Secret Army (1977–1979): Season 2, Episode 8 - The Big One - full transcript
Sit down please, gentlemen.
Carry on, Peter.
The target tonight gentlemen, is the big one.
Berlin. - Not Berlin!
They can have Berlin. - Too true.
Give me Happy Valley, not these damned long stooges.
- I knew you'd all be delighted.
Alright, now as you see,
we have two diversionary raids tonight, thanks to our friends from One Group.
And that should take care of the night fighter activity on our way back across Belgium.
There will be 400 aircraft on Berlin, timed to be in and out in 16 minutes.
So, accurate navigation is of the essence.
Full power, straight ahead.
Good evening, Herr Leutnant. Glad to see you back again.
I was in Berlin last week seeing your mother in law. She thought there was a chance you might be on leave.
My wife told me.
She said she was hoping to see you this weekend. I hope you find time to see one or two of the people I've been talking to.
I'm helping my family to move out of Berlin and in any case I'm only going to have 48 hours.
Well, you could spare an hour or two. They're good men. - I'm sure.
Yes, she said there'd only been a few stray bombs near your house so far.
You live well out in the suburbs, of course, but Berlin is taking a pounding.
I know. But it's not that easy to knock out a capital city, as we discovered when we attacked London.
The RAF is sending heavy planes.
300, 400 at a time with bigger bombloads
Yes, and their losses are mounting too. You know how long it takes to train aircrew. They can't keep it up forever.
What was Reichsmarschall Goring's boast?
No enemy aircraft would ever fly over the Reich's territory.
Good evening Mademoiselle, Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. I have your table ready for you.
It's Kessler that's just come in.
Who's the woman?
- Her name is Madeline Duclos. Belgian.
Excuse me, I shan't be a moment.
Good evening Major Brandt.
Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. May I introduce an old friend, Oberst Neidlinger.
Herr Oberst. A pleasure to meet you.
Oh I see you have finished. Perhaps you'd both care to join me and my guest for a drink?
It would be a pleasure but really I've promised myself an early night.
And it's tonight I'm catching the Berlin sleeper.
- Oh yes, of course. I hope you have a pleasant weekend. - Thank you.
Are you staying in Brussels long Herr Oberst?
I'm going on to Paris first thing tomorrow morning.
- Perhaps on another occasion.
Courtesy? Or something worse?
He saw me here with Von Elmendorf.
He questioned me afterwards.
He wanted to know if there were any signs of disloyalty on Von Runstedt's staff.
Do you think he's suspicious of us?
- It's his job.
I should be very surprised if he weren't.
Most of those he would consider disloyal were destined to be professional soldiers from the moment the doctor said "it's a boy". I certainly was.
The Kesslers of this world don't like the military class, and never will.
Are you afraid of him?
- I'm wary of him, yes.
He represents Germany today. Not me, not you.
The Gestapo. The SS.
An honorable patriotic man finds it expedient to be wary of Kessler,
in case they may be suspected of thinking the wrong ...
Yeah, yeah. I think we should be making a move.
You're very quiet tonight.
- Oh, I'm sorry, I was thinking.
However, that's strange coming from you. Someone who always seems to say as little as possible.
I haven't had anyone to talk to for such a long time. I suppose I've got out of the habit.
- Thank you, gentlemen goodnight.
Who's the other one?
That's Oberst Neidlinger. He serves on General Kammhuber's staff.
Another one on good terms with Admiral Canaris.
- You sound as if you don't like him.
Oh, I've never met him before. But I know of him. He's a Junker.
His type think they're too good to join the Party.
They think they have a right to look down on us.
But they'll learn, these aristocrats. They'll find out that their day is over for good.
Perhaps. I wonder sometimes though...
Oh, I was...
- It's alright.
I'd forgotten for the moment about Baron d'Aquise. Forgive me.
Well, in your case, I doubt if the attitudes of the aristocracy brought you much happiness.
He wasn't to blame. I think he did really love me, but
a married Catholic. The title. The family. The pressures were too great.
I think if I may say so, that in succumbing to those pressures,
he lost far more than you did.
Pilot to navigator. How are we doing?
Navigator. I'll be giving you a change of course in about twelve minutes Skipper.
Right on time.
The Mosquito boys should be around by now. We won't see anything for a while yet.
Rear gunner. How's it with you?
Rear gunner. Haven't seen a thing so far, Skipper.
Mid gunner?
- Nor me, Skipper.
We must be clearing the main night fighter area. They'll know we're on to Berlin by now.
Clear skies should be ahead. So keep up a full search pattern will you.
Rear gunner. You bet, skipper.
- Mid gunner. Okay, Skipper.
Kessler?
It's possible.
You don't seem to disagree with anything I say.
It's difficult to do so.
- And yet you won't commit yourself.
No, no no. I just mustn't miss my train. - You won't.
Come on man speak your mind.
Manfred, I envy your certainty.
And I wish I could share it.
But you're asking me to join in a conspiracy against the Fuhrer himself.
It's bad enough when he was no more than an upstart.
Now it's apparent the man is a criminal and a lunatic. Don't you understand that?
He is still our head of state.
- Of itself enough to shame any decent man.
Come along. Do the Ukrainians love Stalin?
I doubt it. But in their eyes he's the lesser evil, and so they fight us.
Only half of them. The rest have thrown in their lot with us.
But that is exactly what war is. A choice of evils.
I have to think of my country first.
We're fighting the most savage and bitter war in human history.
We're bombed at night. More and more by day. We're fighting vast hordes on the Eastern Front,
and yet we have to keep divisions in readiness in the West in case there's an invasion.
And you say, get rid of the Fuhrer and his instruments of government.
That must inevitably weaken and divide us. And alright, suppose it happened.
You think the Allies would stop fighting us and shake hands?
Or would they see it as their chance to crush Germany yet again?
The British and Americans will never negotiate with the Nazis, but if...
If we can get rid of them, show our willingness to look for an honorable peace...
The Allies demand unconditional surrender. - That's out of the question.
But if we clean out our own stable first, I believe they'd see it differently.
Perhaps, and perhaps not.
You see, you, you draw a distinction between the Nazis and the German people, but they don't.
They're at war with Germany, not the Nazi Party.
Erwin, we all went through this, every one of us.
For a man who loves his country, it's an awful decision to have to make.
As you said, it's a choice of evils.
But think of the Germany you want your children to grow up in.
Are they to be free? To think for themselves?
Or are they to live in fear of Kessler and his brood?
Yes, you must catch your train. Go home. Get your family to safety.
Think about it. There's still time. You'll be with us in the end, I'm sure of that.
Pilot, was that Nobby?
I'm afraid so.
Bomb aimer, markers are dead ahead.
Bomb bay doors open.
Navigator. Another minute skipper. We've a long way to go yet.
Rubbish. If we don't bomb now,
we'll be overshooting the markers.
Navigator. Hold this course for another minute.
For God's sake let's get them away.
- It's too early.
Shut up.
If you don't bomb now, I'll drop the things myself. I'm not hanging about with this flak..
Roger skipper.
Target right ahead.
Left, left, left...
Steady...
Hold it. Steady...
Bombs gone.
Bomb bay's shut. I'm turning starboard. We're going home.
Master bomber to main force?
Disregard the markers that have been dropped short and west of the main target.
I'm having the target marked again at once with green. Be sure to bomb on new markers.
Master bomber. We are re-marking.
Ignore markers West and short of target.
Too late now. Next course, navigator.
Navigator. Two six five degrees,
skipper.
Two six five degrees. Roger.
Pilot to crew. The fighters will be waiting for us now. Watch it.
Rear gunner. OK, skipper.
- Mid gunner. Right, skipper.
The smell of real coffee. I'd forgotten what it was like. Thank you.
Oh, it's nothing.
