Squadron 303 (2018) - full transcript

This is the story of the highly regarded fighter squadron, in which served mainly airmen from Poland, in the history of aerial combat and their heroic defence of England during WW2, Battle ...

RADIO CRACKLES:

Sector, 0-9-0.

Repeat: 0-9-0.

Five hundred plus bandits beehive

over Rochester...

OPERATOR RADIO CUTS IN:

Sundial here. Steer 0-9-0.

One hundred plus bandits approaching.

- RADIO TRAILS OFF

RADIO CRACKLES:

Angels 1-8. Repeat. 1-8.

Faster!/

GERMAN VOICES MIX ON RADIO

GERMAN PILOT:

Achtung!

PILOT 1 ON RADIO:

There's hundreds of the bastards!'

0-9 is OK.

Here they come!

PLANE ENGINES WHIR

PILOT 2 ON RADIO:

Watch out for the Hun from the Sun/

PILOT 3 ON RADIO: Tally-ho!

- PILOT 4 ON RADIO: Tally-ho!

CHATTER ON RADIO

PILOT 5 ON RADIO:

Jerry at 6 o'clock!

GUNFIRE

PILOT 6 ON RADIO:

Damn it, I'm hit!

CHURCHILL

The Battle of Britain is about to begin.

PILOT 7 ON RADIO:

I'm out of ammo!

CHURCHILL (VO): Upon this battle depends

the survival of Christian civilisation.

All fury and might of the enemy

must very soon be turned on us.

Hitler knows that he will have to break us

in this Island or lose the war.

If we can stand up to him,

all Europe may be free.

But if we fail, then the whole world

including the United States

including all that we have known

and cared for...

will sink into the abyss

of a new Dark Age

made more sinister,

and perhaps more protracted

by the lights of perverted science.

Let us therefore brace ourselves

to our duty

and so bear ourselves...

that if the British Empire

and its Commonwealth

last for a thousand years

men will still say:

"This... was their finest hour."

- Tolo, what's he saying?

He's saying that

when we finally start combat...

we'll be fighting

not only for Poland.

ENGINES HUM

PLANE ENGINE CHUGS

MILITARY-STYLE MUSIC PLAYS

CAMERA WHIRS

MAN, IN GERMAN:

Attention!

IN GERMAN:

What's that?

OFFICER, IN GERMAN:

I'm sorry. Come here! Quickly!

Clear this up.

We've captured five new

airfields in France.

Together we have 1000 fighters

with fuel and ammunition.

And the English have 1000

planes including 600 fighters.

We outnumber them 3 to 1.

But one of our aircraft is like two

of theirs which gives us 6 to 1.

Pretty well, isn't it?

Poland and France

are already conquered.

Now give me the head

of that English bulldog.

HE CHUCKLES

- OFFICER: Sieg Heil!

MEN CHANT:

Sieg Heil!

IN GERMAN:

Ah, I love the aroma of a good cigar.

And I love the smell of

burning English aircraft.

THEY CHUCKLE

- OFFICER: Schén.

PLANES ROAR

MAN 1, IN POLISH:

What's going on? This again?

Medical check-up?

MAN 2, IN POLISH:

Are you surprised?

They don't want us to fly.

NURSE, IN ENGLISH:

...would you mind fetching...

MEN GREET EACH OTHER

IN POLISH

IN ENGLISH:

Gentlemen? Three of you, please.

Come along, don't be shy.

Oh! Your blood pressure is too high.

Because I look at you.

Should I get naked completely"?

That won't be necessary.

I just need to know of

any diseases you've had in the past.

All of them?

NURSE:

Name?

Zumbach, Jan...

John...

Donald.

Which one is it?

Donald.

Go ahead.

P, E, Z, 0, C, S, F, T, D

Are you blind?

Oh, no, Miss.

I just read the last row

so we could save time.

Come here.

Next.

You can call me Johnny.

You can go now.

IN GERMAN, OVER SPEAKER:

Fighter Wing, prepare for take off.

Attention! Attention!

Third Fighter Wing, prepare for take off.

ENGINES CHUG

AIR RAID SIREN

- BELL RINGS

KENT:

Get to the shelters!

Hurry up, hurry up!

Come on, come on!

Hurry up!

Hey, son!

What's your name?

It's Wilson.

- How old are you?

I'm 18. Why?

How many hours have you spent

in the air?

Ten. Ten hours.

PILOT, IN POLISH:

How many?

Did I hear correctly?

How many hours have you flown, Tolo?

Four hundred hours.

Donald, even more.

We could help, Captain. They're just kids!

Your training flight is tomorrow.

Focus on that.

Captain!

To the shelters.

PLANES HUM

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Captain leader, Sundial here.

Steer 0-9-0.

One hundred plus bandits

approaching Southend.

Angels 1-5. Buster!

PILOT 1 ON RADIO:

Red and Blue 3, stay close to me.

Captain leader,

I've got to keep in formation!

God almighty! A horde of bandits.

Concentrate and fight.

INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER

GUNFIRE

Where's he gone?

PILOT 1 ON RADIO:

Red and Blue 3, stay in formation!

PILOT 2 ON RADIO:

Blue 3, bandit behind you!

PILOT 3 ON RADIO:

What? I can't see him!

VINCENT:

Watch your nine!

IN GERMAN: The Brit is 200

metres behind me. I'm attacking!

GUNFIRE

Roger!

PILOT SCREAMS

Captain leader, Captain leader!

Blue 3... Blue 3 just bought it!

SCREAMS ON RADIO

Captain leader, bandit at two!

ON RADIO: Wilson, ignore him!

- WILSON: He's in my sight!

ON RADIO: It's a trap!

- WILSON: Just a few more seconds.

Wilson!

