THE 317th PLATOON
At the beginning of May 1954, Russian, Chinese, Vietminh, British, US...
and French delegations arrive in Geneva to prepare the peace conference regarding Indochina.
Less than two months later an armistice is signed...
In Dien-Bien-Phu, the battle is going on for more than 50 days.
The Vietminh goes on the offensive all over Indochina.
They will be the last battles of a 9 year old war.
May the 4th, the North-Cambodia HQ gives orders to evacuate the isolated position of Liong-Ba, on the border of Laos...
and to fall back to Lao-Tai, located 150 kms to the south.
The 317th Platoon is ordered to sabotage its present installations and withdraw through the jungle, during monsoon rains, to its new positions.
We are in Liong-Ba, May the 4th 1954, 6 PM.
At ease!
Roudier is in trouble...
He must have fallen into an ambush...
Look...
All the bullets are going in the same direction.
Not much on the opposing side...
Not much, maybe... But Roudier is firing a lot.
There is enough be nervous...
The reinforcements are stuck in the south and the north is overrun with Viets.
We are not out of the wood.
Perrin is destroying the radio.
Koot! Assemble the two groups!
Yes sir!
Only this left to drink, my lieutenant.
No more ice either, I disconnected the fridge one hour ago. It has already melted.
Do you want some?
Perrin, you put this in a little bottle and you give it to the doctor.
I told you to get your your hair cut!
I know, I know...
Let's drink to Liong-Ba!
Damnit, they killed Gegene.
Ok! The deal is:
First the HQ group followed by you, Koot.
When we'll join Roudier, he'll alternate himself between the two groups.
Special orders: weapons on safe, total silence and no smoking.
Not good leaving the fridge for Vietminh!
What do you think about the fridge?
It's no heavier than my radio, lieutenant.
And I can put it on a bamboo litter, it will easy to carry.
We can try to take it
It's been in Liong-Ba longer than you. It arrived for the Soldier's Christmas, you know, it was organised by the wife of General De Lattre.
Ok. Two guys to carry it!
Well, we have to go!
It's all right, chief!
You think so?
What are you hiding?
Nothing sir...
All of you, empty your bags on the ground!
Loaded like mules... They couldn't carry all more than 2 kms.
Take your personal gear only and dump all the rest of the crap. Understood?
First group, go!
Second group, go!
Don't shoot! It's me, Roudier!
Sir, my boys are nervous. I was afraid they would shoot you.
And all the firing, 10 minutes ago?
Fa-nong encountered Viets out front.
He says there were several of them.
I think saw 2 or 3. We killed one, a regular. Do you want to see the corpse?
And the others, they block the road?
Vanished... I patrolled more than 100 meters in the jungle. Nothing.
- And the body? - Right there, uphill.
- I'm going to use the torch. - Ok, do it.
Really dead... and seriously damaged!
Yes, it's one of the regular army.
Did you find papers? Weapons?
Nothing but that... A small Buddha.
Let's move to Tao-Tsay.
Wednesday, May the 5th, 05:30.
Have a drink?
A cigarette would be so great!
What a country!
You're right! What a country!
You've only been here for 15 days...
I like this country0
Instead of 27 months, I negociated to stay for 33, and I have no desire of moving back to France0
If I had to quit the army, I would buy a little house along the river0
Koot would choose me a girl0
They are pretty here...
They have no... They look like teenagers0
They have no hairs on the body0
An elastic skin0
And no hairs...
There is enough light now. I think I'll have that smoke!
Viets on the trail!
A balance pole, that's a Viet for sure0
Give me the binoculars!
With the sniper rifle, we can kill them all!
That would be a lost opportunity...
We should rather try to capture one0
Let's go! We'll rush straight to the river!
Roudier, go along the trail!
We'll be on your left to protect the ford0
Koot, stay here on support!
I leave you with the fridge. Perrin will have to establish radio communication at 8 with Tao-Tsay. That's all. All right?