- It's not nothing to be kind.
Is that how you see me?
- Yes, you've been very kind to me.
You're such a gentle person. It would be very hard for anyone to be otherwise.
I'm not sure you're right about me.
- I'm a good judge of people. I have to be.
But you haven't seen me as I really am.
I haven't been myself for so long now.
- Perhaps you should think about it less.
I've tried, believe me, but I kept going over it all in my head.
How we did this, said that. How it might have turned out differently.
But of course it never could have done. It was bound to end as it did.
I know this is easy to say, but eventually you have to put it all behind you.
Forget about it.
I know.
Recently, I haven't thought about him quite so much.
Oh, what have you thought about?
- Your kindness.
Now it's my turn to say that I'm afraid you're not quite right about me.
Perhaps we both need illusions?
- Yes, perhaps.
When we first met, I thought you were looking for an easy pick up. Someone to spend the night with.
That being your experience since the Baron?
- Oh yes, your information.
I should have realized it would be comprehensive.
Perhaps we should stop seeing each other.
- Why?
I was very much in love with him.
- Are you still?
Since then, I've been very unhappy.
I've become used to it.
In a way, guarded my own wretchedness.
Perhaps that made me feel safe. I don't know.
But I could come to care for you, I think.
Then I wouldn't be safe any more.
No, but you might be truly alive again.
I was alive before. And I never want to go through that again for anyone.
Well, that's something you must decide for yourself.
It's different for you.
- No, not really.
If I were to care about someone. For a man like me,
that would be dangerous.
- Why?
Personal feelings are, as you've learned.
And yet, I'm no different from anyone else.
You see me as kind. I see you as gentle.
You're certainly wrong. Perhaps we both are.
But possibly that's a need that we both share. To be blind to what someone else is really like.
It's late.
Good night.
Good night.
Rear gunner. There's a fighter.
Break right.
Can you see him, Bill?
Starboard engine's gone.
Rear gunner, do you hear me?
Rear gunner. Where are you?
Skipper. Bomb aimer. The starboard wing is burning. The fuel tanks are going.
Pilot to crew. Bail out. Bail out.
Bert, if you can go back and see what's happened to the others.
- OK skipper.
The wing'll blow up soon.
Come on. Hurry up. For God's sake. She'll go up in a minute.
Where's that parachute?
Come on. For God's sake. Hurry up.
It'll go any second now.
Give me a parachute.
It'll blow any second.
They've all bought it, skipper. They're all dead.
- Bail out. Bail out now.
Please, please can you help me?
Well, you shouldn't be here. There are unexploded bombs.
My house was across the street. Where can I find my family?
What name?
- Brandt.
I'm sorry Herr Major, but your wife and son were killed.
Your mother and daughter are safe. They've been taken to a rest centre.
Where are they? My wife and son?
The hospital was destroyed. The school is a temporary mortuary.
I must go and see. Could there have been a mistake?
Please leave Herr Major. It's not safe.
This is London.
London calling on the Overseas and European
services of the BBC.
Last night 400 RAF bombers attacked Berlin.
Heavy damage was inflicted.
Widespread fires were seen from a very long distance from Berlin by returning crews.
22 of our aircraft failed to return.
Last night bombers of the RAF carried out another cowardly terror attack on Berlin.
Hospitals, schools and houses were destroyed
and casualties inflicted on helpless civilians.
45 enemy aircraft were shot down by our heroic fighter pilots and anti aircraft gunners.
Forty-five.
And they'll have lost more in accidents on take off and landing.
If we can keep that up, they'll be bled to death.
Yes, twenty-two.
John Curtis used to say that provided their losses didn't exceed 10%, they could keep that up.
22 is probably a propaganda figure. I expect they lost twice that many.
Don't you trust anyone Max?
- Only myself, and you of course, dear Natalie.
John Curtis also used to say the German figure of losses was probably more accurate than the British.
Yeah, well either way we will probably be getting some customers in the near future.
All right. Leave it.
Well Sergeant, before we dispose of you, let's have a talk.
Michael Murray. Flight Sergeant...
- Oh don't be a fool Sergeant.
Alright.
Was it a fighter or ack ack?
- Fighter.
On your way back from Berlin?
- Yes. - Well, what happened?
They hit us twice. Perhaps more. I can't remember. It was all over so fast.
One engine went. The wing caught fire.
We had to bail out before the plane blew up
Did all of you bail out?
- No. Two of them were dead.
Bert might have made it though I didn't actually see him jump.
Bert?
- My bomb aimer.
That night you attacked a residential area of Berlin.
Are those your orders now, to bomb indiscriminately?
The markers were dropped short.
By the time we realized that it was too late.
We'll return to that in a moment.
Now you were picked up at 9 A.M. Where had you been hiding?
- In a ditch.
You approached a postman and asked him for help.
- Told me he'd help but he came back with a policeman.
Was he the first person you approached?
- No, there was an old woman earlier,
Just shook her head.
You were hoping to be picked up by an escape route. Isn't that so?
You're briefed on what to do if you're shot down. It's no secret, you know.
Were you given the names of contacts?
You will now tell me the type of plane, where you're stationed, which squadrons are based there, how many aircraft and so on...
Geneva Convention. I can only tell you my name rank and number.
You terror fliegers do not merit the protection of the Geneva Convention. You've broken enough rules and ought to be shot.
You will begin now.
- I can't.
Stand to attention to the presence of an senior officer. Well, that's better.
I am Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler. Gestapo.
Now you will either answer my questions here,
or you will be taken to another place where you will most certainly answer. Do I make myself clear?
Please, I am entitled to be treated as a prisoner of war.
So you will be, provided you cooperate.
Think yourself lucky you didn't bail out above Berlin Sergeant.
Aircrew have been beaten to death by angry civilians before now, you know.
Good. Thank you.
- It's quiet this evening.
We have a customer.
Where?
- A farm, near Anderlecht.
It's too late now.
- He'll be alright for a few days. He's hiding in the barn.
Can you provide transport?
- It'll have to be a horse and cart.
It'll have to be Monique. There's no one else.
Good morning, Herr Major.
- Herr Sturmbannfuhrer.
I heard about your wife and son.
- May I extend my commiserations? - Thank you.
I wasn't sure if you would come back. I thought you might apply for compassionate leave.
They were buried yesterday.
I sent my mother and daughter to stay with relatives in the country. They should be safe there.
Now I have a great deal to do.
- Yes of course.
Still, the child must be very upset.
Well, I thought you might like to know that we've got one of them. Shot down on the way back from Berlin.
In your absence, I questioned him.
He was confused, frightened, in a state of shock.
He provided a great deal of information without too much urging.
Oh, nothing about escape routes, unfortunately. He hadn't made contact with them.
But there's much there the Luftwaffe might find interesting.
- There may be another one?
Oh the bomb aimer?
Yes, if he wasn't killed.
Wake up.
Rise.
Can't you speak?
- Ben Lewis. RAF.
You speak German.
- Not really.
You understood it well enough just now.
Who are you?
You told me you knew someone who could help me.
- That depends on who you are.
I told you, Sergeant Lewis, RAF.
Sergeant Lewis who, when half asleep and told to stand up in German, automatically jumps to his feet.
Not the way we expect RAF aircrew to behave.
- Who the hell do you think I am?
You could be a German trying to infiltrate an escape route.
- Escape route?
So that's who you say you are.
For all I know you could be Germans.
Bogus escape route, set up to catch evaders. Well they exist. We were warned about them at briefings.
You have to satisfy us, not the other way round. How is it you speak German?
I don't. I took it at school. I know a bit, that's all.
Which school?
- A grammar school.
Where? Wales?
- Talking the way I do. Don't be daft.
What type of plane were you flying?
- I can't tell you that. - What was your target? - I can't tell you that.
When were you shot down?
