1. Be seated.
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2. Now, I want you to remember
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3. that no bastard ever won a war
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4. by dying for his country.
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5. He won it
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6. by making the other poor
dumb bastard die for his country.
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7. Men
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8. all this stuff you've heard
about America not wanting to fight
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9. wanting to stay out of the war
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10. is a lot of horse dung.
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11. Americans
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12. traditionally love to fight.
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13. All real Americans
love the sting of battle.
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14. When you were kids
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15. you all admired the
champion marble shooter
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16. the fastest runner, big-league
ball players, the toughest boxers.
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17. Americans love a winner
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18. and will not tolerate a loser.
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19. Americans play to win all the time.
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20. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell
for a man who lost and laughed.
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21. That's why Americans have
never lost and will never lose a war
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22. because the very thought of losing
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23. is hateful to Americans.
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24. Now
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25. an army is a team.
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26. It lives, eats, sleeps, fights as a team.
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27. This individuality
stuff is a bunch of crap.
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28. The bilious bastards who wrote
that stuff about individuality
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29. for the Saturday Evening Post
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30. don't know anything more about
real battle than they do about fucking.
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31. Now we have the finest
food and equipment
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32. the best spirit
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33. and the best men in the world.
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34. You know
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35. by God, I actually pity those
poor bastards we're going up against.
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36. By God, I do.
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37. We're not just going
to shoot the bastards
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38. we're going to cut
out their living guts
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39. and use them to grease
the treads of our tanks.
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40. We're going to murder those
lousy Hun bastards by the bushel.
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41. Now
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42. some of you boys
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43. I know are wondering
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44. whether or not you'll chicken
out under fire. Don't worry about it.
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45. I can assure you
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46. that you will all do your duty.
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47. The Nazis
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48. are the enemy.
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49. Wade into them!
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50. Spill their blood! Shoot them in the belly!
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51. When you put your hand
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52. into a bunch of goo
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53. that a moment before
was your best friend's face
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54. you'll know what to do.
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55. There's another thing I
want you to remember.
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56. I don't want to get any messages
saying we are "holding our position."
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57. We're not "holding"
anything. Let the Hun do that.
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58. We're advancing constantly. We're
not interested in holding on to anything
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59. except the enemy.
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60. We're going to hold on to him by
the balls and kick him in the ass.
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61. We're going to kick the
hell out of him all the time
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62. and we're going to go through
him like shit through a goose!
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63. Now
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64. there's one thing
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65. that you men will be able to
say when you get back home.
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66. And you may thank God for it.
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67. Thirty years from now when
you're sitting around your fireside
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68. with your grandson on your knee
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69. and he asks you:
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70. "What did you do in
the great World War ll?"
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71. You won't have to say:
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72. "Well
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73. I shovelled shit in Louisiana."
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74. All right, now, you sons of bitches
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75. you know how I feel.
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76. I will be proud
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77. to lead you wonderful
guys into battle anytime
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78. anywhere.
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79. That's all.
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80. The Arabs need food and clothing.
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81. They strip our dead before
we can even bury them.
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82. Looks like the reports
were pretty accurate.
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83. Sixty-one armored vehicles,
45 tons of ammunition
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84. twenty-five 40mm guns,
three self-propelled 105s.
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85. Not counting mortars,
machine guns, rifles
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86. pistols, telescopes,
belt buckles, Gl socks.
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87. One thousand, eight hundred men.
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88. Our people salute you, general
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89. for your brilliant amphibious
landing on the continent of Africa
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90. and for your enlightened
administration of our country.
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91. I've enjoyed being here, Excellency.
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92. Naturally, I'd prefer to be in
Tunisia fighting the Germans.
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93. "The lions in their dens
tremble at his approach."
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94. I appreciate that, Excellency.
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95. Magnificent!
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96. I wish our troops looked that good.
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97. Tell me, general, what
do you think of Morocco?
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98. I love it, Excellency.
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99. It's a combination of
the Bible and Hollywood.
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100. These men fight at
Kasserine? Yes, sir.
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101. For the American Army
to take a licking like that
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102. the first time at bat
against the Germans
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103. Up against Rommel, what we
need is the best tank man we've got.
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104. Somebody tough enough
to pull this outfit together.
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105. - Patton? -Possibly.
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106. God help us.
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107. Lieutenant
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108. where is the duty officer?
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109. Sir
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110. - He said he's caught at shaving.
- Why isn't he here on duty?
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111. Guess he needed a shave.
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112. We got a new commanding general due today.
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113. Who the hell is
kicking me in the butt?
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114. Oh, sorry, sir.
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115. - What were you doing down there?
- Trying to get some sleep, sir.
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116. Well
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117. Get back down there, son.
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118. You're the only son of a bitch here
who knows what he's trying to do.
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119. Yes, sir.
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120. - Brad, how the hell are you?
- Fine, George. Good to see you.
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121. We were all under the impression
you wouldn't be here until 0900.
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122. Yes, I gathered that.
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123. - You know my boy, Dick Jenson. -Yes.
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124. Brad, tell me.
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125. - What are you doing here?
- Ike wanted a report on Kasserine.
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126. Meanwhile, I have to
stay here as an observer
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127. but I report directly to Ike.
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128. You're spying.
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129. Get me General Eisenhower's headquarters.
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130. Tell me, Brad
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131. what happened at Kasserine?
I heard it was a shambles.
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132. Apparently, everything went wrong.
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133. We'd send over a 75mm shell,
the krauts would return an 88.
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134. Their tanks are diesels.