All right. But we don't know what to expect downhill, close to the river. You know what I mean...
Vietminh, Vietminh!
Here they are!
Pfff... So many!
A supply convoy0
Relax, relax! Hold your fire!
Let them come...
Those 2 guys... They have set up a machine gun0
We've got to get out of here! Quickly!
I'll get that machine gun!
- The "Potato launcher"! - Here, sir!
In that clearing, in the middle... the small mound. Ok?
Fire!
Too much right. But he height is good.
God! They are coming on Roudier!
We're right in the middle of the offensive. They must have come in the night! All of them are coming for us now!
Let me to destroy the...
We have to retreat, Now!
If you say so...
Tell Roudier.
Same height, same target!
I want that machine gun!
Fall back! Fall back!
They are on me, we are getting surrounded! Quick!
You, fuck off!
Roudier, for hell's sake, fall back for Christ sake!
Give me the LMG!
Roudier!
To me Willsdorf! Quick, quick, quick!
Ammo!
Move on Roudier! Move on Roudier!
What's the matter?
Bullet in the belly!
What the fuck are you doing here?
Help him!
Bring him to Koot by the stream. We cover you.
Willsdorf!
Be careful. They are coming!
Fall back 50 meters! Retreat through the river!
Quick, quick!
Koot! On your left!
Shoot, for God's sake! Shoot!
Shoot, oh shit the Viets!
Time to move, old friend!
Move on!
You dug holes, good! Careful on your right, we are being overwhelmed!
Fuck, lots of Viets there too!
We have to resist a while
Let me try. It's an old trick, but it works
2nd company, open fire only on visible targets!
I didn't dare saying battalion, they would not have believed it!
I think I liquidated one!
What did you do near the river?
Well... Nothing... I helped Koot...
You're not a rifleman, you're a radioman! You'll fire rounds only when asked! Understood?
What about Tao-Tsay?
There's been a battle going on since midnight.
The captain said we have to reach Tao-Tsay ASAP.
They also think it's the Viet's great offensive...
No kidding?
We don't want to hang around...
They also said the rescue column for Dien-Bien-Phu has been harassed and has retreated south.
One more thing. The B26s can help us.
They'll take-off to bombs the trails as soon as the weather clears.
Thanks Perrin...
- You're losing a lot of blood. - Huh?
Look!
So you're peeeing in your pants.
Don't worry, here is some morphine for you...
Give another to this one.
I can't. He has a bullet in the lung. Morphine would kill him.
4 dead. 3 of Roudier's and one... of ours...
Surrender!
If you remain with the Frenchmen...
we will kill you all.
Surrender!
If you no ammo, me give one to you!
Willsdorf! Now, we withdraw!
Koot, Koot!
I'll go with the HQ group and Roudier's group, with the wounded, to Hill 924. Along the river.
Bullshit!
Along the river!
You stay here with your group. 15 minutes. Do you have a watch?
Take this. 15 minutes and then you retreat, with the Viets stuck on you, as far from Hill 924 as you can.
Then try to get to Hill 924. We'll wait for you until midnight.
If there is trouble, I don't know...
Go directly to Tao-Tsay, ok?
It's impossible to take the wounded! They have to stay here with the drugs!
Sir, if we carry Roudier, we're dead!
I'll take Roudier and the others!
Fucking bullshit!
If these 2 guys are not in a hospital in 48h, they are dead!
And us too!
There is a Vietminh division surrounding us and you want to pass through it, with wounded men!
And with the fridge, also?
In '44, in Russia...
Smoke. They set up their mortars... Not bad... next time it on us.
We leave these guys here and we are lucky if we survive!
Warrant Officer Willsdorf. We go with the wounded men. Koot stays here on cover. That's all.
This is an order.
If you say so...
I want to stay with Koot.
On your feet, on your feet!
Put Ti at the head of the column!
Watch out for the wounded men!
Move, move quickly!