ON RADIO:

Get back in formation! It's a trap/!

HEARTBEAT SOUNDS

HE BREATHES HEAVILY

ON RADIO:

Watch your port side!

Watch your back!

Where is he?

GERMAN PILOT:

Fire!

GUNFIRE

WILSON ON RADIO:

Oh, my God!

Sir...

when will all these

training exercises stop

so that we can get into

the real action?

You're not ready.

How much longer

must we wait?

There are procedures.

The squadron will be operational

when I'm satisfied.

HE SIGHS

Procedures are what lost France.

What am I supposed to tell my pilots

who don't know if their families

are alive or dead?

Sir?

More patience?

Yes.

More patience.

Thank you.

PLANE CHUGS

OFFICER: This Royal Geographical Society

saving policy.

What do you make of it?

I always thought the idea was we sent

our boys off to conquer overseas

and they sent back the spoils

to King and Country.

Now it seems like...

we're asking any foreigner

who's got a grudge against Herr Hitler

to come over here

and enjoy our hospitality.

Quite!

One of Winston's

more eccentric ideas, I'd say.

IN POLISH:

Crop dusting again?

THEY CHUCKLE

IN POLISH:

Very funny!

Who's next?

DOG BARKS

IN POLISH:

Gentlemen, let's draw.

The highest card flies.

Can any of you chaps

take up a kite

without pranging it?

IN POLISH:

Tolo, what's he saying?

The Brit said

you don't know how to fly.

THEY CHUCKLE

Hmm? Any of you?

Sir, we've got a volunteer.

He loves to fly.

MAN SHOUTS:

Fly, fly!

OFFICER:

Oh, I say... I say, old man...

The Hurricane.

MEN GASP IN AWE

MEN, IN POLISH:

Go! Go, go!

OFFICER:

Go!

IN POLISH:

Hi!

IN POLISH:

Are you placing your bets, gentlemen?

He won't do it...

All the money that he'll take off.

- Alright.

ENGINE SPLUTTERS

ENGINE CHUGS TO A START

IN POLISH:

I'd love to fly that!

Oh, bloody idiot.

He thinks we can still see him

under the cover of the clouds.

How many flying hours has he done

in a Hurricane?

None. But don't worry...

there must be some kind of

m-manual inside.

Inside... Inside the cockpit.

What?

There isn't?

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany training. Sundial here.

Steer 2-2-0.

Repeat 2-2-0. Angels 71-5.

Sundial. Apany training here.

2-2-0. Confirmed.

GERMAN PILOT ON RADIO:

Paula 3. Enemy in front of you. 200 metres.

I'm attacking!

- ON RADIO: Roger that! Good hunt!

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany training. Abort and pancake!

Bandits in your area!

ENGINE REVS

GUNFIRE

IN POLISH:

What's that?

Damn it! Bandit behind me!

OPERATOR: No Polish! Repeat!

- ZUMBACH: Bandit behind me!

Sundial. Apany training here.

Bandit at 7 o'clock.

OPERATOR: Apany, do not engage.

Repeat, do not engage!

Pancake! Pancake/!

Apany training,

what's your position?

IN POLISH:

It's complicated!

OPERATOR:

In English!

IN GERMAN:

Where are you?

ENGINE REVS HEAVILY

GUNFIRE

HE SCREAMS

IN GERMAN ON RADIO: I'm hit! Breaking off!

I return to the base!

GERMAN OPERATOR:

Understood.

Sundial...

Apany training here.

Enemy hit.

I return to base.

OPERATOR:

Apany training, Sundial here.

Abort and pancake.

Ah!

Here he comes!

He thinks the wheels are down!

Oh, no. He hasn't flown a plane

with retractable undercarriage.

Good God, he's going to crash!

THEY CHEER

It would be nice to get a copy in Polish.

LAUGHTER

IN POLISH:

Hey, tell us how it was?

Tell!

Poland one, Germany zero.

THEY LAUGH AND CHEER

- Seriously?

Well done!

Send in the Pole.

Enter.

Flying Officer Zumbach to see you, sir.

Yes, send him in.

Zumbach.

Well, come forward.

Flying Officer Zumbach, you might consider

yourself somewhat of a daredevil.

Risking your life is one thing -

the lives of other people

not to mention our rather

expensive planes...

That's just reckless.

Reckless?

- Quite.

Sir. I shot the Messerschmitt down!

- VINCENT: That is not true.

Observer Corp hasn't reported

any downed Messerschmitt.

Flying Officer Zumbach, you are being

reprimanded for insubordination.

Your lot have to learn to take orders

from their superior officers.

You will be trained

to learn our battle tactics.

That's all, thank you.

So up to this point we've lost 432 planes.

And we're producing new ones.

Planes, yes, but not the pilots

quickly enough to fly them.

That's why we need to

get the Poles on board.

Are they up to it?

- Doubt it.

They've already lost two wars.

Then why use them?

- An average pilot

survives 10 hours in battle.

The best, two weeks.

We need the Poles to buy us some time

SO we can train up our own chaps.

And what happens to the Poles?

They all die?

And you don't care.

Has anyone ever told you

you're a cold-hearted pig?

They don't have to.

My reflection tells me that every morning

when I'm shaving.

RADIO: One of our CBS correspondents

in London, Eric Tate

told us from Trafalgar Square

that the Germans were continuing

their all-day attacks around London.

DOOR OPENS

- But the British remain unimpressed.

Oh, Jones...

What does MI5 want this time?

Hitler and his bloody army

are about to cross the English Channel

but of course the most important thing

is that your feet are dry.

The Royal Air Force

is keeping Britain's feet dry.

Yes, but for how long?

I don't know.

- Well, let me tell you.

Two months, max.

Unless we use the 8,000 Polish

air and ground crew at our disposal.

