lott, sir.
- Good.
- Would you like me to...
- No, no, you needn't wait.
I'm so sorry to trouble you.
- Van Lott.
- Oh, good morning.
I go and wait by the control tower
for my plane from Aberdeen.
Oh, no, no, it's warmer in here.
Yes, but I'm in a hurry, see.
Well, Control will ring me
as soon as your aircraft reports.
Come over by the fire.
- Nippy.
- Yeah.
Take off your flying suit.
Oh, no, thank you,
that's not worth the while.
Thank you very much.
You had breakfast?
Would you like some hot coffee?
I had breakfast with the station man
at Codnor, thank you very much.
- Oh.
- Yes, while we had tea
- The police arrived.
- Oh!
- It was very funny. Yes.
- The police, they saw you?
- Were they satisfied?
- Oh, yes, yes, of course. Yes.
They were angry with the station man
because he wasted their time.
But then they wished good luck to me
and everybody friends.
Yes, grand types.
By the way, how does your base
know that you have crashed?
Oh, I telephoned them before, it's...
They said they'll send a plane for me.
Oh, I see. Well, if you'll just hang on
a moment, I'll check with them.
Dyce, Aberdeen.
But the plane will arrive any minute.
Oh, well, you know how it is.
Red tape and well...
Hello? Would you get me
the Station Adjutant at Dyce, Aberdeen.
Yes, and hurry it up. There's a good girl.
- Hot, isn't it?
- Yes.
You'll ruin your uniform
under that flying suit.
No, no, no, perfectly all
right, thank you very much.
Well, let's get the gen on the crash.
- What time was it?
- 4:00.
0400. The railway yards at Hamm,
wasn't it?
Esbjerg, Denmark.
That's the first I've heard
of British raids on Denmark.
We started last night.
- Got your 12-50?
- 12-50, yes.
Nice flying suit there. It fleece-lined?
Yes, yes, it's fleece-lined.
It's... I wore it before the war,
when I was a pilot for KLM, Amsterdam.
Duty Officer. Oh, it's you.
Yes, all right.
Air raid green.
Well, you were going to
show me your 12-50.
Yes...
I remember, I did not bring it with me.
I cannot take it in the air, you see.
- Special squadron.
- Oh.
No, I suppose not.
Well, you must have something
to identify you.
What about your identity disks?
Oh, yes, of course! It was silly to forget.
Duty Officer.
Oh, yes, good, put me through.
Dyce.
Hello. Hello, Dyce? Station Adjutant?
This is Hucknall.
We have one of your pilots here.
- Lavatory, you see. I come back.
- Van Lott.
No, Van Lott.
Hello? Hello?
Yes, he's a Dutchman.
Operator, I've been cut off.
I was talking to Dyce, Aberdeen.
Good morning, I am Captain Van Lott,
Royal Netherlands Air Force.
I have seen the Duty Officer.
He said that you can show me
the controls of the Hurricane.
That I can have a little trial flight.
So, which one is ready? This one?
You've come to the wrong place, sir.
This is government experimental.
Yes, of course, we know, but the
Duty Officer said I must come to see you.
You're one of the ferry pilots
from White Waltham, are you?
- Air Transport Command?
- Yes, yes, naturally.
Well, that's different, sir.
You'll have to see the A.I.D. blokes.
Yes, yes, I see them later.
You show me first the I controls, will you?
I'm afraid I can't do that, sir.
You'll have to sign the visitors book first,
and then do a lot of paperwork.
I'll get the manager for you.
Good morning.
You've come to collect
the Mk II Hurricane, have you?
- Yes.
- Let's get your paperwork fixed up.
Oh, it won't be long,
I just want to know the controls.
Well, you can't do anything
until you've signed the visitors book.
Won't take a minute.
Here we are. If you'll just fill in the details
along the next line, sir.
Yes.
Do you want me to fill that in full?
No, it doesn't matter.
Just put, "See A.I.D."
Yes, yes.
Here we are.
Good. Got your written order
for collection?
Oh, yes, yes. The parachute and the papers
shall come with the plane
due to land any moment now.
I think I'll have the instructions on
the controls, to save some time, all right?
Right-o. Quite in order
now you've signed in.
Harry!
Take the Captain over to the Hurricane
and explain the controls right away.
- He'll fix you up.
- Thank you.
- No smoking.
- Sorry.
She is bigger than the old Hurricane,
isn't she?
Bigger, faster, more guns.
Got everything, this has.
Compass. How would you set that for
a 120 degrees, for instance?
I see. Yes, thank you.
Hydraulic brakes. Injection pump.
Starter button.
Don't do that, sir.
She won't start without a trolley acc.
Get me one, then.
I'm sorry, but I really am in a hurry.
Contact.
Oh, yes, yeah... Yes, contact.
Get out.
At least the other four are free.
This movement of prisoners
to Canada, sir.
POW Administration have asked for
a list of any you'd like to keep here
for further interrogation.
- Who were you thinking of?
- Well, what about von Werra, sir?
Oh, I wouldn't want to deprive him
of a nice healthy sea voyage.
In fact, I'd recommend a special escort
for von Werra
to make quite certain he gets there.
And so, our long sojourn
in England is over.
As we march out of this camp.
As we begin the long journey to Canada.
- Canada.
- I have been to Canada.
