Journey Together (1945) - full transcript
David Wilton, John Aynesworth, and Smith are among a group of cadets hoping to become pilots in the Royal Air Force. David, however, has poor height perception and cannot master his landings. Therefore he is sent to navigator's school, but finds it hard to concentrate on his new job due to despondency over losing his chance to be "something important," a pilot. His friends and teachers join in an effort to show David the vast importance of the navigator, something he learns for himself over the target city of Berlin.
4-2-3's still waiting
for the 12 long flight.
What the devil?
Who's the duty with?
Corporal Wilton's flight.
Well where the heck is he?
Go and find him.
I don't think it'll
do much good, flyer.
Not much good?
Well he's gone up a flight.
Gone up?
Well how did you know
the accused was out flying?
Well I saw him, sir.
Zero five was taxing out and well,
the accused, he kind
of waved to me, sir.
What do you mean he
kind of waved to you?
Show me.
Well sir, he uh...
Show me, show me.
Yes, I see, the victory sign.
Do you wanna question the witness?
No, sir.
You can go, Jay.
About turn.
Quick march.
Right wheel, halt.
Well, have you anything
to say for yourself?
No, sir.
You realize this is
a very serious matter.
Yes sir, but, well I, I never
had the chance to fly before, sir.
Well if you're so keen on flying,
why didn't you join the air
crew in the first place?
I did sir.
Oh, selection board turn you down?
No sir, they told me
at recruiting center
I didn't stand a chance with
the educational standards.
Well where were you educated?
Elementary school sir,
I left when I was 14.
Well what made you master as
a wireless electrical mechanic?
Well, when I left school,
I went into my father's
wireless shop and I
stayed there for about...
All right, all right,
we don't want to hear
your whole life history.
I should have thought instead
of taking illicit joy rides
in ensigns, you would
have been better employed
in your spare time
filling up the gaps
in your education with
the education officer.
Yes, sir.
But, what do you mean, yes sir?
Well, I-I mean that's what
I do sir in my spare time.
Oh, oh well the fact remains that
you've committed a very serious offense.
I shall remand you to the
commanding officer for punishment.
Escort the accused,
right turn, quick march.
Right wheel.
Flight.
Sir.
Make a note of that
boy's name, will you?
In what connection, sir?
Interview for the air crew.
Now tell me, what
makes you want to fly?
Well, I don't know sir,
I just want to, that's all.
I'm afraid you didn't do too well in
your exams, corporal, how is that?
Well I think it was
the time limit, sir.
I'm afraid I got a bit nervy.
A member of air crew
shouldn't suffer from nerves.
But, it's a different
sort of nerves, sir.
Is it?
Supposing you were in a bomber
coming back from Germany
over the north sea somewhere.
And the captain had decided
to ditch the aircraft.
Now he'd tell the navigator to work
up the exact position for the SOS.
And he might give as a time
limit say as little as 30 seconds.
Supposing you were that navigator?
Oh, I-I wanna be a pilot
sir, not a navigator.
I'm sure you do.
90% of the men who come
before this board want to be pilots.
But you must realize that
it's up to those who train you
to decide what you're
best fitted for.
I can see you think
that's going to be pilot.
I know it is, sir.
All right, corporal,
we'll recommend you
for air crew duties to the category
of navigator, pilot, or air bomber.
Oh boy, I,
I mean thanks very much, sir.
How much, sir?
63.
There we go.
Hey.
Been here before?
Oh no, I used to
go to the white city.
Do any good there?
Well I've got a system.
My double traps one
six on each race.
Well do you make any money, eh?
Well not exactly, but it's suppose
to be a cracking good system.
Hello, fill it in there.
Name?
Aynesworth.
Christian names?
John Arthur Fitzhoward.
F-I-T-Z?
That's right.
Right-o, fill that in in there,
and when you're done there
hand it to the refs over there.
Name?
Smith, S-M-I-T-H.
There's four, next.
That's five.
That's nice material.
Is it, next.
A little big, isn't it?
You'll grow, next.
Hype, attention!
Sit down, please.
Firstly, I want to welcome
you to the Royal Air Force.
Many of you have waited a long
while for this day, now it's arrived.
The training you will
receive will be the best
that human science and
ingenuity can make it.
You'll only be at this
center for a few days,
but those days will be
devoted to the first requisite
of flying training,
physical fitness.
Out, together, out, together,
out, together, wake up!
Out, together, out,
together, out, together, out.
Now with your arms raising
and lowering sideways,
ready, change, and stretch
your fingers, slap your thighs.
Out, together, out.
Come on, that's not good enough.
I'll keep you here til
next Tuesday fortnight.
Until we get it right.
Oh!
Not such a bad looking crowd.
No, pretty well
outstanding I'd say, sir.
I say old brute, jolly
good show the old alma mater
put up in the boat race
today, one, one, one.
Good gracious, Mr. Aynesworth
this is a surprise.
How are you, sir?
Very well, thanks old boy Wideway.
Except that I feel
like a fresher again.
I trust you'll be coming back to
us sir after this trouble is over.
I hope so, Wideway, depends
how long the trouble lasts.
Yes, sir.
May I see it?
Yeah, if you like.
Charming, are you married?
No, but we're gonna
be when this lot's over.
May be a long time, you know.
We don't mind waiting.
Better stir clear
of the Canadian wafts
when you get over
to the other side.
Good lord, our beds were
hard but not as hard as this.
Um, how many undergrads
were in a room like this?
Only one, as a matter
of fact we had two rooms,
a bedroom and a sitting room.
Gosh.
You know, you make me feel
like a bloated plutocrat.
Sorry, I didn't mean to.
Anyway, we're all
in the same boat now.
Weft, W-E-F-T, weft.
Wings, engines,
fuselage, tailplane.
Now let me see, you Aynesworth.
Yes, you Aynesworth,
what's that one?
109.
It's uh, uh 111 sir.
Aynesworth,
did you get that last sentence?
Yes sir, I think so, sir.
Yes sir, I have.
The prime minister concluded his
remarks with a quotation from Horace.
Is that correct sir?
Quite correct, Aynesworth.
Good work, Wilton.
Carry on, Cole.
Hey Dave, isn't it
time you took over
instead of lying there
like, like Cleopatra.
Oh I'd love to Johnny old boy,
only you're so much better
with that pole than I am.
You wouldn't want me to pour
in the pond, would you John?
Oh all right you lazy son of a,
but don't go to sleep.
I'll give you some wingspans.
What's a 109?
32.
And a 1-1-0?
53?
Sure wish I had your memory.
No, it's my brains you want, chum.
Oh rot, it's not
brains that make a pilot.
It's blokes like me.
Bet you I make a better
pilot than you do.
Don't make me laugh.
How much you like to bet?
Anything you like.
An even quid?
All right.
Who'll be the judge?
You won't need a judge, it'll be
pretty obvious, I'll tell you that now.
All right then, an even quid
that I make a better pilot than you.
Hey Johnny, what the
devil are you doing?
I was thinking about
tomorrow's navigation exam.
If I'm not sitting
next to you, I'm sunk.
Well there's no
need to sink the boat.
I'm stretching wood.
You've only got about 10 feet
of ruddy wood in your hand John.
Good lord, so I have.
Hey John.
Huh?
Rather nice.
Sit down, please.
Uh no, let me see.
I think perhaps we better have
you in alphabetical order.
Aynesworth, will you
take this desk here?
The rest of you,
sort yourselves out.
You'd better get it
into your head right away
that good navigation's
essential for any pilot.
Fighter, bomber, or crystal.
Yes, sir.
I hope you won't fail me, sir.
If you let me through,
I'll do everything to get up to scratch.
All right Aynesworth, we'll accept
your promise and give you a pass.
But if you let me down...
I won't, sir.
I promise from now on I'll spend
all my spare time on navigation.
You're a friend of
young Wilton's aren't you?
Yes, sir.
Now he's worked really
hard in his navigation.
Did us a damn good paper.
Why didn't you copy him?
Well I think he did try, sir.
While you're here, you'll receive
between seven to 12 hours flying.
Then your ability as a pilot
will be carefully assessed
on a system of marks.
Right, are there any questions?
Excuse me sir, what happens
if some of these other chaps
don't go solo, does it
mean they won't be pilots?
By no means, they'll have
a better chance, that's all.
That goes for you too.
Watch your airspeed
Smith, watch your airspeed.
Just put your googles
down, will you.
Keep her nose on the
horizon, keep her steady.
Watch your airspeed, Smith.
Keep your nose on the horizon,
keep it on the horizon.
Watch your airspeed.
Your airspeed, watch it.
Sir!
Sir!
Smith.
Yes sir.
Pull those googles down, will you?
Yes sir.
Now, do you know why
that happened just now?
No sir.
You don't think it might have been
due to your pulling the nose up?
Pulling the nose up, sir?
Yes Smith, pulling the nose up.
Is that what I did, sir?
Yes Smith, that is what you did.
Well, well, glory be.
As you say Smith, glory be.
Could we just try it once again?
And Smith put those
googles down will you!
That was a pretty
nice turn, Wilton.
Now try and make another
landing by yourself.
If you remember what I told you,
you'll find it's quite easy.
All right, sir.
Never mind Wilton, it
happens to the best of us.
You made a good recovery.
Have another crack at it.
Well apart from Smith they
seem to be coming along all right.
Wilton's a bit of a puzzle, sir.
Oh, how's that?
Well I don't know, he's a
good lad, very quick and keen.
I like him a lot but his
landings are still ruddy awful.
Well I'll see him when I test him.
What about the other chap?
Aynesworth?
Yes.
Oh he's absolutely crackerjack.
I've only given him 5 1/2 hours
and I want you to test him for solo.
You're just shooting
a line, go away.
Oh uh, by the way sir,
is there any chance yet
of my being put into a squadron?
How many times have you asked
me that in the last six months?
Oh about, about three times sir.
Six times a week at least I'd say,
and the answer's still no.
Get back back to that
crackerjack pupil of yours,
I'll be seeing him in the morning.
Yes sir.
Come on sir, let's go before
he sees you've been watching.
Okay.
Good work, Johnny boy.
Where are Fergi and the CFI,
I thought they were watching.
The went into tea quite a time ago.
Good lord, do you mean to
say they didn't even see it?
What do think, you silly clod?
Oh.
I'll give 'em tea.
Looks as though my
quid's in danger.
Oh that's all right,
Fergie's always holding you up
as an example of how to fly.
No kidding?
No kidding.
My landings are so ruddy awful.
Don't you worry,
they'll be all right.
God bless you.
Colby.
Goodbye, sir.
Good luck.
Well goodbye sir, and
thank you very much.
All the best.
