The Rat Patrol (1966–1968): Season 2, Episode 11 - The Violent Truce Raid - full transcript
The Rat Patrol become aware that a supply of contaminated plasma is being distributed to field hospitals. When the Germans capture the convoy a moral dilemma develops whether to warn the Germans or not.
We spotted you from
behind those hills, Lieutenant.
Do you know the Germans
consider this a "no parking" area?
If I could move, I'd move.
I'm out of fuel.
Got any to spare?
Spare a few
gallons. Okay, Tully.
I'm chasing down
one of our convoys.
It's carrying a shipment
of contaminated plasma.
Contaminated?
Spoiled, bad, poisoned.
It's being delivered to every aid
station and field hospital in this area.
I've gotta stop that convoy.
Which way is the convoy
moving, Lieutenant?
Got it all mapped out.
It's here. It's heading for the
supply depot at Ibn Khali oasis.
Am I anywhere near it?
You're about 80 miles away.
If you head due
west from this point...
Lieutenant!
Tully!
Better get him
back to camp, Tully.
What about you?
I better find that convoy.
You know, that artillery isn't falling in
here by accident. They're awful close.
That plasma's contaminated.
"Lieutenant George T.
West, medical corps."
You get him back, tell
Troy what's happened.
Okay.
A disease of epidemic
proportions, Sergeant.
See, even Germans
aren't immune to it.
Seems to be a route of a convoy.
Do you mind showing
me its position, Sergeant?
That's not very likely, Captain.
Whether you like
it or not, Sergeant,
you're going to partake in
the search for this convoy.
How?
How can he do it alone?
This area's crawling
with Germans.
He knows that, Sarge, he...
Easy, Lieutenant. Time...
Easy. What time?
Almost 8:00 a.m.
Convoy... Gotta find it.
Sergeant Moffitt
went after it, sir.
Who else knows about
it, Lieutenant? No one.
No time.
Had to hurry, stop the convoy.
Stop delivery.
How much of it
was being delivered?
Four, five cases.
All bad, would kill them.
Stand fast! Hold your positions!
Move out,
Johnson, let's find it.
Look, the firing stopped, Major.
Major.
Now, there's a new wrinkle, huh?
Look sharp, sir,
they're full of tricks.
State your case, Captain,
in English, if you please.
I assume you have medical
supplies on your convoy, Major.
My men are in dire need of drugs and
dressings and whatever else you can offer.
Rather presumptuous, isn't it?
Expecting charity of the enemy.
No charity at all, Major.
Rather, a simple
business transaction.
Return for the supplies, I
will release that prisoner.
And if I refuse?
He'll be shot.
And your convoy will
proceed at considerable risk.
Very well, what do you need?
Sulfa drugs, morphine,
plasma, sterile dressings.
Truck number two, front
and center on the double!
Take out case number 173.
Medical aid kits. They
contain the items you require.
We'll need a case
of plasma as well.
Just a moment, sir.
The plasma is
contaminated, all of it.
Where the devil did
you get that idea?
From Lieutenant West.
Show me his report.
I'm afraid he didn't have
time to write one out, sir.
The German artillery got him.
You expect me to jettison this
entire shipment on your word alone?
Yes, I do, sir.
I was on my way to warn
you when I was taken prisoner.
What is this, Major?
A little ruse to discourage
me from taking the supplies?
I'm telling the truth, Captain.
The plasma is contaminated.
Well, we'll check it out when
we get back to the depot.
Take it or leave it,
Captain, as you see fit.
I will take it.
Then you'll kill
your men, Captain.
Johnson!
Major, what do I have
to do to convince you?
Escort this man back to the
convoy. I'll deal with him later.
Think our transaction has
been completed, Major.
Take him with you, Johnson.
In there, mate.
Fire!
Well, you made a
thorough job of it.
They made off with all our
medical supplies in that truck.
This man is under arrest.
I hope you'll check my story
first with Lieutenant West, sir.
No matter what your
reason, you are out of line.
A war cannot be run
on whims and impulses.
You can contact the
Lieutenant, sir. He's at our camp.
I will attend to that
when we get to the oasis.
Meanwhile, you're being
held for court-martial.
Sir.
All right, let's
move out. Mount up.
This is urgent, soldier.
Let me speak to Lieutenant West.
Your Sergeant Moffitt is
facing a court-martial, over.
Court-martial?
Exactly, unless West
can verify his story, over.
What story, sir?
About contaminated plasma.
Thanks to your Sergeant Moffitt,
the entire shipment is in
the hands of the Jerries.
Now, let me speak with
Lieutenant West, over.
Sorry, Major,
Lieutenant West is dead.
Dead?
Yes, sir.
He died about an hour ago.
Roger.
Out.
