Out of the way! Clear the way!
Move! Move!
That was a full bottle, Herr Leutnant.
Yes.
- You've just met Willi von Klugermann. - Yes.
- I see you've heard of him. - Oh, yes, I have.
- You must be... - He's tearing the wings off.
Let him celebrate, Ziegel. He shoots them down.
Your job is to keep him up there.
You must be the new replacement, Stachel.
Bruno Stachel, Herr Oberleutnant. Are you the adjutant?
I fly a desk now.
Anti-aircraft fire.
Still, it could have got me higher up, couldn't it?
Yes.
Wait here. I'll tell the CO, you've arrived.
And if I were you, I'd button up that jacket.
Ziegel, how soon can you have us ready again?
Depends on how many of the others have been hit.
I wasn't the only one.
I can't keep these barges flying for ever. I'm not a magician.
No, Ziegel, you are a magician whether you like it or not.
- Only 11 back, Herr Hauptmann. - Yes. Mueller went down.
He didn't last long.
Fabian, how did we come to lose him?
I gave him the usual instructions, Herr Hauptmann, but he wouldn't stay with me.
Too, uh, too keen.
Oh, by the way, Scholte's replacement's here.
Leutnant Bruno Stachel reporting from 104 training school.
Your commanding officer, Hauptmann Heidemann.
Ah, yes. Stachel. Come inside.
Herr Hauptmann.
- Stachel? - Yes, sir.
Two years in the infantry. Any rank?
Corporal, Herr Hauptmann.
What made you transfer to the air corps?
To fly, Herr Hauptmann.
Are you a good flier?
I'm... comfortable in the air.
Comfortable. Are you? Interesting.
Willi!
Willi?
Very pretty flying.
I wish you would stop it. You'll live longer.
Sorry about that.
I see you are from Wiesbaden.
I've done some hunting round there.
- Who are your people? - Herr Hauptmann?
I want to know something of your background. What does your father do?
He works in a small hotel, Herr Hauptmann.
Five bedrooms.
Corporal, see the new officer's bags are taken to the mess.
Herr Hauptmann.
Come into my office, Stachel.
Close the door, please.
I'm sorry if it bothers you about what your father does.
It doesn't bother me, Herr Hauptmann.
Then why are you so touchy about it?
Well, you're an officer now.
Your social problems are no concern of ours.
Take a look at the map, Stachel.
Our operating area is between Arras and St. Quentin.
The British also operate the area...
as you'll find out.
What did you train on?
The usual machine, Herr Hauptmann. An out of date Pfalz.
That's what you'll fly here, too.
- But at flying school they told us... - Flying school.
At flying school they'll tell you anything.
Up to date machines go to experienced pilots.
Both are in short supply.
- It's a cruel worid, Stachel. - Yes, Herr Hauptmann.
Welcome to the squadron. The truck will take you to the mess with the others.
And Stachel?
Let's hope you get to like us.
He could have been lying about the five bedrooms.
- His father was probably only a waiter. - Just another snob, in fact.
Willi, there's something I haven't told you. I have an uncle in the hotel business.
I admit he's a Baron, and the hotel has 500 bedrooms,
but you do see the position it places me in.
¶ There was a town in Poland ¶
¶ And there a girl we found ¶
¶ Lovely... ¶
- Want a cigarette? - Thank you.
¶ She was the loveliest maid that ever we beheld ¶
¶ But "Do not kiss me, please" she said ¶
¶ "I never kiss" ¶
You've got 18, haven't you?
Squadron rule number one, Stachel.
Gentlemen never parade their military achievements.
Any rule against saying how long it took you?
I would say that was covered by the same rule, wouldn't you?
No, I wouldn't. How many rules are there?
I don't know. None of them have been written down.
¶ She was the haughtiest maid that ever we beheld ¶
¶ But "Do not kiss me, please" she said ¶
¶ "I never kiss" ¶
¶ She was the haughtiest maid that ever we beheld ¶
¶ But "Do not kiss me, please" she said ¶
¶ "I never kiss" ¶
It seems you're next to me in Scholte's old room. Number 11.
