Aerial Gunner (1943) - full transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

ARMY ANNOUNCER

returning from bombing mission.

Ground floor attention.

Flight C, returning
from bombing mission.

Ground floor attention.

[TRUMPETS]

[VRRRRRRRR]

-Only two of them back.

[VRRRR]

[SQUEAK]



-We got through all right, sir.

Smashed the tankers
and the hanger.

-Good.

What happened to
Lieutenant Davis' ship?

-I don't know for sure, sir.

We were up ahead,
tearing for home.

And Davis cut in on the radio
and reported zeros on his tail.

Right after that,
his radio went out.

-Hmm.

Well, get yourself some food
and then turn in your reports.

-I'm afraid they're lost, sir.

-As long as there's gas in the
tank, there's still a chance.

BOMBER: Yes, sir.

[SQUEAK]



[SLAM]

-Well, the boys
certainly do a job.

Take a look at those pictures.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Nice work.

-No use holding up the
intelligence report any longer,

is there?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-I suppose not.

-G2.

Major Stanlov.

Report on operation 6W.

Mission successful.

Two bombers returned.

One missing.

Yes.

Lieutenant Jonathan
Davis and crew.

Compose the following.

Co-pilot, Lieutenant Jack Sarno.

Bombardier Sergeant
Harold Trask.

Radio Sergeant.

ARMY ANNOUNCER (MEGAPHONE):
Ground floor attention.

Bomber coming in.

Ground floor attention.
Bomber coming in.

-Hold that report.

ARMY ANNOUNCER (MEGAPHONE):
Bomber coming in.

-Corpsman, I'll call you later.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[SPUTTER SPUTTER]

-Holy Christopher.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Sarno?

-Killed in action.

-Sergeant Trask?

-Killed in action.

-Sergeant Blasboom?

Sergeant Pattis?

-Missing.

-Missing?

-I'd have never been able
to bring the bomber back

if it hadn't been for Pattis.

-Do you want to give
us the details now?

We're-- we're holding
up the report.

-Kind of hard to explain
in an ordinary report, sir.

What happened out
there was all mixed

up with what happened years ago.

See, Pattis and I went
to school together.

He was a typical slum kid.

Kicked around from the start.

Had a chip on his shoulder
against the whole world,

and me in particular.

Wasn't his fault.

His father was in the
pen most of the time.

And my father was
a school principal.

Lost track of him
after we grew up.

'Til I went in the
district attorney's office.

Few run-ins with him
in my line of work.

I could never hang
anything on him.

JON DAVIS (VOICEOVER):
One day last year,

I went down to
Coney Island, where

he was running a
shooting gallery.

[CROWD CHATTERING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Coffee.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[BANG]

[BANG]

[BANG]

[BANG]

[BANG]

[LAUGHTER]

-You see.

It's as easy as eating cake.
Here, let me show you.

Get it up there.

-OK.

-That's it.

Ha-ha.

-What do do now?

-Squeeze, baby.

Squeeze.

-Ah, Foxy.

I thought you were
gonna teach me.

-Oh, uh, the trigger, baby.

[BANG]

-I hit it.

-A bullseye.

[LAUGHTER]

[BANG]

[LAUGHTER]

-Hello, Foxy.

[BANG]

-Hit the road.

-But Foxy.

-Shove off.

-Well of all the sluggy guys.

-What do you want, copper?

-Sorry about your father.

-What are you trying to
do, serve your conscience?

-What happened wasn't my fault.

I just took him in for
a routine check up.

-Oh, sure.

Every time the old man would
get a job, you'd show up

and they'd bounce him.

You never let him forget for a
minute that he was an ex-con.

-That isn't true.

-You hounded him to death.

I have a good mind to--

-Go ahead.

You're a brave
muzzler, aren't you?

-That gun holds
only seven shots.

You knocked down
seven ducks, so.

-Very sharp.

But you always were.

-About your father, Foxy.

I had to do a job.

Came here to tell you I'm sorry.

-And I'm telling
you I won't forget.

Someday I'm going to
get you just the way

you got my old man.

-The Japs might beat you to it.

I enlisted yesterday.

So long.

-So long, sucker.

[WA-WA-WA-WA]

-Nice chat.

-That was Foxy.

To him, any guy who'd
enlist would be a sucker.

They assigned me to Kelly Field.

I came out as a flying sergeant.

I wanted all the
fundamentals, so I

volunteered for gunnery school.

They sent me to HAGS.

That's Harlingen
Army Gunnery School.

The tip of Texas, near the gulf.

[VROOOOOOOOO]

[DA-DU-DA-DU-DA-DU

-You're all volunteers, and I'm
not going to pull any punches.

Your navigator may
map your course.

Your pilot may take you there.

Your bombardier will
destroy the objective.

But it's up to you, the gunner,
to smash the attacking enemy

so that your bomber
will come home safely.

We can't take any
chances on you.

If you don't make good,
you'll be washed out.

You're either a good gunner
or your a dead gunner.

And the operation on
which your ship is sent,

will die with you.

The safety of your
ship, your safety,

the safety of the entire crew,
depends on what you learn here.

