BAND OF BROTHERS
Part 3: "D plus 3"
by E. Max Frye
Based on the book by Stephen E. Ambrose
Revisions by Erik Bork
FADE IN
A bare foot, cold and lifeless ... We are 1 EXT. NORMANDY ROAD - DAY
DEAD AMERICANS line the road, their faces covered with coats and blankets. Visible are Screaming Eagle patches and dirty brown Corcorans, just enough to identify some of them as paratroopers.
SUPER: 9 JUNE 1944, D Day plus 3
A TEAM
of Graves Registration personnel removes dog tags and records names. Someone else uses a hand sprayer to douse the bodies with disinfectant. Nearby a pile of weapons, many broken and bent, await disposal.
DEAD GERMANS
on the other side of the road lie in their hobnailed boots, although nobody's bothered to cover their faces.
Birds sing even as artillery thunders in the distance. The war, although over for these men, goes on.
GORDON (v.o.)
Those poor fools ...
WALTER GORDON, FLOYD TALBERT AND SHIFTY POWERS
trudge up the road: tired, dirty and still trying to find Easy and the 506, after three days of hard fighting.
GORDON (CONT'D)
They went and got themselves killed and this Great Crusade isn't hardly even started yet.
POWERS
You suppose any of 'em are ours?
GORDON
Ain't our drop zone.
TALBERT
Hold up, fellas.
He bends over a dead German and removes a camouflaged rain poncho tucked in the man's belt.
POWERS
That doesn't mean they're not ours. Look where we landed.
GORDON
You got a point there, Shifty.
They look at the bodies mutely. Friends?
TALBERT
C'mon, let's get out of here. (to sprayer)
Hey, buddy, which way'd the war go?
SPRAYER (pointing)
Down the road that a ways.
2 EXT. COW PASTURE - DAY
A cow pasture full of discarded chutes, anti-glider poles and the bloated bodies of a dozen cows.
A LONE TROOPER
stands in the grass looking up at the white clouds floating peacefully across the blue Normandy sky. He seems strangely detached from his grim surroundings.
GORDON, TALBERT AND POWERS
round a curve in the road and stop in their tracks. They regard the trooper, following his gaze to the passing clouds. But whatever it is he sees up there, he's alone.
TALBERT
Hey, that looks like what's-his-name. You know, from 1st Platoon.
POWERS
Our first platoon?
GORDON
Hey, it sure does.
TALBERT
What is his name?
POWERS
Don't look familiar to me...
TALBERT (calling) Blithe?
PRIVATE ALBERT BLITHE
turns with red-rimmed eyes in a blackened face. He smiles in recognition and shuffles over.
TALBERT (CONT'D)
Thought that was you. You alone?
BLITHE
You're the first familiar faces I've seen.
GORDON
Ain't surprised. They dropped us a11 over the Cotentin Peninsula.
TALBERT
We been fighting with the 502nd since we hit the ground--You?
BLITHE
I've been... trying to find Easy.
TALBERT
Join the club. Let's go.
Blithe takes one last look at the sky and falls into step with the others.
MORE (V.O.)
.. gum, razor blades, soap, socks ...
3 EXT. WALLED GARDEN - DAY
ALTON MORE AND DON MALARKEY
are hastily going through a pile of musette bags kneeling in the shade of a walled garden.
MORE (CONT.)
... two packs of Luckies, a Baby Ruth and a fin. Cheapskate.
MALARKEY
Socks, razor, hairbrush - what's this? (a kazoo)
... smokes, letters, Hershey Bar. Hey, I'll trade you the Hershey Bar for the Baby Ruth.
MORE
No deal.
MALARKEY It's got almonds.
MORE
I'm not tradin' a Baby Ruth for a Hershey Bar with almonds.
Malarkey comes across a few battered photos: a girlfriend, a mom and dad, maybe a younger sibling...
MALARKEY
I've had enough of this, anyway.
MORE
What are you talking about? There's a gold mine here!
MALARKEY
I don't want to steal from our own guys...
MORE
Scrounging is not stealing. Everybody knows that. Besides, these guys ain't never gonna miss it.
MALARKEY
I know, but ...
MORE
But what? We've been taking stuff from dead Krauts. What's the difference?
MALARKEY
Dead Krauts are dead Krauts. There's a big difference.
More reaches into another bag and his face goes pale. holds up a pair of tiny knit baby booties.
MORE
C'mon, let's get out of here.
They drop everything and hurry out of the garden and into ...
4 EXT. TOWN SQUARE - ANGOVILLE-AU-PLAIN - DAY
where TROOPERS from Easy and the 2nd Battalion - now essentially reassembled - mill around in the late afternoon sun.
BLITHE, GORDON, TALBERT AND POWERS
straggle up the street.
TALBERT
Hey-ya, fellas! We thought we'd never find you guys!
JOE LIEBGOTT
flashes a gold ring with an inlaid SS Totenkopf.
LIEBGOTT
Hey, Tab! Death's Head! SS!
TALBERT
Slick! Look at mine!
Talbert excitedly pulls out his rain poncho.
LIEBGOTT
Cammo. That's a nice one.
The happy-go-luck DON HOOBLER looks on enviously.
HOOBLER
Dammit, I want something with a swastika on it!
BLITHE
exhausted, looks around for 1st Platoon.
PERCONTE
Hey, Blithe! Over here!
FRANK PERCONTE AND BILL DUKEMAN
sit in the shade of a tree. Blithe plops down beside them.
PERCONTE (CONT'D) Welcome to France, Alberto.
DUKEMAN
How was your jump?
BLITHE
Missed the DZ.
PERCONTE
That goes without saying.
BLITHE
I guess nothing went as planned.
DUKEMAN
You can say that again.
BLITHE
What about you guys?
Perconte pulls his sleeve back to reveal a dozen watches.
PERCONTE
They're all tickin.' Unlike their previous owners. You get anything good?
BLITHE
Not yet, no.
Blithe watches the activity all around them, still getting his bearings.
BLITHE (CONT'D)
So, uh, have we... lost anybody?
DUKEMAN
Tommy Burgess took one in the face. Popeye Wynn got pinked in the behind. But they're gonna be okay.
BLITHE
That's good.
PERCONTE
You didn't run into Lt. Meehan in your travels, did you?
BLITHE
No. Why?
PERCONTE
Company HQ's still missing. They think the plane went down.
DUKEMAN
I say he's gonna turn up.
PERCONTE
I ain't holdin' my breath.
BLITHE
So, who's in command, then?
DUKEMAN
Winters, for now. Lt. Welsh has lst platoon.
As Blithe digests this, head spinning...
LIEUTENANT HARRY WELSH
takes a long pull from his canteen and addresses his men.
WELSH
Let's go, 1st Platoon! On your feet! We're movin' out!
Blithe, Dukeman, Perconte, Hoobler, and the rest of 1st Platoon (including BOYLE, CHRISTENSON, LUZ, MARTIN and MCGRATH) get to their feet.
WELSH (CONT'D)
Listen up! It'll be dark soon, and I want light and-noise discipline from here on. That means no talking, no smoking and no playin' grab-fanny with the man in front of you.
BOYLE
Where we headed, Lieutenant?
WELSH
We're taking Carentan.
HOOBLER
That sounds fun.
WELSH
It's the only place where armor from Omaha and Utah Beach can link up and head, inland. Until we do they're stuck on the sand. General Taylor's sending the whole division.
LUZ
(a command voice)
Remember, boys, just give me three days and three nights of hard fighting and you'll be relieved.
Hoobler raises his hand.
HOOBLER
Lieutenant? I'll be lead scout.
WELSH
Corporal Hoobler is lead scout. (eyeing Blithe)
Blithe, glad you could join us.
BLITHE
Thank you, sir.
WELSH
1st Platoon, fall in behind F Company. Let's shake a leg!
LUZ
(a command voice)
And another thing to remember, boys, flies spread disease. So keep yours closed!
The men gear up and prepare to move out.
5 EXT TREES AND FIELDS/NARROW TRAIL -MAGIC HOUR - DUSK
Easy Company moves single file along a hedgerow.