On your feet, on your feet!
Koot, dismantle the breech of those rifles!
All right?
All right, thanks.
I want to speak to corporal Ti!
Ti. You're in charge of the rearguard.
Koot! Fling a grenade!
- We've marched well. How far from the piton? - 500 meters, 600 maybe.
- No more? And you Ti? - We've not marched much, sir...
Listen, they are not far, lieutenant! Listen!
Good lord! They are all getting killed!
No! Stop talking nonsense! There was no other option.
- You hear it? They're not using the mortars any more. - You're right!
It means the Viets are on the piton. Either they are after Willsdorf, or they are looking for us.
Perrin, check your watch. We move in 1 minute.
My lieutenant! Aircrafts!
The B-26s!
It is about time!
A civilian plane... Maybe with the flight attendant serving pernod...
Cool iced pernod...
With this weather, I'd rather take a brandy.
I'd like a pernod too...
Well... Let's go...
Everyone! On your feet!
Ti! Stay at the end of the column!
Everybody take cover!
Quick, quick!
It'd be a pity to be discovered!
You! Yes, you. Come here!
Go to the forest : when the rest of the group arrives, tell them to advance on the left.
- Yes, sir. - You understand?
- Yes, sir! - Repeat what I have just said!
When comrades here, I say: straight on, bad. Left, good.
Great!
Not on the ridge... dummy...
We have to sit him up. Or else, he can't breathe.
Get me the medic's kit.
It's all right? Pain?
I'll give you some morphine.
- Here it is, my lieutenant! - Thanks!
Set up your radio and inform me when you receive Tao-Tsay.
I can't, lieutenant. I gave the radio to Tchan to carry and Roudier. And Tchan is still not here.
Ok... Help me then.
Here's the cognac!
Lift and hold his leg. A little higher!
Willsdorf is good with surgery...
He knows everything, that's true. He learnt in Russia.
In Russia?
I have to clean all that stuff...
You are hurting him!
I know! Hold him tighter!
Maybe some cognac for him?
I'm not sure...if it's good for him.
Thanks, my lieutenant!
We can inject him anywhere...
Hmm... Good! Three stars, at least!
He's going to die, my lieutenant...
They are still running after him...
So, he was in the Russian Campaign? Wehrmacht?
Willsdorf? Huh... I don't know.
During the war, he was a German NCO, like Roudier...
Give me the morphine. Willsdorf is not German, he's Alsatian.
Only 5 doses of morphine left. Alsatian, yes, but during the war, Alsace was occupied.
All of France was occupied!
It was not the same thing there. He speaks German, in fact.
- Are you ok, Roudier? - Yes.
- Oh yes, he spoke about Cherkassy... - Huh?
Nothing... A battle in Russia... A little Stalingrad...
- Willsdorf can't break out. - Oh Perrin, your radio? Tao-Tsay?
I'll go, I'll go, my lieutenant, Chang is working on it...
Choose 3 men. The less tired, to cut bamboo.
To make... 4 men per stretcher... 4 x 4... 16... Yes... 4 stretchers.
The other wounded will walk.
- Bloody English! - What's wrong?
There's interference from an English radio station, Singapore or Hong Kong...
Short waves in mountains, it happens a lot.
And what can we do about it?
Nothing... except to try again and again... Fucking assholes!
I said nobody... Oh, it's you, Ti...
They are getting close. In the little clearing...
But with the echos, impossible to be sure.
- What's that? - Soldiers cutting bamboo.
It's ours... That's Koot's guys!
The first one is Willsdorf.
It's Kantum.
- The last one? - No. Him.
There's 6 of them.
He's nuts! He's nuts! Willsdorf!
Tango Tango. From Lima Bravo, from Lima Bravo.
Go on, Chan!
Tango Tango. From Lima Bravo, speak.
Perrin, stop working the radio. Ti, put the wounded men on the stretchers. We move.