Remember that, and I'm sure
that you'll come through

as the best gunners
in any man's army.

DRILL SERGEANT:
Ready for squadrons.

Attention.

Bags on your shoulders.

Flight.

Second squadron.

Make faces forward.

March.

Squadron, halt.

Left face.

Forward march.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Squadron, halt.

Right face.

Ready?

One step forward.

-Har.

-At ease.

Each flight will
have an instructor

who will stay with you
throughout the entire course.

Instructor for fight
A, Sergeant Pattis.

-Sergeant Jones.
-Glad to know you, Jones.

-You can put the bag down.

What's your name?

-Private Laswell.

-Sleepy?

-Kind of.

-Ain't caught up
since my last job.

-Yeah, what was that?

-Night clerk in an auto court.

-Relax.

-Gadget Blaine.

Private Blaine, sir.

Radio operator.

-Glad to know you, Gadget.

Button up.

[SQUEAK]

-Private Lunt, sir.

Sure glad to be in your class.

-Where you from, son?

-Well, my home's
not far from here.

I sure hope I get
to be a gunner, sir.

-Yeah.

Well, keep your nose clean
and your eyes peeled,

and you'll make it.

-Hello, Foxy.

-Well, fancy meeting you here.

-Small war, isn't it?

-Yeah.

And not very exclusive.

All right, men.

You're on own.

'Til 5:30 in the morning.

-It's the middle of the night.

JON DAVIS: Hey, Foxy.

-Listen.

I can't help you being
in my flight, copper.

But outside of
class, give me room.

-Ah, forget the grudge, Foxy.

We're both in the army
for the same reason.

-Yeah?

I'm in it because I was drafted.

Your in it because
you're a chump.

-You're just blowing off steam.

-OK, you be the hero.

I got a soft touch where I
can order schtups like you

around for the duration.

Say, I bet it'd break your heart
to get washed out, wouldn't it?

-Wouldn't make me happy.

-Well, that's
splendid, sergeant.

I'll see you in class.

-From the man behind it.

Even though the gun is
a gunner's best friend.

-And now, it's a
knife and a fork.

[SLAP]

-Blaine.

-Yes, sir.

-Uh, what is that thing?

Oh, it's just a
gadget I invented.

-America's secret weapon.

-Oh, no, sir.

It's a-a tool of a 100 uses.

See?

First, ice pick.

Knife.

And a fork.

And like that, a coat hanger.

And a bottle opener.

Corkscrew.

-Well, isn't that wonderful.

-Yes, sir.

-Folks back in Mahoney's
garage in Peoria

said I was a mechanical wizard.

-You don't say.

-Yes, sir.

-Anybody got any, uh, tobacco?

-Tobacco?

-Yes, sir.

Oh, I forgot to tell you.

It's a pipe, too.

-Now, sit down
and pay attention.

-Yes, sir.

-Sergeant Davis, what is
meant by a vertical lead?

-Vertical angle by which
a gun must be moved,

above or below a straight line
from the muzzle to the target,

so the projectile will
pass through the target.

-You're pretty
smart, aren't you?

-Uh-uh.

Very smart.

-Laswell.

Laswell, what is meant
by a vertical lead?

-The vertical angle in
which the gun must be

moved, above or below
a straight line,

from the muzzle to the
target, so that the projectile

will pass through the target.

[LAUGHTER]

-Look, Sandy, you
handle it this way.

-I'll never get
through this course.

-Being a gunner means a
lot to you, doesn't it?

-I've got to make it.

If I don't--

-Davis.

What do you think we're
running here, a day nursery?

You expect to carry your own
personal mechanic in combat?

A little help doesn't
do any harm, does it?

-Well, you stick to
your own chopper.

-Don't let him get
tour goat, kid.

He's riding you because he
can't get a rise out of me.

-Well, that's a
fine-looking junk pile.

You're supposed to line
up everything orderly.

How arr you going to put
that garbage together

in two minutes, blindfolded?

-Easy.

Try me.

-Gather round, gents.

The great mechanical
wizard is about to perform

the blindfold test.

Two minutes, huh?

This I got to see.

All right now.

Go.

-There you are.

Completely assembled.

-That's wonderful, Gadget.

Simply wonderful.

-Yes, sir.

-All assembled.
-Yes, sir.

-Uh-huh.

-Now what do we do
with this piece?

The malfunction of
every one of these guns.

Pick one and fire
it until it jams.

Then find out what's wrong it.

All right, let it go.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

[RAT-A-TAT-A-TAT]

-All right.

[RAT-A-TAT-A-TAT]

-Davis.

That's your gun.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-That's how you stop it.

The star pupil always
gets the runaway gun.

-Thanks.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Pull.

[BANG]

-Miss.

-Pull.

[BANG]

-I got it.

I got the son-of-a-gun.

-Eight out of 25.

-That's enough to
pass, isn't it?

-Yeah, by a hair.

You're up next.

-I did all right, huh?

-You bet you did.

-Go ahead.

-Pull.

[TSHUCK-TSCHUCK]

-Miss.

-Pull.

-Miss.

-First time, I thought
it was a mistake.

-I don't know what
you're talking about.