Scholte?
Your predecessor. He didn't last long, unfortunately. An unhappy young man.
Yes, he forgot to keep looking over his shoulder. Worth remembering.
They come fast, out of the sun.
Thank you.
Willi, what do you think of him?
Gonna have a drink?
Oh.
They haven't removed poor Scholte's card. How very tactless of them.
I just thought you should know we don't dress for dinner here.
Von Richthofen, I see. Your hero?
He's done it all. Two more kills, you'll have one of those.
Mm.
A pretty medal, the Blue Max.
It's the only one worth having. People respect it.
The medal or the man?
The usual routine, Fabian. You know what they're like the first time in combat.
- Of course. - Keep your eye on him.
Here, isn't it nice to hear the birds again, Herr Hauptmann?
Listen to that.
They won't be here long.
When our offensive starts...
- Good luck, Fabian. - Herr Hauptmann.
What is it?
Stachel, fly on Fabian's left and a little behind him.
- Watch for his signals. - Yes, Herr Hauptmann.
And relax. Get the balloon and come straight back.
You'll find balloons burn beautifully.
Switches on.
Is that Army Observation? Adjutant, squadron 11, here.
One of our pilots claims an SE 5 shot down in sector five.
- Yes. - Can you confirm, please?
Yes. About 0700 hours.
- Perhaps Fabian made a forced landing. - I don't know.
Yes? Sector five, on our side of the line.
You did? Fine.
Go on.
In midair?
- Did yours explode? - No.
Yes. We do have a pilot missing.
- That'll be him, I'm afraid. - Ask him.
Thanks. Goodbye.
- But... - Only Fabian. He never got out. No SE 5.
But somebody must have seen my SE 5 go down.
Not necessarily.
It often happens.
No confirmation, no claim. That's a squadron rule.
But I saw it. It was a kill.
Then you have the deep satisfaction of knowing you have served the fatherland.
It went down here, our side of the line. Why couldn't the army look for it?
- They have other things to do. - Somebody must have seen it.
Fabian might have seen it.
Corporal Rupp? We're gonna search sector five. Get your motorcycle.
- But... - Be in the mess in five minutes.
Herr Leutnant.
- Back to the mess, Herr Leutnant? - No, I'm gonna search that wood over there.
- You already have, Herr Leutnant. - What?
You searched that one an hour ago.
Well, we're gonna search it again.
What's the matter, Rupp? Too close to the guns for you?
- Thank you, Corporal. - It's been a pleasure, Herr Leutnant.
You have finished your wild goose chase, I hope.
- Yes, Herr Hauptmann. - Found nothing, huh?
No.
If every pilot were to go careering around France looking for unconfirmed aircraft,
there'd be no air force left.
And Corporal Rupp has more important things to do.
- Do you understand? - Yes, Herr Hauptmann.
"Unconfirmed by army" means "unconfirmed", and that's final.
Good night, Stachel.
Stachel!
Come and join us.
- Brandy, please. - Champagne, Herr Leutnant.
Willi got his 20th kill today. He's being awarded the Blue Max.
Uh-huh.
I see you've had a hard day.
No one's ever done that before about an unconfirmed kill.
Quite novel. You must be in a hurry.
- To your Blue Max. - Blue Max.
I don't suppose you've had an unconfirmed kill.
Oh, but I have. I've had, uh... three.
Then you've shot down 23?
No. 20.
By the way, Stachel, there's an impression around that
you care more about your unconfirmed kill than you do about Fabian's death.
Perhaps it's force of habit.
In the trenches we couldn't even bury the dead.
There were too many of them.
I've never had the time to discuss them over a glass of champagne.
Well, never mind, Stachel.
To your unconfirmed victory.
Next time you must have witnesses.
Witnesses.
Good evening, gentlemen. Pairings for next week's sorties.
- Let's have them. - I'll fly with Becker.