Thousands of kilometers away from home.
I know it quite well,
it lies next to the United States.
A neutral country.
But as we pick up our burdens,
our thoughts turn to our loved ones.
Our hearts go back to the homeland.
And the ultimate victory!
Collect your sandwiches on the way out.
- Nothing?
- Something.
Nobody knows where the camp is.
Only that we land in Halifax.
But from Halifax it's a long journey
on a train.
Sergeant, where do we go?
Or is that secret?
Well, I guess it won't do any harm
to tell you.
The orderlies know, anyway.
Lake Superior, Ontario. Nice, new place.
Thank you.
Here by the river.
On the other side, the United States.
Beyond Montreal.
Any time beyond Montreal, huh?
Double win...
Double window.
Is it fixed?
Frozen up.
All right. Pay attention.
You're going to be on this train
for at least four days.
If any of you got ideas
about jumping out, forget them.
We're ready for you
inside the train and outside.
You men who speak English, translate.
That's all.
Where are we?
- Cold.
- Yeah.
- Anybody want an apple?
- Oh, yeah.
Help yourselves.
Well, I hope you all don't get belly aches.
Well, I told you!
Well, they haven't seen apples for months.
All right, all right. Come on, stand in line.
Get in line. Come on.
All right, one at a time, you guys,
one at a time.
Hey, put your overcoat on.
Not hot enough for you?
You, too?
Could we have some more heat?
All right, all back to your seats.
This is a station.
Come on, move yourselves.
Won't be long.
We only stop for a couple of minutes.
Come on, you guys, back to your seats.
Back to your seats, come on.
Back to your seat, boy.
Smiths Falls, I guess.
And we got another two days of this.
All aboard!
All right, take it easy.
Come on, take it easy.
One at a time.
Come on, back in line, back in line.
I don't know what you're talking about,
boy, but back in line.
- Come on! Wait your turn, boy.
- Come on, take your chair.
No, no, too fast.
Get out, go on!
Back in line! Back in line!
Come on, back in line, boy, back in line!
- Thank you.
- Right.
Where you heading for, bud?
South. The river.
- Johnstown?
- Yes, yes, Johnstown.
I must see my relations there.
- I'm a Dutch seaman.
- Oh, you don't say.
Yes.
I have been torpedoed twice
in the Atlantic.
Now, I'm looking for a job on land.
Or maybe... Maybe on the river?
Not this time of year, you won't.
It's clean froze over.
- So!
- Yep.
Imagine that!
Just a little walk across, and there it is.
The United States.
Yep. And emigration patrols.
Me, I don't know if their job's
to keep them out or keep them in.
What are you stopping here for?
Quick, where's the phone?
One of them's got away.
Is this America?
Where am I?
You're in Ogdensburg, fellow.
- America?
- That's right.
Ogdensburg, USA.
Come on.
Come on, boy.
I am...
I am an officer of the German Air Force.
I am...
I was...
Prisoner of war.
I claim...
The protection of a neutral country.
You aren't claiming anything, fellow,
I'm taking you in.
Come on.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you.
Very witty to be sure.
If he gets back to Germany, sir?
Oh, we might have to revise
the system of interrogation a little.
- Pull it up, pull it up!
Tally-ho! Tally-ho!
Pull it up, pull it up.
Right... Charge!
Keep weaving!
You're on fire! You're on fire!
Bailing out.
I'm on his tail, Charlie. He's going down.
Another score.
I've got one! I've got one!
I've got one. Let him go.
He's had it. He's had it.
Another Jerry?
- Yours?
- Mine.
All right, you two,
stand guard over the plane.
Open it, Scott.
One Bosh, sign here.
Come on, you. Out you get.
Thanks for the ride and for
your so amusing conversation.
Is this a prisoner of war camp, Sergeant?
Right. He's all yours.
This way.
Guard, halt.
Sergeant, I want to see
the Commanding Officer immediately.
Does nobody speak in this country?
By the left, quick march.
Another German pilot, sir.
Name of Franz von Werra.
I've put him in Room 13.
- Have you spoken to the escort?
- Yes, sir.
Were standing orders followed
during transit?
Yes, sir. Usual routine, sir?
Yes, let me have his file.
- Is there any pre-war record?
- Yes, sir.
He joined the Luftwaffe four years ago.
His file's being brought up to date
now, sir.
Stay where you are.
I will not be treated like this.
I am an officer.
This way, Mr. Werra.
Where am I going?
To a prisoner of war camp?
- What rank is he now?
- He's a full lieutenant, sir.
Halt!
- All right, let's have him.
- Sir.
- You waste your time, Captain.
- Oh, hello.
You already have my name,
rank and number. I say nothing else.
No, of course not.
Just wanted to meet you
and see if everything was all right.
How are they treating you?
Are you fairly comfortable?
No. I wish to be sent immediately
to a prisoner of war camp.
Yes, of course you do. Leave it to me.
Cigarette?
Do sit down, Oberleutnant.
Don't think we need that guard, do we?
- You needn't wait, Thompson.
- Right, sir.
Let me compliment you
on your English, by the way.
Very much better than my German.
If you think to get anywhere
with flattery, Captain,
- You waste your time.
- Get anywhere? How do you mean?
- Is this not an interrogation?
- Oh, my dear fellow.