-You're purposely
trying to mis-score me.

-Don't be a dope.

You missed.

-If you're going to
wash me out, that's

about as nasty a way as any.

-Are you calling me a liar?

-Yes, I am.
If you weren't in uniform, I'd--

-Don't let that stop you.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

GUNNER TRAINEE:

He'll be tossed out.

-Stop it.

Cut it out.

-Which of you
started this fight?

-I'm afraid I lost
my temper, sir.

-You have an excellent training
record at Kelly, Davis.

-Won't happen again, sir.

-Another such incident
won't be overlooked.

You understand, sergeant.

-Yes.

-You may go.

-If you think I'm going to

-I don't expect anything
from you, all right?

-Then go back to your
rover boys and tell

them about your good deed.
-Why, you--

-Go ahead.

Why don'y you hit me?

Well, sucker, that
time, it almost worked.

[SLAM]

[SQUEAK]

-What happened?

-Ah, they threw me in the
bullpen for a few hours.

Then the old mad decided
to give me a second chance.

-Oh, that's a good deal.

-Next time, I think
I'll finish the job.

-Why don't you two
guys get together?

Foxy's not such a bad guy.

-Look, Sandy.

I don't want to discuss it.
-Well, you're lucky, Jon.

They just busted a buddy of mine
for breathing at the general.

-What do you mean, breathing?

-Just breathing.

Course, one of his
front teeth was missing

and he made a funny noise.

[LAUGHTER]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Jon?

-Yeah?

-Jon.

-Uh?

-We get 24 hours leave Saturday.

-Did you wake me up
just to tell me that?

-Well, no.

But would you like to spend
the weekend down on our ranch?

-Sandy, you got
yourself a guest.

-Good.

-Good night, Sandy.

-Good night.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[VROOO-VROO]

-Overnight pass.

-Baby, I'm leaving.

-Heading for home, [INAUDIBLE]?

-Nah, not enough
gals to go around.

-Same situation
all through Texas.

-Huh.

-OK.

[VROOO-VROOO]

-Seen Private Lunt around?

-Not that I know of, sergeant.

-He's supposed to meet me here.

-OK.

-Thanks.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[VROO-VROO]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Not so fast, soldier.

Your pass.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Oh, there you are, Foxy.

Sorry to be late.

-All set, Sandy?

-Yep.

Let's go.

-Say, what is this?

-You don't think I'm going to
spend the weekend with him,

do you?

-Well, gee, fellas.

You can't walk out on me
now, after I had my sister

drive all the way up to get us.

-What's the matter, Sandy?

Are we going to have
to rope your guests?

-Sister.

-Your sister?

-Well, that's different.

Come on.

-Well, we were only kidding.

-Sure, Sandy's a
sucker for a riff.

-My sister, Peggy.

Sergeant Pattis
and Sergeant Davis.

-How do you do?

-Hello.

-Sandy's written and told
me about both of you.

-Well, I hope he kept it decent.

-He's been keeping you a secret.

-Well, I'll drive.

-Come on.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-How you doing
back there, Sandy?

-Fine.

I'm doing fine.

[LAUGHTER]

-You know, one more piece of
that Southern Fried Chicken

and I'll be talking
with a Dixie accent.

[LAUGHTER]

-Ah, it's wonderful.

-Yes.

-It's the last set
up of the barracks.

-I'll say it is.

-Sandy.

Why don't you show Sergeant
Davis some of your work?

-Oh, he wouldn't want
to be bothered, mother.

-What is that, Mrs. Lunt?

-Well, he paints.

He's very good, too.

Go on, Sandy.

-Come on, let's have a look.

-All right, if you
want to be bored.

-Excuse us.

-Sure.

-Save the next one
for me, will you?

-That's a promise.

-Now, you children have fun.

I'm right in the midst
of a great mystery.

There are more murders.

-Don't forget to let
us know who done it.

-I won't.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-You're quite close to Matamoros
across the border here,

aren't you?

-Uh-huh.

It's about 15 miles.

-There's a new band at Pablos.

Out of this world.

-Yes.

So I heard that's that
new spot, isn't it?

-That's right.

How about taking a run over?

-Oh, that's just a great idea.

I'll tell you what.

You gather up Sandy and Davis,
and I'll go get the car.

-Gather up Sa-- Oh, sure.

Sure.

I'll gather them up.

-Meet me out front.

-Good.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[VROOM-VROOM]

-You know, it's funny they'd
want to stay home and study.

I thought they came
down here to relax.

-Yeah, I thought it was
kind of funny myself.

But you know, after
all, people are.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Anybody who can
paint like that ought

to be in the
camouflage division.

-Not me.

I'm going to be a gunner.

-Yeah, you're a ferocious guy.

Excuse me, Sandy.

I got this dance
with your sister.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-This one's mine, F--

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-You know, if this
class comes through OK,

I may get a commission.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Tell me more about yourself.

-Oh, you wouldn't be interested.

-Well, of course I would.

I like to know about people.

-Really?

All right.

My mother was a Hindu princess
and my father was a pilot.

It was a case of love the first
sight, so he kidnapped her,

and I was born on
a South Sea island.