They didn't do very well

against the Germans.

They'll buy us time

until the Americans enter the war.

Bloody Poles.

Sir, would you like to join me?

Yeah, sure.

Well done.

- Thank you.

Now your turn.

I can see you've made yourself at home.

What icon is it?

- MAN: Our Lady of Czestochowa.

She's been with us since the Deblin School.

She protects us.

OFFICER, IN POLISH: Gentlemen, remember

that you've got only 300 bullets of ammo.

That is enough for only

18 seconds of firing.

At ease.

How are things, Major?

Will we turn them into fighter pilots?

I'll train them to be able to fly

even on a barn door.

Who's next?

OK. Daszewski.

I also need a volunteer.

Please, choose someone today.

- OK, Tolo, go.

Today, you go.

- No, you go.

Cadet Zumbach, please come here.

Cadet Zumbach...

please hit me.

Don't be shy. Just hit me here.

PILOTS CHANT:

Janek, Janek, Janek!

Gentlemen...

Just hit me.

Don't be shy.

THEY CHUCKLE

You see, cadet,

in order to attack effectively

you need to be as close as possible...

Ah!

- Ooh!

And attack by surprise.

That's how you should act in the air.

Fire when you're really close

to the enemy and catch him by surprise.

I always tell my mechanics to synchronise

the guns from 250 metres to 150 metres.

That way you're saving ammo

and are far more effective.

Now, in place of engineer Kochan,

his beloved daughter, Jagoda Kochan.

She'll explain why P-11s choke

when they dive during acrobatics.

Miss Jagoda, come here, please.

I'll also watch... I mean, listen.

OK. So I'll tell you how it looks.

It looks good.

Very good!

- THEY LAUGH

Gentlemen!

The reason for this engine's behaviour

is its float carburettor.

During violent acrobatics,

it simply chokes.

It's said the Germans have direct

fuel injection but we aren't sure.

I'll show you on the model,

but I need a volunteer!

Me!

- Me!

IN GERMAN ON RADIO:

It's a hospital, not an airfield!

MAN 2 ON RADIO: Paula 5, coordinates

are correct. An order's an order.

EXPLOSION

IN ENGLISH:

To the shelter! To the shelter!

EXPLOSION

- GUNFIRE

Bloody hell, what are they doing?

IN GERMAN ON RADIO:

Stop attacking! Immediately!

Stop attacking! Immediately!

MAN 2 ON RADIO:

Paula 5, I don't understand...

IN POLISH:

Gentlemen! Major!

England has declared war on Germany.

France will be next.

There are huge crowds

at the embassy in Warsaw!

Thank God!

IN RUSSIAN: Gentlemen,

any of you got a smoke?

Easy, easy! I'm Polish!

IN POLISH: I'm a pilot.

Lieutenant Urbanowicz.

What's going on?

Are the Germans close?

Soviets.

They invaded this morning.

Our battery is smashed.

Our commander wounded.

Let me see.

Bloody hell...

It's one of ours!

- Thank God.

IN RUSSIAN:

Freeze!

Hands up!

- Easy!

Hands up!

Easy! We have a wounded man.

Please, help him.

GUNSHOT

- No!

Does anyone else need help?

Huh?

IN POLISH:

Thank God you're here!

You have no idea

what's been happening here.

I know, darling. I know.

Were you able to fix it?

Just finished.

We've been ordered to evacuate.

Russia invaded in the east.

The Germans are everywhere.

Who are these children?

Hello, hi!

From a village. I have to help

hem to find their parents.

For now they only have me.

So... listen. Take Mayer with you.

He'll be more useful to you.

No. No way!

Jagoda, you come with me.

Janek. I can't. I have to stay here.

Listen. Maybe I can get them to Warsaw.

Take the motorcycle, it'll be easier.

Let's go.

ENGINE STARTS

Take care.

HE WHISTLES

So, how far will it get us?

No worries.

Romania shouldn't be a problem.

What about Jagoda?

Start it!

ENGINE ROARS

GUNFIRE

IN RUSSIAN:

Take him away.

Get up! Come on!

Move!

Anyone else wants to escape?

Maybe you?

Polish pig.

Eh?

I'm asking you!

You took my coat, my watch,

don't you want to take my shoes?

SOVIET LAUGHS

So, you are such a hero...

- MAN: Sashka!

I'm not finished with you.

Understood?

I'm C o m iNn g!

HE GROANS

THEY GRUNT

GLASS SMASHES

- Leave me alone!

I don't want to go!

- GERMANS YELL

Jagoda!

Zosia, I'll be back!

Zosia!

Four gin and tonics, please.

Sure, right up.

Can I buy you a drink?

- Four gin and tonics.

Alright.

Er, I pay.

Sure.

Stefan Wdéjtowicz.

Who?

Stefan.

- Stefan?

Maggie.

Nine shilings, nine pence.

Thank you.

JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

MAN:

Oh, look. Flying fairies...

I don't think we have that much.

Please send the bill

to General Sikorski.

Sikorski?

- Yeah.

General?

- Yeah.

Alright.

IN POLISH: One more?

- Sure.

Once more, please.

ENGINEER:

Good evening, gentlemen.

PILOT: Good evening, engineer, sir.

- Good evening.

PILOT: Here you are.

- ENGINEER: Thank you.

PILOT:

Andruszkow, it's time for us.

Good night.

- Good night.

No, no. Thank you.

Do you know that the latest Spitfires

still don't have direct fuel injection?

I wasn't able...

to find our Jagoda,

neither through the resistance

nor contacts within Poland.

Do you think that...

- But we're working on it.

Things will be fine.

INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE

PILOT:

Tighten the belts! Good.

ENGINE ROARS

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany leader, Sundial here.