A FLOODED FIELD
glimmering in the moon light, is clogged with the twisted detritus of bitter fighting. Bodies lay where they've fallen and vehicles burn, casting an eerie light over the troopers as they march past.
HOOBLER
leads Easy along a trail. He stops at the body of a dead German lying in his path. The man's hand sticks up stiffly.
Hoobler puts a finger to his lips as Welsh comes up.
Welsh steps over the dead German and moves on. Hoobler waits for the next man in line, Blithe.
HOOBLER
(whispering) Don't wake Jerry.
He takes off after Welsh. Blithe steps over the body as Perconte appears. Blithe points out the body and moves on. Perconte steps over it gingerly, careful not to touch it. He turns and signals
SKINNY SISK
who grabs the dead man's hand and gives it a shake, then steps on his stomach. The corpse lets out a gaseous blehhhhh.
SISK
Sorry, buddy.
WELSH
at the head of the column, stops and peers into the darkness.
HOOBLER
What's cookin', Lieutenant?
WELSH
We lost F Company.
HOOBLER
Again?
Perconte appears.
HOOBLER (CONT'D)
We lost F Company
PERCONTE
Again?
And now Blithe.
PERCONTE (CONT'D) Hey, Blithe, guess what -
WELSH
Perconte! Go back and pass the word to hold up.
PERCONTE
Yes, sir.
WELSH
Hoobler, take Blithe and go find F Company.
HOOBLER
Yes, sir. C'mon, Blithe.
He pulls Blithe away into the darkness.
6 EXT. ANOTHER HEDGEROW - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT
MOONLIGHT shines on the hedgerow. Hoobler and Blithe move silently, rifles at the ready. Hoobler slaps at a mosquito.
HOOBLER
Dang mosquitos!
7 EXT. NARROW TRAIL FRONT OF COLUMN - NIGHT
WELSH
slaps at a mosquito as lieutenants RICHARD WINTERS and LEWIS NIXON catch up to the head of the column.
WELSH
F Company has got no respect for night maneuvers.
WINTERS
You send somebody to -
WELSH
I got Hoobler and Blithe out there now.
(checking his watch)
It's going to be light in a few hours.
WINTERS
Let's get this show on the road.
They take off as Welsh slaps at another mosquito.
8 EXT. HEDGEROW - NIGHT
HOOBLER AND BLITHE
continue along cautiously, Hoobler leading, adrenalized;Blithe following, tense. Suddenly they hear:
F CO. TROOPER (OS)
Flash!
Blithe swings his rifle up. Hoobler holds up his hand.
HOOBLER
Thunder!
A TROOPER
from F Company steps out of the darkness. Blithe relaxes.
F CO. TROOPER
I could hear y'all all the way across the field.
HOOBLER You F Company?
F CO. TROOPER 'Sright. Where y'all been?
HOOBLER
Blithe, why don't you go back and tell the Lieutenant we found F Company. I'll figure out where these yokels are at and meet you back here.
F CO. TROOPER
Hey, who y'all callin' a yokel?
HOOBLER Go on, Blithe.
9 EXT. TREES - NIGHT
A MOONLIT TRAIL
as Blithe makes his way back. Suddenly, he freezes.
A GERMAN PARATROOPER
weapon in hand, eyes him coldly from the bushes,
BLITHE
stands frozen, not even breathing.
WINTERS (OS)
He's dead, Private.
WINTERS AND NIXON
move down the trail from the other direction.
WINTERS (CONT'D)
Did you find Fox Company?
They converge on the dead German, stiff with rigor mortis.
BLITHE
Yes, sir.
(re: the German) I thought he had me.
Nixon examines the insignias on the corpse.
NIXON
Fallschirmjager.
BLITHE Paratrooper?
NIXON
Division thinks there's a regiment of them holding Carentan.
WINTERS
One less to worry about.
Blithe touches a tiny sprig of white flowers pinned to the lapel of the dead trooper's jump jacket.
NIXON Never seen Edelweiss? (off Blithe's blank look)
It's a badge of honor. Only grows above the treeline in the Alps.You have to climb up there to pick it.
10 EXT. UNDER RAINCOAT, CARENTAN CAUSEWAY - NIGHT
LATER THAT NIGHT
On A MAP of the Cotentin Peninsula and the small town of Carentan.
SUPER: CARENTAN, 12 JUNE, D-Day plus 6
STRAYER (V.O.)
General Taylor has devised a simple 3pronged attack ...
STRAYER, NIXON, WINTERS, AND SEVERAL OTHER OFFICERS (INCLUDING D AND F COMPANY COMMANDERS, GROSS AND MULVEY)
huddle under a GI raincoat studying the map with a flashlight.
STRAYER (CONT'D) The 501st will come in from the North, the 327th Glider Regiment from the East. We of the 506th will act as the pincer, hooking around and attacking from the south-west along this road. Our objective is the T-junction here. With everything else flooded, any Krauts trying to withdraw are going to have to go through us. The rest of `em are gonna get their feet awful wet.
11 EXT. ROAD, CARENTAN - DAWN
1ST PLATOON crouches in a ditch that runs along_a narrow road sloping down to the T-junction.
STRAYER (V.O.)
Easy Company'll lead with F on their flank. Dog'll be in reserve. Jump off is at 0600. Good luck, gentlemen.
WINTERS AND WELSH
eye the road leading to the T-junction and the buildings surrounding it.
WINTERS
Harry, I want you to take 1st Platoon str_aight up the _middle-,-har_cLand_fast. I'll follow with the 2nd and 3rd.
AN ANONYMOUS LIEUTENANT {an extra - used to be Lavenson}
slips away into the trees to relieve himself. His pale skin looks ghostly in the early morning light.
A shot rings out. He goes down, hit in the ass.
EUGENE ROE
Easy's medic, runs out to help the braying lieutenant.
BLITHE
and 1st Platoon watch from the ditch.
CHRISTENSON
Sounded like an M-l.
LUZ
F Company's over there.
BOYLE
So much for the element of surprise.
Blithe looks around nervously. One of the other men makes the sign of the cross.
WINTERS C'mon, you men, MOVE!
1ST PLATOON
remains frozen, their eyes wide with fear and indecision.
WINTERS (CONT'D)
MOVE IT! GET GOING!
THE GERMAN MACHINE GUN
fires at Winters in the middle of the road.
WELSH'S SQUAD
charges it, unaware that they're alone in doing so.
WINTERS
now becomes a man possessed. He screams and kicks at the men as bullets snap past and glance off the pavement.
WINTERS (CONT'D)
Move out! Move out!
BLITHE
wide-eyed, looks up at
WINTERS
while a thousand German bullets churn the air around him.
WINTERS (CONT'D) I said move out, GODDAMN IT!
EASY COMPANY
start to push and shove each other out of the way as they jump into the road and charge forward. Blithe is left behind by the first few...
12 EXT. INTERSECTION, CARENTAN - DAWN
AT THE CAFE
Welsh and the five others hit the wall beside the window from which the machine gun is firing. They toss grenades in, and follow with a hail of rifle fire. The MG goes silent.
OTHER EASY C0. TROOPERS
race toward them, some peeling off to the left at the Tjunction; others to the right. SNIPER FIRE zings past, not hitting anyone.
TIPPER
brings up the rear, loaded down with a Bazooka, shells and an M-l. He clanks up against a wall, having also avoided the sniper fire. Lipton is next to him.
LIPTON
Take Liebgott, start clearing these houses!
Tipper and Liebgott head off toward the structure next door. Lipton watches a second story window on a building at the end of the street, which has exterior steps leading up to it. He grabs Shifty Powers.
LIPTON (CONT'D) Come with me.
As they take off toward the building, Welsh takes his five men in the opposite direction, and they are joined by
COMPTON, GUARNERE, Randleman, Dukeman, VAN KLINKEN and others.
WELSH
Two on a house!
13 EXT. BUILDING, CARENTAN - DAWN
AT THE FIRST HOUSE THEY COME TO
Compton tosses a grenade into a window. BOOM! Guarnere kicks open the door and rushes in, firing his M-1.
ACROSS THE STREET
Troopers are checking other houses in two-man groups the same way: one throws a grenade, the other charges in, ready to fire. But there are few Germans to be found.