Before we go sir, couldn't you
really tell us how we've done sir?
No, you'll hear soon enough
at the distribution center.
But Wesley when I had my final test
the CFI told me he'd never seen
anything at all like it in my life sir.
Did he really say that?
Yes.
Well, well well.
Well goodbye sir,
we'll be seeing you.
- Goodbye, sir.
- Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Well so long, sir.
Drop me a line, will you boys?
- Yeah,
- We will, sir.
I bet the next lot won't be
as good as uh, we were sir.
Thanks boys.
So long fellows.
9-8-1-2-5-9-0, Saunders,
D.N., air bomber.
9-8-5-7-6-5-4,
Aynesworth, J.A.F.
Sir!
Pilot.
9-8-3-2-4-6-7,
Cartwright, R.O.
Sir!
Navigator.
9-8-4-6-3-2-1, Smith, A.D.
Sir!
Air bomber.
9-8-4-3-2-6-5...
Must be bloody well crazy.
Harrison, J.
Sir!
Pilot.
9-8-7-8-9-6-3, Wilton, D.W.
Sir!
Pilot.
9-8-5-6-5-9-1, Stop that.
Royston, S.O.
Sir!
Pilot.
The men whose names
I have just read out
and those previously
selected as pilots
will leave these sunny
shores and proceed
to the United States for training.
Navigators and air
bombers will go to Canada.
California here I come.
If there's anything
you don't understand,
for heaven sake don't be
afraid to ask questions.
That's what we're
here for, to help you.
Well fellows, when I
call your names out,
leave the ranks and join
your instructors over here.
Cadets Johnson, Caper,
Lorning, and Mills.
Instructor John Larimore.
Lloyd, Thompson, Shaw,
and Keeble, Instructor Bill Bryant.
Well my name is Dean MacWilliams.
Just soon as you can get used
to it I want you to call me Dean.
Yes sir, I mean yes...
Dean.
Yes, Dean.
Now come on, we'll
have a look at the ship.
Oh uh, course you
fellows say aircraft.
No, aircraft.
Oh, I'm sorry, come on.
Well here she is,
whatever we call her.
And that's the tail, this is the wings,
that's the fuselage.
And that twisted thing up there
in the front, that's a prop.
Kind of elementary, eh son?
Well we've, we have seen
an aircraft before, you know.
Well then what would you say
was the function of the fuselage?
Well I suppose it's, well I mean,
well I suppose I don't know.
Well what is its function?
To keep the wings from
touching the tail I'd say.
How long should it be
before we go solo, sir?
Well a minimum of eight hours dual.
Eight hours, but I've,
well some of us have already gone solo.
Well then you, some of you,
shouldn't find it difficult
to make it in the time.
The maximum is 10 hours.
Well what happens if
we don't make it, sir?
Don't worry, you'll make
it all right.
Come on, David.
We don't seem to be able to
get those landings of yours
right yet, do we David?
No, I'm sorry Dean.
Well cheer up and
don't look so worried.
Sorry.
And don't be so
sorry about everything.
No I'm so, no.
Uh tell me uh, do you
ever get away from camp?
Well...
Go out and enjoy yourself?
No, not much.
Well what about coming down to
my ranch this weekend, meet the wife?
Well yeah, I'd like to.
As a matter of fact,
we always adopt a couple
of you fellows on each course,
just like the rest of
the folks do around here.
How would you like me
as a foster parent?
Well I'd like it very much.
Okay then, I'm it.
Now uh, who else shall we adopt?
Have you got any particular pal?
Well yes, there is someone
I'd rather like to bring along.
That is if it's all right with you.
Of course it's
all right, who is it?
Well it's John Aynesworth.
Oh, well uh, tell me uh,
do I get in that guy's hair
as much as he gets into mine?
Well, he, he's all right
when you get to know him.
At least I like him.
Well we've all gotta make
our little sacrifices I guess.
I'll adopt the little rat.
Yeah, Oliver, that was his name.
Got the DSO for that
low level raid on Amein.
Uh 21 course I think it wa, uh,
will you stop bobbing
up and down like that.
Sit down John, pay no
attention to that husband of mine.
He never did have any
manners of his own.
Oh is that so?
Yes darling, that is so.
David, pass
down the cheese, will you?
Yeah, sure.
Well uh, this Oliver kid
was flying solo one day,
he had just about
three hours to his cre,
what's the matter with the cheese?
Oh nothing, nothing at all.
Well don't you want any?
Yes sir, I'd love some
after I finish my pie.
Well why after?
Isn't that the orthodox
way of eating cheese?
Here John, you try
some, it's awful good.
Oh I see, this is the orthodox way.
You know kid, you give me
one hell of an inferiority complex.
You know you give me one to.
Do I?
Is that so?
Well, well, what
do you know about that?
Well.
Don't look so pleased
about it, honey.
Go on about Oliver.
Oh yeah, well this Oliver
kid was flying solo one day
when his fuel started to give out.
Good, isn't it?
Uh Mary, give him some more.
Well what do you think
this Oliver kid did?
Well he cut off his engine,
called up the control tower
and said, "What do I do now?"
Well if you all will excuse me,
I really must go wash those dishes.
Oh I'll come and help you.
Oh sit down, you can't wash dishes.
Oh rot, I wash a very pretty dish.
That's right John,
you come along and help.
Just ignore this husband of mine.
Well can you beat that?
His lordship volunteering
to wash dishes.
You know David you were right,
he's not such a bad guy
once you get to know him.
Yeah I knew you'd like him.
Swell pilot too.
Is he really?
Yeah, but don't tell him I said so.
He'll be better still when
he learns that the more
you learn about flying,
the more you have to learn.
Yeah but John's a
natural pilot, isn't he?
I mean well he doesn't have to swallow
it all up out of books like I do.
Oh he could do with a bit
more of the book for all that.
You know, John and I have got a bet on
about who's gonna be the best pilot.
Yeah?
Which do you think?
Well, that'll teach Mary a lesson.
What do you say, Marshall?
You've flown with him.
Well, I'd say the same, sir.
The boy has the makings
of a first class pilot.
His landings are rough because
he thinks too much about 'em.
Flies too much with his brain,
doesn't use his instinct enough.
You don't think the trouble
might be something more organic?
Well Dean doesn't think so.
That can only be a hunch, Dean.
Well sure, but my hunches
aren't usually all that wrong.
No, they're not.
All right then,
what do you suggest?
Let me give him
another half hour's duo.
He's only got that
left anyway, what then?
Then we send him solo.
Supposing he doesn't
improve in that half hour?
Well I want you to let
me send him solo anyway.
Well that's a risk Dean
I'm not too keen to take.
Well he recovers well, his
airmanship is first class,
he doesn't lose his head.
You haven't answered
my objection, Dean.
Well, look sir,
here's the way it is.
I hate to see first class
pilot material go to waste.
This is a case where I think
a slight risk is justified.
In my opinion the kid is
suffering from just one thing,
lack of confidence.
And the only way you
and I or anybody else
can give it to him,
is to send him solo.
What do you think, Marshall?
I agree, sir.
All right Dean, provided
you pay for a new steerman.
Okay David, feel like
taking her up alone?
Oh thanks, thanks a lot Dean.
Well do a circuit
and come in again.
Uh, let me know how you get on,
I'll be having a cup of
coffee in the canteen.
Yeah, I know.
Ready for me now, Dean?
What?
Oh uh, you take 0-3 on your own.
Do half an hour circuits and bumps.
Okay.
How did David get on?
Why don't you taxi like that?
Too impatient.
Damn good takeoff.
Well at least he's opened up again,
most of 'em don't do that.
You okay?
Yeah I think so.
Take it easy,
don't hurt yourself David.
You're darn lucky to
get away with this so easy.
You're not kiddin'.
Dave, you big twerp.
I'm sorry, sir.
No, forget it, you all right?
Well yeah, I think so sir.
Well why didn't
you go around again?
Well I, I had to go down sometime.
Well he's not hurt, sir.
Good, what about that
hunch of yours now, Dean?
All right, when the
MO's okayed him,
take him up again, give
him a good workout.
Very well sir.
Come on son, we're going
for a little joy ride.
There's nothing wrong
with your nerve.
Good.
No, it's not good at all.
I thought your trouble
was under-confidence.
I was wrong.
What is my trouble then?
I don't know.
All I know is it's
something that I can't cure.
Do you mind if I have
a cigarette, please.
Here, have one of mine.
Oh, thank you.
Dean, what you're trying to tell me
is that I'm never gonna
make a flyer, huh?
Oh no, you'll make a flyer all right,
but uh, you won't make a pilot.
I only wanna be a pilot.
There are other things.
I don't care about other things.
Here.
Now look David, you have
no judgment of height.
And that's one thing a pilot's
just got to have if he wants to live.
I'm sorry kid but
that's the way it is.
Couldn't you put me
on the next course?
Oh sure but it'd be just a waste of
your government's money and my time.
Sorry kid, I know
just how you feel.
I wanted to be a pilot more than
I've ever wanted anything in my life.
Say, what's all this
pilot stuff anyway?
Whoever said being a pilot
was such a wonderful thing?
You're a pilot aren't you?
Yeah but heck, that was in the last war,
it was different then.
The pilot was king, the
rest was nobody, but now,
well what is a pilot but
just a darn chauffer anyway?
Say, if I had my chance
again, do you know
what I'd rather be
even more than a pilot?
Do you know?
What?
A navigator.
Sure, I'm not kidding.
It's the navigator in these big ships
who gets all the medals these days.
Oh but hell, every
member of a bomber crew
is just as important as the
pilot, you oughta know that.
That's what they told
me at my selection board.
Well they mighta been right, son.
Did you ever think of that?
No, no I'm afraid I didn't.
I was pretty sure I
was gonna be a pilot.
Sure got 30 minutes solo, Dean.
Oh sorry.
I quit, Johnny.
Dave!
Just made it.
I thought you were flying.
Well I am, at least
I'm suppose to be.
Well now, just thought I'd
come see you off, Dave.
Thanks Johnny.
Well, goodbye.
Hey now, wait a second, I have got
that address you gave me, haven't I?
Yeah, I wrote it down
for you about five times.
Well that's good,
I've got it somewhere.
Now remember Dave on the way home,
I'm coming to have that
drink with you in Toronto.
If you get the chance.
Oh we'll fix that all right.
Hey buddy, you wanna miss
that train it's okay by me.
Bye Johnny.
So long, Dave.
Be a good little navigator.
Oh I almost forgot,
it's what I owe you.
Don't spend it all at once.
First of all, the master unit.
Now this is stowed
usually near the tail
in heavy aircraft so that
it's as far away as possible
from the magnetic
influences of the engine
and other metal parts
of the fuselage.