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135. Even when we managed to hit
one they kept on running. Our tanks
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136. The men call them "Purple Heart boxes."
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137. One hot piece of shrapnel
and the gasoline explodes.
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138. I warned them about the tank.
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139. I talked to one of the
soldiers about the half-tracks.
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140. I asked them if the machine-gun
bullets pierced the armor.
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141. And he said, "No, sir.
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142. They just come through one
side and rattle around a bit."
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143. I understand they had a little
trouble coordinating the air cover.
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144. The trouble was no air cover.
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145. - General Smith on the line, sir.
- Excuse me, Brad.
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146. Bedell?
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147. Listen, I'm calling about
Bradley and his job here.
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148. I need a good number-two man, I want
to make Brad my deputy commander.
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149. You clear it with Ike?
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150. All right, thanks, Bedell.
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151. Now you're not spying for Eisenhower
anymore, you're working for me.
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152. - Okay? -Fine, okay.
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153. Dick. You got those stars?
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154. - Yes, sir. -Let's get them on.
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155. What's the matter, Brad? I've
been nominated by the president.
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156. I know, but it doesn't become official
until it's approved by the Senate.
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157. Well
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158. they have their
schedule and I have mine.
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159. George
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160. if you were named
admiral of the Turkish Navy
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161. I believe your aides could
dip into their haversacks
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162. and come up with the
appropriate badge of rank.
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163. Anyway, congratulations.
Premature congratulations.
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164. You know
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165. I think those stars look
better on a green shirt.
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166. Did I ever tell you about the time I
designed a uniform for tank crewmen?
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167. It was green leather, it had red stripes
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168. and sort of a row of brass
buttons down across here.
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169. And topped off by a gold football helmet.
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170. The Army rejected it, of course.
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171. Goddamn, it was beautiful.
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172. Lloyd Fredendall is just leaving.
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173. George, there's one other
thing I put in my Kasserine report.
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174. Some of our boys were just plain scared.
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175. That's understandable.
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176. Even the best foxhound
is gun-shy the first time out.
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177. I can remember
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178. when nothing frightened
me as much as the idea of
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179. a bullet coming straight for my nose.
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180. I don't know why, but the image of
a bullet coming right for my nose
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181. was more horrible
than any other possibility.
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182. Well, I can understand that,
with such a handsome nose.
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183. You want to know why this
outfit got the hell kicked out of it?
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184. Blind man could see it in a minute.
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185. They don't look like soldiers.
They don't act like soldiers.
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186. Why should they fight like soldiers?
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187. You're absolutely right.
The discipline's pretty poor.
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188. In about 15 minutes we're
going to start turning these boys
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189. into fanatics, razors.
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190. They'll lose their fear of the Germans.
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191. I hope to God they
never lose their fear of me.
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192. Up bright and early, general? Breakfast?
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193. Have all my officers finished breakfast?
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194. We're open from 6 till 8.
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195. Most of the officers
are just coming in, sir.
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196. Please inform these officers
the mess hall is closed.
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197. But, sir! It's only a quarter to 8.
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198. From now on, you will open at 6
and no one will be admitted after 6:15.
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199. Where are your leggings?
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200. Leggings? Well, hell,
general, sir, I'm a cook.
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201. You're a soldier.
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202. $20 fine.
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203. Gentlemen
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204. from this moment any man
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205. without leggings, without
a helmet, without a tie
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206. Any man with unshined
shoes or soiled uniform
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207. is going to be skinned.
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208. This is a barracks. It's not a bordello.
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209. - Good morning. -Good morning, sir.
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210. Doctor.
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211. Sir.
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212. I understand you have two
cases of self-inflicted wounds.
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213. Yes, sir, we do.
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214. Get them out of here.
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215. One has developed a serious infection.
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216. I don't care if he dies,
just get him out of here.
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217. Doesn't belong in the same
room with men wounded in battle.
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218. - I'll see that they're moved.
- One more thing.
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219. There'll be no "battle
fatigue." That's an order.
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220. Battle fatigue is a
free ride to the hospital.
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221. I'm not going to subsidize cowardice.
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222. Yes, sir.
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223. Doctor Where's your helmet?
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224. I don't wear a helmet in the hospital.
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225. Start.
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226. I can't use my stethoscope
when I'm wearing my helmet.
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227. Well
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228. then cut two holes in
your helmet so that you can.
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229. And get those yellow-bellies
out of here, today.
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230. Hold it.
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231. Turn right, here.
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232. The battlefield is ahead.
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233. Don't argue. I can smell a battlefield.
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234. He was out here yesterday.
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235. It's over there. Turn right, damn it.
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236. It was here.
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237. The battlefield was here.
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238. The Carthaginians defending the city
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239. were attacked by three Roman legions.
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240. They were brave, but they
couldn't hold. They were massacred.
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241. Arab women
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242. stripped them of their tunics
and their swords and lances.
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243. The soldiers lay naked in the sun
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244. 2000 years ago.
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245. I was here.
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246. You don't believe me.
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247. You know what the poet said:
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248. "Through the travail of ages
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249. It's the pomp and toils of war
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250. Have I fought and strove and perished
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251. Countless times upon the star
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252. As if through a glass and darkly
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253. The age-old strife I see
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254. Where I fought in many guises Many names
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255. But always me."
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256. You know who the poet was?
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257. Me.
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258. Sir, the interrogation reports on
the American prisoners
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259. captured in our victory at Kasserine.
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260. They are not very good soldiers,
these Americans.
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261. I'm not so sure
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262. after only one battle.
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263. Their tanks were no match for our guns.
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264. And neither was their leadership, sir.