Steer 0-7-0 over St Albans.

Angels 1-5.

Practise on the Blenheims

as targets.

PILOT ON RADIO:

Sundial, Apany here. Roger that.

Out. All Apany aicraft keep formation.

IN POLISH:

Cobra, Germans on two o'clock low.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

No Polish.

Yellow 2 here.

Bandits at two o'clock. Low.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

/Ignore and stay in formation.

PILOT:

Sundial, I can't hear you.

IN POLISH:

Paszka, take the bastard.

PASZKIEWICZ, IN POLISH:

OK, Cobra.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

No communication in Polish.

No Polish chit-chat.

IN GERMAN ON RADIO:

Enemy! Distance 100. Faster!

GUNFIRE

IN POLISH:

So that's your play?

GUNFIRE

EXPLOSION

- GERMAN SCREAMS

PILOT ON RADIO: Apany leader,

! Hit bandit. I pancake.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

God help us. But well done.

All Apany, escort the Blenheims

and pancake.

RADIO CRACKLES

RADIO: The RAF is bombing

German and Italian bases in revenge

against the Nazi air offensive.

The next couple of weeks

of Luftwaffe air operations

are likely to prove,

one way or the other

if the Nazis will defeat the British

and achieve air supremacy.

British air raids on northern Italy

have caused Mussolini

to make vigorous protests

to neutral Switzerland

which is being overflown by the RAF.

The Swiss are, in turn,

protesting to London

about abuse of their airspace

but can do little about it.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

Sir, Flying Officer Urbanowicz.

Sir.

Sir.

Pilot Officer

you will take over the command

from Squadron Leader Krasnodebski.

303 Squadron is now combat operational.

Thank you, sir.

- Tell me...

how do you think

your compatriots will fare?

You'll not find better pilots

on this Earth, sir.

Attention!

At ease.

Gentlemen...

it is important to understand

that we are all many cogs

in the machine that is the defence

of Great Britain.

Our radar networks and

coastal observation stations

give us just 15 minutes warning

of impending German attack.

If even one squadron lags,

we lose that advantage.

We fight as one unified fist.

Is that clear?

If 1 may...

I know all of you.

Some of you I've taken under my wing

and trained personally and...

I know the fight is in your hearts

and that you are more

than just cogs in the machine, but...

I know that you are worried.

That your thoughts are with your families

back home.

Our...

brothers and sisters in the underground

Resistance continue to fight the enemy

whether he be Nazi or Bolshevik

but focus, gentlemen. Be here.

Think what each one of them would give

to be where you are now.

Because here is the only piece,

the last piece of our free Poland.

Our Polish army is here. We are here!

We are the Polish army!

And we refused to surrender in '39

and we'll continue the fight

as long as we draw breath.

Our enslaved brothers and sisters

put their faith in us and...

you know how they call us back home?

The Angels of Vengeance.

But enough talking.

You were born to be fighters,

so give those bloody Germans hell!

THEY CHEER AND APPLAUD

And show everyone here how it's done, OK?

That's all what I wanted to say.

Is that clear?

- ALL: Yes, sir!

IN GERMAN, OVER LOUDSPEAKER:

Attention, attention/

Attention! Attention!

Fighter Wing, prepare for take off.

IN GERMAN:

They don't have a chance today.

We will kill them all.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany Red Leader, Sundial here.

Steer 7-5-0.

Bandits over Hastings.

IN POLISH:

Tighter! Tighter! Tighter!

Tighter!

I don't want to go bouncing

like a dick in loose pants.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany Red Leader, Sundial here.

Steer 1-5-0.

Bandits over Hastings.

Angels 2-0. Buster!

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

Sundial, Apany Red Leader here.

Roger that. Out.

IN POLISH:

I can see a lonely bandit here.

Don't touch him! He's all mine!

ZUMBACH ON RADIO:

OK, Cobra. It's for 1939.

We'll clean up the Channel

and then straight on to Poland.

Now watch and learn.

GUNFIRE

I'll finish him off!

- PILOT: His engine is hit

He's going down.

Cobra, come back! Bandits on 12!/

I can see them.

Can't you manage by yourselves?

I was going to finish him off!

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

No Polish chit-chat!

PILOT SCREAMS

IN GERMAN:

Paula 5 to base.

HE GROANS

I got hit!

ON RADIO: Emergency landing on

the airfield! Emergency landing!

HE SCREAMS

Damn it!

Dear God! That was close!

Which pilot has the number RF-B?

I'll get the bastard!

Those were Poles.

One of them hit you.

Poles... I knew a Pole

who could fly like that. Shit!

Six Kills in the first mission.

Tell me, Major, is it possible?

Well, Kent and Kellett were up there

with them.

Sounds like rather good stuff.

Have the newspapers been told?

- No. Not yet.

And I'm rather inclined to think

that Kent and Kellett did the killing

while the Poles are trying

to take the credit.

Perhaps you ought

to fly with them.

Ha!

JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

To Squadron 303!

THEY CHEER

Sorry, Ox, your tab is empty.

I'll order on General Sikorski's tab.

- No, no, no!

General Sikorski

really appreciates your initiative

but after paying the last bill

he asks not to be billed in the future, so.

Don't worry. Tonight is on me.

OK. Thank you, mate.

Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Oh, shit...

Morning, sir.

Airman.

Yes, sir?

Was it you who crash landed

last week?

Yes, sir.

How old are you?

In two weeks,

I will be 22 years old.

Sir.

JONES:

Let's hope you survive, son.

Shall we get this photograph taken?

Ready?

- Come with me.

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Smile, please.

Would you mind?

- SHUTTER CLICKS

Come on, Miss Brown,

you're the film actress.

Put some heart into it.

SHUTTER CLICKS

- PHOTOGRAPHER: Another one.