Now another important
point is the fact that
being jiral controlled, the
compass is unaffected by bank,
and you can get an immediate
reading on the repeaters when turning.
Dear Dave, thanks for the letter.
Yesterday we were given our wings,
and now I suppose we can
call ourselves pilots.
Feels pretty good I can tell you.
We're due to go back
to England right away,
but we're getting
embarkation leave first,
so you can expect to see
me in Toronto quite soon.
Ten!
Come in.
Well Wilton, what do you want?
I'm on flying tonight, sir.
Yeah you're flying with
me, aren't you fellow?
Yes sir.
I'd like to swap with somebody
who's on tomorrow night sir.
Why?
Well I've got a particular reason
for wanting to go to town tonight, sir.
What's she like?
It's not a she sir, it's a pal of mine,
he's on embarkation leave.
He's on his way through and
it's the only night he's got, sir.
Sorry Wilton, no dice.
Baxter's ready to
swap with me, sir.
I know, I know, but supposing
flying is scrubbed tomorrow night.
I have a carefully planned program here,
I can't afford to take chances.
And besides, you're not well
enough advanced in your work
to be fooling around.
All right sir, I'm sorry I asked.
No harm asking.
No sir.
Tell you what, I'm driving
to town soon as I've changed,
you can come along with me and
we can see this pal of yours
and explain things,
what do you say?
Thank you, sir.
Thanks for the lift, sir.
Okay, I'll come in with you.
See him?
No sir.
Well let's sit down over there and
have a drink while we're waiting.
Couple of cokes, please.
By the way, I've arranged for your
friend to sleep at the camp tonight.
Oh, thank you sir.
Paging Mr. Wheeler,
paging Mr. Wheeler.
Cigarette?
Oh, thank you sir.
How long you been over this side?
Oh, nearly six months all together.
Looking forward to
getting back I bet.
Not all that much.
How come?
I don't know I, hoped to go
back with something up here.
You will.
Yeah, but not what I hoped for.
Johnny!
Hello, Dave.
Oh, good work Johnny,
I knew you'd make it.
Sit down.
Oh, Flight Lieutenant Moore,
Jo, uh, Sergeant Aynesworth.
How do you do, sir?
Glad to know you, fellow.
You have a coke?
Oh thanks.
Another one, please.
All right, sir.
Feeling cold?
Oh, no sir.
Take off your coat.
Yes.
Johnny.
Yeah.
May I?
Oh, oh yes I suppose
they are a bit dazzling.
Thank you, sir.
Just a minute, Aynesworth.
You um, you know this guy
Wilton pretty well, don't you?
Yes, yes I do.
Well enough to give him a good
hard kick in the seat of his pants?
I think so, sir, why?
He's making a fool of
himself over his work here.
It's the old story of
the disappointed pilot.
Worst case I've met so far.
Thinks navigating's a sissy job.
All right sir, I'll
see what I can do.
Might do more good coming from you.
How bout coming up with us in
the ensign tonight, there'll be room.
Thanks, I'd like to sir.
Okay, I'll fix it.
So long.
Cheerio, sir.
3/10ths cloud at 8000,
wind at 2000, 240, 15.
At 4000, 250, 20.
Now there's a cold front
approaching from the west,
and it's possible that
it may reach this area
before the end of the exercise,
so be prepared for a recall signal.
This cold front is causing snow flurries
and a marked varying in increase
in the strength of the
wind at the cold front.
Any questions?
All right, sir, that's all.
All right, sir.
See you later.
You taking a navigation
instructor up with you?
No why, scared?
Yeah I certainly will be if
you're doing all the navigating.
Ah, don't worry, we won't get lost.
Apart from Moore being the best
staff pilot in the station,
we're takin' Instructor Wallace
up and the UT Wallace up with us.
We can always get in on a beam.
I'm glad to hear it.
Hello.
Oh hello, Aynesworth.
Ah-ha, very pretty, what's it
gonna be, bombers or fighters?
Bombers.
Bombers eh, hm.
Less driving, more of a bore.
Carry on.
Is he flying with us?
Yeah, I always try to fly with old
Smith, he does my map reading for me.
Are you mad?
Whatever he was like as a pilot,
he's a damn good air bomber.
I'll believe that when I see it.
Hi, Wilton.
What time they say take off was?
Uh, 21:15.
Oh thanks.
Percy's our wireless
op tonight, Johnny.
Oh, how do you do?
I'm fine.
Well, must press on, see you later.
It's a wonderful
crew you've got, Dave.
Yeah.
Pilot to navigator, recall signal,
give me a course for base.
Looks like the weather's
closing in on us.
Yeah.
Navigator to pilot,
steer course 2-3-1 compass.
Estimated time of arrival
base 01:33, 01:33.
Pilot to
navigator, ETA base, 01:33.
Hello pilot, navigator calling.
ETA in three minutes time.
Start losing height now.
Hello navigator, pilot
answering, going down now.
Maintaining course.
Have you got me that bearing?
Have you got me that bearing?
It's no use son, receiver's
US, can't get a thing.
Ah well never mind, we're bound
to be pretty well over the airfield.
See anything, sir?
The airfield lights
should be dead ahead.
Nothing dead ahead fella except
a hell of a lot of rocks and boulders.
It's four minutes past your
ETA, what do we do now?
Well the airfield must
be dead ahead of us.
I think, sir.
No use just thinking fella,
what do you want me to do?
Hello navigator, still
nothing to be seen.
Where do we go from here?
Navigator to pilot, carry on.
Next course 2-7-0
compass, 2-7-0 compass.
Hello wireless
operator, still no joy?
Still no luck with the receiver,
transmitter's working okay.
Lotta use that is.
Hello navigator, we've
exactly 45 minutes fuel left,
45 minutes fuel left.
Yes sir, we've taken
several bearings on 'em
and they vary so much, he
must be doing a square search
somewhere north of the airfield.
Yes sir, all air
drone lights are on.
Okay sir, I'll do that.
Sergeant, send a broadcast to all
airfields within a hundred mile radius,
prepare for possible
forced landing.
Okay, sir.
Hello, George, George,
telephone police will you
and ask them to have their patrol
look out for that overdue ensign.
Okay, thanks.
Getting us yet?
No, sir.
Keep on trying, eh?
Hello navigator, 20 minutes fuel left,
20 minutes fuel left.
You still want me
to continue course?
Well, I, I-I don't know, sir.
Do whatever you think best.
You're navigator, you know.
Checked your DR again?
Um, yes.
Air plot up to date?
Uh, yes.
Sure you applied
variation the right way?
Yes, I'm quite sure.
So we should be over the
airfield, shouldn't we?
Yes, sir.
Well we aren't, are we?
No, sir.
What wind are you using?
Uh, uh, 2-4-5-20, sir.
Oh my gosh.
We, we, we had a
recall signal, sir.
Really, how very interesting.
Yeah, that's right, we
had a recall signal.
Well, well there must
have been a change of wind.
Take your time, eh,
we've got all of 15 minutes fuel left.
Navigator to pilot,
steer 1-7-4 compass,
1-7-4 compass.
1-7-4 it is, I'm
climbing, just in case.
Five minutes to go, he'd
better be right this time.
Trust your navigator, fellow,
it's an old principle of flying.
Lights, dead ahead sir!
All right, no need to panic.
Nice work, navigator.
An hour and 20 minutes past
our ETA, but we're home.
You coming, Dave?
Yeah you go on, I'll see
you at the interrogation.
Funny, for the first time
tonight I felt sick in the air.
I know a bloke who feels
sick after every trip
over Germany, he's a navigator too.
It's a hell of a feeling,
knowing that everyone's relying on you.
Pilots feel like
that too, you know.
Yeah I suppose everyone on an
air crew gets it sometime or another.
Only it's worse for the navigator
'cause he gets it all the time
is far worse for the pilot.
What?
The pilot?
What did the pilot
do I'd like to know,
except take off, land,
and keep on a course?
Any outfit can be
taught to do that.
Oh right, you know
damn well it's the pilot.
Now you take our Moore tonight,
pilot with bags and bags of experience
and what could he do except
hold on to the ruddy stick
and say, "Where are we?"
Of course I know he
gave me the wind change,
but even so, who got you home?
You did.
That's right.
Oh, well yes I'm, I'm
sorry sir, I didn't mean to
shoot a line, only he was
shootin' a line about pilots.
Was he?
That's all right, Wilton,
guess there's no harm
in being proud of
getting us back tonight.
That's your job, after all.
Not a bad thing to
be proud of your job.
No sir, I suppose not.
Better get along fellow, they're
waiting for you at interrogation.
Yes, sir.
See you in the morning, Johnny.
Okay, get out of here.
Good night, sir.
Good night.
He'll make a navigator all right,
just needed showing, that's all.
Bit lucky he had such a
shaker tonight, wasn't it?
Yes, I guess it was a bit lucky.
I noticed the fuel after we got down,
we had at least half an hour left.
Sure, they always give you
a good margin on these trips.
Did you notice anything else?
Was there anything else to notice?
Only a little yellow light on the
horizon the first time we came down.
When he seemed so darn confident
of hitting the airfield on ETA.
What was it?
The airfield.
This is where I get some
sleep, goodnight Sergeant.
Goodnight, sir.
Now smile, hold it.
Thank you.
Johnny!
Good lord, you go
on chaps, I'll follow.
Well, well, well it's grand
to see you again, Dave.
How are you?
Oh fine, thanks.
Oh Johnny you are a louse
really, you might have told me.
Oh well they dish 'em out all over
the place these days, you know.
Oh I don't believe
that, what happened?
Oh the usual sort of muck up,
landed on the wrong airfield
on the way back from Hamburg,
and went off the kite.
Well tell me Dave,
how's the girlfriend?
Oh she's fine, sends you her love.
That's nice of her, Dave.
Look Dave I, I did try my best
to wag you on to the crew but...
Yeah I heard about it
from the navigation officer.
Thanks for trying anyway.
You see the trouble is now
the fellow's already got
some up experience, and the others,
the fellows on the crew...
Oh that's all right Johnny,
you don't have to explain.
Look, we're going
out to the pub tonight
for a bit of a booze up,
how bout coming along?
Yeah, I'd love to.
Good, I'll collect you at the mess.
Well so long Dave, glad the
old firm is showing up again.
So am I.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
The starboard outer wasn't
giving me the correct boost.
We therefore developed
a slight sway...
Mack, you mean you're
two hand with the rudder.
If you'd look after your
ruddy engine as well as I fly
the ruddy guy, there
wouldn't be any bother.
Ah, now don't give us that,
those guys don't fly themselves.