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265. At Kasserine they were not
under American command.
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266. They were under the
British General Anderson.
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267. British commanders and American troops
the worst of everything!
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268. I remind you that Montgomery
is a British Commander.
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269. And he has driven us half
way across Africa.
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270. Anyway, we have met the Americans
for the first time and defeated them.
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271. I'm optimistic.
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272. You can afford to be an optimist, I can't.
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273. There's an opportunity for
us to mount an offensive.
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274. We've concentrated on the flank
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275. draw strength from the British.
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276. It appears now that we could
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277. split the African corridor.
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278. Drive through Rommel to the sea.
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279. I'm sorry, but that territory
has been reserved
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280. for General Bernard Law Montgomery.
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281. We're supposed to let him
win this one no matter what.
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282. They're entitled to have their hero.
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283. Montgomery did push Rommel
clear across North Africa.
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284. What about the Americans?
Don't they need a hero too?
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285. You have anybody in mind?
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286. Air Vice-Marshal Coningham
is here with General Buford.
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287. Excuse me, gentlemen
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288. while I ask our British friends
what's happened to our air cover.
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289. Harry.
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290. How are you?
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291. George. Good to see you.
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292. - You know Arthur Coningham. -Sir Arthur.
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293. Delighted to see you.
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294. I've heard so much about you.
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295. Gentlemen, it appears there's
been a slight misunderstanding here
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296. and Ike thought we should fix it.
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297. No, no. No misunderstanding.
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298. We're supposed to have
Allied air cover and we don't.
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299. German planes are strafing my troops.
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300. If I may say so, general, I'm afraid
your operation reports are inaccurate.
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301. Report? Three days ago, the crowds
took off after my command car
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302. ran my ass into a ditch.
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303. My staff has assured me, we
have complete air supremacy
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304. everywhere in the Mediterranean.
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305. When I
complained about air cover
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306. you said our troops
were not battleworthy.
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307. You spoke of the discredited
practice of using air force as an alibi
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308. for lack of success on the ground.
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309. I have to wet-nurse Montgomery,
I don't have to stand for that.
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310. I sincerely apologize for
that remark, whoever made it.
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311. And I promise you one thing, general:
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312. You will see no more German planes.
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313. We were discussing air
supremacy, Sir Arthur.
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314. Damn door won't open!
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315. By God, that's enough!
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316. Get that thing out of here!
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317. Come on, you bastards,
take a shot at me on the nose!
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318. Get back in here, George! We need
a corps commander, not a casualty.
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319. How'd you manage to stage that?
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320. I don't know
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321. but if I could find the
Nazis flying those things
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322. I'd give them each a medal.
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323. Can't get over
how cold it gets in the desert.
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324. Awfully cold, sir.
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325. Rommel's out there
somewhere, waiting for me.
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326. Yes, sir.
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327. You know
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328. if I had my way, I'd send
that genius son of a bitch
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329. an engraved invitation
in iambic pentameter:
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330. A challenge in two stanzas
to meet me alone in the desert.
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331. I'll deliver it.
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332. Rommel in his tank and me in mine.
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333. We'd stop about 20 paces.
We'd get out, we'd shake hands
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334. then we'd button up and
do battle, just the two of us.
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335. That battle would decide
the outcome of the war.
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336. It's too bad jousting's gone out of style.
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337. It's like your poetry, general.
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338. It isn't part of the 20th century.
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339. You're right, Dick.
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340. The world grew up.
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341. Hell of a shame.
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342. Dick, I want a 24-hour
guard put around this area.
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343. If we don't, the Arabs will
dig them up for their clothes.
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344. Yes, sir.
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345. Our graves aren't gonna disappear
like everybody else's who fought here.
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346. The Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians.
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347. God, how I hate the 20th century.
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348. Captain Steiger reporting, General.
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349. Come with me, Steiger.
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350. Field Marshal Rommel
I hope you are feeling better
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351. Captain Steiger has been assigned
to research General Patton.
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352. Very well. What do you have for me?
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353. General Patton comes from
a military family.
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354. His grandfather was a hero
of the American Civil War.
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355. He was educated at the
Virginia Military Institute and West Point.
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356. You're not telling me anything
about the man.
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357. He writes poetry and believes
in reincarnation.
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358. He's one of the richest officers
in the American Army.
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359. He prays on his knees,
but curses like a stable boy.
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360. He has one standing order.
"Always take the offensive, never dig in".
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361. In 15 minutes we meet with the F¨¹hrer.
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362. He will want to know how you plan
to deal with Patton's forces.
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363. I will attack and annihilate him!
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364. Before he does the same to me.
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365. General.
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366. General?
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367. We intercepted a German radio message.
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368. Rommel's 10th Panzer is
going to hit us near El Guettar.
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369. Rommel, huh?
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370. All my life
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371. I've wanted to lead a lot
of men in a desperate battle.
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372. Now I'm going to do it.
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373. Look.
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374. Battalion strength at least.
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375. They haven't spotted our positions yet.
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376. They'll get an education
in about 10 seconds.
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377. Wait till they get a
dose of that artillery fire.
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378. Commence firing. Fire at will.
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379. Commence firing. Fire at will.
Commence firing. Fire at will.
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380. What a hell of a waste of fine infantry.
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381. - Get General Bradley on the radio.
- Yes, sir.
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382. Sir, I can't raise him.
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383. Go tell him to hit them hard. Here's
where we hold them by the nose
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384. and kick them in the ass. Go on.
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385. Put him in my car.
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386. Rommel
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387. you magnificent
bastard. I read your book!