Heller and Braun.
- Von Klinger and I will do the ground strafe. - Gruber and I will fly together.
Good. Who'll fly with Stachel?
I'll fly with Stachel.
He's... he's bringing her in.
This one is dead, Herr Leutnant.
- Easy, easy. - Bring a stretcher! Quick! Quick!
What happened, Stachel?
The observer. He was going to open fire.
Then we are to assume he was either very brave... or very foolish.
Confirmed.
It's a cruel worid, Herr Hauptmann. You said so yourself.
Bearers, halt!
Willi.
I've read your report, Willi. What really happened?
As I said, Otto, the observer made a move for his gun, so Stachel shot him down.
You wish to stand by your comrade. I appreciate that.
What I reported is what I saw.
We are German officers. We'll fight with chivalry.
- You know that as well as I do. - Of course.
The observer was blinded. Did you know that?
No. It could have happened when Stachel opened fire over the field.
- But did it? - I don't know.
But you do know how Stachel behaved when his first claim was disallowed.
If he's shot down a helpless enemy in cold blood,
it's something I won't tolerate in my squadron.
All right, Otto. I agree. There is some measure of doubt.
But I have no reason to change my report.
All right, Willi.
The incident is closed. Officially, anyway.
Is everyone here?
All except Leutnant Stachel, Herr Hauptmann.
Someone inform him this is a parade.
He is ordered to attend.
We are about to honour your dead.
So I see.
Well... aren't you coming?
It's an order.
Why?
Because our commanding officer has made it one.
He believes in chivalry, Stachel.
Chivalry?
To kill a man, then make a ritual out of saluting him?
It's hypocrisy.
If they kill me, I don't want anyone to salute.
They probably won't.
All right.
Let's get it over with, shall we?
Stachel.
Thank you.
You know, there's something of the cobra in you.
I'll have to watch you.
Leutnant von Klugermann.
Parade, stand at ease!
I assume you've talked to the other pilots about this.
Yes, I am making a thorough inquiry into the whole incident.
Good. When the opportunity arises, point the man out to me.
Yes, Herr General.
- Ah, Otto. - The squadron is drawn up, Herr General.
We were discussing the pilot who brought this in.
Air Headquarters are quite excited about it. What's the man's name again?
- Leutnant Stachel, Herr General. - Mm-hm.
Is he a good flier?
Yes. Yes, he is.
Glad to hear it. Well, we mustn't keep my nephew waiting any longer,
not to mention my wife.
Parade, left turn!
Sorry to have been so long. Were you bored?
With all these men around?
Look beautiful for them, Kaeti.
Look at Willi.
Doesn't he look splendid? The Blue Max will go so well with his eyes.
Yes, he is rather vain. He'll probably wear it in bed for the first few days.
How uncomfortable for the girl.
- Excuse me, Herr General. - Yes?
The second one on the left. Front row. That's Stachel.
Right.
"To Leutnant Wilhelm von Klugermann,"
"for bravery of the highest order in action against the enemies of the German empire,"
"and for exceptional services to the fatherland"
"in that he has destroyed single handed 20 enemy aircraft,"
"the Order Pour le Mérite by Imperial decree,"
"Wilhelm, Emperor."
I'm afraid it's rather a small medal, really.
But it's the highest Germany can give.
Thank you, Uncle.
Otto, this pilot of yours, Stachel.
Humble origin, risen from the ranks, et cetera, et cetera...
- Two years' frontline service, huh? - Yes, that's right.
To deliver the final blow over your own airfield, on the doorstep, so to speak...
- That was splendid, wasn't it? - Splendid?
Otto, if this young man lives long enough,
he could be very useful to our propaganda department.
The common people of our country are war weary, restive.
They need to be provided with a hero of their own.
Von Richthofen, Willi, are of our class.
This fellow Stachel is common as dirt. He's one of them. You understand?
Yes, I understand.
But I don't agree with killing helpless men.
Otto, this is 1918. Things have changed.
Unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians, poison gas.