-I've never known
anyone quite like you.

-Well, that goes double.

You know, I've never known
anybody quite like you.

-See what the
Army's done for you.

-Yeah, it's all right.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-That's funny.

I was sure this was a shortcut.

-Very nicely done.

-What?

-I've used this
gag lots of times.

It's perfect.

Moonlight, orange
blossoms, beautiful.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Now, wait a minute.

All I said was, I thought
this was a shortcut.

-Well, that's what I mean.

Why go the long way round?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[VROOM-VROOM]

-Can I say anymore?

-Why, of course not.

From your viewpoint, it
was just a natural mistake.

-Welcome home.

-Hello.

-So you ran out on us, eh?

You know, Emily Post says
that isn't very nice.

-But I thought you
wanted to study.

-Foxy.

-Is that what he told you?

-Well, it's been
a lovely evening.

Good night, kiddies.

-Good night.

-What a guy.

-What a guy.

-I'm quite a guy
myself, if you'll

only give me a
chance to prove it.

-Really?

-You know, you
promised me a dance.

The Yankees are
very, very stubborn.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-So Foxy outsmarted
you in the first round.

-I admit, I felt like
a wounded pigeon.

But he had one advantage.

He could leave the post
every night and I couldn't

[MUSIC PLAYING]

JON DAVIS (VOICEOVER): We

machine guns at
stationary targets.

Sandy was doing better now.

And I, maybe because I had Peggy
on my mind, was getting worse.

Foxy did everything he
could to wash me out.

It came the big day
when we advanced

to firing 50 calibers
at moving targets.

There was to be a
post dance that night.

Foxy'd invited Peggy,
and gotten her s pass

to watch the firing trial.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Ready, Barclay.

-Roger.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Ready for firing.

-Roger.

[CROWD TALKING]

-Better watch your eardrums.

Short bursts.

And watch your tracers
for lead correction.

[RAT-A-TAT-A-TAT-A-TAT]

-If they're all firing
at the same target,

how can you tell who hits it?

-Each one has different
color bullets.

They leave their
mark on the targets.

[RAT-A-TAT-A-TAT-A-TAT]

-[INAUDIBLE].

-Huh?

-[INAUDIBLE].

I've been thinking
about you all week.

[LAUGHTER]

-All right, jitter
bug, the Army can wait.

-Don't forget.

-You looked mighty
good out there, Sandy.

I'm glad you were here
to give me moral support.

-Load your guns while
I pick up the target.

-I suppose these target
trials are very important.

-This and the last step.

Firing from one plane at
targets towed by another.

If they pass these last
two phases, they're in.

-And if they don't?

-We trade them for
the Brooklyn Dodgers.

[CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA]

-That one's ready.

Here's your dirty laundry.

-On the next batch,
give me some real speed.

-I've been running the car 35.

-Well, run it full
speed this time.

-But my instructions say--

-OK, listen.

There's a guy out there, I
want to slap his ears down.

-But the car is liable
to jump the track.

What's the matter, you chicken?

-I tell you, it's not good to
hold the track at full speed.

Anyhow, I'm not supposed to.

-OK.

I'll do it myself.

-How you going to get off
if it gets going too fast?

-Jump.

[CHUGGA CHUGGA CHUGGA]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Runaway car.

Sergeant Pattis is on it.

Out cold.

Runaway car.

Sergeant Pattis is on it.

Out cold.

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Hey, got the headquarters on.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Don't stand there
doing nothing.

Go ahead, [INAUDIBLE].

-The automatic
clipper won't work.

He sagged over the accelerator.
I can't stop it.

He sagged over the accelerator.
I can't stop it.
I can't stop it.
-We've got to do something.

I can't stop it.
-We've got to do something.

He'll be smashed to bits.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-He'll be killed.

Foxy, darling,
are you all right?

-Peggy.

-Oh.
-What's all the commotion?

-Sleeper, come here.

Ms. Jones, Private Laswell.

BOTH: How do you do?

-Ms. Cassidy.

Mr. Blaine.
-How's the weather up there?

-[INAUDIBLE].

-Hi.

-Gadget.

Sleeper.

[CROWD TALKING]

-Having trouble with the
drinking machine, sir?

-I put a nickle in it
and nothing happened.

-Well, you just let me at it.

-I don't know whether I
told you or not, honey,

but I'm a mechanical wizard.

-So that's what you are.

I was wondering.

-You'd better let
him fix it, girls,

or he'll pout all evening.

-Here, hold my hat.

I got work to do.

This is interesting.

I told you not to
start with that thing.

-Reminds me of something I
once took apart in Peoria.

-Get that fixed, or
I'll take you apart.

-Give him a chance, boys.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-How is he?

I-- you were in there so long.

-The doctor says he
can leave by morning.

-Oh, that's fine.

I know you-- you came
down as his date,

but how about going
to the dance with me?

-Well it's-- it's been sort
of a strenuous day, Jon.

And I think maybe I'd
better go on home.

-I understand.

-Ship-shape.

Never even mussed my hair.

My hat please.

Who's got a nickle?

-There you are.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-What'd I tell you?

It's working.