Once more...

- Let's go.

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Once more, please.

SHUTTER CLICKS

- Wait, wait, wait!

PHOTOGRAPHER:

Thank you, ma'am.

Together!

Big smiles, boys.

THEY CHEER

IN POLISH:

And up!

ROOSEVELT ON RADIO:

The Nazi masters of Germany

have made it clear

that they intend

not only to dominate all life and thought

in their own country

but also to enslave

the whole of Europe

and then to use

the resources of Europe

to dominate the rest of the world.

I've got a mission for you.

Right. And what's that?

HE SIGHS

You were a well-known

and talented actress.

I can make sure you'll be back

on the newspaper front pages.

So what do you want me to do?

I want you to get close

to the Polish airmen.

Get to know them.

Only heroes make the front page.

Are they heroes?

Some of them.

Urbanowicz, for instance.

And if they die?

- They die heroes.

Your grief. Think about it.

Think of the acting opportunities.

It better work.

Start with Urbanowicz.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

1-2-0, 500 plus bandit beehive

approaching Biggins and Kenley.

- No English chit-chat!

IN POLISH:

Tolo, calm down.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

2-0. Buster.

Sundial. Apany leader here.

Roger that. Out.

IN POLISH: Gentlemen,

we're being inspected today

by the top brass.

- Let's show him how to fly!

Cover his arse so nothing happens to him.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany leader, Sundial here.

Steer 0-9-0. Bandit beehive.

600 plus over Margate,

heading London.

Angels 2-0. Buster!

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

Sundial. Roger that. Out.

PILOT, IN POLISH:

Bandits on ten, low!

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

All Apany, bandits on ten. Low.

Bloody hell!

I've never seen so many Jerries.

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

Apany leader here.

Blue section

breaking and attacking.

Very well!

URBANOWICZ, IN POLISH:

You heard him. Good luck.

Red section, follow me!

Attack!

This one's mine...

Donald, what are you doing?

ZUMBACH ON RADIO:

[ am sorry, sir.

I just finished him.

VINCENT ON RADIO:

Never mind.

Bloody Poles!

This one's mine.

GUNFIRE

GUNFIRE

GERMAN PILOT ON RADIO:

On 3, I come down.

On 5, you fly away and I shoot.

URBANOWICZ IN POLISH:

Donald, can you see that?

Vincent has a Jerry on his tail.

- GERMAN PILOT: Take him down.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Stop the Polish chit-chat!

GERMAN PILOT:

Three...

Sundial leader,

bandit on your six!

GERMAN PILOT:

Four...

VINCENT ON RADIO:

Oh, I'm in trouble!

GERMAN PILOT:

Five!

GUNFIRE

- I've been hit!

GUNFIRE

Bloody Poles!

ZUMBACH ON RADIO:

Sundial leader, alright?

Thank you, Donald! Thank you!

ZUMBACH IN POLISH:

At your service.

IN POLISH:

Mate, if not for you...

Got on their tails.

- Three times. Three times.

He corkscrewed!

And on the tail!

He'll have to get me and then you...

Gentlemen.

You saved my life.

You know, you flew with us.

You are one of us and

we always protect one another, so.

That's how we were taught.

Just like the musketeers.

- Yeah.

I know in the beginning I doubted you.

And I was wrong.

You are the bloody best pilots

we've got.

And you're a great leader, sir.

- And you, young man

are a diplomat.

- THEY LAUGH

OK, gentlemen, please.

Write down everything.

The bloody best pilots...

In the world!

THEY LAUGH

"...in the world."

Thank you.

And they are really doing it.

Doing what, sir?

I personally watched them

shoot down eight aeroplanes

without losses.

Look, here...

is a congratulatory telegram

from Minister Sinclair.

Is this with the press agencies

and the BBC?

Yes, it is.

- Good.

VINCENT CHUCKLES

I want the information

about this Polish victory

not only on the radio

but also on the newspapers'

front pages with photos.

Unless you still have reservations

about foreigners.

Oh, no, of course not.

No, no. No, no, no.

Pub?

Pub? Me? And the Poles?

Oh, no.

MUSIC: "Charleston!"

by Donaldson and Kahn

TOLO IN POLISH:

Gentlemen.

Shall we bet on who

she's going to dance with?

With me.

I'm betting on Donald!

Thanks, Tolo, but I think

it's going to be Urbanowicz!

Whatever happens, it's all for one...

ALL:

And one for all!

IN ENGLISH:

Good evening.

Good evening.

Got a light?

Shall we dance?

Why not?

Hm! Thank you.

Yes!

Do you always treat women that way?

Which way?

Do you make bets on them often?

We bet on who you'd choose

to dance with.

And who guessed correctly?

Tolo.

- Which one's he?

That one. I know,

he's not very handsome.

And what was the prize?

A round of drinks.

Ansell, a bottle of whisky

for this man

on my tab.

Of course, madam.

I didn't want to offend you.

And yet you have.

Gentlemen.

MUSIC STOPS

MUSIC: "Bei Mir Bistu Shein"

by Jacobs and Secunda

♪ Bel mir bistu shein

means that you're grand ♪

♪ Bei mir bistu shein, again I'll explain ♪

♪ It means

you're the fairest in the land... ♪

HE SINGS

- Shh!

THEY LAUGH

This is it.

I don't usually make a habit

of inviting in strangers.

Let me introduce myself again.

Donald Zumbach.

Enchanté.

Mademoiselle.

SHE SIGHS

- I'll never learn.

INDISTINCT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

"BE! MIR BISTU SHEIN" PLAYS

IN POLISH: Don't take advantage

of the situation!

Everyone's looking.

I'm not surprised.

You look beautiful.

IN GERMAN:

Captain von Ruttenberg!