- My name is Lewis. Sergeant Lewis.
Do you think we take chances on a man who might be German? Now if you really are RAF, just answer the questions.
You haven't asked me any questions to answer yet.
If you're from an escape route why should you want secret operational information?
Is your place of birth a secret then?
- Kentish Town.
Where's that, somewhere in Kent?
- It's part of London.
Did everyone learn German at your school?
Most of them took French, but you could opt for Spanish or German if you wanted to.
Why did you choose German?
- I was taking school certificate and I needed a modern language.
I wasn't much good at F... I preferred German.
Did you get your school certificate?
- No, but that's why I'm a bomb aimer. I wanted to be a pilot.
Did any other members of your crew survive apart from yourself?
I'm pretty sure the pilot got out. Perhaps the navigator.
You came down by parachute?
- Yes. - How far away from here?
I walked for about 2 hours and I found this barn. I walked 5 miles I suppose.
What was your pilot's name?
- Why?
Because I want to confirm you are who you say you are. What was your pilot's name?
Mick Murray. - What!? - Flight Sergeant Michael Murray everybody called him Mick.
Confirm? What do you mean, confirm? Who with...
You said there could have been other survivors. Well, none have been reported to us.
Alright, maybe you are Flight Sergeant Lewis. I hope so, for your sake.
It's gonna take a day or two to check, so in the meantime, you stay here.
Check? What do you mean check?
You say you're in touch with somebody who knows me?
- Why should that be of interest to you?
Because I've got no way of knowing you're genuine, have I?
I mean, this could all be part of your game. Pretending to be suspicious of me. Saying you'll check.
I mean what does it mean if you do come back and say "yes, we believe you" I'm still none the wiser about you am I?
What's your name?
- Bert Lewis, RAF, 1246...
Who the hell are you?
We can't tell you anything about us until we are certain about you.
When that's done, and if you really are an evader, then we'll concern ourselves with your fears, and not before.
Yeah, well don't try and convince me by telling me anything about my pilot.
He could have been taken prisoner.
Major Brandt's wife, and his son as well?
- Yes, I'm afraid so.
How awful for him.
Yes. I feel sorry for him.
For a man to lose his only son like that. I can imagine how I'd feel.
I remember my father... He's dead now, but I remember how proud he was of me.
What was he like?
- Oh a fine man.
Fought in the Great War.
Won the Iron Cross First Class.
Afterwards, he worked hard to build up a good business. We were quite well to do.
That was before, of course.
- Before what?
Before they robbed him of all he had.
- Who? - Oh, the bankers, the financiers.
You mean the ...
- I mean they took everything from him. My father and thousands like him.
Oh, there was inflation, depression, unemployment.
But while men like my father grew poor, they grew richer.
Oh, we've put all that right now, of course, but
I wish my father could have lived to see the new Germany. A great nation again.
You know, if he is a German trying to infiltrate the line, he's seen you and Alain.
It's alright, the barn door's kept padlocked.
Bar takings are up again. They certainly know how to drink, these Germans.
He was more suspicious of us than we were of him, but his reactions did seem genuine.
And a man who is half asleep usually gives himself away.
Can I do anything, Albert? - Yes.
Check these figures, will you?
I can't balance these receipts.
You know, I'm not sure about that new waiter, I think he could be a thief.
They're all thieves.
- Oh, this is 15 Francs short.
Someone at the door.
It's Alain.
I've checked him out. Flight Sergeant Lewis is alright.
Goodnight Mademoiselle. Goodnight, Sturmbannfuhrer. - Goodnight. Thank you.
Get him in the safe house, tomorrow. Want a drink?
We have a pilot and a navigator, there.
The bomb aimer there.
And another pilot down here, there at the farm.
Are they safely undercover?
- Yes, for the time being.
When you go to Paris tomorrow, can you bring these fellows into Brussels first?
There are more Germans searching the countryside than usual Albert.
I don't think Monique should pick up the bomb aimer until after dark.
She's already gone.
Motorcycle patrols are making spot checks.
Well it's too late to stop her now.
I thought everything was going to be alright.
I always try and be friendly with Germans and I happen to know these two.
Were they suspicious? - No. Not a bit of it.
Only too happy to come to the house for a glass of beer before they did their search.
Sent my son over here to hide the Englishman. - And he'd gone. - Yeah.
Well did you try to find him?
- Of course, well, as soon as we could.
He knows where this farm is, and he knows me, my son.
Now if the Germans take him...
- Stupid young idiot.
I suppose he was frightened. We frightened him.
Damn.
Why the devil didn't he wait to be told what to do?
- I don't know. I suppose he thought they...
Well he shouldn't think. Let them think in their bombers, not on the ground.
We drove around as much as we dared, didn't we? We asked a few reliable people if they've seen him,
but there was no sign of him.
- We didn't even know which way to look.
But he's probably gone to ground somewhere, in which case he'll turn up again.
But if he turns up in the hands of the Germans, a man who's behaved like a damn fool once will probably do it again.
He's not really a man Albert. Not much more than a boy.
- That boy could get you both killed.
Brandt and Kessler are here.
They want a table for dinner.
Goodnight Alain. Finish your coffee.
Mademoiselle Duclos asked me to give you her condolences.
That's very thoughtful of her, considering we've never even met.
Please thank her for her kindness. Is she keeping well?
- Yes, very well.
Herr Major. Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. Good evening.
Oh, I'll have the dish of the day.
Thank you Sir, Herr Major?
- Same for me. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be excellent.
And for an aperitif?
- Calvados. - Yes.
Is that Mademoiselle Duclos' influence?
- She likes it and I quite enjoy it.
I must say, as a colleague you really manage to surprise me.
Oh, in what way?
Your friendship with Mademoiselle Duclos, a Belgian.
She's an Aryan woman of good birth.
- Oh yes yes yes. Of course of course, but,
I do believe that you don't encourage your junior officers to form such attachments.
There's no question of any attachment as you put it.
Oh, I do, I do beg your pardon.
If I've formed the wrong impression, I apologize. I have no wish to offend you in any way.
You haven't offended me.
Can you hear what they're saying?
When you speak of forming an impression.
- No, no, no. It was my mistake.
Herr Major. - Oh thank you. - Herr Sturmbannfuhrer.
Have others formed this impression?
- I really have no idea. Would it matter?
The wrong impression, might. - Why?
I'm not exactly a popular man, Major Brandt. Not that I care about such matters.
Aha. I see. You think there might be people who...
I don't know, how shall I put this,
jealous of your standing and looking for a weapon to use against you?
There is no weapon they could use.
I find her company pleasant, relaxing. We're friends. No more.
But given malice and envy, anything may be distorted.
Ah, it's true. You know, even in the German army, gossip is not unknown.
I mean perfectly innocent meetings,
they can be misinterpreted.
But do you know what I'd say if I were in your shoes, I'd say to hell with them.
Well, she's a nice person. To have an easy, relaxed relationship with a woman, it doesn't happen all that often. You're very lucky.
I say, let's toast the health of Mademoiselle Duclos.
- Mademoiselle Duclos.
May I now propose a toast?
- By all means.
To the memory of your wife and son.
To the memory of my wife and son.
Monsieur Foiret, the same again please.
- Certainly.
If you would like to talk about them, please do. I shall be happy to sit and listen.
It may help. I remember when my father died.
- Did you talk about him?
No, but, looking back now, perhaps I should have done.
One must show fortitude of course. We are not old women to weep and wail, but,
sometimes, just to say something. - What?
What is there to say? They're dead and gone.
All the talk, all the tears and grieving in the world won't bring them back.
I loved them both of course, but it's over, it's in the past.
The past is as dead as they are.
Ready for your first course, sir?
- Whenever you like. - Certainly sir.
This is really very pleasant. Thank you for your kind invitation.