WELSH
Nobody in these!
No sooner has he spoken than a German "potato masher" grenade clatters into the street in front of him. He grabs it and heaves it as far as he can in the direction it came, over a house.
14 INT. BUILDING, CARENTAN - DAY
A FRONT DOOR ON THE OTHER END OF THE STREET
is kicked open and Tipper barges in firing. But there's nobody there, only a framed photograph of Marechal Petain. Tipper heads through, finds a back door. Cautiously cracks it open to reveal a small yard with a tiny outhouse structure.
TIPPER Hande hoch!
No answer. He fires a couple M-1 rounds into it. Turns and heads back into the house.
LIEBGOTT (OS)
Tipper!
Tipper races to the front door. In the doorway...
FLASH!
His whole world turns a bright and silent white. He tries to take aim with his M-l, but sees no enemy.
LIEBGOTT (v.o.) (CONT'D) (distorted and faint)
Tipper! Answer me! Tipper!
He turns to see Liebgott coming toward him, wide-eyed. We see why:
TIPPER
is miraculously still on his feet, but both legs are broken and his left eye is gone.
LIEBGOTT (CONT'D)
Lookin' good, Tip. Lookin' real good. You gotta sit down.
Liebgott eases him to the floor, bones in Tipper's legs crunching as he goes down.
LIEBGOTT (CONT'D)
You hang tough, buddy. I'm gonna go get help.
As Liebgott takes off, Tipper notices the hole burned through one of his boots by the mortar round that hit him.
15 EXT. CARENTAN TOWN - DAY
AT THE OTHER END OF THE STREET
Lipton and Powers arrive at the building Lipton had been watching. Powers waits, grenade in hand, looking up toward a second story window as Lipton climbs the exterior staircase to a blown-out second window.
As he reaches the top, Powers flings the grenade toward the first window. It crashes through and explodes.
Lipton, wide-eyed, rifle ready, stands in the second window. All he can see inside is dust and smoke, no one to shoot at. He fires a couple of rounds and decides to high-tail it back down. As he reaches the bottom he sees
MORTAR EXPLOSIONS
on the wall of a building down the street, bracketing other unwittingEasy men nearby. He runs toward them.
LIPTON
They got us zeroed! Spread it out! Go! Go! Go!
BOOM! A round explodes and Lipton is blown backward against a wall. His rifle clatters to the ground, his right hand numb and useless, his face bloodied.
From out of the smoke and dust Talbert skids to his side.
TALBERT Hey, buddy!
He tears Lipton's sleeve, uses it to tie a makeshift tourniquet on Lipton's wounded arm. Lipton can only stare at the blood beginning to soak his pants.
LIPTON
Tab ...
Quickly Talbert draws a knife and slits Lipton's pants open.
TALBERT
You're okay, Lip. Everything's right where it should be. Upsy-Daisy!
He throws the bloody Lipton over his shoulder and takes off.
FATHER MALONEY (V.O.) Hail Mary, full of grace ...
16 EXT. STREET, CARENTAN - DAY
FATHER MALONEY
rosary in hand, walks down the middle of the street, blessing the wounded and dying. The shells whistle by overhead.
MORE AND MALARKEY
duck into a doorway as sniper fire pings around them. More looks out and sees Father Maloney.
MORE
Hey, Malarkey, you see what I see?
Malarkey follows his gaze.
MALARKEY Crazy fools, the Irish.
He jumps out of the doorway and fires a full clip in the direction of the sniper. More follows.
17 INT./EXT. HOUSE, CARENTAN - DAY
IN A SECOND FLOOR WINDOW WALTER GORDON full-loads a machine gun and fire at a squad of Germans retreating across a flooded field. Randleman is with him, launching rifle grenades in the same direction.
18 EXT. FLOODED FIELD, CARENTAN - DAY
THE GERMANS dead and dying, spin lazily in the dirty water.
19 INT./EXT. HOUSE, CARENTAN - DAY
RANDLEMAN hears an explosion from behind, goes to the opposite window. Down in the street he sees
20 EXT. HOUSE, CARENTAN - DAY
MAX FRYE (replacing burr smith, who's now in pt. 7 only) who stares wide-eyed at a potato masher that lands on the cobblestones next to him. It explodes. Frye is down.
21 INT./EXT. HOUSE, CARENTAN - DAY
GORDON in the second story room, breaks down his machine gun, and turns to see Randleman gone, heads down the stairs.
22 EXT. INTERSECTION, CARENTAN - DAY
DOWN IN THE STREET RANDLEMAN swoops in, picks up Frye like a rag doll, and carts him off.
WINTERS stands by a building nearby, scanning the street.
A PARATROOPER on a white horse comes galloping into view. He wears a top hat and brandishes a six-shooter in one hand.
TROOPER Mornin', sir.
WINTERS Who are you, trooper?
TROOPER
Able Company of the 501. Supposed to let you know we got everything from here north cleared of Krauts -
THWACK! A bullet smacks into a wall nearby.
TROOPER (CONT'D) Well, most of it anyway.
WINTERS
Tell your C.O. the 506 arrived in force and have secured positions south of you.
THWACK! Another round hits the wall.
TROOPER
Got it, sir. HA!
He spurs his horse around and gallops away.
STRAYER (OS) Lt. Winters!
STRAYER and NIXON
are crouched in a doorway across the street.
WINTERS
Sir?
STRAYER
Is it safe out there?
His words are lost in the crackle of small arms fire.
WINTERS
What's that, sir?
STRAYER
Safe. Is-it-safe?
Winters shoots a look at Nixon, who suppresses a smile.
WINTERS
Yes, sir!
(stepping into the road) A-okay!
Strayer hurries across the road. He's followed by Nixon.
CRACK! A shot deflects off the cobblestones. Winters flinches, hit in the ankle. He hops back to cover, furious.
23 INT. BARN, CARENTAN (AID STATION) - DAY
AN OLD STONE BARN
missing its roof, serves as an aid station.
ROE (V.O.}
There she is ...
MEDIC EUGENE ROE
probes the wound in Winters' ankle with a pair of tweezers, pulling out-a chunk of spent lead.
ROE (CONT'D)
Lucky it was a ricochet. Just caught a piece of it.
WINTERS (muttering to himself) Stupid.
ROE
What?
WINTERS
Nothing.
Roe dresses the wound as Winters looks around at the wounded: Lipton, Frye, Tipper...
ROE
You gonna be able to stay off it?
WINTERS Doesn't look that way.
Roe stops what he's doing, looks at him.
ROE
We're not going to stay and enjoy our first town for long, are we?
WINTERS
We expect a counterattack. Carentan's as important to them as it is to us.
Lipton can't help eavesdropping on this.
LIPTON
Any idea when?
WINTERS
We're not waiting around to find out. Division wants us to head east, toward the high ground, and set up a defensive position. With all the flooded fields, it's the only direction they can approach from.
As Roe and Lipton digest this, Winters notices
ALBERT BLITHE
sitting quietly against a wall, not noticably wounded at all. In fact, there's not a scratch on him. He just stares blankly into space. Winters watches him.
WINTERS (CONT'D) (to Roe)
What's wrong with him?
ROE
Nothing, `cept he can't see.
WINTERS
Can't see?
ROE So he says.
Winters gets up and hobbles around, looking over the men. He makes his way over to Blithe and kneels beside him.
WINTERS
Blithe?
He waves his hand in front of Blithe's face.
WINTERS (cont'd) It's Lt. Winters.
No answer. Blithe stares straight ahead:
WINTERS (CONT'D) What happened?
BLITHE
I don't know, sir. Things just kinda... went black on me.
WINTERS
You can't see?
BLITHE
Not a thing, sir. Not a thing.
Winters peers into his sightless eyes. Looks over at Roe, who shrugs.
WINTERS
Well, you just take it easy, Blithe, and we're gonna get you outta here. We'll get you back to England. You're gonna be okay.
BLITHE
Sir, I didn't want to let anyone down...
Blithe looks in Winters' direction, trying to focus on him, pained and embarrassed by his blindness. He tries to speak but there are no words. He grits his teeth angrily.
WINTERS
Just take it easy. It's okay, son.