A chat and a smoke by the fire?
As for getting any military secrets
out of an officer of your standing,
well, I know it's just not worth trying.
- Well, as long as that is understood.
- Indeed, it is.
Oh, I'm so sorry,
you haven't got an ashtray.
Souvenir of the old 1418 scrap.
I wonder who's going to win this one.
That's a very silly question, Captain.
Oh, you Germans are
so supremely confident.
- Don't you know why?
- How should I know?
- I'd like to if it's not giving anything away.
- I'll tell you. That's not secret.
You must understand, Captain,
morale depends on strength,
and we are strong.
Stronger in every respect.
- And that's the whole basis of it?
- Absolutely.
The German people are as one man.
Our will to victory is...
How would you call that?
- Irresistible?
- Irresistible.
That is our strength.
- Sounds logical enough.
- It's simple.
Of course we admire England's courage
to go on fighting alone,
but it's hopeless.
If only you would recognize that.
Oberleutnant,
you're trying to convert me.
It's I who should be trying to
break down your morale.
It's a waste of time. In a few weeks,
it will all be over.
Same old claptrap.
Well, that's all been most enlightening.
Thank you.
Oh, not at all. Most pleasant.
- Captain?
- Yes?
One question.
When shall I get my personal belongings?
And when shall I go to
a prisoner of war camp?
You said one question.
When shall I go to a camp?
Why did you choose that one, I wonder?
Oh, because I like to be
with other German prisoners.
- So when shall I go?
- In due course.
Form up!
Air Defense Intelligence, Cockfosters.
- A.D.I. Cockfosters.
- A.D.I.K.
- Hello?
- M.I. London Cage here, sir.
Von Werra, conditioned.
- Usual sort of thing, I suppose?
- Not quite the usual.
All the routine jargon, of course,
but he doesn't believe a word of it.
It just happens to suit his own book.
- Is he a keen Party member?
- No, sir.
The only thing von Werra believes in
is von Werra.
A mixture of bombast and sheer nerve.
Yes, sir.
I should say that would be the best line.
He's certainly ripe for it.
- Well, let me have him as soon as you can.
- Right, sir.
I'll have him sent over
tomorrow afternoon. Good night, sir.
Oberleutnant von Werra, no less.
Now then, who would you like to be with?
We've got quite a few of your chums here.
I'll read out a list of the names
and you let out a yell.
Now, how about
Lieutenant Fritz Wolff?
Oberleutnant Heinrich Mannheim?
Lieutenant Peter Kleinhert?
No?
You will not get my unit that way.
Never mind. I just thought you'd prefer it.
That's all.
Let's see,
come along with me, will you?
Oberleutnant von Werra.
Cheer up, it wasn't your unit we wanted.
Oh, Carl, Carl!
A black thing with wires.
- He's found the dummy.
- Bright boy.
Rather sooner than usual.
Here we go.
Oh, dear.
Hello, RAF Intelligence. Hello, RAF.
I'm looking for the microphone hidden
near the window of my room.
This is Oberleutnant von Werra
calling the RAF.
Are you receiving me?
Werra calling and testing.
You, Oberleutnant. Out.
I want to see the Commanding Officer.
Later.
- I need a wash and a shave.
- Later.
Something to read.
Later.
- I have to go to the lavatory.
- Later.
Well, then, when do I have
the interrogation,
- Sergeant "Later"?
- Now.
Von Werra, sir.
Thirteen aircrafts, shot down in combat.
Six destroyed on the ground.
That's quite a score, Oberleutnant.
Let me warn you, Squadron Leader,
- I do not talk.
- As a minor ace of the First War,
I'm privileged to meet
a major ace of the Second.
Perhaps it was you
who shot me down the other day.
Oh, I regret. I'm sorry.
You mentioned your unit
a moment ago, Oberleutnant.
- I tell you, I will not reveal.
- And I wondered which of your friends
in the Headquarters Staffel of
the Second Gruppe of
Number Three Fighter Geschwader
will look after Simba, your lion cub,
now that your deathless exploits
with that unit have come to an end.
- Your old friend Sannemann, perhaps?
- How...
You've come a long way since you
joined the Luftwaffe in 1936, haven't you?
From obscure private,
to Oberleutnant Franz von Werra,
cover boy of the magazines.
With competition for promotion
so keen in the Luftwaffe,
your flair for publicity has served you well.
While other pilots keep dogs,
falcons, pigs as pets,
you have a pet lion cub.
A German radio magazine, hor mit mir,
dated 24th of August, 1940.
With German bombers overhead,
it's a pity you are so concerned
with the lion cub of a captured pilot.
What about this one? You're leaning on
the wing of a Messerschmitt.
This could be anybody.
Any of a thousand German pilots.
It lets you down, doesn't it?
That signet ring.
And the rigid forefinger.
I tell you nothing.
Don't you?
It's not my fault
if magazines admit my unit.
They don't. You do.
This lieutenant is...
Care to tell me the date
of your promotion, or shall I tell you?
It followed your celebrated
broadcast of August 30th, surely.
You surpassed yourself then,
Oberleutnant.
The German radio described your action
as the greatest fighter exploit of the war.
Remember?
I do not know what you speak about.
Deutschlandsender 1,571 meters,
1800 hours, British summer time.
In German for Germany.