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388. Captain Richard
N. Jenson was a fine boy.
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389. Loyal, unselfish and efficient.
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390. I am terribly sorry.
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391. There are no coffins here
since there is no wood.
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392. We will have a trumpeter
and an honor guard
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393. but we will not fire the volleys as
people would think an air raid was on.
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394. I enclosed a lock of Dick's
hair in a letter to his mother.
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395. He was a fine man
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396. and a fine officer.
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397. And he had no vices.
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398. I shall miss him a lot.
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399. I can't see the reason such
fine young men get killed.
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400. There are so many battles yet to fight.
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401. Battle-weary, but
victorious, American Gls and Tommies
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402. of the British 8th Army meet
in an Allied victory celebration
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403. at Wadi Akarit in North Africa.
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404. For the first time in this war,
Broadway and Piccadillyjoin hands.
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405. Meanwhile, General
Montgomery, hero of El Alamein
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406. continues to lead his
victorious British 8th Army
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407. in a relentless drive against
Rommel's vaunted Africa corps.
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408. It is obvious that North Africa
will soon be lost.
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409. We must now anticipate
the enemy's next move.
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410. I shall expect a staff report
within 24 hours. That will be all.
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411. Steiger, you have said nothing.
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412. I wasn't asked anything.
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413. I'm asking you now.
You think Patton will attack Sardinia?
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414. And why not?
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415. Patton, sir is a military historian.
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416. He knows that Sicily, not Sardinia,
has always been the key to Italy.
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417. If Patton has his way he will attack
Sicily at Syracuse, as the Athenians did.
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418. Steiger, this is the twentieth century!
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419. But you must understand, sir
Patton is a sixteenth-century man.
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420. May I read an example?
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421. "On a dark street in New York 1922,
wearing white tie and tails
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422. "Patton saw three men pushing
a young girl into the back of a truck.
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423. "He leaped out of his car,
produced a revolver
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424. "and forced the men at gunpoint
to release the girl".
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425. It turned out that the girl was the
fianc¨¦e of one of the men.
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426. They were merely helping
her into the truck.
Copy !req
427. What could be more revealing?
Copy !req
428. I don't know what you¡¯re talking about.
Copy !req
429. Don Quixote encounters six merchants
of Toledo and saves Dulcinea's virtue!
Copy !req
430. Who the devil is Dulcinea?
Copy !req
431. Don't you see, sir?
Copy !req
432. Patton is a romantic warrior
lost in contemporary times.
Copy !req
433. The secret of Patton is the past.
Copy !req
434. He'll urge an attack on Sicily
because that's what the Athenians did!
Copy !req
435. General Bradley's done a
tremendous job with 2nd Corps.
Copy !req
436. He's moved into Bizerte and
taken over 41,000 prisoners.
Copy !req
437. Good. Very good.
Copy !req
438. You're not surprised, are you?
After all, you trained that outfit.
Copy !req
439. - Excuse me, general. -Hm?
Copy !req
440. This is interesting. We've discovered
Rommel wasn't present at El Guettar.
Copy !req
441. - Who says so? -G2, sir.
Copy !req
442. When we took 10th Panzer,
Rommel was in Berlin with an earache?
Copy !req
443. Severe nasal diphtheria, sir.
Copy !req
444. Also, Hitler probably
retained Rommel in Berlin
Copy !req
445. because things were going
badly for the Africa Corps.
Copy !req
446. He didn't want his favorite
general to lose face.
Copy !req
447. I'm my favorite general,
and I don't like to be told
Copy !req
448. that some second-stringer is
up against me. Then I lose face.
Copy !req
449. Who the hell are you, anyway?
Copy !req
450. General, this is Lieutenant
Colonel Codman. Your new aide.
Copy !req
451. Codman. I pulled your name off
the list because I know your family.
Copy !req
452. I'm glad you did, sir.
Copy !req
453. Rommel is the best the krauts
have, and I kicked the hell out of him.
Copy !req
454. Now my own G2 section is
telling me he wasn't even there.
Copy !req
455. But, general, he undoubtedly
planned the German battle.
Copy !req
456. If you defeat Rommel's plan, you've
defeated Rommel. Isn't that true?
Copy !req
457. Codman
Copy !req
458. - Have a drink with me tonight. -Yes, sir.
Copy !req
459. I have a plan for the invasion of Sicily.
Copy !req
460. I want to make sure I get it
approved. You can help me.
Copy !req
461. I want to give a dinner
for General Alexander.
Copy !req
462. Get to him before Montgomery does.
Copy !req
463. This will be strictly a formal
affair, Codman, but purely social.
Copy !req
464. By that I mean
Copy !req
465. - purely political. -Yes, sir.
Copy !req
466. I want the finest food, the best wine
available. Everything, comme il faut.
Copy !req
467. Thank you.
Copy !req
468. George, this is really splendid wine.
Copy !req
469. Thank you, Arthur.
Copy !req
470. Thank you.
Copy !req
471. Sir Harold, I think it was Alcibiades
in the Peloponnesian War
Copy !req
472. 415 B.C.
Copy !req
473. He said, "if Syracuse falls,
all Sicily falls, and then ltaly."
Copy !req
474. He knew that Syracuse
was the jugular of the island.
Copy !req
475. Old Alcibiades always went for the throat.
Copy !req
476. I propose to take Sicily in the same way.
Copy !req
477. - How's it going?
- The old man has them in his pocket.
Copy !req
478. Now, according to my plan
Copy !req
479. General Montgomery will land here.
Copy !req
480. I'll hit the beaches here, take Palermo.
Copy !req
481. Monty will drive north on
the coast, I'll come due east
Copy !req
482. take Messina and cut off
the German escape route.