Winters stands up, hobbles toward Roe... As he does so, Blithe rubs his eyes, takes a few deep breaths, blinks repeatedly, trying to calm himself.
WINTERS (CONT'D) (to Roe)
Let's get these men evacuated...
BLITHE
Sir!
Winters turns. Blithe is standing.
WINTERS What is it?
BLITHE
Thank you, sir. I'm okay. I think I'm going to be okay.
Blithe looks around the barn, energized, disbelieving. Winters doesn't know what to say.
WINTERS You can see?
BLITHE
I don't know what happened. This is...
thank God. I think I'm okay.
WINTERS
Alright. Well, uh, you stay here a little while longer, make sure. Then you can report back to your platoon.
BLITHE
Yes, Sir.
Winters, a little spooked, looks over at Roe, who is also perplexed.
WINTERS
Let's start prepping to move out.
24 EXT. CARENTAN STREETS - DAY
The men of Easy Company are resting in clumps throughout the deserted streets of the town.
MORE (v.o.)
Berlin by Christmas, that's how I see it.
More, buried deep in his raincoat, puffs on a cigarette and blows smoke in all directions to keep the mosquitos at bay.
MALARKEY
You're full of it.
MALARKEY, BLITHE, ALEX PENKALA AND WARREN MUCK
sit against a wall, their gear piled around them. They eat German black bread and Limburger cheese from a tube. It's almost relaxed, this moment.
MUCK
Hoo-eey! This Kraut cheese stinks.
PENKALA
Bread's stale, too.
MORE
Yessir, the way we came in here and took over... don't seem Jerry's got too much fight left in him.
MALARKEY
Hey, More, just don't get hit in the face when Jerry throws in the sponge.
MORE
Mark my words, Berlin by Christmas.
More shakes out another smoke, lights it with a Zippo.
SPEIRS {OS} Enjoy it while it lasts.
All heads turn.
LT. RONALD SPEIRS
Tommy gun in hand, stands over them, unsmiling. They freeze in place. Malarkey sizes him up.
SPEIRS (CONT'D) We're moving out soon.
MORE
Out of town, Lieutenant? Already?
SPEIRS That's right.
MORE
Well... that ain't good, is it?
SPEIRS
Just be ready.
And off he goes. The men look on, waiting until he's out of earshot. Finally:
MUCK
(to More)
Consider yourself lucky. He's shot men for less.
(to Malarkey) Ain't that right?
MALARKEY
I told you, I didn't see it.
PENKALA
What, the prisoners? Or the sergeant in his own platoon.
MUCK
What? I didn't hear that one.
MALARKEY
He shot one of his own guys?
PENKALA
Supposedly the guy was drunk., and ref:used to go on a patrol. Who knows if it's true.
MUCK
I know a guy who said an eyewitness told him that Speirs hosed those prisoners.
BLITHE
Which prisoners?
MUCK
On D-Day. Speirs comes across these Kraut prisoners diggin' a hole or somesuch, under guard and all, and he breaks out a pack of smokes and hands 'em out
PENKALA
Even gives 'em a light
25 EXT. NORMANDY ROADSIDE - FLASHBACK (SEE EPISODE #2) - DAY
Eight GERMAN PRISONERS pass around a pack of cigarettes, speaking in German, laughing. Speirs gives them all a light, sizing them up. Then he gets back on the road and watches them for a beat.
MUCK, ( V . 0 . )
Then all of a sudden he swings up his Thompson and hoses `em -
Speirs grabs his Tommy gun, aims it at the prisoners.
26 EXT. CARENTAN STREET - RESUME - DAY
MUCK
I mean, hoo-eey! Gives `em smokes first? That's why I don't believe he really did it.
PETKALA
I heard he DIDN'T do it, and the guy who did only shot them in the legs...
27 EXT. NORMANDY ROADSIDE - FLASHBACK (SEE EPISODE #2) - DAY
Again, the eight German prisoners with the cigarettes, smoking, enjoying themselves. Suddenly, an offscreen tommy gun begins firing and they go down screaming, one by one, hit in the thighs, knees, and lower legs.
REVEAL ANOTHER TROOPER
Standing over them, gun smoking, as Speirs looks on in surprise, his own Thompson slung over his shoulder.
MORE (V.O.)
No, no, no, it was him, but it was more than eight guys. It was like twenty.
28 EXT. NORMANDY ROADSIDE - FLASHBACK (SEE EPISODE #2) - DAY
MOMENTS EARLIER
This time there are at least twice as many German prisoners. As Speirs lights one of their cigarettes, he notices the death's head SS badge on the man's lapel.
MORE (V.O.)
And they were SS.
WIDER
As Speirs watches them smoke, then suddenly levels his Thompson at them and starts shooting. Doesn't stop until all have fallen but one man -- whose hand shakes uncontrollably, holding a cigarette, as he, stares at Speirs with raw terror in his eyes.
MORE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Except one guy. Who he left alone.
CLOSE ON THE SHAKING CIGARETTE HAND
And the lapel behind it: no SS badge.
29 EXT. CARENTAN STREET - RESUME - DAY
More, Malarkey, Penkala and Blithe consider this a moment. Hard to know what to believe.
PENKALA
All I know is, from what I heard, he took that last 105 on D-day practically by himself, charging through MG fire like a maniac...
MALARKEY
That I did see.
PENKALA
I don't care if any of the other stuff's true.
Muck looks at Blithe and shrugs.
MUCK
What do you think, Albert?
BLITHE
I'll have to take everybody's word for it. 'Cause I didn't see any of it.
WELSH (O.S.)
First platoon! Let's go! Assemble on me! We're moving out!
And the men scramble to their feet. Blithe is slow to get up. Welsh walks by.
WELSH (CONT'D)
That means you, Private Blithe!
30 EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF CARENTAN - DUSK
Close on Blithe as the company moves through a field, toward a hedgerow ahead, in a massive skirmisher line. He's near the far-right edge of the, company, which is at the far-right edge of the line, flanked on the right by a railroad track, beyond which is a flooded field.
Luz, Perconte and Hoobler are nearby.
PERCONTE
How far we going?
LUZ
Until they say, "stop"
HOOBLER
High ground. There's high ground ahead.
PERCONTE
Okay, genius, answer me this: why is it Easy is always either at the front of an advance, or, like now, exposed on the the very far edge of the line?
HOOBLER
You afraid those Nazis gonna row across this field and attack you?
PERCONTE
I'm just saying... we're never in the middle. And yet we're the fifth of nine companies in the regiment. "Able" through "India." Think about it.
And now they're coming upon the hedgerow. Peaking through, they see a small stream a few feet ahead of them, a field, and on the other side of the field another hedgerow. At the bottom of a slope, rising to higher ground.
HOOBLER
You see that? You see that hill? What did I tell you.
And from that higher ground comes GERMAN FIRE
Intense and focused. Aimed right at them. The trees above them CRACKLE with shell bursts. Machine gun bullets slash through the leaves.
WELSH
Get down!!
CHAOS as the men take cover in the hedgerow.
ON BLITHE As he huddles as near to the ground as he can.
BLITHE'S POV
His comrades do the same, taking fire of all types and from all directions at once.
THE OFFICERS
Work_to_spread the men out and deploy -them amid the chaos.
CLOSE ON BLITHE
As he stares toward the enemy lines, immobile. Staying on him, the image begins to DARKEN and the sound of the firefight FADE until we realize we are now
31 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - NIGHT
Still tight on Blithe, still staring out toward the enemy, only it is hours later, now quiet, and black, and he is in a foxhole, which he shares with Johnny Martin.
The moon appears from behind a cloud, lighting up the sky. From the German lines random gunfire and the song Mein Blondes Baby can be heard.
MARTIN
What do suppose they're singin' about?
Blithe grips his rifle tighter. No idea.
WELSH (V.O.)
Catchy tune, ain't it?
Welsh appears from out of the darkness.
MARTIN
Hey, lieutenant, what's the news?
WELSH
Same as it's been since this afternoon. They're in their hedgerow; we're in ours. Now, you gonna let Blithe get some sack time?
MARTIN
You spell me a minute, sir? My back teeth are floatin'.