Listen to yourself, Oberleutnant.
"Six Hurricanes circling over a field.
"I hit on the idea of pretending to be
part of the English squadron."
As I understand it, you claim that
while you were over a British airfield,
you shot down three Hurricanes,
possibly four,
as they were going in to land,
and destroyed five more on the ground.
Prefer to read it?
Tell me something, Oberleutnant,
where exactly was this airfield?
I should like to know where
so distinguished an action took place.
We have no record of it.
- It has nothing to do with me.
- Come, are you so modest?
- I know nothing about it.
- Or so ashamed? Now,
you could persuade the German public
to swallow such rubbish,
but you never dreamed of being
faced with it by the British, did you?
But even your own people, do they really
believe you could tag along
behind six Hurricanes and not be noticed?
Have they never heard of
the Tail-end Charlie,
whose job it is to protect the rear?
Do they think we can't tell
a Hurricane from a Messerschmitt?
Difference in size, the black cross,
the swastika.
And what about the airfield control tower?
It has nothing to do with me.
This man's name is von Werrer, E-R.
My name ends with "A".
And he is a lieutenant.
- Look.
- Is that the best you can do?
Tell me,
supposing your comrades were to
hear the truth about this
notable exploit of yours?
Their achievements are genuine.
What kind of a life do you think
you will lead among them
in a prison camp,
when they know that your glory
is largely fictitious?
If I were this Lieutenant von Werrer,
if I were,
I would answer you,
"Tell my friends what you like."
They will say,
"But naturally the RAF will not admit
"the loss of nine Hurricanes
that afternoon."
Why not? We usually do, when it's true.
How do you prove it untrue
to the friends of Lieutenant von Werrer?
So, it is his word,
the word of a German officer
and fellow prisoner,
against yours,
an enemy interrogator.
Which do you think they shall believe?
You or him?
Then I would ask myself,
"What is it you want?"
Even if you could prove
Lieutenant von Werrer's claims untrue,
I would still not give you military
information to keep you silent.
If I were that officer.
Here's another version of your story
that your friend Harry Gehm
wrote for the Berliner Zeitung.
He spells your name correctly,
and mentions your promotion.
Now you can speak for yourself.
The answer is the same. No.
You admit to this then?
You have, perhaps, the power to make it
hard for me to live with my comrades.
But if I were to give you
military information,
I would not be able to live with myself.
You have a unique code of ethics,
Oberleutnant.
Now shall I go to a prison camp?
You ask that question too often.
You're not going to escape.
Squadron Leader,
I bet you a magnum of champagne
to 10 cigarettes
I do escape,
within six months.
- Daily inspection in 20 minutes, sir.
- Oh, thank you.
Oh, you'd better read this.
Well, it appears the Germans
have decided to postpone
their invasion of this country.
- You know what that means.
- Attempts to escape, sir.
I don't see anybody
getting out of this place.
We intended to see.
I shall want
a general tightening up all round.
- Have you got a notebook?
- Sir.
In the last months,
there have been many plans
from officers who are in the camp
a long time.
- You are here only 10 days.
- What is the hurry?
Trying to get your name
in the English papers now?
What are you trying to prove all the time?
That you're a fine fellow?
Everybody knows it.
Except von Werra,
who is just a little not so sure.
The Wehrmacht will soon invade
this country,
why escape now?
The invasion is postponed. I have told you.
Impossible. I do not believe it.
You do not wish to believe it.
I do.
And I want to escape.
Somebody must tell the High Command
of these British interrogation methods.
I did not talk. You did not talk.
But many have, and more will.
They must be warned.
Anyway, I don't like barbed wire.
What is your plan?
My plan is this.
The daily exercise march.
As we leave the camp, we sometimes
turn to the right, sometimes left.
Right is no use. We must turn left.
And follow this road.
Here we halt for a rest. By this wall.
So, the Tommies
always rest on
the other side of the road. Here.
Go on.
Behind the other officers, I get on the wall.
Like this.
And wait for the end of the rest period.
Then I drop below the wall.
Like this.
And then run. All this way
behind the wall
I am out of sight of the Tommies.
Here, beyond this bend, still out of sight,
I cross the road into the woods
and hide until the night falls.
And then? This is an island.
Then across country to Liverpool.
A neutral ship.
- Good afternoon, Wilson.
- Afternoon, sir.
And what if the guards do not stay
where they usually stay?
You will be seen on the wall.
One must have luck sometime.
If something breaks the routine.
If a truck, anything at all,
comes along that road... Finished.
I come.
One thing would help much.
To have the exercise march
in the afternoon, instead of the morning.
There will be less time
to wait for darkness.
We'll consider it.
Up, sentry!
We'll start through
the Common Room, Major.
Very well.
Be seated, gentlemen.
Any complaints?
A word of warning.
In the new circumstances,
of which you are no doubt aware,
some of you may be
contemplating escape.
Let me dissuade you from any such folly.
If you should get out of this camp,
which is in the highest degree unlikely,
the surrounding country is such that
you'd probably die of hunger or exposure.
- That's all.
- Oh, a request, Herr Kommandant.
Yes?
Just to have the exercise march
in the afternoon instead of the morning.
Why?
In the morning,
we have our educational classes.
- Very well. Make a note of that, Singleton.
- Sir.