It seemed the least I could do.
I thought you might need taking out of yourself.
To be frank, you are being much more realistic about it than I expected.
There is no point in being sentimental about things which no longer exist.
Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, an RAF bomb aimer was picked up today. He's being brought in to my Headquarters.
When was he shot down? - He didn't say.
But the officer said that judging by his condition, he'd been on the ground for 2 or 3 days at least.
I wonder if he has been in touch with an escape line? - Well, I'll be interrogating him tomorrow, so we'll see.
Well, if I can be of any assistance?
Thank you Herr Sturmbannfuhrer, but he is in the hands of the Luftwaffe now.
Surely you haven't forgotten that we share responsibility when it comes to evasion lines?
Not at all. I shall let you have any relevant information as it comes to hand.
By giving him cigarettes and coffee? Putting him at ease and chatting to him like an old friend? There are more efficient techniques, Brandt.
Thank you. Well I suppose that we all use the methods that we personally prefer.
With respect, I'm talking about efficiency.
Thank you. That looks delicious.
I'm afraid we shall have to agree to differ mein Sturmbannfuhrer.
Send him in now please.
Good morning Flight Sergeant Lewis.
I'm Major Brandt. Luftwaffe.
Will you please sit down. Thank you.
So. Did you sleep well?
- Not especially.
Now I wonder if we might observe the normal military courtesies.
I was a pilot myself. I am aware that aircrew are very informal in the RAF, as well as the Luftwaffe,
but my rank is equivalent to a squadron leader. Would you not address a squadron leader as Sir?
I suppose so. Sir.
It's only a matter of mutual respect.
As a senior non-commissioned officer you are entitled to be addressed as Flight Sergeant rather than by your surname.
I do think the consideration should extend both ways. Oh by the way, have you had breakfast? - No sir.
Good, at any moment now... What timing. Come.
Splendid, just put it down here please.
That's alright I'll deal with it later.
So, how do you like your coffee? Black? White? with sugar?
Milk and sugar please sir.
I'll leave you to deal with the sugar.
This is the moment I allow myself my first cigarette of the day. Do you smoke? - Thank you sir.
Well, Flight Sergeant,
your war is over.
You will be going on to a prisoner of war camp soon, and meeting a lot of your friends I expect.
Oh yes, and before I forget, I must give you these back.
Lewis A. What does the A stand for? Is it Albert by any chance? - Yes.
Are you known as Bill. Yes.
I wonder if you're pilot could have been Flight Sergeant Murray? Mick?
Is he all right?
- Yes, he's fine. In fact, just a moment.
Yes I was right. You'll be going on to the same camp, so you'll be seeing him again soon.
But the rest of the crew, I'm afraid I have no information.
I was afraid nobody else got out.
- Well, you never know, they may turn up later.
So, you were on your way back from Berlin when you were shot down.
Sir, my name is Lewis. Flight Sergeant Lewis 1246784.
That's all I'm allowed to tell you.
I wasn't asking you to tell me anything. I was telling you.
I don't need to ask you any questions, because I already know the answers.
You were flying a Lancaster bomber, O for Orange, from 45 Squadron based at Great Burwell.
You probably had a favourite pub in Newmarket where you went for a drink in the evenings.
I don't know how you got that information. - How do you suppose?
Mick wouldn't have said anything, not unless you...
No... Flight Sergeant Murray followed procedure, just as you did. Name rank and number.
We know these things Flight Sergeant. Our intelligence is extremely good.
Oh come along, with your DFM, you must have been on a number of raids.
You must know how many planes are shot down.
Why do you think your losses are so heavy? Because we know, and we're waiting for you.
You are not being interrogated Flight Sergeant. You are being debriefed before you're being sent on to your prisoner of war camp.
We know when you were shot down, and when you were picked up.
And that you tried to contact an escape route during the intervening period.
You should do, seeing as it was yours! We do get warned about phony escape routes run by Germans, you know.
Yes, I'm sure that you do. Naturally one hopes they'll succeed...
May I ask how you guessed?
When they were shouting at me in German. Make some excuse about checking on me. Lock me up, then go and tell a patrol about me.
God, that does sound extremely clumsy.
What an experience.
Well now, have some more coffee.
Are you certain? - They've got him alright. At least he's not in the hands of the Gestapo.
The Luftwaffe Special Police use kid gloves by comparison, but they know their business.
Look, we told you, the trouble is he is still suspicious of us.
If he believes we were a bogus escape route run by Germans, he will talk.
He will have cottoned on by now, surely? - From what you've told me of him,
he can describe you both, and he knows exactly where that farm is.
Did he get a good look at you? - Well - Was it dark enough?
Albert! There's nothing we can do about it now.
Get in touch with that farmer. Tell him to clear out for a couple of days. Just in case.
Well, you just didn't believe them.
The girl was quite convincing. She had the patter off right.
I don't understand why there's been no report.
Ah, here it is.
My Sergeant, he likes to keep bad news from me.
Oh by the way? What name did she give you? Because they use so many. It wasn't Yvette was it by any chance?
She didn't say what her name was.
No. Well she didn't manage to convince you. It must have been the other one I suppose.
The other one?
- Well, you said they. If it wasn't the girl who gave herself away, it must have been the other one.
You must know that. It's in your report Sir? - Yes, I'm sorry.
There'll be a number of rockets flying around, I can tell you.
Ah yes you're right. It is here.
RAF bomb-aimer... We have
picked him up...
Told us to
Check... Locked him in...
Told a patrol...They left you alone. Then they come back and find you've disappeared. It's incredible.
By the way, who put you on to them?
- You know that from your report as well sir.
No. No, because we have a number of local collaborators.
- I told you, they didn't give any names.
A location will do. I can work it out from there.
I don't remember sir.
- I think we need a map then.
Now, you were picked up here, and walked from...
- I don't know.
Oh, come on, you're aircrew, you know North from South? How long were you walking? - I've forgotten.
Flight Sergeant, we know all about your contact with our people. I told you, it's all in there.
All you've told me is what I told you first sir.
I've said too much already, and I'm not saying any more.
I'd like to be returned to my cell if you please sir.
- You'll stay where you are Flight Sergeant. This interview is not over yet.
Now you were picked up in a country area, and locked in. That suggests a barn or a farm of some sort.
Which farm? Flight Sergeant?
- My name is Lewis, Sergeant Lewis.
Now we will change the subject.
You bombed Berlin.
But you bombed short of the target. Why?
I can't tell you. - Oh, I know why.
Because your markers were dropped short. Did you know that?
Do you know what you bombed?
No, I don't suppose you do.
You bombed a pleasant suburb. Miles from the city centre.
It had houses, and a church, and a school,
and a girls residential college.
That's what you bombed.
Do you have any brothers? - One.
Older or younger?
- Younger.
How old?
- Fourteen.
I had a son.
His name was Kun. He was 12 years old.
Twelve.
He lived with his mother in that suburb and they were both killed that night.
Maybe your bombs killed them Flight Sergeant. I don't know. I don't care.
It doesn't matter.
I wonder
if you care.
Did you know the markers had been dropped short?
- I thought they might have been.
Why did you bomb then?
The navigator told the skipper he wasn't happy about it. We were on a bombing run.
You were the bomb aimer. It was your responsibility.
- The pilot is the captain of the aircraft in the Royal Air Force sir.
Give me the name of the girl, and her accomplices. - No sir.
Where's the farm, Flight Sergeant? - I don't know.
Where's the farm?
Where's the farm?
Major Brandt. What in God's name to think you are doing?
What stupid senseless behaviour. How can a man say anything when he is unconscious.
Flight Sergeant Lewis is in need of medical attention. Will you send someone to collect him. Well?
You're right Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. It was inexcusable.
Especially as the man knows nothing.