RUTTENBERG:

Lieutenant Urbanowicz.

Welcome.

- Nice to see you.

IN POLISH:

My friend from air race competitions.

Friend?

Not all Germans voted for Hitler.

Engineer Kochan.

Wilhelm von Ruttenberg.

- Kochan.

IN GERMAN: Good evening.

- Good evening.

Captain Johann Behr.

- Nice to meet you.

I'm pleased to be able to introduce you.

Do sit down.

Thank you.

I can't?

- You didn't deserve it.

We haven't seen each

other for a while.

Two years?

- Three.

Really? Three years?

- Yes.

How do you know each other?

From air race world championships.

That's very interesting.

Wait. Easy...

Is it mechanical or gravity fed?

- Excuse me?

The fuel injection

in the Messerschmitt 109.

Jagoda Kochan.

Wilhelm von Ruttenberg.

It's a pleasure.

And?

- Yes, and?

Let's raise a toast

to Lieutenant Urbanowicz!

The best pilot I know

and to the next air race

World Championships

probably in London.

I hope we win this time.

I wouldn't be so sure!

We will win for our Fuhrer.

Let's drink to our friendly rivalry

and to the championships!

And not to Hitler?

Hard times have come

for friendship like ours.

Unfortunately, we have to...

To our leaders.

No, to your charming companion.

Will I be allowed to dance with you"?

With your permission, of course.

Is he allowed?

Of course.

So, is it a mechanical or

gravity fuel injection system?

BEHR:

Please, sit down.

MARCHING DRUMS PLAY

Sieg Heil!

PATRIOTIC MUSIC PLAYS

THEY SING:

"Die Fahne Hoch" by Horst Wessel

RADIO:

This is London.

This morning, large forces

of German bombers

are continuing their unprecedented attack

to bomb England.

We do not know

yet how many more planes

the Royal Air Force have added

to their record score yesterday.

Would you mind waiting here?

Flying Officer Zumbach, sir.

Come.

How can I help?

- Sir.

Can we say in French?

My English no good enough.

IN FRENCH:

Of course.

I'm looking for the daughter

of engineer Kochan.

Her name is Jagoda Kochan.

IN ENGLISH: Write this down,

would you please, Victoria?

Jagoda... Koshon?

Kochan.

Jagoda Kochan.

Ja... Ko...

Koshon...?

May I, sir?

Please.

IN FRENCH: We all know who is

the daughter of engineer Kochan.

If the girl appears in England

or in any of our colonies,

our intelligence will notice that.

We'll let you know.

Merci, sir.

Good.

IN ENGLISH:

Anything else?

No. Thank you.

Goodbye.

- Au revoir.

Au revoir.

IN POLISH:

Look, it's the doctor!

Flying Officer Urbanowicz.

Victoria Brown.

Charmed.

Miss Victoria?

May I ask you to dance with me"?

I would love to dance with you.

STRING MUSIC PLAYS

IN POLISH:

Donald, bandit at 10 high.

Take him, he's yours!

Yes, sir.

GUNFIRE

GUNFIRE

GUNFIRE

ZUMBACH ON RADIO:

Cobra, I'm on your 7.

That one went swimming!

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

They'll count that one as a probable.

Do you have enough fuel?

Enough.

Cobra, next one is yours.

Morning.

What brings you here so bright and early?

This.

Yes, what a splendid

piece of propaganda.

I told you, you'd bathe

in their reflected glory.

Yes, right.

And can you show me where I am?

No? I'll show you.

I'm here! I'm not even in the shot.

And where am I supposed to be?

Here!

Or you could have been here.

Next to Urbanowicz.

Can't see Zumbach either.

Well, darling...

C'est la guerre.

ACCORDION PLAYS:

"Habanera" from Carmen by Bizet

IN GERMAN: Look what they found

in a shot-down Spitfire!

Polish pilots. Pity we have to kill them.

We're also in the newspapers.

Excuse me, may I? 7 Thank you.

Have a look.

Have you ever wondered why in their press

people like us

are on the front page

whereas in ours, it's the Fuhrer

another leader...

and the next one?

Thank you.

Have you something

against our Fuhrer?

What I don't like is that,

in the name of the Fuhrer

some attack Red Cross ambulances.

Enemy ambulances.

Ambulances carrying wounded.

Are you trying to tell me something?

MUSIC: "The Infernal Gallop" by Offenbach

What do you think?

PILOT, IN POLISH:

Gentlemen!

We have a guest.

It's Kent!

Hey, boys!

Get in the car!

Where are we going, sir?

We're gonna have some fun.

That's an order.

THEY LAUGH

TOLO, IN POLISH:

An order's an order!

OX:

Tolo, Tolo!

HORN HONKS

Thank you, sir!

Are we going to fit?

- OX: No, there's no room!

THEY LAUGH AND CHATTER

THEY SING

MUSIC: "Land of Hope and Glory"

by Edward Elgar

APPLAUSE

FORBES:

Gentlemen!

The drinks are on me.

And tonight you can call me Forbski.

The night is young

and we're just getting started.

THEY CHEER

MUSIC: "Down by the Riverside"

by Louis Armstrong.

Gentlemen! To today's victories.

And tomorrow's!

Knocked that back quickly.

- I'm thirsty.

Officer Zumbach?

I believe I owe you an apology.

Please join us.

FORBES:

Cheers!

Cheers.

And then we made our way

from Romania to France.

Some of us disguised as priests.

It's remarkable.

- Yeah.

MUSIC: "Love Me or Leave Me"

by Donaldson & Kahn

Janek, Johnny, Donald.

Which one of them

are you today?

None of them.

I have a name for you.

- Oh?

Promise me something

and the name is yours.

Just one little promise.

What kind of promise

do you want to hear?