Something's hatching.
Prisoners always have complaints,
as a matter of principle.
When they haven't, then you watch.
I was a prisoner myself once.
I recognize the shining eye.
Do you think it has something to do
with the exercise march, sir?
What's the usual strength of the escort?
- A mounted sergeant and four men, sir.
- Well, see to it that's doubled.
- And I'll do the rest.
- Yes, sir.
Did you escape, sir?
Oh, yes.
Give me Area Headquarters.
And then the police.
All right, gentlemen, fall in.
Whatever happens they must turn left.
Guards, attention.
At ease. By the right, quick march!
Left, left. Left, right, left.
Left, left. Left, right, left...
Left wheel.
Stop at the usual place, Sergeant.
Company, halt!
Five minutes rest. Fall out.
- Good afternoon. Got any apples?
- Aye.
When you've quite finished
foddering your horse, Sergeant.
Stop.
Time's up! Fall in!
By the right, quick march!
Left, left. Left, right, left...
- Look!
- What?
Over there.
- One of them's got away!
- Come back, Daisy.
- Come back, he'll kill you.
- Shout, girl, shout.
Don't, you'll get hurt.
- Hey, no!
- Look out! Look, he's over there.
- Look, one's got away!
- Hey, look, he's got away, over there!
Look to your front, there.
- They won't listen. Hey!
- Hey! Look, he's over there.
Hey, there!
There's women for you,
waving to a lot of Jerries.
Oh, come on.
Stop that singing! Quiet!
Sergeant, stop the column.
Company, halt!
Count them, Sergeant.
Stand still.
- Twenty-three, sir. Should be 24.
- 23, sir.
Get after him, Sergeant. Where we halted.
Corporal Wilson, inform the C.O.
There's a call box in the village.
Yes, sir.
Now. Who is it?
- Sergeant, over there, on the right.
- He's there!
C.O. Grizedale.
Right. Tell Mr. Singleton,
bring them back immediately.
If there's any breakaway, shoot to kill.
Get me the Area Commander. Priority.
Grizedale here, sir. Anti-escape Plan B.
One German officer.
Direction almost certainly west.
Coniston Police. Priority.
...property in the capital.
Some damage was done in a town
in the South West of England,
and a balloon barrage at Dover
was twice attacked.
A German Air Force Officer
escaped from a military camp
in the North West of England
at 3.:15 this afternoon.
He was dressed in a blue shirt,
black leather jacket and trousers,
and black boots or shoes.
He was wearing no hat or overcoat.
This man has fair hair, blue eyes,
is clean-shaven and the forefinger
of the right hand is stiff and straight.
Any information about this prisoner
should be given immediately
to the authorities.
That is the end of the news.
You're bunching up in the
center! Keep spread out, look about you!
Move up there, on the right there.
Move up hill.
Don't close in down the hill.
Yes, sir. Five days now.
He was last reported four miles
from the coast,
but he may have doubled back, of course.
Oh, yes, we're combing the entire area
between Coniston
and Duddon River tomorrow.
The Army from the north, and the police
from the south and east.
Yes, we'll get him.
Good morning! How's it going?
- Nothing, sir.
- Confounded nuisance, the whole affair.
Oh, I don't know.
Useful anti-paratroop exercise.
- Good for us.
- Yes, sir.
Hey! Hey! Come on up here!
I can see your man!
Sergeant Wilson!
Up the hill, look sharp!
There he is! There he is!
Look! Over the hill!
Right-O. Thank you. Come, boy.
Hey!
He went over the hill!
She must be mistaken, sir.
- You see that patch of rough turf?
- Yes, sir.
- Walk towards it.
- Right, sir.
- This way, sir?
- Go on.
Watch your feet!
Is he dead?
No, Colonel.
Very nearly.
See if anyone's got a spare
ground sheet or something.
Get fell in on the road.
Under the terms
of the Geneva Convention,
I can sentence you
to 30 days solitary confinement.
It's the duty of an officer to try to escape.
Twenty-one days solitary confinement.
After that you'll be transferred
to another camp.
All change!
Oh, blast!
Derby!
- Derby!
- Come on.
All change! All change!
All change! Derby! All change!
Derby! All change!
What's the nearest station to Swanwick?
Sorry, old boy, no more trains
going that way tonight.
Do you mind if I ring up the camp?
Get them to collect this character.
- RTO. Try the phone next door.
- Thanks.
Yes? Yes. 0800 hours.
Four carriages reserved. Yes.
This is an air-raid signal.
- Cup of tea, dear?
- Thank you.
Fire away.
Green Howards? We'll need the lot.
All right. 1915 hours. Tuesday the 17th.
Fine. What?
Oh, she loves it. Shame to take it almost.
Goodbye.
- They're sending a truck for him now.
- Jolly good.
- Where's this Swanwick?
- You'll find out.
And you won't get out of there.
The Swanwick Construction Company
is in business.
Stop!
Okay.
Stop it again.
So you'll settle our bet, huh?
I say the British identity disks
give name, number and religion.
My friend says no. Which is it?
Here you are, Mr. Werra, see for yourself.
I win. You see?
"C of E," Church of England.
- That's right.
- Yes, that's right.
- Thank you.
- Okay.
Inspection. Stand to your beds.
- Come.
- No, no, look. Look, I hide in here.