WELSH
Get back here A-SAP, Martin.
MARTIN
Count on me, sir.
He pulls himself out of the hole and disappears to the rear. Welsh settles down next to Blithe.
WELSH
How you doing, Blithe?
BLITHE
I'm okay, sir.
WELSH
What happened at the Aid Station today?
BLITHE
Doc Roe called it hysterical blindness.
Welsh takes out his canteen, drinks, and offers it to Blithe.
BLITHE (CONT'D)
No thank you, sir.
WELSH
Go on,Blithe.
You know what they said in basic: dehydration is a soldier's worst enemy.
Blithe takes the canteen and drinks. He almost gags at the strong taste of alcohol. Welsh watches him, grins.
WELSH (CONT'D)
It's a game, Blithe, that's all. We're just movin' the ball forward one yard at a time. Nothin' but a game.
BLITHE
Yes, sir. (unsure)
What is, sir?
WELSH
This. This. The whole thing.
Blithe nods but clearly he doesn't see it that way. Welsh has another drink then offers his canteen to Blithe again.
BLITHE
No, thank you, sir.
WELSH
Just a game. That's what I keep telling myself. It's just a game.
WINTERS (OS)
Harry?
Winters appears. Welsh sees him and hops out of the hole. Leaves the canteen with Blithe.
Welsh walks a few steps with Winters, watching him...
WELSH
Not much of a limp
WINTERS
I'll survive.
WELSH
How is it?
WINTERS
Hurts.
WELSH
War is hell.
WINTERS
G2 says the Germans only left a company to defend Carentan. The rest pulled out sometime last night.
WELSH
I knew that town was too easy.
WINTERS
They regrouped south of town, and may have been on their way to counterattack when we ran into them here. Unknown strength.
From across the field they can hear machine pistols being fired, and German voices yelling slogans for their benefit.
We know they want the town back. And we're in the way.
WELSH
We should fix bayonets.
WINTERS
If they don't come before then, we're attacking at first light.
Welsh nods.
WELSH
"Three days and three nights of hard fighting," my homesick ass.
Martin returns as Winters leaves. Sees Welsh fixing his bayonet. His eyes widen.
MEIN BLONDES BABY bleeds over a snoring PRIVATE GEORGE SMITH We are
32 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - NIGHT
Smith is sound asleep in a foxhole. From out of the shadows a figure in a German rain poncho appears. It's Talbert.
(all dialogue is whispered)
TALBERT
Hey, Smith, wake up.
He prods him with his pistol.
TALBERT (CONT'D) Smith! Get up! It's your watch.
Smith's eyes suddenly open. He looks up at Talbert, silhouetted against the sky, and grabs his rifle.
TALBERT (CONT'D) Whoa, Smith! It's me, Talbert!
Smith lunges with his bayonet. A miss.
TALBERT (CONT'D)
Smith! No! Don't!
He keeps lunging, finally striking Talbert in the chest.
LIEBGOTT AND ROD STROHL come running. They grab Smith and pull him away.
LIEBGOTT
Smith, what are you tryin' to do? That's Talbert!
SMITH
I'm -- What? Oh, gosh! Oh, gosh!
Liebgott rips away Talbert's poncho and jump jacket. Blood is everywhere.
TALBERT (loudly)
I'm okay ... Medic! Okay ..
LIEBGOTT
Tab, quiet down. C'mon, Strohl, let's get him back to the aid station.
They pick up the moaning Talbert and haul him away
SMITH
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. He looked like a Kraut! I didn't know it was him. Oh, my God...
.
33 EXT. ANOTHER AREA OF HEDGEROWS - NIGHT
BLITHE & MARTIN
both asleep in a foxhole, are awakened by Talbert's awful moans in the darkness.
MARTIN
What the -- ?
BLITHE
Are they coming?
They listen, clutching their rifles, but the sounds fade. All is quiet.
MARTIN
Sounds like it's coming from Third Platoon. Blithe, go check it out.
Blithe hesitates, finally nods', pulls himself up out of the hole.
34 EXT. HEDGEROW, CARENTAN - NIGHT
MOMENTS LATER
Blithe is moving through the darkness in a fast crouch, not sure where he's going, stopping, listening, hearing some whispered activity, and heading toward it. Stops when he hears A CRICKET
click once: Blithe hurries to find his own cricket, fumbles with it, trying to respond, when he hears:
SPEIRS (O.S.)
Flash.
BLITHE
Thunder! Thunder!
SPEIRS
Appears out of the darkness, tommy gun in hand, eyes blazing.
SPEIRS
Where are you going, Private?
BLITHE
To check out the noise, sir.
SPEIRS
I just came from there. Everything's under control.
BLITHE
Yes, sir.
Speirs heads off in the direction Blithe came from, Blithe follows.
SPEIRS
You got some nervous privates in your company.
BLITHE
We do, sir. I can vouch for that.
Speirs looks him over summarily.
SPEIRS
They don't see how simple it is.
BLITHE
How simple what is, sir?
Speirs stops now, hoping these words will sink in.
SPEIRS
To just do what you have to do.
Blithe nods, not sure how to respond to this. Speirs continues walking, Blithe following.
BLITHE
Like you did on D-day, Sir?
SPEIRS
Like all of us did.
They reach Blithe's hole. Martin is asleep. Blithe slides down in next to him. Looks up at Speirs.
BLITHE
When I landed on D-day, lieutenant, I found myself in a ditch all by myself and I... fell asleep. I think it was those airsickness pills they gave us.
SPEIRS
Uh huh.
BLITHE
But when I woke up, I didn't really... try to find my unit. To fight. I just kind of... stayed put.
SPEIRS
What's your name, trooper?
BLITHE
Blithe, Sir. Albert Blithe.
SPEIRS
You know why you stayed in that ditch, Blithe?
BLITHE
I was scared, sir.
SPEIRS
We're all scared. It's because you still have hope.
BLITHE
You don't, sir?
SPEIRS
Here's the way I see it. There's only one way for me to fight this war, and that's to accept the fact... that I'm already dead.
Blithe, breathless, barely nods.
SPEIRS (CONT'D)
Now get some sleep, private.
And he disappears into the darkness.
35 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAWN
A PINK HAZEpushes away the night in the eastern sky.
SUPER: 13 JUNE, D-Day plus 7
LEO BOYLE tosses out clips of M-1 ammo like they were candy as Welsh preps 1st Platoon for the attack.
WELSH
We don't know what they've got. We may be attacking a weaker force, possibly more paratroopers -
HOOBLER
And you know how they can be!
WELSH
Fire and maneuver. That's the name of the game, fire and maneuver. Dog and Fox companies will be on our left flank, moving with us. Any questions?
(none)
Let's make `em holler.
PERCONTE looks at the dozen watches on his wrist.
PERCONTE
It's 9:30 in the evening in Chicago. Must be nice.
WINTERS looks at his watch.
CU - The second hand sweeps across the twelve. It's 0530. Winters signals for the company to MOVE OUT.
BOOM! an 88 round smashes into a tree, sending red hot shrapnel in every direction. Immediately a violent barrage of artillery and small arms fire erupts the top of the hill across from them. Everyone dives for cover.
WINTERS rushes up and down the lines.
WINTERS
Fire! Return fire!
And the men begin to shoot back in the general direction of the German lines.
BLITHE scrambles for cover. He clutches his rifle to his chest and sinks further into the dirt.
GORDON grabs his machine gun, sets it over the top of a gate and begins to spray the opposite hedgerow.
36 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAY
STRAYER AND NIXON
occupy the top of a small hill, the battalion CP.
STRAYER
Give the order! Commence fire!
Nixon rolls away and crawls toward four 81mm mortar teams he set up on the hill.
NIXON
Let 'em have it!
The mortar crews go into action.
37 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAY
EASY COMPANY
returns fire with everything they've got.
EMPTY M-1 CLIPS
begin to fall at the men's feet.
A YOUNG SAPLING
green and leafy, just above Blithe, is caught in the storm. The volume and intensity of fire coming from both sides begins to tear off leaves, bark and branches.
BLITHE
frozen, pounds on the butt of his rifle in anger.