Ask your wife, she's a nurse. Ask Elfi about the mustard gas casualties.
So, you approve of this kind of ruthlessness?
We fight to win, Otto.
Yes, of course.
Excuse me, Herr General.
Herr General.
May I present Leutnant Stachel?
I saw the plane which you brought in.
Very... interesting exploit.
It proves that our young men still have vitality, courage
and the will to win at all costs.
Yes, Herr General. Thank you.
I'm sure we'll hear a lot more of you.
Kaeti, you haven't met our Leutnant Stachel.
Stachel, may I introduce the Countess von Klugermann?
My aunt... by marriage.
You appear to have caught my uncle's interest.
Interest from high places is always welcome.
May I get you a drink, Countess?
All right. Champagne.
Champagne.
Pink champagne!
- Pink champagne? - Yes.
Yes, Countess.
May I have two glasses of pink champagne, please?
That champagne is getting warm, Stachel.
Not yet.
Silence, please! Silence, please!
Silence!
Gentlemen...
in a few hours
the horizon will be lit up by the flashes of 7,000 guns, our guns.
They will herald the greatest offensive in history.
Our defeat of Russia has released a million men for the Western Front.
I need hardly tell you
that if we destroy the British and French armies...
before the Americans can intervene effectively,
we shall have won the war.
God be with us! God be with us!
Oh, Willi, darling.
Mm-hm?
I'm sorry I'm late.
I'm sorry.
Well, I'm not. If you're looking for your nephew, he's next door.
Yes. I realise that now.
As long as you're here, perhaps I can get you that drink.
Yes, do.
I'm afraid I'm out of champagne.
- Then whatever you have. - Schnapps.
Mmm. Horrible.
But quite stimulating.
So that's you, Cobra.
- Cobra? - Yes, that's what Willi calls you.
Has he been talking about me to you?
I asked.
He says you're quite, uh, deadly...
in sort of a quiet way.
He's a romantic.
- And you're not? - No.
No.
Tonight is a... family affair.
- Are you shocked? - No.
- My husband is a very civilised man. - Mm.
And we are great friends.
It must be nice to have an understanding friend.
Oh, yes, it is.
Willi must be getting impatient.
Shall I announce you?
Please do.
Thank you.
Fire!
Come on, lads. This is it!
Follow me!
The oil pressure's still too low!
Well, that's all you'll get out of her! She wasn't made yesterday!
Oh, is that what it is?
You'll feel better in a few days, Herr Leutnant.
We've taken Bapaume!
Bapaume!
That means we're closer to Paris.
- Thank you. - I'm here to take you back to the squadron.
In there, Herr Leutnant.
- What are we celebrating? - Your survival, of course.
And your tenth victory.
- You're moving up fast, Stachel. - Too fast?
Does it hurt?
Yes.
Then I'd better open the bottle.
Tell me, uh... never having suffered it personally...
what does it feel like to be shot down?
Well, I'd rather you found that out for yourself.
Prost.
You know, I was quite pleased at first when you were posted missing, I mean.
Thank you.
Oh, it was just that, uh, all of a sudden, the war seemed a bit more peaceful.
And then, this is the odd thing. I had a sense of loss.
- I'm touched. - No, no.
Seriously. I suppose I've had everything in my life too easy. I'm inclined to be lazy.
I have to have a challenge. I need someone around me who is, uh, hard to beat.
And you fulfil that role.
- How's the countess? - Countess?
- Mm. - Oh!
Your aunt by marriage. Is she well?
I think so.
I should've thought you'd have known.
Oh, yes. She told me about coming into your room that night.
I knew you'd have to bring it up sooner or later.
The countess.
There's a fascinating subject.
I believe you have aspirations in that direction, Stachel.
You should forget them.
I'll try.
But if the impossible happens...
I'll buy you a bottle of champagne.
Will you?
It's vintage 1903.
You'll find it... hard to get.
1903?
I'll remember that.
Thanks for the champagne.