What a line.
What a lot of ungrateful
- ...you are.
- The iceberg man.
Hello, sir.
Hello.
I'm awfully sorry, I'm afraid I...
Wilton, sir, grading
school, course 1-3-6.
Good lord, yes of course.
It was that thing that fooled me.
I must say, yeah.
Are you part of this
squadron now sir?
Me in a squadron?
No, no occasionally
they allow us inspectors
a couple of weeks in
an operational station.
We might even get a real
trip in a real bomber.
I think they do it to save
us from going completely mad.
Tell me what happened to that fellow,
that friend of yours?
- Aynesworth?
- Yes.
Oh he's here sir, he's
captain over Lancaster.
That's why I got myself
posted to this squadron.
It's a bit of luck there.
Yes, I suppose it is.
It's like that, is it?
Yes, it's like that.
You see we've
got a bloke in the pool now
who's already done a trip or two.
We've no vacancies at the moment,
I suppose we shall just have
to stick you in the pool
and you can carry on with your training.
Carry on with my training sir?
I thought all that was over.
Hm, sure you did.
So did I when I first
joined the squadron.
Well I'm just completing
my second tour of office.
You can take it from me, Wilton,
the training's only
over when you're dead.
Not one second before.
Come on, I'll fix
you up with some tea.
Last night for
the third time this week,
very strong forces of
our air bomber command
delivered another concentrated
attack upon the inland port of Bramer.
In addition to high explosive bombs,
200,000 incendiaries were sent down.
RAF pilots report that the fires
were still visible when they...
Good morning Sergeant Wilton.
Oh good morning, sir.
You're the very bloke
I've been looking for.
You're flying with
Aynesworth tonight.
What sir?
I'm putting you on
Aynesworth's crew.
His navigator stopped a bit of
flare the night before last.
Nothing serious, but he'll
be out of it for a bit.
Oh thank you sir,
thank you very much.
Don't thank me, you're
the only spare navigator.
Oh, oh I see sir.
Briefing, 17:45.
Yes, sir.
Good luck.
Thank you, sir.
Johnny.
Hello Dave, how's things?
Oh fine, thanks.
- Hello, sir.
- Hello.
Johnny, I'm flying
with you tonight.
Are you?
Oh well that, that's fine.
Hey chaps, come over here.
Fellows, you all know David Wilton.
Hi.
Well uh, Dave's
navigating for us tonight.
Good show.
Well, well, I better go and get
my things together I suppose.
See you at the briefing, Johnny.
Fine.
So long.
So long, kid.
Holy suffering cats.
Where is it tonight,
skipper, do you know?
Well I've only heard the rumor.
So have I, that
makes it ruddy suicide.
Wish I'd bags and bags
more life insurance.
What you all binding about?
I happen to know
your skipper's right
when he says he's a
crackerjack navigator.
That's all right for you sir,
you don't have to fly with him.
No, I don't have
to, but I'm going to.
I could've flown with the CO, but I
fixed it to fly with you boys instead.
Well, cheerio chaps,
I'll see you later.
The pathfinders
will be there already.
The weather's good, we hope.
So you should have no difficulty
in finding the target.
So bring it, and bring it hard.
As usual, I can't
emphasize too much
the importance of
sticking bang on track.
For one thing, if you break
away from the main body,
you'll most likely be
picked off by fighters.
And for another,
if you vary from this particular course,
you'll more than likely
run into these very highly
defended areas and get
into a lot of trouble,
which is entirely unnecessary.
So navigators, keep
on the top line.
I think that's all.
All right chaps, good luck.
Oh hell.
What's the trouble, mate?
Oh I'm not going.
It's Berlin, so the ruddy gunnery
officer's going to take my place.
What a nerve that man's got.
What are you beefing about?
You don't know when you're in luck.
Berlin with a navigator
as green as my,
oh that's all right,
he didn't hear.
Anyway, it's not his fault.
It's just our tough
luck, that's all.
Come on.
Coming Donnie?
Look Angus.
Pull your finger out, skipper?
Ready Dave?
Yeah, yeah sure.
Here, let me give you a hand.
We should film onto the Palace
this week with my girl tomorrow night,
what do you think?
Yeah, I'd like to.
Navigator to pilot, ETA
Danish coast, 01:22, 01:22.
ETA Danish coast 01:22.
Wireless op to pilot, lighters
have just gone off the air.
Good show.
Pilot to all positions,
we are approaching the enemy coast.
Keep a sharp lookout for fighters
and report anything you see.
Not much chance of seeing
anything in this murky weather.
Air bomber to pilot,
testing intercom.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7 all good
air bombers go to heaven.
Can you hear me with that?
I hear you sonny boy.
Okay skipper.
Hello navigator, 'fraid
I still can't give you
a pinpoint, can't see a
ruddy thing down below.
Okay air bomber, thanks.
How's it coming, nav?
All right, I think.
Navigator to pilot, steer
course 1-3-0 compass,
1-2-5 true, 1-3-0
compass, 1-2-5 true.
Okay, navigator,
course 1-3-0 compass,
1-2-5 true it is.
Reception committee's
out over Berlin all right.
Hell of a lot of stuff coming up.
We've got stuff going
down too by the look of it.
Bomb door's open.
Fighter flares above us,
fighter coming in port quarter, skipper.
I got him, I got him.
Go on, Curly.
Left, left, skipper.
Left a little more.
More, hold it there, skipper.
Steady, right a
little more, skipper.
Hold it there.
Keep it there, skipper.
Bombs going in a second, skipper.
Steady.
Hold it there, skipper.
Steady.
Bomb's gone.
Port half engine's on fire.
There's still a fire, skipper.
I know.
Monitor all positions.
Engine on fire, I'm gonna
try and put it out by diving.
It's out, it's out, skipper.
Pilot to all teams, fire's out,
we've only two good engines left.
That's okay, did you
see that 1-1-0 go down?
You bet I did.
Bloody marvelous wasn't it?
Angus, how's our fuel?
Not so good, skipper.
Looks like the tank's been holed.
Have we enough to get us back?
Just about, it depends of course.
Okay, we've two engines
and just enough fuel.
I'm taking yon home, boys.
Good for you, Johnny.
Okay skipper, that's the stuff,
I've got a date tonight.
We'll be out of this
stack in a second, chaps.
What's the damage?
Wireless has copped out,
skipper, no joy at all.
Transmitter working?
I think so.
At least I hope so.
The nav aids have gone as well.
Then we'll just have
to run on our navigator.
It's lucky we got such a good one.
Holy suffering cats.
Keep your eyes
open for pinpoints, Curly.
Curly's been hit, skipper.
Is he badly hurt?
It doesn't look too
bad but he's unconscious
and he's bleeding pretty heavily.
I think we better bring him up top.
Right, I'll be
relying on you, Dave.
Give me a direct course to
the nearest landing field.
Okay, skipper.
Where are we?
How's the fuel?
How's the fuel?
45 minutes at the most.
Engine temperatures
are climbing too.
We've only 45 minutes
fuel left at the most.
What's your ETA?
Tell you in a minute.
It doesn't look too good,
we're losing height steadily.
How's Curly?
Fairly comfortable.
Dinghy,
dinghy prepare for ditching.
We've only three minutes chaps,
pack up.
Rear gunner to pilot.
Right mid upper to pilot,
okay chief.
Wireless op to pilot,
message received and understood.
Navigator,
get weaving and work out our position.
And for Pete sake get it right.
Navigator to pilot, okay skipper.
How's it going, Dave?
Just finished, skipper.
My mother always said
I had to get my feet wet.
Navigator to pilot,
surface wind 2-6-0-20, 2-6-0-20.
Right.
Ditching stations,
ditching stations.
Wireless op to ditching station.
Okay skip, wireless
op to ditching station.
Hold tight fellows, here it comes.
Brace for ditching!
Here get this, Pete.
Okay chap, I've got it.
Get his arm, Angus.
Okay skipper, coming up.
All right.
I've got him.
Get inside and hurry, chaps.
What do you got in there?
Here, here, over here.
Hurry up mates, this is going.
Hey, wait for me, fellas.
Come on boys, we'll all be.
Hey look out Angus!
Grab that vest.
Use your hand, mateys.
Got him?
Yeah, okay?
Cut him free, Dave.
Okay, skip.
How you feeling, Curly?
Where are we?
Well that's just it Curly
boy, where the hell are we?
Dave's got it all
worked out, Curly.
Haven't you Dave?
Yeah, sure.
I've changed it again, we're in exactly
the same position to about half a mile.
Yeah see rescue chaps'll
be here any minute now.
Heck they'd better be,
I've got a date with the AOC
tomorrow about my commission.
Air marshals get awful mad
if you keep 'em waiting.
Well that's one air marshal
booked for the looney bin.
Oh for god sake Angus shut up.
If you want to be gloomy
go and talk to the fishes.
All right, all right,
can't you take a joke?
No, not Scotch ones I can't.
Now Dave, take a look at the bag,
it doesn't seem to be
leaving much of a trail.
Yeah, okay.
Well that's better.
You're suppose to be able
to see that 10 miles away.
What's today, Tuesday?
Aye, it should be, if we haven't drifted
over the international date line.
Good lord, did someone
say it was Tuesday?
I was suppose to be going on a
gunnery leader's course this afternoon.
Relax bud, they won't
start without you.
Well I hope they do.
Tonight of all night's
I've got me a red hot date.
Redhead?
You bet, with a temper
like a rattlesnake.
I muff it this time, our navigator'll
have to do the explaining.
Hear that, Dave?
Sure.
What about me, chaps?
I'm getting married on Thursday.
- Married?
- You are?
- You're kidding.
- Go on with you.
Harry, that's serious.
You wouldn't be pulling
our legs by any chance?
No, cross my heart.
Looks like the wee wifey's gonna
be awful lonely on her wedding night.
Shut up, Angus.
I'm sorry, bub.
Sorry, for what?
You can all come to my wedding feast,
if the rations hold out.
Keep grinding on that radio, Pete.
Not much use without
the cart ariel, skipper.
Well keep on trying
anyway, you never know.
Okay, skip.
Stop grinding that machine, Pete.
Is that a?
My god it is.
Quickly Angus, fire
that flaring pistol.
Hey Pete, they're signaling.
Rescue
launch
here
in
two hours.
That's the stuff, nice work chaps.
They're still signaling, Pete.
Navigator
pretty
well
dead on
fix.
That's all skipper.
Good show, Dave.
Well done, Dave.
Hey, it looks like we'll have to
hang on to this navigator, skipper.
Maybe who were
ditched in the Pacific.
You miserable blat, you.
Nice navigating, Dave.
Well that's all right, you
got us down in one piece.