Right. Carry on.
Carry on, Peter.
The target tonight gentlemen, is the big one.
Berlin. - Not Berlin!
They can have Berlin. - Too true.
Give me Happy Valley, not these damned long stooges.
- I knew you'd all be delighted.
Alright, now as you see,
we have two diversionary raids tonight, thanks to our friends from One Group.
And that should take care of the night fighter activity on our way back across Belgium.
There will be 400 aircraft on Berlin, timed to be in and out in 16 minutes.
So, accurate navigation is of the essence.
Full power, straight ahead.
Good evening, Herr Leutnant. Glad to see you back again.
I was in Berlin last week seeing your mother in law. She thought there was a chance you might be on leave.
My wife told me.
She said she was hoping to see you this weekend. I hope you find time to see one or two of the people I've been talking to.
I'm helping my family to move out of Berlin and in any case I'm only going to have 48 hours.
Well, you could spare an hour or two. They're good men. - I'm sure.
Yes, she said there'd only been a few stray bombs near your house so far.
You live well out in the suburbs, of course, but Berlin is taking a pounding.
I know. But it's not that easy to knock out a capital city, as we discovered when we attacked London.
The RAF is sending heavy planes.
300, 400 at a time with bigger bombloads
Yes, and their losses are mounting too. You know how long it takes to train aircrew. They can't keep it up forever.
What was Reichsmarschall Goring's boast?
No enemy aircraft would ever fly over the Reich's territory.
Good evening Mademoiselle, Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. I have your table ready for you.
It's Kessler that's just come in.
Who's the woman?
- Her name is Madeline Duclos. Belgian.
Excuse me, I shan't be a moment.
Good evening Major Brandt.
Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. May I introduce an old friend, Oberst Neidlinger.
Herr Oberst. A pleasure to meet you.
Oh I see you have finished. Perhaps you'd both care to join me and my guest for a drink?
It would be a pleasure but really I've promised myself an early night.
And it's tonight I'm catching the Berlin sleeper.
- Oh yes, of course. I hope you have a pleasant weekend. - Thank you.
Are you staying in Brussels long Herr Oberst?
I'm going on to Paris first thing tomorrow morning.
- Perhaps on another occasion.
Courtesy? Or something worse?
He saw me here with Von Elmendorf.
He questioned me afterwards.
He wanted to know if there were any signs of disloyalty on Von Runstedt's staff.
Do you think he's suspicious of us?
- It's his job.
I should be very surprised if he weren't.
Most of those he would consider disloyal were destined to be professional soldiers from the moment the doctor said "it's a boy". I certainly was.
The Kesslers of this world don't like the military class, and never will.
Are you afraid of him?
- I'm wary of him, yes.
He represents Germany today. Not me, not you.
The Gestapo. The SS.
An honorable patriotic man finds it expedient to be wary of Kessler,
in case they may be suspected of thinking the wrong ...
Yeah, yeah. I think we should be making a move.
You're very quiet tonight.
- Oh, I'm sorry, I was thinking.
However, that's strange coming from you. Someone who always seems to say as little as possible.
I haven't had anyone to talk to for such a long time. I suppose I've got out of the habit.
- Thank you, gentlemen goodnight.
Who's the other one?
That's Oberst Neidlinger. He serves on General Kammhuber's staff.
Another one on good terms with Admiral Canaris.
- You sound as if you don't like him.
Oh, I've never met him before. But I know of him. He's a Junker.
His type think they're too good to join the Party.
They think they have a right to look down on us.
But they'll learn, these aristocrats. They'll find out that their day is over for good.
Perhaps. I wonder sometimes though...
Oh, I was...
- It's alright.
I'd forgotten for the moment about Baron d'Aquise. Forgive me.
Well, in your case, I doubt if the attitudes of the aristocracy brought you much happiness.
He wasn't to blame. I think he did really love me, but
a married Catholic. The title. The family. The pressures were too great.
I think if I may say so, that in succumbing to those pressures,
he lost far more than you did.
Pilot to navigator. How are we doing?
Navigator. I'll be giving you a change of course in about twelve minutes Skipper.
Right on time.
The Mosquito boys should be around by now. We won't see anything for a while yet.
Rear gunner. How's it with you?
Rear gunner. Haven't seen a thing so far, Skipper.
Mid gunner?
- Nor me, Skipper.
We must be clearing the main night fighter area. They'll know we're on to Berlin by now.
Clear skies should be ahead. So keep up a full search pattern will you.
Rear gunner. You bet, skipper.
- Mid gunner. Okay, Skipper.
Kessler?
It's possible.
You don't seem to disagree with anything I say.
It's difficult to do so.
- And yet you won't commit yourself.
No, no no. I just mustn't miss my train. - You won't.
Come on man speak your mind.
Manfred, I envy your certainty.
And I wish I could share it.
But you're asking me to join in a conspiracy against the Fuhrer himself.
It's bad enough when he was no more than an upstart.
Now it's apparent the man is a criminal and a lunatic. Don't you understand that?
He is still our head of state.
- Of itself enough to shame any decent man.
Come along. Do the Ukrainians love Stalin?
I doubt it. But in their eyes he's the lesser evil, and so they fight us.
Only half of them. The rest have thrown in their lot with us.
But that is exactly what war is. A choice of evils.
I have to think of my country first.
We're fighting the most savage and bitter war in human history.
We're bombed at night. More and more by day. We're fighting vast hordes on the Eastern Front,
and yet we have to keep divisions in readiness in the West in case there's an invasion.
And you say, get rid of the Fuhrer and his instruments of government.
That must inevitably weaken and divide us. And alright, suppose it happened.
You think the Allies would stop fighting us and shake hands?
Or would they see it as their chance to crush Germany yet again?
The British and Americans will never negotiate with the Nazis, but if...
If we can get rid of them, show our willingness to look for an honorable peace...
The Allies demand unconditional surrender. - That's out of the question.
But if we clean out our own stable first, I believe they'd see it differently.
Perhaps, and perhaps not.
You see, you, you draw a distinction between the Nazis and the German people, but they don't.
They're at war with Germany, not the Nazi Party.
Erwin, we all went through this, every one of us.
For a man who loves his country, it's an awful decision to have to make.
As you said, it's a choice of evils.
But think of the Germany you want your children to grow up in.
Are they to be free? To think for themselves?
Or are they to live in fear of Kessler and his brood?
Yes, you must catch your train. Go home. Get your family to safety.
Think about it. There's still time. You'll be with us in the end, I'm sure of that.
Pilot, was that Nobby?
I'm afraid so.
Bomb aimer, markers are dead ahead.
Bomb bay doors open.
Navigator. Another minute skipper. We've a long way to go yet.
Rubbish. If we don't bomb now,
we'll be overshooting the markers.
Navigator. Hold this course for another minute.
For God's sake let's get them away.
- It's too early.
Shut up.
If you don't bomb now, I'll drop the things myself. I'm not hanging about with this flak..
Roger skipper.
Target right ahead.
Left, left, left...
Steady...
Hold it. Steady...
Bombs gone.
Bomb bay's shut. I'm turning starboard. We're going home.
Master bomber to main force?
Disregard the markers that have been dropped short and west of the main target.
I'm having the target marked again at once with green. Be sure to bomb on new markers.
Master bomber. We are re-marking.
Ignore markers West and short of target.
Too late now. Next course, navigator.
Navigator. Two six five degrees,
skipper.
Two six five degrees. Roger.
Pilot to crew. The fighters will be waiting for us now. Watch it.
Rear gunner. OK, skipper.
- Mid gunner. Right, skipper.
The smell of real coffee. I'd forgotten what it was like. Thank you.
Oh, it's nothing.
- It's not nothing to be kind.
Is that how you see me?
- Yes, you've been very kind to me.