It's all yours, Lieutenant.

[HISS]

[LAUGHTER]

-Peggy, I'll only be
here another week.

I know this sounds
kind of sudden,

but I see the wars
change a lot of--

-I'm sorry, Jon,
what were you saying?

-Gosh, do I have to
start all over again?

-Jon.

Foxy just asked me to marry him.

-Marry Foxy?

-Um-hmm.

-You surprised?

-Yeah, sort of.

-Well, to tell you the truth,
I am too, a little bit.

You know Foxy.

-Yeah.

I know Foxy.

-Well, see you at graduation.

-Bye.

-Bye.

[VROOM]

-The trouble with you, Davis.

You played the
game too straight.

-Sprag, you're a
confounded cynic.

-She had the right to
make up her own mind.

We had a lot of work to do.

And I tried to forget.

JON DAVIS (VOICEOVER): We
had learned preliminaries.

Now came the real test, firing
from a plane in simulated

combat as a towed target.

Two such flights might
mean the difference

between getting
our gunner's wings.

Or being grounded
for the duration.

We were plenty nervous that
day in the flight room,

waiting for our turn to go up.

[CROWD TALKING]

-You need those fingers, Sandy.

-This is worse than waiting
to have a tooth pulled.

ARMY ANNOUNCER
(MEGAPHONE): Flight B

coming in from air-to-air trial.

Flight A up next.

On the line in five minutes.

-All right, boys.

That's us.

Check your equipment.

-Hey, button up your Mae West.

You never can tell when
you'll end up in the gulf.

-Am I glad that's over.

-How'd you do, Chubby?

-How should I know?

I had my eyes closed
most of the time.

-Don't worry about our flight.

We'll lick the pants
off of you guys.

-Yes.

Wake me when the score comes in.

-Uh-oh.

Here comes the bad news.

[EXCITED CHATTERING]

-Well, I'm mighty
proud of you fellas.

Averaged above passing,
with one exception.

-Exception?

Hope it ain't me.

-Three?

There must be some mistake.

-I'm sorry, Johnston.

That was your second try.

You'll be OK with
the ground crew.

-No, but I want to be a gunner.

That's what I joined up for.

-I'm sorry, Johnson.

-Never mind, kid.

You tried.

ARMY ANNOUNCER (MEGAPHONE):
Flight A to the flying line.

Flight A to the flying line.

-So you think you
did pretty good

up there today, eh, Benson?

-I'll lay even money your
flight doesn't score as well.

-I'll take some of that.

-Wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

This is strictly
between Benson and me.

A month's salary we beat you.

How about it, sucker?

-You got a bet, soldier.

-Better draw that
money in advance.

I'm going to need it
for a wedding ring.

-OK.

Hey, where's Gadget?

Come on, Gadget.

We're up.

Hey.

What the devil are
you so interested in?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Come on, lunk.

Will you?

[CROWD TALKING]

[VROOOO- VROOOO]

-Target ready.

This is the real test.

You're either a gunner
or you're a false alarm.

So you'd better make it good.
[INAUDIBLE] procedure rotation.

Private Blaine, plane 23.

Go ahead.

[VROOO-VROOO]

-Sergeant Davis.

Plane 25.

Go ahead.

[VROOO- VROOO]

-Private Laswell.

Plane number 22.

Go ahead.

[VROOO-VROOO]

-Private Lunt.

Plane number 24.

Go ahead.

[VROOO-VROOO]

-What's the matter
with you, number 24?

Why don't you fire?

[VROOO-VROOO]

-Take me down.

Take me down.

[VROOO-VROOO]

-What are you going in for?

[VROOO-VROOO]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Why didn't you fire?

-I'm sorry, Foxy.

I-I tried, but I couldn't.

-You tried.

I can excuse you if
you'd fired and missed.

-I tried to fire.

I tried, but something happened.

I can't explain it.

I got sick.

-You didn't get sick.

Just scared spit-less.

I ought to swat
your silly noggin.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Slow down, kid.

That happens to lots of guys.

-Let me alone, will you?

Just let me alone.

-I hated to see that
happen in live flight.

-What about Sandy?

What happened?

-He'll go up tomorrow and score.

Or else.

-It'll break the kid's heart,
finishing up like this.

-Why did he volunteer?

You'd think a guy would know
inside whether he can take it

or not.

-That lad's not scared.

Not the way Foxy thinks.

-What do you mean?

-We've all got reasons
for being here.

Maybe we're convinced we've got
to wipe out the Nazis and Japs

to keep them from
taking us over.

Maybe we're fighting
for another deal.

Maybe we just want
to get out there

and cover ourselves with glory.

But not Sandy.

He has some personal reasons.

Keeps driving him.

Keeps him tied up in knots.

That's what happened today.

He's tied in knots.

-Talk like you know it, Jonesy.

-I've seen fellas like him.

Quiet, gentle kids.

They worry themselves sick.

But once they into
combat with dive bombers

screaming overhead and lead
whistling around their ears,

they're out in front,
showing the tough guys

what a real soldier's like.

-Wait a minute.

You mean, you've seen action?

-I was with the
British at Dunkirk.