The old firm, eh?
Yeah, the old firm.
Hey wait a moment.
What about me, don't I get any
credit for having helped train you both?
- Certainly not?
- What for?
Well you, you couple
of ungrateful...
for the 12 long flight.
What the devil?
Who's the duty with?
Corporal Wilton's flight.
Well where the heck is he?
Go and find him.
I don't think it'll
do much good, flyer.
Not much good?
Well he's gone up a flight.
Gone up?
Well how did you know
the accused was out flying?
Well I saw him, sir.
Zero five was taxing out and well,
the accused, he kind
of waved to me, sir.
What do you mean he
kind of waved to you?
Show me.
Well sir, he uh...
Show me, show me.
Yes, I see, the victory sign.
Do you wanna question the witness?
No, sir.
You can go, Jay.
About turn.
Quick march.
Right wheel, halt.
Well, have you anything
to say for yourself?
No, sir.
You realize this is
a very serious matter.
Yes sir, but, well I, I never
had the chance to fly before, sir.
Well if you're so keen on flying,
why didn't you join the air
crew in the first place?
I did sir.
Oh, selection board turn you down?
No sir, they told me
at recruiting center
I didn't stand a chance with
the educational standards.
Well where were you educated?
Elementary school sir,
I left when I was 14.
Well what made you master as
a wireless electrical mechanic?
Well, when I left school,
I went into my father's
wireless shop and I
stayed there for about...
All right, all right,
we don't want to hear
your whole life history.
I should have thought instead
of taking illicit joy rides
in ensigns, you would
have been better employed
in your spare time
filling up the gaps
in your education with
the education officer.
Yes, sir.
But, what do you mean, yes sir?
Well, I-I mean that's what
I do sir in my spare time.
Oh, oh well the fact remains that
you've committed a very serious offense.
I shall remand you to the
commanding officer for punishment.
Escort the accused,
right turn, quick march.
Right wheel.
Flight.
Sir.
Make a note of that
boy's name, will you?
In what connection, sir?
Interview for the air crew.
Now tell me, what
makes you want to fly?
Well, I don't know sir,
I just want to, that's all.
I'm afraid you didn't do too well in
your exams, corporal, how is that?
Well I think it was
the time limit, sir.
I'm afraid I got a bit nervy.
A member of air crew
shouldn't suffer from nerves.
But, it's a different
sort of nerves, sir.
Is it?
Supposing you were in a bomber
coming back from Germany
over the north sea somewhere.
And the captain had decided
to ditch the aircraft.
Now he'd tell the navigator to work
up the exact position for the SOS.
And he might give as a time
limit say as little as 30 seconds.
Supposing you were that navigator?
Oh, I-I wanna be a pilot
sir, not a navigator.
I'm sure you do.
90% of the men who come
before this board want to be pilots.
But you must realize that
it's up to those who train you
to decide what you're
best fitted for.
I can see you think
that's going to be pilot.
I know it is, sir.
All right, corporal,
we'll recommend you
for air crew duties to the category
of navigator, pilot, or air bomber.
Oh boy, I,
I mean thanks very much, sir.
How much, sir?
63.
There we go.
Hey.
Been here before?
Oh no, I used to
go to the white city.
Do any good there?
Well I've got a system.
My double traps one
six on each race.
Well do you make any money, eh?
Well not exactly, but it's suppose
to be a cracking good system.
Hello, fill it in there.
Name?
Aynesworth.
Christian names?
John Arthur Fitzhoward.
F-I-T-Z?
That's right.
Right-o, fill that in in there,
and when you're done there
hand it to the refs over there.
Name?
Smith, S-M-I-T-H.
There's four, next.
That's five.
That's nice material.
Is it, next.
A little big, isn't it?
You'll grow, next.
Hype, attention!
Sit down, please.
Firstly, I want to welcome
you to the Royal Air Force.
Many of you have waited a long
while for this day, now it's arrived.
The training you will
receive will be the best
that human science and
ingenuity can make it.
You'll only be at this
center for a few days,
but those days will be
devoted to the first requisite
of flying training,
physical fitness.
Out, together, out, together,
out, together, wake up!
Out, together, out,
together, out, together, out.
Now with your arms raising
and lowering sideways,
ready, change, and stretch
your fingers, slap your thighs.
Out, together, out.
Come on, that's not good enough.
I'll keep you here til
next Tuesday fortnight.
Until we get it right.
Oh!
Not such a bad looking crowd.
No, pretty well
outstanding I'd say, sir.
I say old brute, jolly
good show the old alma mater
put up in the boat race
today, one, one, one.
Good gracious, Mr. Aynesworth
this is a surprise.
How are you, sir?
Very well, thanks old boy Wideway.
Except that I feel
like a fresher again.
I trust you'll be coming back to
us sir after this trouble is over.
I hope so, Wideway, depends
how long the trouble lasts.
Yes, sir.
May I see it?
Yeah, if you like.
Charming, are you married?
No, but we're gonna
be when this lot's over.
May be a long time, you know.
We don't mind waiting.
Better stir clear
of the Canadian wafts
when you get over
to the other side.
Good lord, our beds were
hard but not as hard as this.
Um, how many undergrads
were in a room like this?
Only one, as a matter
of fact we had two rooms,
a bedroom and a sitting room.
Gosh.
You know, you make me feel
like a bloated plutocrat.
Sorry, I didn't mean to.
Anyway, we're all
in the same boat now.
Weft, W-E-F-T, weft.
Wings, engines,
fuselage, tailplane.
Now let me see, you Aynesworth.
Yes, you Aynesworth,
what's that one?
109.
It's uh, uh 111 sir.
Aynesworth,
did you get that last sentence?
Yes sir, I think so, sir.
Yes sir, I have.
The prime minister concluded his
remarks with a quotation from Horace.
Is that correct sir?
Quite correct, Aynesworth.
Good work, Wilton.
Carry on, Cole.
Hey Dave, isn't it
time you took over
instead of lying there
like, like Cleopatra.
Oh I'd love to Johnny old boy,
only you're so much better
with that pole than I am.
You wouldn't want me to pour
in the pond, would you John?
Oh all right you lazy son of a,
but don't go to sleep.
I'll give you some wingspans.
What's a 109?
32.
And a 1-1-0?
53?
Sure wish I had your memory.
No, it's my brains you want, chum.
Oh rot, it's not
brains that make a pilot.
It's blokes like me.
Bet you I make a better
pilot than you do.
Don't make me laugh.
How much you like to bet?
Anything you like.
An even quid?
All right.
Who'll be the judge?
You won't need a judge, it'll be
pretty obvious, I'll tell you that now.
All right then, an even quid
that I make a better pilot than you.
Hey Johnny, what the
devil are you doing?
I was thinking about
tomorrow's navigation exam.
If I'm not sitting
next to you, I'm sunk.
Well there's no
need to sink the boat.
I'm stretching wood.
You've only got about 10 feet
of ruddy wood in your hand John.
Good lord, so I have.
Hey John.
Huh?
Rather nice.
Sit down, please.
Uh no, let me see.
I think perhaps we better have
you in alphabetical order.
Aynesworth, will you
take this desk here?
The rest of you,
sort yourselves out.
You'd better get it
into your head right away
that good navigation's
essential for any pilot.
Fighter, bomber, or crystal.
Yes, sir.
I hope you won't fail me, sir.
If you let me through,
I'll do everything to get up to scratch.
All right Aynesworth, we'll accept
your promise and give you a pass.
But if you let me down...
I won't, sir.
I promise from now on I'll spend
all my spare time on navigation.
You're a friend of
young Wilton's aren't you?
Yes, sir.
Now he's worked really
hard in his navigation.
Did us a damn good paper.
Why didn't you copy him?
Well I think he did try, sir.
While you're here, you'll receive
between seven to 12 hours flying.
Then your ability as a pilot
will be carefully assessed
on a system of marks.
Right, are there any questions?
Excuse me sir, what happens
if some of these other chaps
don't go solo, does it
mean they won't be pilots?
By no means, they'll have
a better chance, that's all.
That goes for you too.
Watch your airspeed
Smith, watch your airspeed.
Just put your googles
down, will you.
Keep her nose on the
horizon, keep her steady.
Watch your airspeed, Smith.
Keep your nose on the horizon,
keep it on the horizon.
Watch your airspeed.
Your airspeed, watch it.
Sir!
Sir!
Smith.
Yes sir.
Pull those googles down, will you?
Yes sir.
Now, do you know why
that happened just now?
No sir.
You don't think it might have been
due to your pulling the nose up?
Pulling the nose up, sir?
Yes Smith, pulling the nose up.
Is that what I did, sir?
Yes Smith, that is what you did.
Well, well, glory be.
As you say Smith, glory be.
Could we just try it once again?
And Smith put those
googles down will you!
That was a pretty
nice turn, Wilton.
Now try and make another
landing by yourself.
If you remember what I told you,
you'll find it's quite easy.
All right, sir.
Never mind Wilton, it
happens to the best of us.
You made a good recovery.
Have another crack at it.
Well apart from Smith they
seem to be coming along all right.
Wilton's a bit of a puzzle, sir.
Oh, how's that?
Well I don't know, he's a
good lad, very quick and keen.
I like him a lot but his
landings are still ruddy awful.
Well I'll see him when I test him.
What about the other chap?
Aynesworth?
Yes.
Oh he's absolutely crackerjack.
I've only given him 5 1/2 hours
and I want you to test him for solo.
You're just shooting
a line, go away.
Oh uh, by the way sir,
is there any chance yet
of my being put into a squadron?
How many times have you asked
me that in the last six months?
Oh about, about three times sir.
Six times a week at least I'd say,
and the answer's still no.
Get back back to that
crackerjack pupil of yours,
I'll be seeing him in the morning.
Yes sir.
Come on sir, let's go before
he sees you've been watching.
Okay.
Good work, Johnny boy.
Where are Fergi and the CFI,
I thought they were watching.
The went into tea quite a time ago.
Good lord, do you mean to
say they didn't even see it?
What do think, you silly clod?
Oh.
I'll give 'em tea.
Looks as though my
quid's in danger.
Oh that's all right,
Fergie's always holding you up
as an example of how to fly.
No kidding?
No kidding.
My landings are so ruddy awful.
Don't you worry,
they'll be all right.
God bless you.
Colby.
Goodbye, sir.
Good luck.
Well goodbye sir, and
thank you very much.
All the best.
Before we go sir, couldn't you
really tell us how we've done sir?
No, you'll hear soon enough
at the distribution center.
But Wesley when I had my final test
the CFI told me he'd never seen
anything at all like it in my life sir.
Did he really say that?
Yes.