Copy !req
483. Yes
Copy !req
484. It looks like an interesting plan.
Copy !req
485. Well, gentlemen, to the conquest of Sicily.
Copy !req
486. To the conquest of Sicily.
Copy !req
487. To Sicily!
Copy !req
488. George, you'd have made a
great marshal for Napoleon
Copy !req
489. if you'd lived in the 18th century.
Copy !req
490. But I did, sir. I did.
Copy !req
491. Morning. Is General Smith in?
Copy !req
492. - I believe he's in the lavatory.
- Thank you.
Copy !req
493. - Ah, there you are, Bedell. -Monty.
Copy !req
494. Bedell, I've been giving a good
bit of thought to the Sicily operation.
Copy !req
495. Yes?
Copy !req
496. I assume we're alone.
Copy !req
497. Georgie Patton has already
discussed his plan with Alexander.
Copy !req
498. I realize that
Copy !req
499. but I have an idea that his plan
may lead to an absolute disaster.
Copy !req
500. Oh?
Copy !req
501. Bedell, look.
Copy !req
502. This is Sicily.
Copy !req
503. Now then, according to Patton's plan
Copy !req
504. I will attack Syracuse here.
Copy !req
505. And he would attack Palermo up here.
Copy !req
506. Now, obviously our forces would be divided.
Copy !req
507. And obviously, they could
be chopped up piecemeal.
Copy !req
508. Now then, what I propose, and
what I shall insist on, by the way
Copy !req
509. is this.
Copy !req
510. I will land at Syracuse as planned.
Copy !req
511. But the Americans The
Americans will land here, at Gela.
Copy !req
512. I will advance north to Messina,
the Americans protecting my flank.
Copy !req
513. After all, Messina is the key.
Copy !req
514. It's the reason for invading Sicily.
Copy !req
515. I'll discuss your plan with Ike.
Copy !req
516. I'm sure he'll give it
serious consideration.
Copy !req
517. - Amusing, isn't it? -What?
Copy !req
518. That the plans for
the invasion of Sicily
Copy !req
519. should have been put
forward in an Algerian lavatory.
Copy !req
520. George, I have bad news
for you about your Sicily plan.
Copy !req
521. Ike has turned it down.
Copy !req
522. Since the Italians will be defending
their native soil for the first time
Copy !req
523. and the German resistance is
stiffening, we shouldn't be divided.
Copy !req
524. - Well, where do my people land then?
- In the Gulf of Gela.
Copy !req
525. There's nothing there but a beach.
Copy !req
526. Yes, but it puts you in a good
position to support Montgomery.
Copy !req
527. Where does Montgomery land?
Copy !req
528. He'll land in Syracuse and drive
north to Catania. Possibly even Messina.
Copy !req
529. And you'll be alongside,
protecting his left.
Copy !req
530. I see.
Copy !req
531. In other words, we get the burden
again while good old Monty gets the glory.
Copy !req
532. Ike had to consider all points of view.
Copy !req
533. He made his decision not as
an American, but as an Ally.
Copy !req
534. Had it been the other way around,
I assure you, Monty would protest.
Copy !req
535. No
Copy !req
536. I've been in the Army 30 years.
Copy !req
537. When I get an order, I say, "Yes,
sir." And I do my best to carry it out.
Copy !req
538. This is what happens when your
commander stops being an American
Copy !req
539. and starts being an Ally.
Copy !req
540. Here's the gangster Patton,
landing at Gela with his Seventh Army.
Copy !req
541. This film was captured after the landing.
Copy !req
542. I didn't realize he was so tall.
Copy !req
543. Over six feet.
Copy !req
544. He's constantly giving
personal commands.
Copy !req
545. Obviously they now have two prima
donnas in Sicily Montgomery and Patton!
Copy !req
546. There's another three-star general.
Copy !req
547. General Bradley Commander
of the American II Corps.
Copy !req
548. He looks like a common soldier.
Copy !req
549. He is most capable, yet unpretentious.
Copy !req
550. Unusual for a general.
Copy !req
551. Sorry
Copy !req
552. I don't think I've made myself clear, sir.
Copy !req
553. It's true, Montgomery met the
toughest resistance there at Catania.
Copy !req
554. However, if we're
Copy !req
555. Perfectly clear.
Copy !req
556. Old Monty is as stuck as a bug on flypaper.
Copy !req
557. But this order from General Alexander
Copy !req
558. directing you to turn over the
Vizzini-Caltagirone road to Montgomery.
Copy !req
559. Well, then, old Bradley will
have to slug slug, mind you
Copy !req
560. his way up center of the island over
those tough mountain roads, won't he?
Copy !req
561. Yes, sir.
Copy !req
562. Messina, Bell.
Copy !req
563. Messina
Copy !req
564. is the heart of it. If they'd
followed my plan, I'd be there by now.
Copy !req
565. I'd cut off the retreat of
every German on this island!
Copy !req
566. Now, you know what I'm gonna do?
Copy !req
567. I'm gonna go to Palermo.
Copy !req
568. I'm gonna beat that limey at
Messina if it's the last thing I ever do!
Copy !req
569. Hey, what's all this talk about taking
the Vizzini road away from 2nd Corps?
Copy !req
570. General Alexander's orders.
Road goes to Montgomery.
Copy !req
571. Now, that road was assigned to me.
Copy !req
572. How can I get north without
it? You know the terrain there.
Copy !req
573. I'm sorry, Brad. But Monty's run
into tough opposition. Very tough.