I gotta get my things.

-How do you like that Jonesy?

With the British at Dunkirk.

And I thought that
guy was a [INAUDIBLE].

-I hope he's right about Sandy.

Wait far too long
tomorrow, I don't

think he'd be any better
tomorrow than he was today.

-Where's Lunt?

-I saw him a while ago,
heading toward the chapel.

-Button up.

-[INAUDIBLE].

-[INAUDIBLE].

-Look.

Sandy'll want his second chance.

-Do you think he ought
to go up tomorrow?

Let him get his nerve up.

-I'm in charge of
this flight, Davis.

When I want any advice,
I'll ask for it.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Why do I have to be like that?

Why can't I have
just a, a little of?

He gave his life
for his country.

Like, no, he was never afraid.

I promised I would.

Please.

I've tried so hard.

Can't-- can't you
give me some help?

Dear Lord.

Help me to find the strength.

Be with me tomorrow.

And when I'm up there again,
I've got to make good on.

I just got to.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Sandy.

I'm sorry about what
happened this afternoon.

I, uh, I just hated to see
you mess up your firing test.

-I can't blame you.

-Now look, kid.

There are loads of
jobs in the Army.

Suppose you got
into administration.

You could be near home--

--[INAUDIBLE] another
trial tomorrow.

-Sure you are.

I just hate to see
you go up, that's all.

-Thanks for trying, Foxy.

I'll be all right tomorrow.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[BVOOO-BVOOO-BWEW]

[VROOOM VROOM]

-After what happened
yesterday, I

sure got to hand it to the kid.

-Private Lunt, plane 24.

Go ahead and fire.

[VROOO-VROOO]

-Short bursts, Sandy.

-I can't.

It's a runaway gun.

-Pitch your shoot.

Quick.

-Sandy didn't bail.

-Plane 25, 23, and 22,
return to the post.

I'll call the crash boat.

-Stay where you are.

-Crash boat.

Crash boat.

-Crash boat.

Lieutenant Savage speaking.

Go ahead.

-[INAUDIBLE] [INAUDIBLE].

Three miles beyond
life [INAUDIBLE].

[INAUDIBLE]

Hurry.

-Come on.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Not too long, please.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

-Hello, Sandy.

-Foxy.

-I should never
have let you go up.

-My own fault.

Runaway gun.

-What did you say?

-I had set up that gun myself.

Never was any good
at those things.

How'd the boys make out?

-Oh, fine.

They all passed.

Sleeper and Gadget are outside.

-They're getting
their wings Saturday?

-Yeah.

So are you, in a month or so.

-No, you kidding Foxy?

I'm washed out for good.

-I tell ya, it's Foxy's fault.

He hadn't called him a coward
in front of the company

and forced him to go up again--
Good evening, Miss Lunt,

we were waiting around
to hear about Sandy.

-You know, there's something
you really oughta invent.

-Yeah, What?

-A zipper for your lip.

-I'm gonna let you
get some rest, kid.

-Wait.

-This what you want?

-My father.

All he sent back from Hawaii.

-Don't talk, Sandy.

-Th-- They came over at dawn.

Hickam Field.

He-- he never woke up.

They sent us this.

I swore I'd carry it over Tokyo.

-You will, Sandy.

You and me.

We'll fly over Tokyo together.

-You gonna ask for combat?

-Sure.

We'll both get in
the same outfit.

-Thank you.

-Well now, look Sandy--

-Ca-- carry it for me, Foxy.

You're a good fighter.

Like my father.

I never made it in.

-Doctor!

-[GASP] Sandy!

Oh, Sandy, Sandy.

Oh, Sandy.

-Peggy, I--

-You made him go up.

After you knew how he was,
and you made him do it.

-Peggy, there was
nothing I could do.

-Don't touch me. [SOBBING]

[MUSIC - "THE US AIR FORCE"]

-Men of Hollington,
within the next few weeks,

you will be fighting
for your country

in Alaska, the South
Seas, Briton, Africa,

on all the battle fronts
of this globe circling war.

That you are ready is
evidenced by the fact they

you stand before me to
receive your gunner's wings.

Wear them proudly, for they
are your mark of achievement.

ARMY ANNOUNCER: Sergeant

Sergeant Henry Jones.

Sergeant Jonathan Davis.

Sergeant Jackson Laswell.

Sergeant Lancelot Blaine.

Sergeant Lancelot Blaine.

-We also honor a member of your
class who is no longer with us.

He did not find the
going here easy.

But above all else, he
wanted to be a gunner.

He knew his handicaps, yet
despite a first failure,

he came back to try again.

His was the kind of courage
which inspires the rest of us

to keep fighting no
matter what the odds.

No matter what
the personal cost.

On behalf of the Army Air
corps, and this class,

we award, posthumously,
to Sergeant Sanford

Lunt, the wings of
an aerial gunner.

Mrs. Lunt, you may be
sure of our deep sympathy

and friendship.

-My boy would have been
very proud, Colonel.

Very proud.

-The first time since he was a
kid kicking around the gutters

of New York, spitting
in the face of fate,

Foxy seemed licked.

-I suppose the girl
was through it.