You're such a gentle person. It would be very hard for anyone to be otherwise.
I'm not sure you're right about me.
- I'm a good judge of people. I have to be.
But you haven't seen me as I really am.
I haven't been myself for so long now.
- Perhaps you should think about it less.
I've tried, believe me, but I kept going over it all in my head.
How we did this, said that. How it might have turned out differently.
But of course it never could have done. It was bound to end as it did.
I know this is easy to say, but eventually you have to put it all behind you.
Forget about it.
I know.
Recently, I haven't thought about him quite so much.
Oh, what have you thought about?
- Your kindness.
Now it's my turn to say that I'm afraid you're not quite right about me.
Perhaps we both need illusions?
- Yes, perhaps.
When we first met, I thought you were looking for an easy pick up. Someone to spend the night with.
That being your experience since the Baron?
- Oh yes, your information.
I should have realized it would be comprehensive.
Perhaps we should stop seeing each other.
- Why?
I was very much in love with him.
- Are you still?
Since then, I've been very unhappy.
I've become used to it.
In a way, guarded my own wretchedness.
Perhaps that made me feel safe. I don't know.
But I could come to care for you, I think.
Then I wouldn't be safe any more.
No, but you might be truly alive again.
I was alive before. And I never want to go through that again for anyone.
Well, that's something you must decide for yourself.
It's different for you.
- No, not really.
If I were to care about someone. For a man like me,
that would be dangerous.
- Why?
Personal feelings are, as you've learned.
And yet, I'm no different from anyone else.
You see me as kind. I see you as gentle.
You're certainly wrong. Perhaps we both are.
But possibly that's a need that we both share. To be blind to what someone else is really like.
It's late.
Good night.
Good night.
Rear gunner. There's a fighter.
Break right.
Can you see him, Bill?
Starboard engine's gone.
Rear gunner, do you hear me?
Rear gunner. Where are you?
Skipper. Bomb aimer. The starboard wing is burning. The fuel tanks are going.
Pilot to crew. Bail out. Bail out.
Bert, if you can go back and see what's happened to the others.
- OK skipper.
The wing'll blow up soon.
Come on. Hurry up. For God's sake. She'll go up in a minute.
Where's that parachute?
Come on. For God's sake. Hurry up.
It'll go any second now.
Give me a parachute.
It'll blow any second.
They've all bought it, skipper. They're all dead.
- Bail out. Bail out now.
Please, please can you help me?
Well, you shouldn't be here. There are unexploded bombs.
My house was across the street. Where can I find my family?
What name?
- Brandt.
I'm sorry Herr Major, but your wife and son were killed.
Your mother and daughter are safe. They've been taken to a rest centre.
Where are they? My wife and son?
The hospital was destroyed. The school is a temporary mortuary.
I must go and see. Could there have been a mistake?
Please leave Herr Major. It's not safe.
This is London.
London calling on the Overseas and European
services of the BBC.
Last night 400 RAF bombers attacked Berlin.
Heavy damage was inflicted.
Widespread fires were seen from a very long distance from Berlin by returning crews.
22 of our aircraft failed to return.
Last night bombers of the RAF carried out another cowardly terror attack on Berlin.
Hospitals, schools and houses were destroyed
and casualties inflicted on helpless civilians.
45 enemy aircraft were shot down by our heroic fighter pilots and anti aircraft gunners.
Forty-five.
And they'll have lost more in accidents on take off and landing.
If we can keep that up, they'll be bled to death.
Yes, twenty-two.
John Curtis used to say that provided their losses didn't exceed 10%, they could keep that up.
22 is probably a propaganda figure. I expect they lost twice that many.
Don't you trust anyone Max?
- Only myself, and you of course, dear Natalie.
John Curtis also used to say the German figure of losses was probably more accurate than the British.
Yeah, well either way we will probably be getting some customers in the near future.
All right. Leave it.
Well Sergeant, before we dispose of you, let's have a talk.
Michael Murray. Flight Sergeant...
- Oh don't be a fool Sergeant.
Alright.
Was it a fighter or ack ack?
- Fighter.
On your way back from Berlin?
- Yes. - Well, what happened?
They hit us twice. Perhaps more. I can't remember. It was all over so fast.
One engine went. The wing caught fire.
We had to bail out before the plane blew up
Did all of you bail out?
- No. Two of them were dead.
Bert might have made it though I didn't actually see him jump.
Bert?
- My bomb aimer.
That night you attacked a residential area of Berlin.
Are those your orders now, to bomb indiscriminately?
The markers were dropped short.
By the time we realized that it was too late.
We'll return to that in a moment.
Now you were picked up at 9 A.M. Where had you been hiding?
- In a ditch.
You approached a postman and asked him for help.
- Told me he'd help but he came back with a policeman.
Was he the first person you approached?
- No, there was an old woman earlier,
Just shook her head.
You were hoping to be picked up by an escape route. Isn't that so?
You're briefed on what to do if you're shot down. It's no secret, you know.
Were you given the names of contacts?
You will now tell me the type of plane, where you're stationed, which squadrons are based there, how many aircraft and so on...
Geneva Convention. I can only tell you my name rank and number.
You terror fliegers do not merit the protection of the Geneva Convention. You've broken enough rules and ought to be shot.
You will begin now.
- I can't.
Stand to attention to the presence of an senior officer. Well, that's better.
I am Sturmbannfuhrer Kessler. Gestapo.
Now you will either answer my questions here,
or you will be taken to another place where you will most certainly answer. Do I make myself clear?
Please, I am entitled to be treated as a prisoner of war.
So you will be, provided you cooperate.
Think yourself lucky you didn't bail out above Berlin Sergeant.
Aircrew have been beaten to death by angry civilians before now, you know.
Good. Thank you.
- It's quiet this evening.
We have a customer.
Where?
- A farm, near Anderlecht.
It's too late now.
- He'll be alright for a few days. He's hiding in the barn.
Can you provide transport?
- It'll have to be a horse and cart.
It'll have to be Monique. There's no one else.
Good morning, Herr Major.
- Herr Sturmbannfuhrer.
I heard about your wife and son.
- May I extend my commiserations? - Thank you.
I wasn't sure if you would come back. I thought you might apply for compassionate leave.
They were buried yesterday.
I sent my mother and daughter to stay with relatives in the country. They should be safe there.
Now I have a great deal to do.
- Yes of course.
Still, the child must be very upset.
Well, I thought you might like to know that we've got one of them. Shot down on the way back from Berlin.
In your absence, I questioned him.
He was confused, frightened, in a state of shock.
He provided a great deal of information without too much urging.
Oh, nothing about escape routes, unfortunately. He hadn't made contact with them.
But there's much there the Luftwaffe might find interesting.
- There may be another one?
Oh the bomb aimer?
Yes, if he wasn't killed.
Wake up.
Rise.
Can't you speak?
- Ben Lewis. RAF.
You speak German.
- Not really.
You understood it well enough just now.
Who are you?
You told me you knew someone who could help me.
- That depends on who you are.
I told you, Sergeant Lewis, RAF.
Sergeant Lewis who, when half asleep and told to stand up in German, automatically jumps to his feet.
Not the way we expect RAF aircrew to behave.
- Who the hell do you think I am?
You could be a German trying to infiltrate an escape route.
- Escape route?
So that's who you say you are.
For all I know you could be Germans.
Bogus escape route, set up to catch evaders. Well they exist. We were warned about them at briefings.
You have to satisfy us, not the other way round. How is it you speak German?
I don't. I took it at school. I know a bit, that's all.
Which school?
- A grammar school.
Where? Wales?
- Talking the way I do. Don't be daft.
What type of plane were you flying?
- I can't tell you that. - What was your target? - I can't tell you that.
When were you shot down?
- My name is Lewis. Sergeant Lewis.