Copy !req
574. You wouldn't be taking advantage
of this situation, would you?
Copy !req
575. I don't know what you're talking about.
Copy !req
576. Without that road, your army,
except for my 2nd Corps
Copy !req
577. would be out of a job.
Copy !req
578. Free for you to go into Palermo.
Copy !req
579. Who said anything about Palermo?
Copy !req
580. I can read a map.
Copy !req
581. Does Alexander know
you've pushed out this far?
Copy !req
582. That's a reconnaissance in force.
Copy !req
583. George
Copy !req
584. are you saying I've got to
slug it out in those mountains
Copy !req
585. with heavy resistance?
Copy !req
586. Just so you can make a
bigger splash than Monty?
Copy !req
587. General
Copy !req
588. I just follow my orders.
Copy !req
589. Like the simple old soldier I am.
Copy !req
590. General Bradley.
Copy !req
591. Sir, General Alexander
has heard we're moving west.
Copy !req
592. He says here, "Stop immediately.
Go no farther than Agrigento.
Copy !req
593. Repeat. Stop, immediately."
Copy !req
594. That's what you think it says.
Copy !req
595. I think it was garbled in transmission.
Copy !req
596. Ask them to re-transmit the message.
Copy !req
597. That'll take half a day at least.
Copy !req
598. Yes, sir.
Copy !req
599. Now, Brad.
Copy !req
600. Where were we?
Copy !req
601. We were talking about a simple
Copy !req
602. old soldier.
Copy !req
603. Look at that, gentlemen.
Copy !req
604. Compared to war
Copy !req
605. all other forms of human
endeavor shrink to insignificance.
Copy !req
606. Let's go, sergeant. Move out!
Copy !req
607. Give me that helmet.
Copy !req
608. Come on, let's get out of here!
Copy !req
609. What silly son of a bitch is
in charge of this operation?
Copy !req
610. I don't know, but they ought to hang him.
Copy !req
611. Afternoon, Padre.
Copy !req
612. These men are here from
the States, looking over our program
Copy !req
613. for the spiritual welfare of the men.
Copy !req
614. We'll take you right into Palermo.
Copy !req
615. Col. David toured us
around your quarters
Copy !req
616. and I saw a Bible by your bed.
Do you actually find time to read it?
Copy !req
617. I sure do.
Copy !req
618. Every goddamn day.
Copy !req
619. Sir, the Americans have taken Palermo!
Copy !req
620. Damn!
Copy !req
621. Sir, Patton's taken Palermo!
Copy !req
622. Damn!
Copy !req
623. Palermo's the most
conquered city in history.
Copy !req
624. First the Phoenicians
Copy !req
625. the Romans, Carthaginians, Byzantines.
Copy !req
626. Then came the Arabs
Copy !req
627. Spaniards, Neapolitans.
Copy !req
628. Now comes
Copy !req
629. the American Army.
Copy !req
630. This is from General Alexander, sir
Copy !req
631. reminding you that you
are not to take Palermo.
Copy !req
632. Send him a message, Cod.
Copy !req
633. Ask him if he wants me to give it back.
Copy !req
634. Let me ask you
a question for a change.
Copy !req
635. You've just come from Washington.
Copy !req
636. How do they feel about
our boys taking Palermo?
Copy !req
637. The general impression is, your army
barreled through token resistance
Copy !req
638. while Montgomery faced
the brunt of the fighting.
Copy !req
639. Don't they know we took on
the Hermann Göring division?
Copy !req
640. Toughest outfit in the German Army.
Copy !req
641. The people at home are interested in you.
Copy !req
642. They're curious about
your pearl-handle revolvers.
Copy !req
643. They're ivory. Only a pimp from
a New Orleans whorehouse
Copy !req
644. would carry a pearl handle.
Copy !req
645. What about your language?
Copy !req
646. When I want it to stick, I
give it to them loud and dirty.
Copy !req
647. What do your troops feel about that?
Copy !req
648. I don't want these men to love
me. I want them to fight for me.
Copy !req
649. Ernie Pyle says you have a secret
weapon here: General Bradley.
Copy !req
650. Ernie calls him "The GI General."
Copy !req
651. Omar Bradley is no secret.
He's a damn fine commander.
Copy !req
652. What's your feeling about Montgomery?
Copy !req
653. He's the best
general the English have.
Copy !req
654. He seems more concerned with
not losing than he does about winning.
Copy !req
655. He's not aggressive
enough, is that correct?
Copy !req
656. Look, I've been getting
into a lot of trouble lately.
Copy !req
657. Yesterday, the office told
me that my Italian prisoners
Copy !req
658. didn't have enough latrine.
Copy !req
659. They didn't know what a
latrine was till I showed them.
Copy !req
660. If I've said anything too
critical of my British colleague
Copy !req
661. let's forget about it.
Copy !req
662. I will tell you one thing,
though. Off the record.
Copy !req
663. I'm gonna beat that
Copy !req
664. gentleman to Messina.
Copy !req
665. Ah, Freddie. Do you realize what
this madman Patton is saying?
Copy !req
666. He's going to save our
skins by taking Messina.
Copy !req
667. This report might interest you.
Copy !req
668. Here I am in these bloody marshes,
fighting malaria and Germans
Copy !req
669. while he's taking Palermo
and getting all the glory.
Copy !req
670. Well!
Copy !req
671. Now he's up against three good
German divisions and he's stuck.
Copy !req
672. He's not going to get Messina.
Copy !req
673. That's reserved for the
British 8th Army and me.