Promise you won't die.

Of course I won't die.

- Liar!

ALARM RINGS

- AIR RAID SIREN

PILOT ON RADIO:

Sundial, Apany Blue Leader here.

We are in the air.

Find me Zumbach!

Do you need some cigarettes, sir?

I need Zumbach!

PHONE RINGS

Yes?

You have to go.

- What?

You have to get back to your unit.

How do they know where I am?

That's what we have

intelligence for.

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

Sundial, Apany Red Leader here.

Can you hear me?

ENGLISH OPERATOR:

Yes, we can hear you well.

Apany Red Leader,

Sundial here.

Sector 1-6-0.

100 plus bandits over Horsham.

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

Sundial. Roger that and out.

ZUMBACH IN POLISH:

Cobra, I'm here, sorry!

Better late than never, Donald.

Good to see you!

It's peaceful today.

Frantisek?

ON RADIO: Frant/sek,

get back in format/on!

Blast! As usual,

he's switched his radio off!

Frantisek?

GUNFIRE

Where have you been?

Over the Channel, sir.

I was chasing another Jerry.

Did you get him?

And we were all sure

they shot you down.

The chaps are drinking

for you already.

What are you so happy about?

Because it means

you care about me.

Sergeant Pilot Frantisek,

this is the last time

you leave our formation.

I'm excluding you

from the squadron.

IN POLISH:

That's not possible.

Oh, it most certainly is.

IN ENGLISH: Starting from today,

you'll be flying separately

from our formation.

Just by myself?

No. Alongside us as a...

guest of our squadron.

You won't be anyone's wingman

anymore but

no one will be watching your arse

in return.

PILOTS LAUGH

Thank you, sir.

MUSIC: "Little Brown Jug"

by Glen Miller

PILOT:

Forbesowski?

Come on. Come on!

Listen to him.

We'll bet you two double scotches

the next girl you meet

doesn't walk away from you.

Do we have a bet?

Done.

- Cut.

Take off your jacket.

Cheater.

No one likes a bad loser, Tolo.

- Hey, hey...

Wish me luck, chaps.

Good luck!

Hi.

IN POLISH ACCENT:

Something to drink, you like?

Hi.

Are you one of those Polish pilots?

Of course. My name is Jan.

I fly with the 303.

Gin and tonic, please.

ENGLISH ACCENT: G&T and double

scotch on the rocks, please...

IN POLISH ACCENT:

And, uh, please put it on my tab.

Nice accent, Jan.

FORD:

Oh, no...

IN POLISH: You're buying.

- Wait, wait, wait.

Hello.

Are you a Polish pilot?

IN POLISH ACCENT:

Yes.

Yes. I am flying

with Polish squadron.

My name is Forbski.

Please.

One more double scotch, please.

And then two for my very good friends

at the end of the bar.

INDISTINCT CHATTER AND LAUGHTER

TOLO:

So England is already conquered!

AIR RAID SIREN

PILOT:

Faster! Faster!

Close it!

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany Leader, Sundial here.

Steer 71-2-0.

400 plus bandit beehive

over Maidstone.

Heading for London.

Angels 1-8. Buster.

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

Sundial, Roger that. Out.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany. Vector 1-2-0.

TOLO ON RADIO: Cobra, Blue 3 here.

Bandits at 2 o'clock.

PILOT, IN POLISH:

Messerschmitts! On 2, high!

URBANOWICZ: All Apany,

turn starboard and break.

Oh, shit, I've got a bandit

on my tail!

GUNFIRE

JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

Lieutenant Urbanowicz.

Major Jones.

- Evening, Miss Brown.

URBANOWICZ:

Yes?

HE WHISPERS

Gentlemen.

Arsen Cebrzynski.

Stefan Wojtowicz.

WOMAN:

Stop the music, please!

THEY SING IN POLISH:

♪ Poland has not yet perished ♪

♪ So long as we still live ♪

♪ What the foreign force

has taken from us ♪

♪ We shall with sabre retrieve ♪

♪ March, march, Dabrowski,

from the Italian land to Poland ♪

♪ Under your command

we shall rejoin the nation. ♪

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany Blue 3, come in, please.

Come in, please.

Apany Blue 3, come in, please.

Repeat. Come in, please.

Apany Blue 3, come in, please.

Repeat. Come in, please.

THEY DANCE IN SILENCE

THEY ALL DANCE IN SILENCE

INDISTINCT WHISPERS

Amen.

Forgive me, Father,

for I have sinned

and I want to sin again.

And I have killed already.

And I wanted to kill them all.

IN GERMAN: Congratulations

on your achievement, Captain!

What can I do for you

to make it even better?

Sir. May I wish you

a long and healthy life.

IN POLISH:

Thank you.

MECHANIC:

Thank you doesn't buy anything.

We'll settle the bill later.

KENT, IN ENGLISH:

Fellas.

There's never been so many

of them at once before.

They have three times

as many planes as us.

Kellett said that we can fly

in a loose formation.

The Polish way.

- ALARM RINGS

God help us.

IN POLISH:

Gentlemen, to your planes

and everyone come back!

- They've finally understood!

Keep your fingers crossed!

AIR RAID SIREN

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany Leader, Sundial here.

Steer 7-0-0.

600 plus bandit beehive

approaching port of London docks.

Angels 2-0. Buster.

IN POLISH:

Silence in the air!

GERMAN OPERATOR: Target Biggins,

Kenley and Croydon.

We'll win today!

Yes, today I'll take revenge.

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

Gentlemen, it won't be easy today.

May God protect us.

TOLO ON RADIO: That's right.

- GUNFIRE

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

We'll go right! Together!

This one's mine.

GUNFIRE

Dornier is hit. Finish it.