And the others? Willsdorf? We had to wait for them until midnight! You said...
The 4 stretchers lined up one after the other...
Go on!
Roudier, you're insane! Stop that now!
Everybody in the water! Quick!
We are getting drained carrying you. You're stupid!
I drank just one mouthful, very little.
You have to endure, old friend...
Go go! What are you waiting for!
Catch him!
A bunch of idiots!
Shit!
Ti-Peng.
Oh! His name was Ti-Peng...
We should not linger here.
And for the idiot who lost his SMG... We'll see later...
Ok, let's go!
Do you have pills against colic?
Don't know, sir...
Don't know? The colic, you know, diarrhea!
Tell the lieutnant, we need to reach Tao-Tsay tonight, because Fa-Long... Tell the lieutenant.
30 minutes rest...
Perrin, Perrin... Check your watch.
Ti, have you posted sentries?
Euh... No sir...
You're not serious, Ti. You should have done it sooner.
No thanks...
A little bit tainted, it seems...
You can eat it anyway. Maybe tomorrow diarrhea.
"France is our mother, She feeds us"...
"with potatoes and rotten beans".
Watch out, my lieutenant! There's a leech on your neck!
Don't touch it! I'm going to burn its ass... otherwise the blood flow will go on.
It's a green one. The worse one.
I wonder what they eat when we ain't here.
Sir, sir, want syringe, sir.
Tell the lieutnant to come, quick.
The lieutnant is coming with the morphine.
Don't worry : this evening we'll be in Tao-Tsay.
And tomorrow a planewill come for us.
We are lucky... The others will stay on the march.
When we get bored in the hospital, we'll go and look for girls.
You remember?
Give him morphine!
He's dying!
It's useless.
Of course.
I'll go to get him liquid camphor.
Smoke, smoke...
You'll see. We are bored with girls, we'll go back to the section. You'll still be with me.
We'll promote you corporal.
Missed!
Me know his wife. Me tell her him dead.
Dig a grave alongside the track.
Did you know him? Was he your friend?
He was scared. Me too. I'm going to die.
I'm thirsty.
Fa-Long, who is burried here, was a good soldier. We will never forget him.
That's all. We leave in 5 minutes.
At ease!
This is the village, sir! This is the village!
Stretchers on the ground!
- We stay here Ti. Inform the village chief. - Yes, sir.
What are you saying? Have the Viets been here?
Leave with elephants. Leave quick! Vietminh come back!
What are you mumbling about? I asked you if the Viets have been here?
Yes, sir.
And are they are going to come back?
Yes. I asked : "French where?" Village chief said "Don't know".
Leave quick, sir!
Where is the village chief?
Here! Him very scared Vietminh come back.
Ask him if Tao-Tsay is still holding on.
Don't know sir. Leave quick with elephants to carry comrades. Leave quick!
Stay here, not good! When Vietminh come back, kill everybody!
Put wounded men on elephants. Now leave quick!
Ok...
Thursday, May the 6th, 17:00.
Are they Viets?
No, sir, Vietminh never come here!
One girl speaks French!
She speaks French!
Good morning, sir.
- She's the village chief's daughter. - Good morning miss.
Ti, to the elephants. We stay in the village. Perrin, the map and the compass!
Always those bloody English!
Go and fetch Ti...
My lieutenant : Always the English. I can't contact Tao-Tsay.
Is this the village chief's house?
I don't know. It's the girl's house. The so-called daughter...
Do you have... colic... huh... stomach pain, my lieutenant? The rice was tainted... I notified Chang.
My lieutenant! My lieutenant!
Leave now! Elephants eat well. Good!
Ti, we stay here for the night. The men are very tired and Roudier...
Explain it to the chief.
And check if there are sentries in place to watch the jungle. Ok?
Ok sir, all right...
Perrin, try to contact Kra-Tsie. Tao-Tsay may have already fallen.
My lieutenant, I hope not, it would be sad.
I'll try to get them by Morse.