Do you think we take chances on a man who might be German? Now if you really are RAF, just answer the questions.
You haven't asked me any questions to answer yet.
If you're from an escape route why should you want secret operational information?
Is your place of birth a secret then?
- Kentish Town.
Where's that, somewhere in Kent?
- It's part of London.
Did everyone learn German at your school?
Most of them took French, but you could opt for Spanish or German if you wanted to.
Why did you choose German?
- I was taking school certificate and I needed a modern language.
I wasn't much good at F... I preferred German.
Did you get your school certificate?
- No, but that's why I'm a bomb aimer. I wanted to be a pilot.
Did any other members of your crew survive apart from yourself?
I'm pretty sure the pilot got out. Perhaps the navigator.
You came down by parachute?
- Yes. - How far away from here?
I walked for about 2 hours and I found this barn. I walked 5 miles I suppose.
What was your pilot's name?
- Why?
Because I want to confirm you are who you say you are. What was your pilot's name?
Mick Murray. - What!? - Flight Sergeant Michael Murray everybody called him Mick.
Confirm? What do you mean, confirm? Who with...
You said there could have been other survivors. Well, none have been reported to us.
Alright, maybe you are Flight Sergeant Lewis. I hope so, for your sake.
It's gonna take a day or two to check, so in the meantime, you stay here.
Check? What do you mean check?
You say you're in touch with somebody who knows me?
- Why should that be of interest to you?
Because I've got no way of knowing you're genuine, have I?
I mean, this could all be part of your game. Pretending to be suspicious of me. Saying you'll check.
I mean what does it mean if you do come back and say "yes, we believe you" I'm still none the wiser about you am I?
What's your name?
- Bert Lewis, RAF, 1246...
Who the hell are you?
We can't tell you anything about us until we are certain about you.
When that's done, and if you really are an evader, then we'll concern ourselves with your fears, and not before.
Yeah, well don't try and convince me by telling me anything about my pilot.
He could have been taken prisoner.
Major Brandt's wife, and his son as well?
- Yes, I'm afraid so.
How awful for him.
Yes. I feel sorry for him.
For a man to lose his only son like that. I can imagine how I'd feel.
I remember my father... He's dead now, but I remember how proud he was of me.
What was he like?
- Oh a fine man.
Fought in the Great War.
Won the Iron Cross First Class.
Afterwards, he worked hard to build up a good business. We were quite well to do.
That was before, of course.
- Before what?
Before they robbed him of all he had.
- Who? - Oh, the bankers, the financiers.
You mean the ...
- I mean they took everything from him. My father and thousands like him.
Oh, there was inflation, depression, unemployment.
But while men like my father grew poor, they grew richer.
Oh, we've put all that right now, of course, but
I wish my father could have lived to see the new Germany. A great nation again.
You know, if he is a German trying to infiltrate the line, he's seen you and Alain.
It's alright, the barn door's kept padlocked.
Bar takings are up again. They certainly know how to drink, these Germans.
He was more suspicious of us than we were of him, but his reactions did seem genuine.
And a man who is half asleep usually gives himself away.
Can I do anything, Albert? - Yes.
Check these figures, will you?
I can't balance these receipts.
You know, I'm not sure about that new waiter, I think he could be a thief.
They're all thieves.
- Oh, this is 15 Francs short.
Someone at the door.
It's Alain.
I've checked him out. Flight Sergeant Lewis is alright.
Goodnight Mademoiselle. Goodnight, Sturmbannfuhrer. - Goodnight. Thank you.
Get him in the safe house, tomorrow. Want a drink?
We have a pilot and a navigator, there.
The bomb aimer there.
And another pilot down here, there at the farm.
Are they safely undercover?
- Yes, for the time being.
When you go to Paris tomorrow, can you bring these fellows into Brussels first?
There are more Germans searching the countryside than usual Albert.
I don't think Monique should pick up the bomb aimer until after dark.
She's already gone.
Motorcycle patrols are making spot checks.
Well it's too late to stop her now.
I thought everything was going to be alright.
I always try and be friendly with Germans and I happen to know these two.
Were they suspicious? - No. Not a bit of it.
Only too happy to come to the house for a glass of beer before they did their search.
Sent my son over here to hide the Englishman. - And he'd gone. - Yeah.
Well did you try to find him?
- Of course, well, as soon as we could.
He knows where this farm is, and he knows me, my son.
Now if the Germans take him...
- Stupid young idiot.
I suppose he was frightened. We frightened him.
Damn.
Why the devil didn't he wait to be told what to do?
- I don't know. I suppose he thought they...
Well he shouldn't think. Let them think in their bombers, not on the ground.
We drove around as much as we dared, didn't we? We asked a few reliable people if they've seen him,
but there was no sign of him.
- We didn't even know which way to look.
But he's probably gone to ground somewhere, in which case he'll turn up again.
But if he turns up in the hands of the Germans, a man who's behaved like a damn fool once will probably do it again.
He's not really a man Albert. Not much more than a boy.
- That boy could get you both killed.
Brandt and Kessler are here.
They want a table for dinner.
Goodnight Alain. Finish your coffee.
Mademoiselle Duclos asked me to give you her condolences.
That's very thoughtful of her, considering we've never even met.
Please thank her for her kindness. Is she keeping well?
- Yes, very well.
Herr Major. Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. Good evening.
Oh, I'll have the dish of the day.
Thank you Sir, Herr Major?
- Same for me. Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be excellent.
And for an aperitif?
- Calvados. - Yes.
Is that Mademoiselle Duclos' influence?
- She likes it and I quite enjoy it.
I must say, as a colleague you really manage to surprise me.
Oh, in what way?
Your friendship with Mademoiselle Duclos, a Belgian.
She's an Aryan woman of good birth.
- Oh yes yes yes. Of course of course, but,
I do believe that you don't encourage your junior officers to form such attachments.
There's no question of any attachment as you put it.
Oh, I do, I do beg your pardon.
If I've formed the wrong impression, I apologize. I have no wish to offend you in any way.
You haven't offended me.
Can you hear what they're saying?
When you speak of forming an impression.
- No, no, no. It was my mistake.
Herr Major. - Oh thank you. - Herr Sturmbannfuhrer.
Have others formed this impression?
- I really have no idea. Would it matter?
The wrong impression, might. - Why?
I'm not exactly a popular man, Major Brandt. Not that I care about such matters.
Aha. I see. You think there might be people who...
I don't know, how shall I put this,
jealous of your standing and looking for a weapon to use against you?
There is no weapon they could use.
I find her company pleasant, relaxing. We're friends. No more.
But given malice and envy, anything may be distorted.
Ah, it's true. You know, even in the German army, gossip is not unknown.
I mean perfectly innocent meetings,
they can be misinterpreted.
But do you know what I'd say if I were in your shoes, I'd say to hell with them.
Well, she's a nice person. To have an easy, relaxed relationship with a woman, it doesn't happen all that often. You're very lucky.
I say, let's toast the health of Mademoiselle Duclos.
- Mademoiselle Duclos.
May I now propose a toast?
- By all means.
To the memory of your wife and son.
To the memory of my wife and son.
Monsieur Foiret, the same again please.
- Certainly.
If you would like to talk about them, please do. I shall be happy to sit and listen.
It may help. I remember when my father died.
- Did you talk about him?
No, but, looking back now, perhaps I should have done.
One must show fortitude of course. We are not old women to weep and wail, but,
sometimes, just to say something. - What?
What is there to say? They're dead and gone.
All the talk, all the tears and grieving in the world won't bring them back.
I loved them both of course, but it's over, it's in the past.
The past is as dead as they are.
Ready for your first course, sir?
- Whenever you like. - Certainly sir.
This is really very pleasant. Thank you for your kind invitation.
It seemed the least I could do.
I thought you might need taking out of yourself.