Well, well well.
Well goodbye sir,
we'll be seeing you.
- Goodbye, sir.
- Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Well so long, sir.
Drop me a line, will you boys?
- Yeah,
- We will, sir.
I bet the next lot won't be
as good as uh, we were sir.
Thanks boys.
So long fellows.
9-8-1-2-5-9-0, Saunders,
D.N., air bomber.
9-8-5-7-6-5-4,
Aynesworth, J.A.F.
Sir!
Pilot.
9-8-3-2-4-6-7,
Cartwright, R.O.
Sir!
Navigator.
9-8-4-6-3-2-1, Smith, A.D.
Sir!
Air bomber.
9-8-4-3-2-6-5...
Must be bloody well crazy.
Harrison, J.
Sir!
Pilot.
9-8-7-8-9-6-3, Wilton, D.W.
Sir!
Pilot.
9-8-5-6-5-9-1, Stop that.
Royston, S.O.
Sir!
Pilot.
The men whose names
I have just read out
and those previously
selected as pilots
will leave these sunny
shores and proceed
to the United States for training.
Navigators and air
bombers will go to Canada.
California here I come.
If there's anything
you don't understand,
for heaven sake don't be
afraid to ask questions.
That's what we're
here for, to help you.
Well fellows, when I
call your names out,
leave the ranks and join
your instructors over here.
Cadets Johnson, Caper,
Lorning, and Mills.
Instructor John Larimore.
Lloyd, Thompson, Shaw,
and Keeble, Instructor Bill Bryant.
Well my name is Dean MacWilliams.
Just soon as you can get used
to it I want you to call me Dean.
Yes sir, I mean yes...
Dean.
Yes, Dean.
Now come on, we'll
have a look at the ship.
Oh uh, course you
fellows say aircraft.
No, aircraft.
Oh, I'm sorry, come on.
Well here she is,
whatever we call her.
And that's the tail, this is the wings,
that's the fuselage.
And that twisted thing up there
in the front, that's a prop.
Kind of elementary, eh son?
Well we've, we have seen
an aircraft before, you know.
Well then what would you say
was the function of the fuselage?
Well I suppose it's, well I mean,
well I suppose I don't know.
Well what is its function?
To keep the wings from
touching the tail I'd say.
How long should it be
before we go solo, sir?
Well a minimum of eight hours dual.
Eight hours, but I've,
well some of us have already gone solo.
Well then you, some of you,
shouldn't find it difficult
to make it in the time.
The maximum is 10 hours.
Well what happens if
we don't make it, sir?
Don't worry, you'll make
it all right.
Come on, David.
We don't seem to be able to
get those landings of yours
right yet, do we David?
No, I'm sorry Dean.
Well cheer up and
don't look so worried.
Sorry.
And don't be so
sorry about everything.
No I'm so, no.
Uh tell me uh, do you
ever get away from camp?
Well...
Go out and enjoy yourself?
No, not much.
Well what about coming down to
my ranch this weekend, meet the wife?
Well yeah, I'd like to.
As a matter of fact,
we always adopt a couple
of you fellows on each course,
just like the rest of
the folks do around here.
How would you like me
as a foster parent?
Well I'd like it very much.
Okay then, I'm it.
Now uh, who else shall we adopt?
Have you got any particular pal?
Well yes, there is someone
I'd rather like to bring along.
That is if it's all right with you.
Of course it's
all right, who is it?
Well it's John Aynesworth.
Oh, well uh, tell me uh,
do I get in that guy's hair
as much as he gets into mine?
Well, he, he's all right
when you get to know him.
At least I like him.
Well we've all gotta make
our little sacrifices I guess.
I'll adopt the little rat.
Yeah, Oliver, that was his name.
Got the DSO for that
low level raid on Amein.
Uh 21 course I think it wa, uh,
will you stop bobbing
up and down like that.
Sit down John, pay no
attention to that husband of mine.
He never did have any
manners of his own.
Oh is that so?
Yes darling, that is so.
David, pass
down the cheese, will you?
Yeah, sure.
Well uh, this Oliver kid
was flying solo one day,
he had just about
three hours to his cre,
what's the matter with the cheese?
Oh nothing, nothing at all.
Well don't you want any?
Yes sir, I'd love some
after I finish my pie.
Well why after?
Isn't that the orthodox
way of eating cheese?
Here John, you try
some, it's awful good.
Oh I see, this is the orthodox way.
You know kid, you give me
one hell of an inferiority complex.
You know you give me one to.
Do I?
Is that so?
Well, well, what
do you know about that?
Well.
Don't look so pleased
about it, honey.
Go on about Oliver.
Oh yeah, well this Oliver
kid was flying solo one day
when his fuel started to give out.
Good, isn't it?
Uh Mary, give him some more.
Well what do you think
this Oliver kid did?
Well he cut off his engine,
called up the control tower
and said, "What do I do now?"
Well if you all will excuse me,
I really must go wash those dishes.
Oh I'll come and help you.
Oh sit down, you can't wash dishes.
Oh rot, I wash a very pretty dish.
That's right John,
you come along and help.
Just ignore this husband of mine.
Well can you beat that?
His lordship volunteering
to wash dishes.
You know David you were right,
he's not such a bad guy
once you get to know him.
Yeah I knew you'd like him.
Swell pilot too.
Is he really?
Yeah, but don't tell him I said so.
He'll be better still when
he learns that the more
you learn about flying,
the more you have to learn.
Yeah but John's a
natural pilot, isn't he?
I mean well he doesn't have to swallow
it all up out of books like I do.
Oh he could do with a bit
more of the book for all that.
You know, John and I have got a bet on
about who's gonna be the best pilot.
Yeah?
Which do you think?
Well, that'll teach Mary a lesson.
What do you say, Marshall?
You've flown with him.
Well, I'd say the same, sir.
The boy has the makings
of a first class pilot.
His landings are rough because
he thinks too much about 'em.
Flies too much with his brain,
doesn't use his instinct enough.
You don't think the trouble
might be something more organic?
Well Dean doesn't think so.
That can only be a hunch, Dean.
Well sure, but my hunches
aren't usually all that wrong.
No, they're not.
All right then,
what do you suggest?
Let me give him
another half hour's duo.
He's only got that
left anyway, what then?
Then we send him solo.
Supposing he doesn't
improve in that half hour?
Well I want you to let
me send him solo anyway.
Well that's a risk Dean
I'm not too keen to take.
Well he recovers well, his
airmanship is first class,
he doesn't lose his head.
You haven't answered
my objection, Dean.
Well, look sir,
here's the way it is.
I hate to see first class
pilot material go to waste.
This is a case where I think
a slight risk is justified.
In my opinion the kid is
suffering from just one thing,
lack of confidence.
And the only way you
and I or anybody else
can give it to him,
is to send him solo.
What do you think, Marshall?
I agree, sir.
All right Dean, provided
you pay for a new steerman.
Okay David, feel like
taking her up alone?
Oh thanks, thanks a lot Dean.
Well do a circuit
and come in again.
Uh, let me know how you get on,
I'll be having a cup of
coffee in the canteen.
Yeah, I know.
Ready for me now, Dean?
What?
Oh uh, you take 0-3 on your own.
Do half an hour circuits and bumps.
Okay.
How did David get on?
Why don't you taxi like that?
Too impatient.
Damn good takeoff.
Well at least he's opened up again,
most of 'em don't do that.
You okay?
Yeah I think so.
Take it easy,
don't hurt yourself David.
You're darn lucky to
get away with this so easy.
You're not kiddin'.
Dave, you big twerp.
I'm sorry, sir.
No, forget it, you all right?
Well yeah, I think so sir.
Well why didn't
you go around again?
Well I, I had to go down sometime.
Well he's not hurt, sir.
Good, what about that
hunch of yours now, Dean?
All right, when the
MO's okayed him,
take him up again, give
him a good workout.
Very well sir.
Come on son, we're going
for a little joy ride.
There's nothing wrong
with your nerve.
Good.
No, it's not good at all.
I thought your trouble
was under-confidence.
I was wrong.
What is my trouble then?
I don't know.
All I know is it's
something that I can't cure.
Do you mind if I have
a cigarette, please.
Here, have one of mine.
Oh, thank you.
Dean, what you're trying to tell me
is that I'm never gonna
make a flyer, huh?
Oh no, you'll make a flyer all right,
but uh, you won't make a pilot.
I only wanna be a pilot.
There are other things.
I don't care about other things.
Here.
Now look David, you have
no judgment of height.
And that's one thing a pilot's
just got to have if he wants to live.
I'm sorry kid but
that's the way it is.
Couldn't you put me
on the next course?
Oh sure but it'd be just a waste of
your government's money and my time.
Sorry kid, I know
just how you feel.
I wanted to be a pilot more than
I've ever wanted anything in my life.
Say, what's all this
pilot stuff anyway?
Whoever said being a pilot
was such a wonderful thing?
You're a pilot aren't you?
Yeah but heck, that was in the last war,
it was different then.
The pilot was king, the
rest was nobody, but now,
well what is a pilot but
just a darn chauffer anyway?
Say, if I had my chance
again, do you know
what I'd rather be
even more than a pilot?
Do you know?
What?
A navigator.
Sure, I'm not kidding.
It's the navigator in these big ships
who gets all the medals these days.
Oh but hell, every
member of a bomber crew
is just as important as the
pilot, you oughta know that.
That's what they told
me at my selection board.
Well they mighta been right, son.
Did you ever think of that?
No, no I'm afraid I didn't.
I was pretty sure I
was gonna be a pilot.
Sure got 30 minutes solo, Dean.
Oh sorry.
I quit, Johnny.
Dave!
Just made it.
I thought you were flying.
Well I am, at least
I'm suppose to be.
Well now, just thought I'd
come see you off, Dave.
Thanks Johnny.
Well, goodbye.
Hey now, wait a second, I have got
that address you gave me, haven't I?
Yeah, I wrote it down
for you about five times.
Well that's good,
I've got it somewhere.
Now remember Dave on the way home,
I'm coming to have that
drink with you in Toronto.
If you get the chance.
Oh we'll fix that all right.
Hey buddy, you wanna miss
that train it's okay by me.
Bye Johnny.
So long, Dave.
Be a good little navigator.
Oh I almost forgot,
it's what I owe you.
Don't spend it all at once.
First of all, the master unit.
Now this is stowed
usually near the tail
in heavy aircraft so that
it's as far away as possible
from the magnetic
influences of the engine
and other metal parts
of the fuselage.
Now another important
point is the fact that
being jiral controlled, the
compass is unaffected by bank,
and you can get an immediate
reading on the repeaters when turning.
Dear Dave, thanks for the letter.