On the hillside, out of the smoke, behind and above the German hedgerow, appears the menacing shape of Tiger Tanks. They cross the skyline and slither down the slope, their machine guns and 88's firing through the vegetation on the Americans.
WELSH
sees this.
WELSH
where'd they come from?!
38 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAY
NIXON
has his binoculars out and is studying the same line of tanks.
NIXON
Looks like... SS Panzer Grenadiers. Jesus, could be a whole division.
STRAYER
We're light infantry, for cripsake!
Looking at the American lines, Nixon sees the left side of the lines crumble as men start to retreat from the trees.
NIXON
F Company's breaking.
STRAYER
What?
NIXON
So 's Dog.
STRAYER
Who gave that order! Goddamn it, Easy better hold position!
NIXON
So far they are, but now their flank's exposed.
Strayer leaps up and races down the hill.
39 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - CONTINUOUS - DAY
German troops pour down the hill with the tanks, as the
LEAD GERMAN TANK
seeks an opening in the hedgerow to slip through.
LEO BOYLE
tries to escape a burst of machine gun fire from the lead tank. Not quick enough, he takes a bullet through the leg.
ONE TROOPER
gets SEVERAL FINGERS shot off. CRIES of MEDIC UP! ring out.
WINTERS
moves up and down Easy's line, yelling over the din, encouraging, cajoling, pleading...
WINTERS
Keep your heads down ... Raise up, fire ... Don't slack off ... Keep firing ... KEEP FIRING!!
TREEBURSTS
rain shrapnel over the American lines. Rifle and machine gun fire tear up the ground. Smoke and dust fill the air.
BLITHE
is immobile, lost.
A HAND
comes into frame and rests on his shoulder.
SPEIRS (V.O.) (calmly)
You're gonna be okay, Blithe.
(we never see Speirs himself, just a hand, in fact, we're never really sure Speirs is there at all)
SPEIRS (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Just stand up, and fire your weapon.
And Blithe, slowly, stands up. The shells whiz past. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! He empties a clip. It falls to his feet.
SPEIRS (V.O.) (CONT'D) That's it. Keep it up.
Blithe reloads, empties another clip. Finally notices
WINTERS
there beside him, rifle in hand.
BLITHE
fires away. The crack of his rifle and the sound of Winters' voice quickly lose themselves in the cacophony of battle, a sound so intense and overpowering that it becomes a solid wall of noise.
GORDON
sprays the fields and hedgerows with the machine gun. Shiny brass casings spill into the green grass.
MALARKEY
works his 60mm mortar as muck feeds the tube.
40 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAY
THE MORTAR TEAMS ON THE HILL continue to fire. The paint on four big mortar tubes is beginning to smoke and melt.
41 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES
WINTERS, WELSH AND COMPTON
move up and down the lines, appearing and disappearing in the smoke and dust.
EMPTY M-1 CLIPS
begin to pile up at the Blithe's feet as he rises up and fires, reloads, and fires again.
THE YOUNG SAPLING ABOVE HIM
loses more leaves and branches as the intensity of the fire increases. They flutter to the ground softly.
A TROOPER
staggers out of the smoke toward Winters and Welsh. He's been shot through the Adam's apple, his wind-pipe fluttering with every breath. Eyes wide, he makes a horrible noise and runs off.
GORDON
is blown off his feet by a mortar round. STROHL
is peppered by the same round. CLEVELAND PETTY
throws a grenade and takes a bullet in the shoulder. SKINNY SISK
is hit. HOOBLER is taken down by a piece of shrapnel.
42 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAY
THE MORTAR TEAMS ON THE HILL
drop their last rounds down their smoking mortar tube.
BATTALION MORTAR MAN
Ammo up! I'm out!
NIXON
watches through binoculars as D Company's position is overrun.
NIXON
Shit!
43 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAY
THE LEAD GERMAN TANK
suddenly noses through a gap in the hedgerow across from and to the left of Easy and their now-exposed flank.
WELSH
grabs McGrath, the 1st Platoon bazooka man.
WELSH
McGrath! Let's go!!
They start across the open field in front of the tank. It roars forward, starting its climb over the hedgerow embankment, as they position themselves for a shot.
MCGRATH
You're gonna get me killed, sir!
Welsh loads a round and taps McGrath on the helmet: McGrath fires, WHOOSH!, but the round glances off the tank's armor.
The turret swings toward them.
MCGRATH (CONT'D)
You're gonna get me killed, Lieutenant! I just know it:
Welsh's hands shake as he picks up another round, pulls the pin and reloads the bazooka.
WELSH
Don't fire till I tell you!
Unable to depress the barrel low enough because of its angle on the hedgerow, the tank fires and the shell screams over their heads.
MCGRATH
I knew it! I knew you were gonna get me killed!
WELSH
Hold your fire, McGrath!
The tank climbs higher up the embankment and, as it reaches the apex of its climb, exposes its vulnerable underbelly.
WELSH (CONT'D)
Now! Fire, McGrath! Fire!
McGrath fires, WHOOSH!
THE GERMAN TANK
takes a direct hit. It shakes, blows dust, and stops moving, stuck in place.
THE TANKS
behind it grind to a halt, blocked from advancing further. They begin to move around, seeking defillade, and another way into the battlefield. One takes a hit. WELSH sees this and looks toward the left to see a U.S. SHERMAN TANK firing into the German lines.
44 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAY
NIXON
swings his binoculars around.
NIXON
Well, hello, 2nd Armored!!
45 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAY
WINTERS
sees the tanks as well -- a welcome sight.
WINTERS
LET'S G0, MEN!! KEEP FIRING!! KEEP FIRING!! POUR IT ON!!
GORDON though bleeding from the calf and shoulder, lays down a ragged stream of fire.
HOOBLER
also wounded, lets out a Yankee version of a Rebel Yell and blazes away.
RANDLEMAN
runs for a jeep parked nearby. A bullet strikes the pack on his back and knocks him to his knees. He gets up, peels off his pack, and jumps on the jeep, swinging the .50 caliber machine gun around and opening up.
BLITHE
firing, reloading, firing: then from out of the smoke, he sees a single FALLSCHIRMJAGER behind a thinning section of hedgerow some 200 yards away.
Blithe takes careful aim ... and pulls the trigger. The man goes down in a tangle of arms and legs.
STRAYER
leads the remaining troops of D and F Companies back into a line along Easy' flank. The tide of battle has turned.
WINTERS AND WELSH
turn to see the Shermans tear the hedgerows up with their machine guns and cannons. Welsh grins from ear to ear.
WELSH
Oh, you beautiful babies, you!!
FRESH TROOPS
from the 29th Division follow behind the Shermans.
EASY COMPANY
slacks their fire as the Shermans open up in earnest. EMPTY M-1 CLIPS
fill the bottom of Blithe's foxhole. He slides down onto his haunches, completely drained.
THE YOUNG SAPLING ABOVE HIM
is now totally denuded of leaves, branches and bark. But somehow it remains standing.
TRANSITION TO:
46 EXT. EASY COMPANY LINES - DAY
IN BLITHE'S HOLE, A FRESH-FACED GI
pokes his head in.
GI
Hey, buddy, you okay?
Blithe looks up, his eyes focusing on the face looming above him. He climbs out of the hole.
The GI, shiny clean, looks over the pile of empty clips.
GI (CONT'D)
Looks like you fellas had yourselves a heck of a fight.
Blithe looks to where the German went down. Without a word he takes off across the field.
THE DISABLED TIGER TANK
smolders in the hedgerow.
BLITHE
hunts for his German nearby. He looks back toward his foxhole, making sure the alignment is right, and continues until he sees
BLOOD
a small pool in the dirt and then more leading away into a stand of trees. Excited, he follows it.
MORE BLOOD
is smeared on the grass and leaves. And then
A BLOODY FIELD DRESSING
lies on the ground. It's stained a dark red.
Blithe kicks it and lifts his rifle. He moves cautiously through the trees one careful step at a time.
A DEAD FALLSCHIRMJAGER
lies on his side, motionless, hand on his wounded gut.
BLITHE
stands over him. Pale dead eyes stare at Blithe's boots.
A SPRIG OF EDELWEISS
is pinned to the man's jacket.