To be frank, you are being much more realistic about it than I expected.
There is no point in being sentimental about things which no longer exist.
Oh yes, I forgot to tell you, an RAF bomb aimer was picked up today. He's being brought in to my Headquarters.
When was he shot down? - He didn't say.
But the officer said that judging by his condition, he'd been on the ground for 2 or 3 days at least.
I wonder if he has been in touch with an escape line? - Well, I'll be interrogating him tomorrow, so we'll see.
Well, if I can be of any assistance?
Thank you Herr Sturmbannfuhrer, but he is in the hands of the Luftwaffe now.
Surely you haven't forgotten that we share responsibility when it comes to evasion lines?
Not at all. I shall let you have any relevant information as it comes to hand.
By giving him cigarettes and coffee? Putting him at ease and chatting to him like an old friend? There are more efficient techniques, Brandt.
Thank you. Well I suppose that we all use the methods that we personally prefer.
With respect, I'm talking about efficiency.
Thank you. That looks delicious.
I'm afraid we shall have to agree to differ mein Sturmbannfuhrer.
Send him in now please.
Good morning Flight Sergeant Lewis.
I'm Major Brandt. Luftwaffe.
Will you please sit down. Thank you.
So. Did you sleep well?
- Not especially.
Now I wonder if we might observe the normal military courtesies.
I was a pilot myself. I am aware that aircrew are very informal in the RAF, as well as the Luftwaffe,
but my rank is equivalent to a squadron leader. Would you not address a squadron leader as Sir?
I suppose so. Sir.
It's only a matter of mutual respect.
As a senior non-commissioned officer you are entitled to be addressed as Flight Sergeant rather than by your surname.
I do think the consideration should extend both ways. Oh by the way, have you had breakfast? - No sir.
Good, at any moment now... What timing. Come.
Splendid, just put it down here please.
That's alright I'll deal with it later.
So, how do you like your coffee? Black? White? with sugar?
Milk and sugar please sir.
I'll leave you to deal with the sugar.
This is the moment I allow myself my first cigarette of the day. Do you smoke? - Thank you sir.
Well, Flight Sergeant,
your war is over.
You will be going on to a prisoner of war camp soon, and meeting a lot of your friends I expect.
Oh yes, and before I forget, I must give you these back.
Lewis A. What does the A stand for? Is it Albert by any chance? - Yes.
Are you known as Bill. Yes.
I wonder if you're pilot could have been Flight Sergeant Murray? Mick?
Is he all right?
- Yes, he's fine. In fact, just a moment.
Yes I was right. You'll be going on to the same camp, so you'll be seeing him again soon.
But the rest of the crew, I'm afraid I have no information.
I was afraid nobody else got out.
- Well, you never know, they may turn up later.
So, you were on your way back from Berlin when you were shot down.
Sir, my name is Lewis. Flight Sergeant Lewis 1246784.
That's all I'm allowed to tell you.
I wasn't asking you to tell me anything. I was telling you.
I don't need to ask you any questions, because I already know the answers.
You were flying a Lancaster bomber, O for Orange, from 45 Squadron based at Great Burwell.
You probably had a favourite pub in Newmarket where you went for a drink in the evenings.
I don't know how you got that information. - How do you suppose?
Mick wouldn't have said anything, not unless you...
No... Flight Sergeant Murray followed procedure, just as you did. Name rank and number.
We know these things Flight Sergeant. Our intelligence is extremely good.
Oh come along, with your DFM, you must have been on a number of raids.
You must know how many planes are shot down.
Why do you think your losses are so heavy? Because we know, and we're waiting for you.
You are not being interrogated Flight Sergeant. You are being debriefed before you're being sent on to your prisoner of war camp.
We know when you were shot down, and when you were picked up.
And that you tried to contact an escape route during the intervening period.
You should do, seeing as it was yours! We do get warned about phony escape routes run by Germans, you know.
Yes, I'm sure that you do. Naturally one hopes they'll succeed...
May I ask how you guessed?
When they were shouting at me in German. Make some excuse about checking on me. Lock me up, then go and tell a patrol about me.
God, that does sound extremely clumsy.
What an experience.
Well now, have some more coffee.
Are you certain? - They've got him alright. At least he's not in the hands of the Gestapo.
The Luftwaffe Special Police use kid gloves by comparison, but they know their business.
Look, we told you, the trouble is he is still suspicious of us.
If he believes we were a bogus escape route run by Germans, he will talk.
He will have cottoned on by now, surely? - From what you've told me of him,
he can describe you both, and he knows exactly where that farm is.
Did he get a good look at you? - Well - Was it dark enough?
Albert! There's nothing we can do about it now.
Get in touch with that farmer. Tell him to clear out for a couple of days. Just in case.
Well, you just didn't believe them.
The girl was quite convincing. She had the patter off right.
I don't understand why there's been no report.
Ah, here it is.
My Sergeant, he likes to keep bad news from me.
Oh by the way? What name did she give you? Because they use so many. It wasn't Yvette was it by any chance?
She didn't say what her name was.
No. Well she didn't manage to convince you. It must have been the other one I suppose.
The other one?
- Well, you said they. If it wasn't the girl who gave herself away, it must have been the other one.
You must know that. It's in your report Sir? - Yes, I'm sorry.
There'll be a number of rockets flying around, I can tell you.
Ah yes you're right. It is here.
RAF bomb-aimer... We have
picked him up...
Told us to
Check... Locked him in...
Told a patrol...They left you alone. Then they come back and find you've disappeared. It's incredible.
By the way, who put you on to them?
- You know that from your report as well sir.
No. No, because we have a number of local collaborators.
- I told you, they didn't give any names.
A location will do. I can work it out from there.
I don't remember sir.
- I think we need a map then.
Now, you were picked up here, and walked from...
- I don't know.
Oh, come on, you're aircrew, you know North from South? How long were you walking? - I've forgotten.
Flight Sergeant, we know all about your contact with our people. I told you, it's all in there.
All you've told me is what I told you first sir.
I've said too much already, and I'm not saying any more.
I'd like to be returned to my cell if you please sir.
- You'll stay where you are Flight Sergeant. This interview is not over yet.
Now you were picked up in a country area, and locked in. That suggests a barn or a farm of some sort.
Which farm? Flight Sergeant?
- My name is Lewis, Sergeant Lewis.
Now we will change the subject.
You bombed Berlin.
But you bombed short of the target. Why?
I can't tell you. - Oh, I know why.
Because your markers were dropped short. Did you know that?
Do you know what you bombed?
No, I don't suppose you do.
You bombed a pleasant suburb. Miles from the city centre.
It had houses, and a church, and a school,
and a girls residential college.
That's what you bombed.
Do you have any brothers? - One.
Older or younger?
- Younger.
How old?
- Fourteen.
I had a son.
His name was Kun. He was 12 years old.
Twelve.
He lived with his mother in that suburb and they were both killed that night.
Maybe your bombs killed them Flight Sergeant. I don't know. I don't care.
It doesn't matter.
I wonder
if you care.
Did you know the markers had been dropped short?
- I thought they might have been.
Why did you bomb then?
The navigator told the skipper he wasn't happy about it. We were on a bombing run.
You were the bomb aimer. It was your responsibility.
- The pilot is the captain of the aircraft in the Royal Air Force sir.
Give me the name of the girl, and her accomplices. - No sir.
Where's the farm, Flight Sergeant? - I don't know.
Where's the farm?
Where's the farm?
Major Brandt. What in God's name to think you are doing?
What stupid senseless behaviour. How can a man say anything when he is unconscious.
Flight Sergeant Lewis is in need of medical attention. Will you send someone to collect him. Well?
You're right Herr Sturmbannfuhrer. It was inexcusable.
Especially as the man knows nothing.
Right. Carry on.