Copy !req
674. It's time for a move, Lucian. Terry
Allen's 1st Division is bogged down.
Copy !req
675. You're bogged down too.
Copy !req
676. What we need is another end
run just to break things loose.
Copy !req
677. - Lucian. How's my fighter? -Fine, George.
Copy !req
678. Come in, come in. We need another
one of your amphibious specialties.
Copy !req
679. Lucian, I want you to send a
reinforced battalion by sea
Copy !req
680. to make a landing up here
at Brolo behind the kraut lines.
Copy !req
681. You want me to do a land-based attack.
Copy !req
682. Right. I want a coordinated
attack the morning of the 11 th.
Copy !req
683. I don't think we can make it by the 11 th.
Copy !req
684. - Hell, it's only 1 5, 20 miles.
- My boys have been dying for yards.
Copy !req
685. Hm.
Copy !req
686. Maybe you better kick a
few butts if you have to.
Copy !req
687. I recommended you for your
DSM in your last promotion.
Copy !req
688. I know what you can do
when you put your mind to it.
Copy !req
689. Excuse me, sir.
Copy !req
690. I'm sorry, but I can't do the impossible.
Copy !req
691. You're too old an athlete to think
you can postpone a scheduled match.
Copy !req
692. You're an old athlete yourself.
You know matches are postponed.
Copy !req
693. If we can't back Lucian up by
land, our end run could be a disaster.
Copy !req
694. Those men might get caught
on the beach and cut to pieces.
Copy !req
695. - What's the matter?
- All we're saying is
Copy !req
696. not to rush in until we're ready.
Copy !req
697. Give him an extra day.
Copy !req
698. Just one more day.
Copy !req
699. The landing is on.
Copy !req
700. We're going to Messina.
Copy !req
701. We're going to get there
before Montgomery does.
Copy !req
702. - What's so important about that?
- General Truscott
Copy !req
703. if your conscience won't permit
you to conduct this operation
Copy !req
704. I'll find somebody who can.
Copy !req
705. General, it's your privilege to
relieve me anytime you want to.
Copy !req
706. This match will not be postponed.
Copy !req
707. Any questions?
Copy !req
708. No, sir.
Copy !req
709. You're a very good man, Lucian.
Copy !req
710. You want to guard against
being too conservative.
Copy !req
711. Remember what Frederick the Great said:
Copy !req
712. "L 'audace, I'audace! Toujours I'audace!"
Copy !req
713. Go on, have a drink.
Copy !req
714. Excuse me, sir, I won't be
drinking for the next couple of days.
Copy !req
715. If anything happens to those
men, I'd like to be there with them.
Copy !req
716. You're not going, so forget about it.
Copy !req
717. You believe Truscott's right?
Copy !req
718. No.
Copy !req
719. But you're gambling
with those boys' lives
Copy !req
720. just to beat Montgomery into Messina.
Copy !req
721. If you pull it off, you're
a hero, but if you don't
Copy !req
722. What happens to them?
The ordinary combat soldier.
Copy !req
723. He doesn't share in your
dreams of glory, he's stuck here.
Copy !req
724. He's living out every day, day-to-day,
with death tugging at his elbow.
Copy !req
725. There's one big difference
between you and me, George.
Copy !req
726. I do this job because
I've been trained to do it.
Copy !req
727. You do it because
Copy !req
728. you love it.
Copy !req
729. The men on the beach
are catching hell, general.
Copy !req
730. The men are doing their best.
We have no replacements.
Copy !req
731. I can't break through to the coast.
Copy !req
732. I'm going down there myself.
Copy !req
733. Colonel!
Copy !req
734. How did he get over there?
Copy !req
735. What the hell are you waiting for?
Copy !req
736. Looking for a place to ford, general.
Copy !req
737. I sent a patrol to reconnoiter.
Copy !req
738. I've done that. Down there
this sewer's no more than 3 feet deep.
Copy !req
739. Get that outfit cranked
up or you'll be out of a job!
Copy !req
740. - And put that helmet on. -Yes, sir.
Copy !req
741. Move it! Let's go!
Copy !req
742. - What's holding up this column?
- I don't know, sir.
Copy !req
743. Planes!
Copy !req
744. Come on, move it!
Copy !req
745. Pull up over there.
Copy !req
746. - Come on. -What's going on here?
Copy !req
747. Sir, these mules
Copy !req
748. Jackasses!
Copy !req
749. You let a column get stalled and
strafed on account of two jackasses?
Copy !req
750. No. No.
Copy !req
751. Now, dump them over the
side and clear this bridge!
Copy !req
752. We're pinned down because
we can't get air support!
Copy !req
753. Nobody's getting any air support!
Copy !req
754. Put fire into this battalion,
or I'll get somebody who can.
Copy !req
755. Major!
Copy !req
756. - You the executive officer here? -Yes, sir.
Copy !req
757. - Your name? -Walker.
Copy !req
758. You're now commanding officer.
Copy !req
759. You've got 4 hours to break
through that beachhead.
Copy !req
760. If you don't make it, I'll fire you.
Copy !req
761. 50,000 men on this island would
like to shoot that son of a bitch.
Copy !req
762. Please take me home. Take me home.
Copy !req
763. Please take me home. Take me home.
Copy !req
764. - There he goes, "Old Blood and Guts."
- Yeah, our blood. His guts.
Copy !req
765. Hi, how are you, son?
Copy !req
766. Where are you from, Gomez?
Copy !req
767. California, sir.
Copy !req
768. Me too.
Copy !req
769. - Where were you hit? -In the chest, sir.
Copy !req
770. Well
Copy !req
771. this might be interesting to you.