TOLO ON RADIO:

/I'm doing it right now!

God Almighty!

A horde of bandits!

GUNFIRE

GUNFIRE

RUTTENBERG:

No!

Bloody Brits!

I've got him on my tail!

RUTTENBERG YELLS

GUNFIRE

URBANOWICZ:

Do you remember that Jerry ace

that got away last time?

I've got him now!

GERMAN OPERATOR:

Base to Paula 1. Break off fight.

GUNFIRE

BEHR ON RADIO:

Paula 1 to base. I got hit.

Emergency landing!

INDISTINCT CONVERSATION

He's here.

We will continue this later.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I just landed.

And?

And...

I've arranged a transfer for you.

- What?

They need flying instructors.

You can train the recruits.

You don't have to

fight anymore.

But I want to fight.

You can't survive this war.

Perhaps. But I have to fight.

Why?

Because this is my life,

my job, my duty.

And I don't want to abandon

my brothers.

Then there is no hope for us.

What are you talking about?

I don't want to see you anymore.

This doesn't sound like you.

- You don't know me.

What?

Just go.

You should go.

Well done, bravo.

I've always wondered

what you got up to in the evening.

Now I know.

Quite a performance.

These are for you.

They're from Jagoda.

Please continue your performance,

Miss Brown.

I'm not going to play a war widow.

The mission is over.

JOGODA (VO):

My darling...

There are black clouds here

for the last past year.

They're constantly waiting

for the weather to improve.

Maybe the sun will finally shine.

This time, the other way round

from the west.

I hope that you also have

some cloudy, rainy weather.

I know that when the weather is bad

you have less work

chasing those animals.

Maybe you will be able to get rid

of the whole herd.

Hug boys for me.

!I'm fine.

I've nearly recovered.

And I love you.

With all my heart.

Jagoda.

IN GERMAN:

Good morning.

Captain Behr, there is a secret delivery

for you from headquarters.

Could you open it for me?

Yes, of course. Thank you.

Oh.

This is straight from Reichmarschall.

GOERING ON RECORD:

The German nation

has never in its history been

prepared so well for the victory.

We have the best aircraft,

best strategy and the best pilots!

So why didn't we

achieve total victory?

What do we lack?

Spirit! Spirit and discipline.

How could our bombers win if they

had no cover from our fighters?

Why did they shoot you down,

you idiot?

Now is the key moment

of the Battle of Britain/!

Bring me the head of that English bulldog!

If you surrender now, you are traitors.

Traitors of the great German nation!

Flight Lieutenant Urbanowicz.

- Yes?

Thank you.

For what?

For surpassing yourself.

You didn't believe in us, did you?

Believe, didn't believe...

Who cares?

You are born fighters.

We are born politicians.

What's this?

JONES:

Your obituary.

How thoughtful of you.

- It's my job.

You don't need it anymore?

No, you keep hold of it.

Good luck.

OFFICER:

Your Majesty...

may I present Pilot Officers

Lokuciewski

Paszkiewicz

DaszewsKi

Sergeant Szaposznikow

and Pilot Officer Januszewicz.

And, erm...

Acting squadron leader...

Urban... Urbano...?

Witold Urbanowicz.

It's an honour, Your Majesty.

OFFICER:

Pilot Officer Jan Zumbach.

Zumbach.

KING GEORGE: I've heard about

your victories, Pilot Officer.

You're all becoming

the stuff of legends.

For the glory of the nation,

Your Majesty.

But your name is not Polish, is it?

OFFICER:

It's Swiss, Your Majesty.

But I am Polish,

Your Majesty.

OFFICER: This is Sergeant Josef...

I do beg your pardon.

Frantisek.

- OFFICER: Frantisek

Your Majesty.

- Your Majesty.

Are you a Czech or Slovak,

Sergeant?

I'm Polish, Your Majesty.

And you?

Lieutenant Henneberg,

Your Majesty.

Danish?

- Polish, Your Majesty.

And you?

Sergeant Wunsche,

Your Majesty.

This is an old German name.

Yes, sir, but I'm Polish.

I have no doubt.

What is your name?

Sergeant Tadeusz Andruszkdéw,

Your Majesty.

Russian?

Don't tell me. Polish?

Da.

I suppose being Polish

really is just a state of mind.

Our country owes you a great deal.

You joined us at the 11th hour.

But with your heroism in the air

and great personal endeavour

Together we will defeat

this accursed enemy.

OFFICER:

Long live King George!

ALL:

Long live King George!

OFFICER:

Stand at ease.

OX:

Your Majesty.

May I ask for a few words

in writing for our chronicle"?

It would be great honour

for our squadron, 303.

The honour is all mine.

Does anybody have a pen?

Yes, Your Majesty.

As I stand among you

I'm beginning to feel Polish myself.

IN POLISH:

Long live King George!

ALL IN POLISH:

Long live King George!

APPLAUSE

ALARM RINGS

Wait!

Tadeusz!

Don't be afraid.

You're crazy!

- Crazy for you!

Please.

Give him to me.

- Yes, sir.

I'll take care of our little friend

until our brave pilot returns.

Thank you.

OPERATOR:

Steer 7-8-0.

Three hundred plus bandit beehive

over Portsmouth.

Angels 2-0. Buster!

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

Sundial, Apany Leader here.

Roger that. Out.

My God, what a sight.

Now I know we'll win this war.

OPERATOR ON RADIO:

Apany, Kenner here.

/It's absolutely bloody marvellous

to have you chaps

from Polish 303

with us for battle.

Enjoy the hunt and tally-ho!

ALL PILOTS ON RADIO:

Tally-ho!

URBANOWICZ ON RADIO:

We wish you all the same.

CHURCHILL (VO):

Never in the field of human conflict

was so much owed by so many

to so few.