Yesterday we were given our wings,
and now I suppose we can
call ourselves pilots.
Feels pretty good I can tell you.
We're due to go back
to England right away,
but we're getting
embarkation leave first,
so you can expect to see
me in Toronto quite soon.
Ten!
Come in.
Well Wilton, what do you want?
I'm on flying tonight, sir.
Yeah you're flying with
me, aren't you fellow?
Yes sir.
I'd like to swap with somebody
who's on tomorrow night sir.
Why?
Well I've got a particular reason
for wanting to go to town tonight, sir.
What's she like?
It's not a she sir, it's a pal of mine,
he's on embarkation leave.
He's on his way through and
it's the only night he's got, sir.
Sorry Wilton, no dice.
Baxter's ready to
swap with me, sir.
I know, I know, but supposing
flying is scrubbed tomorrow night.
I have a carefully planned program here,
I can't afford to take chances.
And besides, you're not well
enough advanced in your work
to be fooling around.
All right sir, I'm sorry I asked.
No harm asking.
No sir.
Tell you what, I'm driving
to town soon as I've changed,
you can come along with me and
we can see this pal of yours
and explain things,
what do you say?
Thank you, sir.
Thanks for the lift, sir.
Okay, I'll come in with you.
See him?
No sir.
Well let's sit down over there and
have a drink while we're waiting.
Couple of cokes, please.
By the way, I've arranged for your
friend to sleep at the camp tonight.
Oh, thank you sir.
Paging Mr. Wheeler,
paging Mr. Wheeler.
Cigarette?
Oh, thank you sir.
How long you been over this side?
Oh, nearly six months all together.
Looking forward to
getting back I bet.
Not all that much.
How come?
I don't know I, hoped to go
back with something up here.
You will.
Yeah, but not what I hoped for.
Johnny!
Hello, Dave.
Oh, good work Johnny,
I knew you'd make it.
Sit down.
Oh, Flight Lieutenant Moore,
Jo, uh, Sergeant Aynesworth.
How do you do, sir?
Glad to know you, fellow.
You have a coke?
Oh thanks.
Another one, please.
All right, sir.
Feeling cold?
Oh, no sir.
Take off your coat.
Yes.
Johnny.
Yeah.
May I?
Oh, oh yes I suppose
they are a bit dazzling.
Thank you, sir.
Just a minute, Aynesworth.
You um, you know this guy
Wilton pretty well, don't you?
Yes, yes I do.
Well enough to give him a good
hard kick in the seat of his pants?
I think so, sir, why?
He's making a fool of
himself over his work here.
It's the old story of
the disappointed pilot.
Worst case I've met so far.
Thinks navigating's a sissy job.
All right sir, I'll
see what I can do.
Might do more good coming from you.
How bout coming up with us in
the ensign tonight, there'll be room.
Thanks, I'd like to sir.
Okay, I'll fix it.
So long.
Cheerio, sir.
3/10ths cloud at 8000,
wind at 2000, 240, 15.
At 4000, 250, 20.
Now there's a cold front
approaching from the west,
and it's possible that
it may reach this area
before the end of the exercise,
so be prepared for a recall signal.
This cold front is causing snow flurries
and a marked varying in increase
in the strength of the
wind at the cold front.
Any questions?
All right, sir, that's all.
All right, sir.
See you later.
You taking a navigation
instructor up with you?
No why, scared?
Yeah I certainly will be if
you're doing all the navigating.
Ah, don't worry, we won't get lost.
Apart from Moore being the best
staff pilot in the station,
we're takin' Instructor Wallace
up and the UT Wallace up with us.
We can always get in on a beam.
I'm glad to hear it.
Hello.
Oh hello, Aynesworth.
Ah-ha, very pretty, what's it
gonna be, bombers or fighters?
Bombers.
Bombers eh, hm.
Less driving, more of a bore.
Carry on.
Is he flying with us?
Yeah, I always try to fly with old
Smith, he does my map reading for me.
Are you mad?
Whatever he was like as a pilot,
he's a damn good air bomber.
I'll believe that when I see it.
Hi, Wilton.
What time they say take off was?
Uh, 21:15.
Oh thanks.
Percy's our wireless
op tonight, Johnny.
Oh, how do you do?
I'm fine.
Well, must press on, see you later.
It's a wonderful
crew you've got, Dave.
Yeah.
Pilot to navigator, recall signal,
give me a course for base.
Looks like the weather's
closing in on us.
Yeah.
Navigator to pilot,
steer course 2-3-1 compass.
Estimated time of arrival
base 01:33, 01:33.
Pilot to
navigator, ETA base, 01:33.
Hello pilot, navigator calling.
ETA in three minutes time.
Start losing height now.
Hello navigator, pilot
answering, going down now.
Maintaining course.
Have you got me that bearing?
Have you got me that bearing?
It's no use son, receiver's
US, can't get a thing.
Ah well never mind, we're bound
to be pretty well over the airfield.
See anything, sir?
The airfield lights
should be dead ahead.
Nothing dead ahead fella except
a hell of a lot of rocks and boulders.
It's four minutes past your
ETA, what do we do now?
Well the airfield must
be dead ahead of us.
I think, sir.
No use just thinking fella,
what do you want me to do?
Hello navigator, still
nothing to be seen.
Where do we go from here?
Navigator to pilot, carry on.
Next course 2-7-0
compass, 2-7-0 compass.
Hello wireless
operator, still no joy?
Still no luck with the receiver,
transmitter's working okay.
Lotta use that is.
Hello navigator, we've
exactly 45 minutes fuel left,
45 minutes fuel left.
Yes sir, we've taken
several bearings on 'em
and they vary so much, he
must be doing a square search
somewhere north of the airfield.
Yes sir, all air
drone lights are on.
Okay sir, I'll do that.
Sergeant, send a broadcast to all
airfields within a hundred mile radius,
prepare for possible
forced landing.
Okay, sir.
Hello, George, George,
telephone police will you
and ask them to have their patrol
look out for that overdue ensign.
Okay, thanks.
Getting us yet?
No, sir.
Keep on trying, eh?
Hello navigator, 20 minutes fuel left,
20 minutes fuel left.
You still want me
to continue course?
Well, I, I-I don't know, sir.
Do whatever you think best.
You're navigator, you know.
Checked your DR again?
Um, yes.
Air plot up to date?
Uh, yes.
Sure you applied
variation the right way?
Yes, I'm quite sure.
So we should be over the
airfield, shouldn't we?
Yes, sir.
Well we aren't, are we?
No, sir.
What wind are you using?
Uh, uh, 2-4-5-20, sir.
Oh my gosh.
We, we, we had a
recall signal, sir.
Really, how very interesting.
Yeah, that's right, we
had a recall signal.
Well, well there must
have been a change of wind.
Take your time, eh,
we've got all of 15 minutes fuel left.
Navigator to pilot,
steer 1-7-4 compass,
1-7-4 compass.
1-7-4 it is, I'm
climbing, just in case.
Five minutes to go, he'd
better be right this time.
Trust your navigator, fellow,
it's an old principle of flying.
Lights, dead ahead sir!
All right, no need to panic.
Nice work, navigator.
An hour and 20 minutes past
our ETA, but we're home.
You coming, Dave?
Yeah you go on, I'll see
you at the interrogation.
Funny, for the first time
tonight I felt sick in the air.
I know a bloke who feels
sick after every trip
over Germany, he's a navigator too.
It's a hell of a feeling,
knowing that everyone's relying on you.
Pilots feel like
that too, you know.
Yeah I suppose everyone on an
air crew gets it sometime or another.
Only it's worse for the navigator
'cause he gets it all the time
is far worse for the pilot.
What?
The pilot?
What did the pilot
do I'd like to know,
except take off, land,
and keep on a course?
Any outfit can be
taught to do that.
Oh right, you know
damn well it's the pilot.
Now you take our Moore tonight,
pilot with bags and bags of experience
and what could he do except
hold on to the ruddy stick
and say, "Where are we?"
Of course I know he
gave me the wind change,
but even so, who got you home?
You did.
That's right.
Oh, well yes I'm, I'm
sorry sir, I didn't mean to
shoot a line, only he was
shootin' a line about pilots.
Was he?
That's all right, Wilton,
guess there's no harm
in being proud of
getting us back tonight.
That's your job, after all.
Not a bad thing to
be proud of your job.
No sir, I suppose not.
Better get along fellow, they're
waiting for you at interrogation.
Yes, sir.
See you in the morning, Johnny.
Okay, get out of here.
Good night, sir.
Good night.
He'll make a navigator all right,
just needed showing, that's all.
Bit lucky he had such a
shaker tonight, wasn't it?
Yes, I guess it was a bit lucky.
I noticed the fuel after we got down,
we had at least half an hour left.
Sure, they always give you
a good margin on these trips.
Did you notice anything else?
Was there anything else to notice?
Only a little yellow light on the
horizon the first time we came down.
When he seemed so darn confident
of hitting the airfield on ETA.
What was it?
The airfield.
This is where I get some
sleep, goodnight Sergeant.
Goodnight, sir.
Now smile, hold it.
Thank you.
Johnny!
Good lord, you go
on chaps, I'll follow.
Well, well, well it's grand
to see you again, Dave.
How are you?
Oh fine, thanks.
Oh Johnny you are a louse
really, you might have told me.
Oh well they dish 'em out all over
the place these days, you know.
Oh I don't believe
that, what happened?
Oh the usual sort of muck up,
landed on the wrong airfield
on the way back from Hamburg,
and went off the kite.
Well tell me Dave,
how's the girlfriend?
Oh she's fine, sends you her love.
That's nice of her, Dave.
Look Dave I, I did try my best
to wag you on to the crew but...
Yeah I heard about it
from the navigation officer.
Thanks for trying anyway.
You see the trouble is now
the fellow's already got
some up experience, and the others,
the fellows on the crew...
Oh that's all right Johnny,
you don't have to explain.
Look, we're going
out to the pub tonight
for a bit of a booze up,
how bout coming along?
Yeah, I'd love to.
Good, I'll collect you at the mess.
Well so long Dave, glad the
old firm is showing up again.
So am I.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
The starboard outer wasn't
giving me the correct boost.
We therefore developed
a slight sway...
Mack, you mean you're
two hand with the rudder.
If you'd look after your
ruddy engine as well as I fly
the ruddy guy, there
wouldn't be any bother.
Ah, now don't give us that,
those guys don't fly themselves.
What a line.
What a lot of ungrateful
- ...you are.
- The iceberg man.
Hello, sir.
Hello.
I'm awfully sorry, I'm afraid I...
Wilton, sir, grading
school, course 1-3-6.
Good lord, yes of course.