The last German I saw had no chest.
Copy !req
772. Didn't have any head either.
Copy !req
773. You get well quickly, son.
Copy !req
774. What's the matter with you?
Copy !req
775. I guess I just can't take it, sir.
Copy !req
776. What did you say?
Copy !req
777. It's my nerves, sir.
Copy !req
778. I just can't stand the shelling anymore.
Copy !req
779. Your nerves?
Copy !req
780. Hell, you're just a goddamn coward.
Copy !req
781. Shut up!
Copy !req
782. I won't have a yellow bastard crying
Copy !req
783. in front of these brave, wounded men.
Copy !req
784. Shut up!
Copy !req
785. Don't admit this yellow
bastard. Nothing wrong with him.
Copy !req
786. I won't have sons of bitches afraid
to fight stink up this place of honor.
Copy !req
787. You're going back to the front, my friend.
Copy !req
788. You may get shot, you may get killed,
but you're going up to the fighting.
Copy !req
789. Either that or I'll stand you
up in front of a firing squad.
Copy !req
790. I should shoot you myself,
you bastard! Get him out of here!
Copy !req
791. Send him up to the front!
Copy !req
792. You hear me? You goddamn coward!
Copy !req
793. I won't have cowards in my army.
Copy !req
794. I had to kick a few butts
Copy !req
795. but Truscott finally broke
through to those people on the beach.
Copy !req
796. Have you seen the casualty lists?
Copy !req
797. Yes, I've seen them.
Copy !req
798. What's the word from the coast road?
Copy !req
799. The 3rd Division's east of
Brolo, heading toward Messina.
Copy !req
800. Let's get over there. I
want to go in with the troops.
Copy !req
801. You go ahead, George.
I'm not very good at that.
Copy !req
802. General Bradley
Copy !req
803. it's time to consider how
many casualties we'd have
Copy !req
804. if we were still crawling
on that goddamn road.
Copy !req
805. Forward, march!
Copy !req
806. Don't smirk, Patton. I shan't kiss you.
Copy !req
807. Pity. I shaved close this morning to
prepare for getting smacked by you.
Copy !req
808. Forward, march!
Copy !req
809. You wanted to see me, George?
Copy !req
810. Got a letter here from Ike.
Copy !req
811. I was rereading Caesar's
Commentaries last night.
Copy !req
812. In battle, Caesar wore a red robe
to distinguish him from his men.
Copy !req
813. I was struck by that fact because
Copy !req
814. "Despicable." First time anybody's
ever applied that word to me.
Copy !req
815. Well, at least it's a personal
reprimand, it's not official.
Copy !req
816. The man was yellow. He should've
been tried for cowardice and shot.
Copy !req
817. People have taken a lot worse
than a little kick in the pants.
Copy !req
818. I ruffled his pride a bit.
What's that compared to war?
Copy !req
819. Two weeks ago at Palermo they
said I was the greatest general
Copy !req
820. - since Stonewall Jackson.
- Now they draw cartoons about you.
Copy !req
821. Dirty bastard!
Copy !req
822. They got me holding a little Gl
and kicking him with an iron boot.
Copy !req
823. You see that, what's
on my boot? A swastika.
Copy !req
824. On my boot. An iron boot with a swastika!
Copy !req
825. "You will apologize to
the soldier you slapped
Copy !req
826. to all doctors and nurses
present in the tent at the time
Copy !req
827. to every patient in the
tent who can be reached
Copy !req
828. and last but not least to
the 7th Army as a whole
Copy !req
829. through individual
units, one at a time."
Copy !req
830. God, I
Copy !req
831. feel low.
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832. Oh, God
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833. Thou art my God.
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834. Early will I seek Thee.
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835. My soul thirsteth for Thee.
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836. My flesh longeth for Thee
in a dry and thirsty land.
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837. So as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.
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838. My soul followeth hard after Thee.
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839. But those that seek
my soul to destroy it
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840. shall go into the
lower parts of the earth.
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841. They shall fall by the sword.
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842. They shall be apportioned for foxes.
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843. But the king shall rejoice in God.
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844. Everyone that sweareth by him shall glory.
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845. But the mouth of them that speak lies
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846. shall be stopped.
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847. Ten-hut!
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848. At ease.
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849. I thought I'd stand up here
and let you people see
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850. if I am as big a son of a
bitch as some of you think I am.
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851. I assure you I had no intention
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852. of being either harsh or
cruel in my treatment of the
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853. soldier in question.
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854. My sole purpose was
to try to restore in him
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855. some appreciation of
his obligations as a man
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856. and as a soldier.
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857. If one can shame a coward
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858. I felt one might help him
to regain his self-respect.
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859. This was on my mind.
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860. Now, I freely admit
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861. that my method was wrong
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862. but I hope you understand my motive
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863. and will accept this
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864. explanation
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865. and this
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866. apology.
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867. - Dismissed. -Ten-hut!
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868. Good evening, general. I want to
report on a private poll I'm taking.
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869. What poll?
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870. The fan mail.
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871. Eleven percent con, 89 percent pro.
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872. And that 11 % of protest, in most
cases, is both obscene and anonymous.
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873. But the pro letters are mostly
from relatives and servicemen.
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874. "I want you to know we're proud
our son is serving in your army.
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875. From the newspaper, we're not
clear exactly what you did and why
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876. but we want you to know we're for you.
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877. Keep going, and God bless you."
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878. Keep going, huh?
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879. Where?
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880. I thought you might like a sip
of wine, general. It's New Year's.
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881. You didn't celebrate at all last night.
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