- No, no, no, you'll suffocate.
- There's no air, you'll choke.
Put the cover on and get out!
- Who's in there?
- Unoccupied, sir.
Open it up.
Franz.
Franz!
Let's go over the plans once again?
We all meet at the farm, then separate.
- Walter and Heinz.
- Sheffield and then Glasgow.
We stow away on neutral ship.
Yes. And Johannes and Ernst,
Manchester then Liverpool.
And you, Franz?
I am Captain Wilhelm Van Lott.
Dutch pilot.
Mixed Special Bomber Squadron.
Based at Dyce, Aberdeen.
Yeah. But, Franz, you never tell us
what you going to do.
I'm going to steal a British airplane.
Listen.
- Here they come again.
- Yeah.
- All right. Where's Walter?
- I come.
What is that?
For my girlfriend in Hamburg.
She has a great passion for chocolate.
I save it.
Well, that's a beautiful thought, Walter.
Don't forget, at the farm.
Excuse. Where's the telephone, please?
I crashed in a Wellington.
I'm a pilot. I crashed. Forced landing.
Down there.
Get away.
Look, I must telephone
the nearest RAF airfield.
- Telephone.
- Oh... Oh, yeah, telephone.
- They got one in the office.
- Take me there.
- You're not English.
- No, Dutch.
Oh, up here.
Can he use the phone? He's a Dutch pilot.
He's had a crash.
I must get to the nearest
RAF aerodrome, immediately.
Had a crash, have you? Where?
In the fields near the railway.
Yes, it's about... I would say,
it's about two or three miles from here.
What about your crew?
Oh, we were very lucky.
The crew is with the Wellington.
But I must get them picked up
and return to my base in Aberdeen.
So, will you please use the phone,
it's very urgent.
No, thank you. The 6:22 is just coming up.
- Do you mind if...
- No, no, carry on.
- Give me the police station, will you?
- No, no, RAF please...
- RAF.
- Hello, police?
Oh, Codnor Park booking office here.
There's a fellow here
says he's a Dutch airman,
crashed about a couple of miles
down the line.
- He says his name's...
- Captain Van Lott.
Captain Van Lott.
Yes, Dutch, he says. Wellington.
Yes. He seems all right to me.
Better if you do. Right-o.
Why call the police?
I must get to an aerodrome.
Well, they won't be long,
and they can help you better than I can.
- Langley Mill, single.
- Sorry.
There she is, Jim.
Langley Mill, single.
Oh, I must get to an aerodrome.
Oh, the police won't be long,
and then Hucknall's only a few miles away.
- Don't worry.
- Hucknall?
Oh, yes, Hucknall.
Yeah, that's long-range bombers, isn't it?
A training field, I thought.
Look, I...
I tell you in confidence.
I'm of a special bomber squadron.
Last night we tried out a new bombsight.
And now, crash. Understand?
I must return to my base at once.
Nippy.
All right, I'll ring Hucknall for you.
After all, it can't do any harm.
Oh, thank you very much.
They will send a car for me.
Hello, give me the RAF, Hucknall,
please, miss.
Oh, look here, you had better
give me your unit and so on...
Write it down there, will you?
Who shall I ask for?
Oh, Commanding Officer.
Hello? RAF, Hucknall? Oh, could I speak
to the Commanding Officer, please?
Codnor Park Station.
What? No, no, Railway Station.
Codnor Park L.M.S.
Yes. Look, I've got a Dutch pilot here,
says he's crashed in a Wellington.
Who? Oh. Hold on, will you?
- Will the Duty Officer do?
- Yes, yes. Just as good.
Oh, hello, Codnor Park booking office here.
Look, about this Dutch pilot
who's crashed in a...
Well, somebody's got to do
something about him.
Well, he said he wants transport
to Hucknall. All right, hold on.
He wants to talk to you.
Oh, thank you. Thank you.
- Captain Van Lott. Who's that?
- Duty Officer, Hucknall, here.
I gather you've had a spot of trouble.
What's it all about?
Yeah.
I see. Where are you based?
Dyce? Where's that?
Oh, Aberdeen. Yes, I know.
It's funny, we haven't heard of the crash.
Special what?
Oh, no, no.
Mustn't talk about it over the phone.
So, if you shall send a car for me, please.
There will be a plane
to come from Aberdeen.
- It's very urgent.
- Yes.
I suppose we'll have to.
All right, old boy.
I'll get the duty car to come and fetch you.
Oh, about a quarter of an hour.
Goodbye.
- Duty car, sir?
- Oh, yes.
Look, I want you to run over
to Codnor Park Station
and pick up an officer
called Captain Van Lott.
- Captain Van Lott, sir?
- Yes, he's Dutch.
Or so he said.
And bring him here.
You'd better take my pistol.
He may be genuine,
probably is, but you never know.
Don't let him catch on.
Treat him as you would a British pilot.
- All right, you can go.
- Yes, sir.
And he's not to leave the car
until you've dumped him here
at HQ, got it?
All right, sir.
And how was the new bombsight?
Oh, excellent!
Wish I could tell you, but you know.
So, suddenly we were caught
in the searchlight
and... When is that car coming?
Oh, shouldn't be long now,
Hucknall's not far away.
Oh, there's the car.