Bad news, Sergeant.
West is dead.
He left no official statement
regarding the condition of the plasma.
Pettigrew was with me, sir.
One of your own men? A friend?
That could hardly
be official, could it?
However, your men will be
able to speak at the court-martial.
Johnson, the prisoner
is in your custody.
Yes, sir.
Sir.
Hauptmann!
Herr Hauptmann.
What games are we
playing now, Sergeant?
You took some plasma from
one of our supply convoys.
Among other things, yes.
I want it back.
Very sorry.
It's contaminated.
You can't use it.
I know.
Three of my men already died.
It's completely
worthless, Sergeant.
Not to Sergeant Moffitt.
He's in trouble and he
needs it as evidence.
I had all of it
already destroyed.
My condolences
to Sergeant Moffitt.
Just a minute, Captain.
I'm sure, Sergeant, that you
can find someone to help him.
I have.
I'll guarantee you safe
conduct back to this camp.
My obligation is to
my men, Sergeant.
And my obligation is to my men.
I'll make a deal, Captain.
You need plasma.
If you help clear Sergeant
Moffitt, you have it.
You guarantee safe conduct?
Yes.
Johnson!
Johnson!
Bring the prisoner.
You'll be taken to headquarters
for a preliminary hearing.
You have my sympathy.
That's very comforting, sir.
Here is my report
on the incident.
Now, if you need any...
Sergeant Troy reporting, sir.
You, Captain, a prisoner?
Not exactly, sir.
The Captain's here
to sign a statement
that will help clear Sergeant
Moffitt of the charges.
Major, three of my own soldiers died
on account of the contaminated plasma.
In return I promised the Captain plasma
and a safe conduct back to his camp.
My report, please.
You shan't be needed here.
You're free to go, Moffitt.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, Major, can the
Captain have some plasma
to take back to
the camp with him?
The kind he can use this time.
The Captain will not
be returning to his unit.
He will remain
here as our prisoner.
Major, I gave my word.
That has nothing to
do with me, Sergeant.
Johnson, take him away.
I wouldn't try it, gentlemen.
And now I need a driver.
Major.
The rest of you stay exactly
where you are until I'm out of sight.
Whenever you're ready, Major.
Move out, Major.
You all right, Major?
I'm fine, Sergeant.
We do sometimes make
mistakes, don't we, Sergeant?
Yes, we do, sir.
Don't leave without
your plasma, Captain.
Johnson!
Your camp is over
those dunes, Captain.
And tomorrow we'll
be killing each other.
behind those hills, Lieutenant.
Do you know the Germans
consider this a "no parking" area?
If I could move, I'd move.
I'm out of fuel.
Got any to spare?
Spare a few
gallons. Okay, Tully.
I'm chasing down
one of our convoys.
It's carrying a shipment
of contaminated plasma.
Contaminated?
Spoiled, bad, poisoned.
It's being delivered to every aid
station and field hospital in this area.
I've gotta stop that convoy.
Which way is the convoy
moving, Lieutenant?
Got it all mapped out.
It's here. It's heading for the
supply depot at Ibn Khali oasis.
Am I anywhere near it?
You're about 80 miles away.
If you head due
west from this point...
Lieutenant!
Tully!
Better get him
back to camp, Tully.
What about you?
I better find that convoy.
You know, that artillery isn't falling in
here by accident. They're awful close.
That plasma's contaminated.
"Lieutenant George T.
West, medical corps."
You get him back, tell
Troy what's happened.
Okay.
A disease of epidemic
proportions, Sergeant.
See, even Germans
aren't immune to it.
Seems to be a route of a convoy.
Do you mind showing
me its position, Sergeant?
That's not very likely, Captain.
Whether you like
it or not, Sergeant,
you're going to partake in
the search for this convoy.
How?
How can he do it alone?
This area's crawling
with Germans.
He knows that, Sarge, he...
Easy, Lieutenant. Time...
Easy. What time?
Almost 8:00 a.m.
Convoy... Gotta find it.
Sergeant Moffitt
went after it, sir.
Who else knows about
it, Lieutenant? No one.
No time.
Had to hurry, stop the convoy.
Stop delivery.
How much of it
was being delivered?
Four, five cases.
All bad, would kill them.
Stand fast! Hold your positions!
Move out,
Johnson, let's find it.
Look, the firing stopped, Major.
Major.
Now, there's a new wrinkle, huh?
Look sharp, sir,
they're full of tricks.
State your case, Captain,
in English, if you please.
I assume you have medical
supplies on your convoy, Major.
My men are in dire need of drugs and
dressings and whatever else you can offer.
Rather presumptuous, isn't it?
Expecting charity of the enemy.
No charity at all, Major.
Rather, a simple
business transaction.