-It was a tough break for him.

Then I was in love with her too.

She let me kiss her goodbye,
no promise of course.

But I left with the feeling
that when I came back

I had a chance.

A few days later, I
got my commission.

I was assigned here.

-You mean you left without
kissing Foxy goodbye?

-He wouldn't even see me.

I guess he'd hated
me more than ever.

After I was here a few weeks,
you sent for me, I remember--

You sent for me, sir?

-Yes.

The, uh, San Francisco plane
brought something for you.

A new tail gunner.

Sergeant!

You two know each other?

-Yes, sir, we do.

-Take charge lieutenant,
I'm due on the line.

-Yes, sir.

I thought you didn't
want any action?

-A guy can change his mind, sir.

-Never mind the formality.

-Yes, sir.

-Coincidence, them
sending you down here.

-Coincidence my foot, sir.

I asked to be sent.

-Look, Foxy, if
you're going to let

that grudge carry
you 5,000 miles--

-Oh no, it wasn't that sir.

No indeed.

It was a picture of a South Sea
babe that I saw in a magazine.

And you know how
I am about those--

-Come on, come on.

Meet the rest of the crew.

-Yes sir.

-Tench-hut!

At ease.

Look what just dropped in.

-Hi, Gadget.

Hello, Sleeper.

Getting caught up
in your napping?

-Hi.

-Hello.

-Sergeant Traska, bombadier.

Foxy Pattis, our tail gunner.

-Glad to know ya.

-Same here.

-Park it right
here, I'm upstairs.

-Oh, swell.

Say, uh, uh, wasn't
Jonesy with you fellas?

-That was his bunk.

-They're shipping him
back in the same plane

that brought you in.

-Jonesy?

JON DAVIS: Yeah.

One unlucky slug from a zero.

-Aw, that's tough.

He was a good guy, Jonesy.

-Darn right he was a good guy.

And so was Sandy.

JON DAVIS: Gadget!

-What's a matter?

-Cut it out.

See you guys later.

-Here, let me help you.

-Let's get on over to
the PX before it closes.

-Closes?

Well, they don't close 'til--

-They know that.

Let 'em alone, Trask.

I thought it was going to
be hot in the South Seas.

Brr.

JON DAVIS (VOICEOVER):

resented Foxy's presence
from the beginning.

They still blamed Foxy for
what had happened to Sandy.

Didn't want him around.

But such close quarters,
sooner or later,

there was bound to be a blow up.

-Heh. you forgot
to jump, sucker.

-I'm not very good at this.

-Sandy taught him how to play.

He wasn't very good either.

-Now listen.

I've taken all the riding
I'm going to take, see?

-Yes?

-If either one of you mentions
Sandy's name again, I'll--

-Tench-hut!

What's the matter with you guys?

-Nothing, sir.

He was just--

-Now listen to me, both of you.

We've got to work together.

Otherwise, we're no
good as a bombing crew.

If you don't want
to team with Foxy,

then you can ask for a transfer.

And by George, I'll
recommend it too.

-We don't want that, sir.

-Well then, stop acting like
a couple of school girls.

-Yes, sir.

-Get out on the line,
and make the ship

ready for a bombing mission.
-You mean, we're going up?

-I don't know, we've got orders.

Go out and check the ship.

-I hope this isn't just
another fire drill.

-Foxy, go on up and
check your guns.

-Yes sir.

And, uh, thanks.

-What?

-Thanks.

They were getting me down.

-I thought I heard wrong.

You're welcome, Sergeant.

Wait a minute.

I've got something for you.

-Now, you reach this point, you
each head for your own targets.

Lieutenant Brandt, you'll
concentrate on the hangars.

-Yes, sir.

-Get any ships in the
open, get them too.

-Right sir.

-Lieutenant Davis, your
objective is the barracks.

You saw the pictures?

-Yes, sir.

-Ferguson gets the
tanker, is that clear?

-Yes sir.

-Now, if you meet any
fighters, don't stop to spar.

Your job is to unload your bombs
and get your ships home safely.

We can't afford to
lose any of them.

-We understand, sir.

-That's all.

Set your watches.

Take off is set for 13:30 hours.

Good luck, and
give 'em the works.

-Yes, sir.

-Well, here we go, boys.

-Move out.

-Sergeant Trask to
Lieutenant Davis.

We're in the danger
zone, be on the alert.

-Wide awake, sir.

No signs of any life yet.

-Sergeant Blaine,
Lieutenant Davis.

Getting close, Gadget.

-Going up, sir.

-Take over, Sarnoff.

-OK.

-Clear.

Hey, Foxy.

How's everything back
there in the caboose?

-Pretty lonesome.

-I'll speak to the Colonel.

Maybe the next time he'll
send a hostess along.

-Order one for me
too, Lieutenant.

-There it is men,
right straight ahead.

Lieutenant Brandt,
Ferguson, Lieutenant Davis.

This is where we part company.

Take your spots.

-Roger.

-Going in low and fast.

Is that the way
you want it, Trask?

-Roger.

-Bomb bay door is open.

-Give it the gun.

Give it to 'em, Trask.

Good work, Trask.