Thank you very much, gentlemen,
and, oh, would you please explain
to the policeman that I cannot wait.
Thank you very much.
Oh, I'd given you up. There's a car
coming for him from Hucknall, now.
A little.
Most Dutch people do.
- Coastal Command are you?
- Yes, yes, we bombed Esbjerg last night.
- I nearly bought it, I tell you.
- Pancaked a Wimpey, did you?
Yes, we were very lucky,
came back on one engine.
Single to Langley Mill.
You say they're sending a car
from Hucknall?
- I spoke to the Duty Officer myself.
- Yes, I had a word with him, too.
- Seemed satisfied, did he?
- Why not?
What's the hurry to get to Hucknall?
Oh, I have to return to my base at once.
You see, we tested
a new bombsight last night.
Now, I have to report immediately.
You better keep that to yourself.
Why didn't you bring
the rest of your crew with you?
And leave secret equipment
not guarded, huh?
What I don't understand, sir,
is why the crash hasn't been reported.
- What time did it happen?
- About 4:00, I think.
- Where?
- Oh, it will be in the fields,
west of Langley Mill.
There was one crashed there
a month or two back, remember?
Well, how could you see
where you were coming down?
- Airman's luck, you know.
- Did you hear the all clear?
Yes, of course,
about an hour after we crashed.
- Now, let's look at your identity papers.
- Sergeant!
You know as well as me,
airmen are forbidden
to take personal papers on bomb attacks.
And I'm of a special squadron.
- Captain Van Lott?
- Yeah, that's me.
Your transport to Hucknall, sir.
Oh, thank you. Thank you very much.
I'm coming.
Gentlemen, I thank you very much.
Excuse me, please.
Good luck and so long.
Better drive me straight
to the control tower.
Perhaps they have news of the plane
that comes for me from Aberdeen.
Sorry, sir, my orders
are to take you straight to HQ.
But I shall be only a minute.
Beg your pardon, sir. Must obey orders.
Well, it doesn't matter.
Would have saved time.
- Oh, Hurricanes.
- Oh, yes, sir.
Experimental works, that is.
Civilian, very hush-hush.
Oh, yes?
- Captain Van Lott, sir.
- Good.
- Would you like me to...
- No, no, you needn't wait.
I'm so sorry to trouble you.
- Van Lott.
- Oh, good morning.
I go and wait by the control tower
for my plane from Aberdeen.
Oh, no, no, it's warmer in here.
Yes, but I'm in a hurry, see.
Well, Control will ring me
as soon as your aircraft reports.
Come over by the fire.
- Nippy.
- Yeah.
Take off your flying suit.
Oh, no, thank you,
that's not worth the while.
Thank you very much.
You had breakfast?
Would you like some hot coffee?
I had breakfast with the station man
at Codnor, thank you very much.
- Oh.
- Yes, while we had tea
- The police arrived.
- Oh!
- It was very funny. Yes.
- The police, they saw you?
- Were they satisfied?
- Oh, yes, yes, of course. Yes.
They were angry with the station man
because he wasted their time.
But then they wished good luck to me
and everybody friends.
Yes, grand types.
By the way, how does your base
know that you have crashed?
Oh, I telephoned them before, it's...
They said they'll send a plane for me.
Oh, I see. Well, if you'll just hang on
a moment, I'll check with them.
Dyce, Aberdeen.
But the plane will arrive any minute.
Oh, well, you know how it is.
Red tape and well...
Hello? Would you get me
the Station Adjutant at Dyce, Aberdeen.
Yes, and hurry it up. There's a good girl.
- Hot, isn't it?
- Yes.
You'll ruin your uniform
under that flying suit.
No, no, no, perfectly all
right, thank you very much.
Well, let's get the gen on the crash.
- What time was it?
- 4:00.
0400. The railway yards at Hamm,
wasn't it?
Esbjerg, Denmark.
That's the first I've heard
of British raids on Denmark.
We started last night.
- Got your 12-50?
- 12-50, yes.
Nice flying suit there. It fleece-lined?
Yes, yes, it's fleece-lined.
It's... I wore it before the war,
when I was a pilot for KLM, Amsterdam.
Duty Officer. Oh, it's you.
Yes, all right.
Air raid green.
Well, you were going to
show me your 12-50.
Yes...
I remember, I did not bring it with me.
I cannot take it in the air, you see.
- Special squadron.
- Oh.
No, I suppose not.
Well, you must have something
to identify you.
What about your identity disks?
Oh, yes, of course! It was silly to forget.
Duty Officer.
Oh, yes, good, put me through.
Dyce.
Hello. Hello, Dyce? Station Adjutant?
This is Hucknall.
We have one of your pilots here.
- Lavatory, you see. I come back.
- Van Lott.
No, Van Lott.
Hello? Hello?
Yes, he's a Dutchman.
Operator, I've been cut off.
I was talking to Dyce, Aberdeen.
Good morning, I am Captain Van Lott,
Royal Netherlands Air Force.
I have seen the Duty Officer.
He said that you can show me
the controls of the Hurricane.
That I can have a little trial flight.
So, which one is ready? This one?
You've come to the wrong place, sir.
This is government experimental.
Yes, of course, we know, but the
Duty Officer said I must come to see you.
You're one of the ferry pilots
from White Waltham, are you?
- Air Transport Command?