Return for the supplies, I
will release that prisoner.
And if I refuse?
He'll be shot.
And your convoy will
proceed at considerable risk.
Very well, what do you need?
Sulfa drugs, morphine,
plasma, sterile dressings.
Truck number two, front
and center on the double!
Take out case number 173.
Medical aid kits. They
contain the items you require.
We'll need a case
of plasma as well.
Just a moment, sir.
The plasma is
contaminated, all of it.
Where the devil did
you get that idea?
From Lieutenant West.
Show me his report.
I'm afraid he didn't have
time to write one out, sir.
The German artillery got him.
You expect me to jettison this
entire shipment on your word alone?
Yes, I do, sir.
I was on my way to warn
you when I was taken prisoner.
What is this, Major?
A little ruse to discourage
me from taking the supplies?
I'm telling the truth, Captain.
The plasma is contaminated.
Well, we'll check it out when
we get back to the depot.
Take it or leave it,
Captain, as you see fit.
I will take it.
Then you'll kill
your men, Captain.
Johnson!
Major, what do I have
to do to convince you?
Escort this man back to the
convoy. I'll deal with him later.
Think our transaction has
been completed, Major.
Take him with you, Johnson.
In there, mate.
Fire!
Well, you made a
thorough job of it.
They made off with all our
medical supplies in that truck.
This man is under arrest.
I hope you'll check my story
first with Lieutenant West, sir.
No matter what your
reason, you are out of line.
A war cannot be run
on whims and impulses.
You can contact the
Lieutenant, sir. He's at our camp.
I will attend to that
when we get to the oasis.
Meanwhile, you're being
held for court-martial.
Sir.
All right, let's
move out. Mount up.
This is urgent, soldier.
Let me speak to Lieutenant West.
Your Sergeant Moffitt is
facing a court-martial, over.
Court-martial?
Exactly, unless West
can verify his story, over.
What story, sir?
About contaminated plasma.
Thanks to your Sergeant Moffitt,
the entire shipment is in
the hands of the Jerries.
Now, let me speak with
Lieutenant West, over.
Sorry, Major,
Lieutenant West is dead.
Dead?
Yes, sir.
He died about an hour ago.
Roger.
Out.
Bad news, Sergeant.
West is dead.
He left no official statement
regarding the condition of the plasma.
Pettigrew was with me, sir.
One of your own men? A friend?
That could hardly
be official, could it?
However, your men will be
able to speak at the court-martial.
Johnson, the prisoner
is in your custody.
Yes, sir.
Sir.
Hauptmann!
Herr Hauptmann.
What games are we
playing now, Sergeant?
You took some plasma from
one of our supply convoys.
Among other things, yes.
I want it back.
Very sorry.
It's contaminated.
You can't use it.
I know.
Three of my men already died.
It's completely
worthless, Sergeant.
Not to Sergeant Moffitt.
He's in trouble and he
needs it as evidence.
I had all of it
already destroyed.
My condolences
to Sergeant Moffitt.
Just a minute, Captain.
I'm sure, Sergeant, that you
can find someone to help him.
I have.
I'll guarantee you safe
conduct back to this camp.
My obligation is to
my men, Sergeant.
And my obligation is to my men.
I'll make a deal, Captain.
You need plasma.
If you help clear Sergeant
Moffitt, you have it.
You guarantee safe conduct?
Yes.
Johnson!
Johnson!
Bring the prisoner.
You'll be taken to headquarters
for a preliminary hearing.
You have my sympathy.
That's very comforting, sir.
Here is my report
on the incident.
Now, if you need any...
Sergeant Troy reporting, sir.
You, Captain, a prisoner?
Not exactly, sir.
The Captain's here
to sign a statement
that will help clear Sergeant
Moffitt of the charges.
Major, three of my own soldiers died
on account of the contaminated plasma.
In return I promised the Captain plasma
and a safe conduct back to his camp.
My report, please.
You shan't be needed here.
You're free to go, Moffitt.
Thank you, sir.
Oh, Major, can the
Captain have some plasma
to take back to
the camp with him?
The kind he can use this time.
The Captain will not
be returning to his unit.
He will remain
here as our prisoner.
Major, I gave my word.
That has nothing to
do with me, Sergeant.
Johnson, take him away.
I wouldn't try it, gentlemen.
And now I need a driver.
Major.
The rest of you stay exactly
where you are until I'm out of sight.
Whenever you're ready, Major.
Move out, Major.
You all right, Major?
I'm fine, Sergeant.
We do sometimes make
mistakes, don't we, Sergeant?
Yes, we do, sir.
Don't leave without
your plasma, Captain.
Johnson!
Your camp is over
those dunes, Captain.
And tomorrow we'll
be killing each other.