-Zowie!

Give 'em one for my uncle.

-Your uncle?

-Yeah, he used to
sell 'em scrap iron.

Let's give 'em some free.

-OK, here's for your
uncle, the stinker.

-Ha ha!

-Bet they got a
bang out of that.

-Good boy, Trask.

Won't be sleeping there tonight.

-Bombs away, sir.

We're staring the attack.

-Aw, gimme a chance, Adam.

I want to break in this chopper.

-Not this troop, Foxy.

We've done our good
deed for the day.

See if the others
are ready to go home.

-Lieutenant Sarnoff
to Lieutenants

Brandt and Ferguson.

How's tricks?

They got the hangars
and the tankers.

They're up ahead
of us, going home.

-Good.

It's funny we haven't
seen any Jap planes.

-No, we may have caught
them all in the hangars.

-I hope so.

-That's a beautiful fire
you left back there.

[CHUCKLES]

-Uh-oh.

Zeroes way up on my left.

-Everybody on the
interphone, heads up.

Zeroes on our tail.

Upper left.

We'll try to run them off.
Put your guns on 'em.

Understood?

-OK.

They're coming like bats.

-I count five of 'em.

-I can't see 'em from here.

-Better call the
others immediately.

-Lieutenant Davis,
Brandt, Ferguson.

There's a block of
Zeroes on our tail.

-Need a hand?

-Don't be a chump.

You heard what the Colonel said.

No matter what happens,
get these ships home.

-Right.

Here's luck, fellas.

-Now step on it, don't wait!

-First blood.

Hey Sleeper!

One's going downstairs, get him!

There's only three of 'em left.

Their wing is down.

Better take one, Gadget.

-OK.

-I got mine.

-OK.

Chalk up another one.

Sleeper!

Get him!

He's going down under!

Sleeper!

Answer me!

-That's all, sir.

They ran out.

-Sarnoff!

Sarnoff, take over, I'm hit.

Sarnoff.

Gadget.

Gadget, come on
down and help me,

I gotta make the landing, I--
Gadget, take up the motors.

I'm gonna be landing it
in the clear field ahead.

-Trask, Sarnoff, Sleeper.

-Yeah, he'll get
plenty of sleep now.

-Foxy, we may none of us
come out of this alive.

I'd feel a lot better if
you and I could make it up.

-I never learned
how to talk, Jon.

But maybe this will help.

-"Dear Foxy, John wrote that
you were down there with him.

I know now I did you
a terrible injustice,

and I'm writing to
ask you to forgive me.

You were all just
doing your job.

Sandy would have gone up
again, no matter what happened.

He had to do his job too.

About you and me, it's better
that it ended as it did.

You must realize that now.

I'd never known
anyone quite like you,

and you felt the
same way about me.

With Jon, it's different.

I haven't told him yet, but when
he comes back, I'll be waiting.

Please don't feel too
bitter toward me, Foxy.

Someday, when all this over,
I'd like to see you again.

Sincerely, Peggy."

-Well, we can't all win.

-She's a great girl.

-Mm.

You can say that again.

-Lieutenant!

Suppose I told ya I could
get the motors working?

-Can you?

-You're asking me?

The mechanical wizard?

It's just the ignition wiring.

Gimme about five minutes.

But, are you sure you
can lift her out of here?

-You fix it, and we'll see.

-I'll fix it.

[GUNSHOT]

-Hey, we got company.

-Yeah, a sniper.

Hurry up, get that wiring.
-Well, how about that--

-Shut up!

Get to work.

Jon, you get at the
controls, ready to take off.

-There must be more
than one of 'em.

-Gadget, how long will it take
ya to get that wiring done?

-Oh, about five minutes, anyway.

-Well, I'll hold 'em
off as long as I can.

And Gadget, don't start
taking things apart.

Put 'em together.

[GUN COCKING]

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

-Hurry up, Gadget!

The place is alive with 'em!

-Hurry up, Gadget.

He can't hold them
off much longer.

-I'm doing the best I can.

[GUNSHOTS]

-OK.

Try her now.

-Atta boy.

[ENGINE TURNING OVER]

-Atta boy, Gadget.

Go on back and signal Foxy.

[GUNSHOTS]

-Foxy!

Come on, we're ready to go!

-Tell 'em to take
off, get going.

-But Foxy, we can't leave ya.

Foxy!

-I can't make it.

They'll have their grenades
at ya before you get off.

[GUNSHOTS]

-He won't come.

Said they'd get him
before he made it.

He wants you to leave.

-He's crazy, get back there.

[GUNSHOTS]

-Foxy!

Come on!

-Get that bomber out of here,
before I let you have it.

Get going!

Incoming, you lizards!

You'll never get that bomber.

[EXPLOSION]

[GUNSHOTS]

-All right.

Here goes.

-So long, sucker.

How we doing, Sandy?

JON DAVIS: He gave his life so
we could fly our bomber home

and use it again.

We will Foxy, for you and
Sandy, and Sandy's father.

And all the others who
died to keep the stars

and stripes flying
over free America.

We'll keep smashing after
them again and again.

Until we finish them for good.

That Foxy, I promise you.