Blithe reaches down and removes it. Carefully, he pins it to his own jacket.
47 EXT. BATTLE-SCARRED HOTEL - CARENTAN - NIGHT
AN AMERICAN FLAG hangs over the doorway, which is labelled "OFFICER'S BILLET."
On the front steps Welsh is fast asleep, his right elbow rests on one knee, a Zippo lighter cocked in his hand. A cigarette dangles from his lips.
Winters limps up, dirty and unwashed.
WINTERS
Harry...
Welsh doesn't move a muscle, doesn't even open his eyes.
WELSH
How's the leg?
WINTERS
Stiff. Sore. They want me to take it easy for a few days.
WELSH
Uh-huh...
WINTERS
Somebody else should probably run the company while I do.
WELSH
Oughta be an easy job. I imagine we're off the line for a while. Probably getting on a boat soon.
He finally opens one eye, looks up at Winters.
WELSH (CONT'D)
That's what the Colonel said, right?
WINTERS
Next few days should be quiet. Beyond that...
Welsh closes the eye. He might have predicted as much.
WINTERS (CONT'D)
He appreciates Easy holding the line, yesterday
WELSH
Somebody had to.
WINTERS
Said General Taylor was pleased, too.
WELSH
In that case, I volunteer. Put me in charge.
Winters grins.
48 EXT. HEDGEROW - ANOTHER FIELD SOUTH OF CARENTAN - DAY
It provides inadequate shelter from the pouring rain to a tired bunch of Easy Company troopers.
NIXON AND WELSH
use binoculars to glass the fields through a break in the vegetation.
WELSH
Who you wanna send?
NIXON
Ask for volunteers.
WELSH
I hate asking for volunteers.
NIXON
Then pick 'em.
Welsh gives him a dirty look and calls out.
WELSH
Need a patrol for a look/see on a farm house. Who wants to go?
Not a man moves. Except for Blithe. He stands up.
BLITHE
I'll go.
WELSH
Anybody else?
(no)
Martin, Dukeman. You just volunteered. Hubba-hubba!
BLITHE
I'll be lead scout.
WELSH
Blithe's lead scout.
49 EXT. FIELD, CARENTAN - DAY
WILD FLOWERS
are crushed under a a pair of Corcorans as
BLITHE
works his way cautiously across a field. Fifty yards behind him are Dukeman and Martin.
50 EXT. HEDGEROW - DAY
NIXON AND WELSH
behind the hedgerow, stare through binoculars.
NIXON
See `em?
WELSH
Naw. You?
NIXON
No.
Welsh leans against the hedgerow's earthen base. He pulls out a canvas-wrapped bundle, his reserve chute, which he uses as a pillow to sit on.
NIXON (CONT'D)
Exactly what is it you're doing with your reserve chute, Harry? You been carrying
that darn thing around ever since we jumped.
WELSH
Gonna send it to Kitty when we get back to England. It's silk. Figure it'll make a good wedding dress, you know, what with rationing and all.
NIXON (a grin)
Geez, Welsh, I never would've guessed.
WELSH
What? That I'm so sentimental?
NIXON
No, that you think we're ever gonna get back to England.
51 EXT. FIELD, CARENTAN - DAY
A FRENCH FARM HOUSE
sits behind a stone wall on the edge of the field.
BLITHE
approaches, cautious but with his wits about him. The house looks harmless. He hesitates, moves forward.
BAM! a shot rings out. Blithe goes down, hit in the neck. As the blood pumps out of him he stares up at the white clouds floating peacefully across the blue Normandy sky
52 EXT. HEDGEROW - DAY
WELSH AND NIXON
look at each other with dread.
WELSH
Here we go again.
They glass the fields, see the patrol hightailing it back, Dukeman and Martin dragging Blithe between them.
WELSH (CONT'D)
Covering fire!
TROOPERS
along the hedgerow open up with rifles and machine guns.
DUKEMAN AND MARTIN
burst through a gap in the hedgerow and collapse in the mud.
WELSH (CONT'D)
Cease fire! Cease fire!
The firing stops as Martin presses a battle dressing to Blithe's head. Blood is everywhere.
MARTIN
Medic! Get a medic up here!
WELSH
Medic up!
The call goes out. Welsh helps Martin with Blithe. Dukeman lies in the mud trying to catch his breath.
WINTERS (hobbling) AND ROE come running.
WINTERS
What happened?
NIXON
Sniper.
They watch Roe work desperately to stop the bleeding. He presses battle dressings across the wounded man's face. They turn a bright but soggy red.
WINTERS
Who is it?
WELSH
Blithe.
Winters takes a deep breath and wipes the rain from his face.
NIXON
Any news from regiment?
WINTERS
Yeah. We're going back to England.
Nobody says a word. Welsh pulls out a cigarette, but his Zippo won't light in the rain. He finally gives up.
53 EXT. FIELD HOSPITAL TENT, CARENTAN - DAY
in a sea of mud, a big red cross on its side.
A GI
exits the tent with his arms full of bloody uniforms. He passes a mountain of GI boots (Corcorans included) and dumps the uniforms in a growing pile. As he returns to the tent we move in on
A SPRIG OF EDELWEISS
pinned to a bloody jump jacket along with the Screaming Eagle patch on the left shoulder.
OFFICER {V-O.)
... in grateful acknowledgement of the blood shed in the service of your country
TRANSITION TO:
54 EXT. 91ST GENERAL HOSPITAL, OXFORD - DAY
A DREARY SPRAWL OF BUILDINGS
SUPER: 91ST GENERAL HOSPITAL, OXFORD, ENGLAND55 INT. 91ST GENERAL HOSPITAL, OXFORD - DAY
A SMILING OFFICER
holding a Purple Heart.
OFFICER
... it is my honor to present you with the order of the Purple Heart.
He pins it to the pillow of
WALTER GORDON
who smiles weakly, lowering his eyes with humble solemnity. A cast runs the length of his left leg.
GORDON
Thank you, sir.
An ARMY PHOTOGRAPHER snaps a picture. DOCTORS and NURSES grin. Then it's back to work. They quickly disperse.
COBB (O.S.) ..
How many's that make?
PVT. ROY COBB
lies flat on his stomach in the next bed.
COBB (CONT'D)
Two? Three?
Gordon quickly unpins his medal and tucks it into its case, putting it with the TWO OTHERS under his pillow.
COBB (CONT'D)
You have no shame.
Gordon smiles.
GORDON
I've got one hole in my shoulder. A second in my calf. And then there's the boil on my shin that had to be lanced...
Gordon hides the purple hearts as an ORDERLY wheels an unconscious and heavily bandaged patient into the space next to him. It's Albert Blithe. Gordon turns somber.
COBB
Who's that? He don't look so good.
56 EXT. ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE, ROAD - DAY
A GI motorcycle tearing down it. Alton more drives while Don malarkey sits in the sidecar beside him, beer bottle in hand.
SUPER: 13 JULY, D-Day plus 37, SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND
More swerves to miss a British lorry coming the other way. Malarkey laughs uproariously. God, it's good to be alive.
57 EXT. LOVELY BRICK HOUSE, ALDBOURNE - DAY
serves as the officer's billet for Easy Company.
WINTERS (V.O.)
Dear Mrs. Blithe: As your son's commanding officer I wanted to write and let you know that, although seriously wounded, he is receiving the best medical care the Army can provide
58 INT. WINTERS' ROOM, ALDBOURNE - CONTINUOUS
Richard Winters sits at a desk (bad leg on a pillow) writing letters. On his collar are a pair of captain's bars.
A KNOCK.
Winters looks up to see PRIVATE DAVID WEBSTER standing in the doorway, at attention.
WEBSTER
Private Webster reporting, sir.
WINTERS
Something wrong with Regimental HQ Company, Webster?
WEBSTER
I joined the paratroops to fight, sir.
Winters studies him silently, then fingers the stack of letters on his desk, a good fifty.
WINTERS
Easy went into Normandy with 139 men. Five weeks later, we're down to 74.
WEBSTER
Yes, sir.
WINTERS
We're going to have a lot of new guys coming in, with no idea of what they're facing.
WEBSTER
I'd still like to transfer, sir.