- Yes, yes, naturally.
Well, that's different, sir.
You'll have to see the A.I.D. blokes.
Yes, yes, I see them later.
You show me first the I controls, will you?
I'm afraid I can't do that, sir.
You'll have to sign the visitors book first,
and then do a lot of paperwork.
I'll get the manager for you.
Good morning.
You've come to collect
the Mk II Hurricane, have you?
- Yes.
- Let's get your paperwork fixed up.
Oh, it won't be long,
I just want to know the controls.
Well, you can't do anything
until you've signed the visitors book.
Won't take a minute.
Here we are. If you'll just fill in the details
along the next line, sir.
Yes.
Do you want me to fill that in full?
No, it doesn't matter.
Just put, "See A.I.D."
Yes, yes.
Here we are.
Good. Got your written order
for collection?
Oh, yes, yes. The parachute and the papers
shall come with the plane
due to land any moment now.
I think I'll have the instructions on
the controls, to save some time, all right?
Right-o. Quite in order
now you've signed in.
Harry!
Take the Captain over to the Hurricane
and explain the controls right away.
- He'll fix you up.
- Thank you.
- No smoking.
- Sorry.
She is bigger than the old Hurricane,
isn't she?
Bigger, faster, more guns.
Got everything, this has.
Compass. How would you set that for
a 120 degrees, for instance?
I see. Yes, thank you.
Hydraulic brakes. Injection pump.
Starter button.
Don't do that, sir.
She won't start without a trolley acc.
Get me one, then.
I'm sorry, but I really am in a hurry.
Contact.
Oh, yes, yeah... Yes, contact.
Get out.
At least the other four are free.
This movement of prisoners
to Canada, sir.
POW Administration have asked for
a list of any you'd like to keep here
for further interrogation.
- Who were you thinking of?
- Well, what about von Werra, sir?
Oh, I wouldn't want to deprive him
of a nice healthy sea voyage.
In fact, I'd recommend a special escort
for von Werra
to make quite certain he gets there.
And so, our long sojourn
in England is over.
As we march out of this camp.
As we begin the long journey to Canada.
- Canada.
- I have been to Canada.
Thousands of kilometers away from home.
I know it quite well,
it lies next to the United States.
A neutral country.
But as we pick up our burdens,
our thoughts turn to our loved ones.
Our hearts go back to the homeland.
And the ultimate victory!
Collect your sandwiches on the way out.
- Nothing?
- Something.
Nobody knows where the camp is.
Only that we land in Halifax.
But from Halifax it's a long journey
on a train.
Sergeant, where do we go?
Or is that secret?
Well, I guess it won't do any harm
to tell you.
The orderlies know, anyway.
Lake Superior, Ontario. Nice, new place.
Thank you.
Here by the river.
On the other side, the United States.
Beyond Montreal.
Any time beyond Montreal, huh?
Double win...
Double window.
Is it fixed?
Frozen up.
All right. Pay attention.
You're going to be on this train
for at least four days.
If any of you got ideas
about jumping out, forget them.
We're ready for you
inside the train and outside.
You men who speak English, translate.
That's all.
Where are we?
- Cold.
- Yeah.
- Anybody want an apple?
- Oh, yeah.
Help yourselves.
Well, I hope you all don't get belly aches.
Well, I told you!
Well, they haven't seen apples for months.
All right, all right. Come on, stand in line.
Get in line. Come on.
All right, one at a time, you guys,
one at a time.
Hey, put your overcoat on.
Not hot enough for you?
You, too?
Could we have some more heat?
All right, all back to your seats.
This is a station.
Come on, move yourselves.
Won't be long.
We only stop for a couple of minutes.
Come on, you guys, back to your seats.
Back to your seats, come on.
Back to your seat, boy.
Smiths Falls, I guess.
And we got another two days of this.
All aboard!
All right, take it easy.
Come on, take it easy.
One at a time.
Come on, back in line, back in line.
I don't know what you're talking about,
boy, but back in line.
- Come on! Wait your turn, boy.
- Come on, take your chair.
No, no, too fast.
Get out, go on!
Back in line! Back in line!
Come on, back in line, boy, back in line!
- Thank you.
- Right.
Where you heading for, bud?
South. The river.
- Johnstown?
- Yes, yes, Johnstown.
I must see my relations there.
- I'm a Dutch seaman.
- Oh, you don't say.
Yes.
I have been torpedoed twice
in the Atlantic.
Now, I'm looking for a job on land.
Or maybe... Maybe on the river?
Not this time of year, you won't.
It's clean froze over.
- So!
- Yep.
Imagine that!
Just a little walk across, and there it is.
The United States.
Yep. And emigration patrols.
Me, I don't know if their job's
to keep them out or keep them in.
What are you stopping here for?
Quick, where's the phone?
One of them's got away.
Is this America?
Where am I?
You're in Ogdensburg, fellow.
- America?
- That's right.
Ogdensburg, USA.
Come on.
Come on, boy.
I am...
I am an officer of the German Air Force.
I am...
I was...
Prisoner of war.
I claim...
The protection of a neutral country.
You aren't claiming anything, fellow,
I'm taking you in.
Come on.
Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you.
Very witty to be sure.
If he gets back to Germany, sir?
Oh, we might have to revise
the system of interrogation a little.