It was that thing that fooled me.
I must say, yeah.
Are you part of this
squadron now sir?
Me in a squadron?
No, no occasionally
they allow us inspectors
a couple of weeks in
an operational station.
We might even get a real
trip in a real bomber.
I think they do it to save
us from going completely mad.
Tell me what happened to that fellow,
that friend of yours?
- Aynesworth?
- Yes.
Oh he's here sir, he's
captain over Lancaster.
That's why I got myself
posted to this squadron.
It's a bit of luck there.
Yes, I suppose it is.
It's like that, is it?
Yes, it's like that.
You see we've
got a bloke in the pool now
who's already done a trip or two.
We've no vacancies at the moment,
I suppose we shall just have
to stick you in the pool
and you can carry on with your training.
Carry on with my training sir?
I thought all that was over.
Hm, sure you did.
So did I when I first
joined the squadron.
Well I'm just completing
my second tour of office.
You can take it from me, Wilton,
the training's only
over when you're dead.
Not one second before.
Come on, I'll fix
you up with some tea.
Last night for
the third time this week,
very strong forces of
our air bomber command
delivered another concentrated
attack upon the inland port of Bramer.
In addition to high explosive bombs,
200,000 incendiaries were sent down.
RAF pilots report that the fires
were still visible when they...
Good morning Sergeant Wilton.
Oh good morning, sir.
You're the very bloke
I've been looking for.
You're flying with
Aynesworth tonight.
What sir?
I'm putting you on
Aynesworth's crew.
His navigator stopped a bit of
flare the night before last.
Nothing serious, but he'll
be out of it for a bit.
Oh thank you sir,
thank you very much.
Don't thank me, you're
the only spare navigator.
Oh, oh I see sir.
Briefing, 17:45.
Yes, sir.
Good luck.
Thank you, sir.
Johnny.
Hello Dave, how's things?
Oh fine, thanks.
- Hello, sir.
- Hello.
Johnny, I'm flying
with you tonight.
Are you?
Oh well that, that's fine.
Hey chaps, come over here.
Fellows, you all know David Wilton.
Hi.
Well uh, Dave's
navigating for us tonight.
Good show.
Well, well, I better go and get
my things together I suppose.
See you at the briefing, Johnny.
Fine.
So long.
So long, kid.
Holy suffering cats.
Where is it tonight,
skipper, do you know?
Well I've only heard the rumor.
So have I, that
makes it ruddy suicide.
Wish I'd bags and bags
more life insurance.
What you all binding about?
I happen to know
your skipper's right
when he says he's a
crackerjack navigator.
That's all right for you sir,
you don't have to fly with him.
No, I don't have
to, but I'm going to.
I could've flown with the CO, but I
fixed it to fly with you boys instead.
Well, cheerio chaps,
I'll see you later.
The pathfinders
will be there already.
The weather's good, we hope.
So you should have no difficulty
in finding the target.
So bring it, and bring it hard.
As usual, I can't
emphasize too much
the importance of
sticking bang on track.
For one thing, if you break
away from the main body,
you'll most likely be
picked off by fighters.
And for another,
if you vary from this particular course,
you'll more than likely
run into these very highly
defended areas and get
into a lot of trouble,
which is entirely unnecessary.
So navigators, keep
on the top line.
I think that's all.
All right chaps, good luck.
Oh hell.
What's the trouble, mate?
Oh I'm not going.
It's Berlin, so the ruddy gunnery
officer's going to take my place.
What a nerve that man's got.
What are you beefing about?
You don't know when you're in luck.
Berlin with a navigator
as green as my,
oh that's all right,
he didn't hear.
Anyway, it's not his fault.
It's just our tough
luck, that's all.
Come on.
Coming Donnie?
Look Angus.
Pull your finger out, skipper?
Ready Dave?
Yeah, yeah sure.
Here, let me give you a hand.
We should film onto the Palace
this week with my girl tomorrow night,
what do you think?
Yeah, I'd like to.
Navigator to pilot, ETA
Danish coast, 01:22, 01:22.
ETA Danish coast 01:22.
Wireless op to pilot, lighters
have just gone off the air.
Good show.
Pilot to all positions,
we are approaching the enemy coast.
Keep a sharp lookout for fighters
and report anything you see.
Not much chance of seeing
anything in this murky weather.
Air bomber to pilot,
testing intercom.
1-2-3-4-5-6-7 all good
air bombers go to heaven.
Can you hear me with that?
I hear you sonny boy.
Okay skipper.
Hello navigator, 'fraid
I still can't give you
a pinpoint, can't see a
ruddy thing down below.
Okay air bomber, thanks.
How's it coming, nav?
All right, I think.
Navigator to pilot, steer
course 1-3-0 compass,
1-2-5 true, 1-3-0
compass, 1-2-5 true.
Okay, navigator,
course 1-3-0 compass,
1-2-5 true it is.
Reception committee's
out over Berlin all right.
Hell of a lot of stuff coming up.
We've got stuff going
down too by the look of it.
Bomb door's open.
Fighter flares above us,
fighter coming in port quarter, skipper.
I got him, I got him.
Go on, Curly.
Left, left, skipper.
Left a little more.
More, hold it there, skipper.
Steady, right a
little more, skipper.
Hold it there.
Keep it there, skipper.
Bombs going in a second, skipper.
Steady.
Hold it there, skipper.
Steady.
Bomb's gone.
Port half engine's on fire.
There's still a fire, skipper.
I know.
Monitor all positions.
Engine on fire, I'm gonna
try and put it out by diving.
It's out, it's out, skipper.
Pilot to all teams, fire's out,
we've only two good engines left.
That's okay, did you
see that 1-1-0 go down?
You bet I did.
Bloody marvelous wasn't it?
Angus, how's our fuel?
Not so good, skipper.
Looks like the tank's been holed.
Have we enough to get us back?
Just about, it depends of course.
Okay, we've two engines
and just enough fuel.
I'm taking yon home, boys.
Good for you, Johnny.
Okay skipper, that's the stuff,
I've got a date tonight.
We'll be out of this
stack in a second, chaps.
What's the damage?
Wireless has copped out,
skipper, no joy at all.
Transmitter working?
I think so.
At least I hope so.
The nav aids have gone as well.
Then we'll just have
to run on our navigator.
It's lucky we got such a good one.
Holy suffering cats.
Keep your eyes
open for pinpoints, Curly.
Curly's been hit, skipper.
Is he badly hurt?
It doesn't look too
bad but he's unconscious
and he's bleeding pretty heavily.
I think we better bring him up top.
Right, I'll be
relying on you, Dave.
Give me a direct course to
the nearest landing field.
Okay, skipper.
Where are we?
How's the fuel?
How's the fuel?
45 minutes at the most.
Engine temperatures
are climbing too.
We've only 45 minutes
fuel left at the most.
What's your ETA?
Tell you in a minute.
It doesn't look too good,
we're losing height steadily.
How's Curly?
Fairly comfortable.
Dinghy,
dinghy prepare for ditching.
We've only three minutes chaps,
pack up.
Rear gunner to pilot.
Right mid upper to pilot,
okay chief.
Wireless op to pilot,
message received and understood.
Navigator,
get weaving and work out our position.
And for Pete sake get it right.
Navigator to pilot, okay skipper.
How's it going, Dave?
Just finished, skipper.
My mother always said
I had to get my feet wet.
Navigator to pilot,
surface wind 2-6-0-20, 2-6-0-20.
Right.
Ditching stations,
ditching stations.
Wireless op to ditching station.
Okay skip, wireless
op to ditching station.
Hold tight fellows, here it comes.
Brace for ditching!
Here get this, Pete.
Okay chap, I've got it.
Get his arm, Angus.
Okay skipper, coming up.
All right.
I've got him.
Get inside and hurry, chaps.
What do you got in there?
Here, here, over here.
Hurry up mates, this is going.
Hey, wait for me, fellas.
Come on boys, we'll all be.
Hey look out Angus!
Grab that vest.
Use your hand, mateys.
Got him?
Yeah, okay?
Cut him free, Dave.
Okay, skip.
How you feeling, Curly?
Where are we?
Well that's just it Curly
boy, where the hell are we?
Dave's got it all
worked out, Curly.
Haven't you Dave?
Yeah, sure.
I've changed it again, we're in exactly
the same position to about half a mile.
Yeah see rescue chaps'll
be here any minute now.
Heck they'd better be,
I've got a date with the AOC
tomorrow about my commission.
Air marshals get awful mad
if you keep 'em waiting.
Well that's one air marshal
booked for the looney bin.
Oh for god sake Angus shut up.
If you want to be gloomy
go and talk to the fishes.
All right, all right,
can't you take a joke?
No, not Scotch ones I can't.
Now Dave, take a look at the bag,
it doesn't seem to be
leaving much of a trail.
Yeah, okay.
Well that's better.
You're suppose to be able
to see that 10 miles away.
What's today, Tuesday?
Aye, it should be, if we haven't drifted
over the international date line.
Good lord, did someone
say it was Tuesday?
I was suppose to be going on a
gunnery leader's course this afternoon.
Relax bud, they won't
start without you.
Well I hope they do.
Tonight of all night's
I've got me a red hot date.
Redhead?
You bet, with a temper
like a rattlesnake.
I muff it this time, our navigator'll
have to do the explaining.
Hear that, Dave?
Sure.
What about me, chaps?
I'm getting married on Thursday.
- Married?
- You are?
- You're kidding.
- Go on with you.
Harry, that's serious.
You wouldn't be pulling
our legs by any chance?
No, cross my heart.
Looks like the wee wifey's gonna
be awful lonely on her wedding night.
Shut up, Angus.
I'm sorry, bub.
Sorry, for what?
You can all come to my wedding feast,
if the rations hold out.
Keep grinding on that radio, Pete.
Not much use without
the cart ariel, skipper.
Well keep on trying
anyway, you never know.
Okay, skip.
Stop grinding that machine, Pete.
Is that a?
My god it is.
Quickly Angus, fire
that flaring pistol.
Hey Pete, they're signaling.
Rescue
launch
here
in
two hours.
That's the stuff, nice work chaps.
They're still signaling, Pete.
Navigator
pretty
well
dead on
fix.
That's all skipper.
Good show, Dave.
Well done, Dave.
Hey, it looks like we'll have to
hang on to this navigator, skipper.
Maybe who were
ditched in the Pacific.
You miserable blat, you.
Nice navigating, Dave.
Well that's all right, you
got us down in one piece.
The old firm, eh?
Yeah, the old firm.
Hey wait a moment.
What about me, don't I get any
credit for having helped train you both?
- Certainly not?
- What for?
Well you, you couple
of ungrateful...