- That's the fool that almost got me killed. - I believe he's a friend of mine.
Why don't you take it up with him?
- I hope it'll be a longer visit next time. - Yes.
Stachel.
May I introduce the Baron von Richthofen?
It is an honour, Herr Rittmeister.
And I am very grateful.
1903 again.
You'll never change, Willi.
I'd like to have some of Willi's champagne with you, but I must get to my squadron.
I'm glad to see you haven't had to pay too high a price for my life.
I only lost an old Pfalz, Herr Rittmeister.
Perhaps now I'll get a better plane.
Oh, yes. You will.
My squadron is going to be equipped with the new monoplane Berlin's been promising.
I don't understand, Herr Rittmeister.
The baron wants you to join his squadron, Stachel.
I have no objection.
Well, what do you think?
I'm... very flattered by your offer, Herr Rittmeister.
Thank you.
But I'd prefer to prove myself here.
Oh, I see.
Well... I admire loyalty.
You are lucky to have this fellow, Otto.
Switches on!
Thank you.
Holbach, bring me that report from Von Richthofen again.
Yes, Herr General.
You're not shoeing a horse.
Get out.
Herr General.
Stachel.
I want him brought to Berlin immediately.
- Yes, Herr General. - There is some difficulty?
I don't know what you have in mind, Herr General, but with the offensive at its height,
there'd have to be a legitimate excuse to order him from the front.
He's wounded, isn't he?
- Yes, Herr General. - Hm.
A mentionable wound?
- In the arm. - Good.
People like soldiers to be shot in the right places. Order Stachel to Berlin for treatment.
I want you to ensure that all our newspapers give full prominence to this gallant episode.
Photographs. Everything.
Yes, Herr General.
Yes.
I think I can get the field marshal to see things my way, with luck.
What you're telling me behind your jargon is that this machine is unstable.
Exactly. Herr Field Marshal,
we require at least three more months to perfect the design.
By then, the war may well be lost.
Well, Franz, what more have you to say to the experts?
With your permission, Herr Field Marshal, I would like to produce an expert of my own.
Stachel!
We would like the benefit of your experience, Stachel.
You'll have read in today's papers about Von Richthofen.
This is the pilot concerned - Leutnant Bruno Stachel.
This way.
The new monoplane.
- Is it as fast as we've heard? - Faster.
What about its manoeuvrability? Only one wing will it take the stress?
It will outturn any Allied plane at present in the air.
It could even turn the tide of the air war.
Then we must have it.
What if I told you that these gentlemen believe
that there will be risks for you pilots if we hurry it into production now?
Well, we're used to risks, Herr General. One more wouldn't make any difference.
Leutnant Stachel?
Tell me, do you think that your opinion would be shared by your comrades?
I am certain of it, Herr Field Marshal.
Let me see it again.
Nurse! Nurse, come quickly.
Come along, Herr Leutnant.
Frau Heidemann. Leutnant Stachel.
Yes, I remember you. I'm due back in a few minutes.
Oh, it won't take long.
The jacket, please, Herr Leutnant. And your shirt.
Frau Heidemann, those flowers, please.
Thank you.
Sit down, Herr Leutnant.
Excuse me, please.
Mm-hm.
Excellent.
I saw how busy you were outside.
- Yes. - I'm sorry.
Now, come along, gentlemen. Along here.
Now, Frau Heidemann, if you please, it is just this one pose.
What will you put under the picture?
"Squadron commander's wife nurses wounded hero?"
Yes.
Please.
Very good.
Now move a little closer.
Thank you. Now...
Hold still.
- The play acting is over? - Yes, Herr General. We have finished.
Elfi, my dear. How good of you to have found time to come and help us.
- It was an order, Herr General, wasn't it? - Of course.
It was a very important piece of play acting.
I see.
Bruno Stachel. By morning you'll be quite famous. How do you feel about that?
Lucky, Herr General.
Hm.
Tomorrow you will be making your way back to your squadron.
And tonight my wife would like you to dine with her.