Winters turns back to his letter writing.
WINTERS
Put in the paperwork. I'll see to it you're reassigned to us.
Webster salutes and heads for the door.
WINTERS
Webster?
WEBSTER
Sir?
WINTERS
You were a machine gunner, weren't you?
WEBSTER
Assistant machine gunner, sir.
WINTERS
Good. I've got a little job for you.
59 EXT. MUDDY FIELD, ALDBOURNE - DAY
Christenson and Webster, sitting in the field, full-load a light machine gun.
CHRISTENSON
One of these dumb-ass replacements gets hurt and they'll rip those captain's bars right off his collar.
WINTERS
addresses a group of 30 REPLACEMENTS.
WINTERS
We found in Normandy that the key to a successful assault on an enemy posi-tion is to lay down a good, steady base of fire and then advance right under it.
EARL HALE, BABE HEFFRON, LEO HASHEY AND TONY GARCIA
replacements all, exchange nervous looks.
HEFFRON ( sotto )
Did he say under it?
BILL GUARNERE AND JOHNNY MARTIN
new tattoos decorating their forearms and new stripes on their sleeves, stand to one side and watch the fun.
WINTERS
Just remember to keep your heads down and keep moving.
LIEUTENANT THOMAS PEACOCK
a replacement officer, steps forward.
PEACOCK
Sir, does this mean officers, too?
WINTERS
Especially officers.
REPLACEMENT OFFICERS ED SHAMES AND BOB BREWER
don't look happy at the prospect.
WINTERS (CONT'D)
Christenson!
CHRISTENSON
Sir!
WINTERS
Covering fire!
Christenson and Webster open up -- with LIVE FIRE -- on a pile of sandbags set up at the other end of the field.
WINTERS (CONT'D)
All right, first group, let's move out!
And he leads the nervous troopers across the field. CHRISTENSON
can't help but grin as he fires. GUARNERE AND MARTIN
laugh as they watch the new guys scramble through the mud.
TRANSITION TO
60 EXT. MUDDY FIELD - LATER - DAY
Hale, Heffron, Hashey and Garcia are covered in mud from head to toe. They trudge across the field, their weapons slung over their shoulders, dog tired.
GUARNERE
watches them file past.
GUARNERE
Hey, you!
He tags Heffron, who eyes him apprehensively.
GUARNERE (CONT'D)
Where you from?
HEFFRON
Who's askin'?
GUARNERE
You from Philadelphia?
HEFFRON
South Philly, yeah.
GUARNERE
I knew it! I could tell by the way you walk!
(proudly) Winton Street!
Heffron smiles. A comrade.
HEFFRON
Mifflin Sreet.
GUARNERE
Hey, you know Johnny Waylon? Called him Tar Head. Used to live over around Mifflin Street.
And they walk off to the trucks together.
GORDON (V.O.)
"The Night Of The Bayonet ..."
61 INT. EASY MESS HALL (BARN/STABLE), ALDBOURNE - NIGHT
On A SEA OF LAUGHING FACES -- the enlisted men of Easy Company. These include many of the-wounded (BOYLE, COBB, HOOBLER, LIPTON, RANDLEMAN, SISK AND Max Frye). They listen eagerly to
GORDON (on crutches)
recite a poem of his own composition.
GORDON
The night was filled with dark and cold,
When Sergeant Talbert, the story's told,
Pulled on his poncho and headed out,
To check the lines dressed like a Kraut.
FLOYD TALBERT
just back from the hospital, flushes bright red while the men hoot and holler and pound the tables.
GORDON (CONT'D)
Upon a trooper our hero came,
Fast asleep, he called his name.
Smith! 0 Smith! Get up! It's time,
To take your turn out on the line.
But Private Smith, so very weary,
Cracked an eye, all red and bleary,
Grabbed his rifle, he did not tarry,
Hearing Floyd but seeing Jerry.
IT'S ME! cried Tab, DON'T DO IT!, and yet,
Smith charged, toot sweet, with bayonet.
He lunged, he thrust, both high and low,
And skewered the boy from Kokomo.
And as they carried Floyd away,
Our punctured hero was heard to say,
when in this war you venture out,
Best never do it dressed as a Kraut!
Pandemonium.
Gordon pins a spare purple heart onto Talbert.
TALBERT
I could have shot the little prick a dozen times, but I didn't think we could spare a man!!
HALE, HASHEY, HEFFRON AND GARCIA
segregated with the other replacements at their own table, smile selfconsciously while the veterans roar with laughter.
LEWIS NIXON
grim-faced, makes his way through the crowd unnoticed until
A VOICE
Ten-hutt!
Everybody snaps to as Nixon turns to address them.
NIXON
At ease!
(they relax)
Men, I have a couple of announcements to make. First: the training exercise scheduled for 2200 has been cancelled.
WILD CHEERS. Nixon holds up a hand.
NIXON (CONT'D)
Secondly: all passes are hereby revoked. Pack your gear, all of it, as we won't be coming back to England. ..Anybody who hasn't made out a will can find the forms in the supply office. Trucks will depart for Membury at 0700.
STUNNED SILENCE as he starts for the door
A VOICE
Ten-hutt!
Everybody snaps to, but as soon as he's gone shoulders slump. The air has gone out of the balloon. They're jumping again.
62 EXT. EASY COMPANY STABLE BILLET - DAWN
The place is buzzing. Men and equipment are everywhere and everything is moving at double time.
MORE and MALARKEY
dead drunk, pull up out front on their motorcycle. They dismount and wobble
63 INT. EASY COMPANY STABLE BILLET - DAWN
INSIDE
The place has been turned upside down. There's gear everywhere. More and Malarkey look at each other, confused.
MALARKEY
Hey, fellas! What's goin' on?
64 INT. VILLAGE.LAUNDRY - DAY
A BELL TINKLES and MRS. EMMA LAMB, a harried English woman in her thirties, glides across her tiny home laundry. TWO SMALL KIDS are helping her with sorting and pressing.
MALARKEY
painfully hungover, is standing out front. He smiles politely when the door opens and removes his hat.
MALARKEY
Morning, Mrs. Lamb. I'm sorry to bother you so early -
MRS. LAMB
Oh, Private Malarkey. Come in.
65 INT. VILLAGE LAUNDRY - DAY
MALARKEY
It's Sergeant Malarkey now, ma'am. Just got promoted.
MRS. LAMB
Lovely. I imagine you'll be wanting your laundry. I heard the trucks rumbling by all night. Figured the Yanks must be on their way off again.
MALARKEY
Looks like for good this time.
She goes behind the counter and pulls out a package wrapped in brown paper and string. Scrawled across it is the name MALARKEY.
MRS. LAMB
Sorry to hear that. Here you are, two shirts, two pairs of trousers. Light starch. That's two bob, tuppence.
Malarkey holds out a handful of change. Mrs. Lamb picks out the correct amount.
MR. LAMB
Would you like a cup of tea? I've got the water boiling.
MALARKEY
No thank you. I'm in a hel - I mean - a bit of a hurry. But thank you anyway.
He starts for the door.
MRS. LAMB
Private?
MALARKEY (turning)
Ma'am?
The old lady pulls out another brown paper package and places it on the counter.
MRS. LAMB
Lt. Meehan is one of yours, isn't he? I hope he hasn't forgotten his laundry.
Malarkey looks at the brown paper package and the name MEEHAN scribbled on it. He swallows.
MALARKEY
I'll take it.
He puts some coins down and picks up Meehan's laundry.
MRS. LAMB
And the others?
She smiles and, one after another, places brown paper packages on the counter.
Malarkey looks at the names: EVANS, ROBERT, MURRAY, OWEN, RIGGS, WENTZEL, WIMER, COLLINS, MOYA,_MILLE_R, SNIDER, MCGONIGAL, OATS, TELSTAD, ELLIOT, WARREN ...
and finally ... BLITHE.
TRANSITION TO:
66 EXT. WHITE CLOUDS - DAY
float peacefully across a blue Normandy sky.
SUPER: Private Albert Blithe of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was shipped.to an Army hospital in the United States later that summer. Never fully recovering from the wounds he received in Normandy, he died in 1948.