Put him here...
Him lot pain.
Yes, but we have no more morphine or medication... you understand...
Him lot pain. Maybe we do same thing Japanese soldiers.
Sir, him smoke. Maybe better after.
Opium? You're completely insane!
Opium, good. Japanese same lot pain. Japanese smoke. Japanese sleep happy.
Do you want to smoke? It may help you...
I've had enough of the pain...
Did you contact Kra-Tsie?
No my lieutenant, but it's time for the news on Radio-France Asia.
Ok...
Violent engagements on the hills, East of Dien Bien Phu...
where our paratroopers resist in spite of heavy losses.
In North Cambodia, the 325 Vietminh division is on the offensive...
and overwhelms our troops who are retreating.
The camp of Tao-Tsay, surrounded for 2 days, still resists.
AFP announced some fighting is taking place 200km south, in the Mekong delta, near Kra-Tsie.
Global news, Geneva. The delegation from the Democratic Republic of Vietnam arrived this morning in Cancun.
Paris : The 9th anniversary of German's capitulation will be celebrated with a large military parade on the Champs Elysées.
The President of the Republic and the government offcials will go to the Arc of Triumph.
Roger Banister is the new world recordman of the mile. He ran in 3 minutes 59 seconds.
She looks talented at blowjob, isn't she?
My lieutenant, please give me some tea...
You mustn't drink, Roudier...
Just to moisten the mouth...
I doesn't matter anymore... I'm going to die...
We can't always win...
If I'd known it was going to be so painful...
I would never have drunk the water from the river...
In Marseille, when I embarked on the ship...
there was a fuckton of cops... top protect us from the demonstrators...
In Marseille... And also at camp Petruski, in Saigon...
I often thought about that...
And now it's the time.
My lieutenant... I'll never know...
I just want to sleep a little more...
Friday, May the 7th, 06:00.
Roudier is dead.
Sir, Roudier is dead.
Wake up! Wake up! Perrin, Ti! Get up!
Sir, civilians, elephants, gone. All gone!
And the sentries said nothing?
Sentries? Don't know!
Don't know, don't know? He was sleeping like a dog, that retard!
Him says not sleeping. 2 comrades go with civilians. Leaving rifles and ammo.
What's this mess! How can such a thing happen!
Ok. MG gunners : set up your equipent at each village entrance.
Ti, get the wounded men ready to go.
Roudier died during the night.
Perrin, with 2 men dig a grave. Right now!
The guy, the moron who lost his weapon in the river...
He takes one of the rifles that was left behind and all the ammo.
He will then destroy all the other rifles and discard them.
Stop sleeping!
Come on, get up!
Dear sir, your servant : we scared. Vietminh everywhere, not good.
We already know Japaneses, we go mountain, we despaired.
I'm very sorry. I'll repent for eternity. Your humble and very faithful servant. Signature : Li-Ten-Su, father of the village.
If you need rice, you take.
Bunch of idiots!
Willsdorf!
- Glad to see you. - Me too.
- Sir, the watch. - No, keep it. Was it easy?
No, it was bloody hard to fall back.
Two Viet companies after our ass. We had some casualties.
At 11 PM, we broke out. Koot sent 2 guys up to Hill 924.
You didn't wait for us? It was a great idea!
Only one came back alive. The Viets were waiting for them with rifles.
Then... Yesterday, in a village, people told us you came there.
So, since then, we have been following your trail.
Shit! No one here! The civilians ran away?
Yes, this night and with our elephants.
We're not out of the woods...
Roudier is dead. We bury him then we go.
- Hey Willsdorf! Fine? - Fine...
Good...
Another wounded man...
Sir, he can't walk...
My lieutenant, it's a miracle you're here. Tao-Tsay has most likely already fallen.
- No, on the radio, they said... - Did you spoke to them?
Tao-Tsay? No. But the news on Radio-France Asia...
Listen : Nay-Mi is dying. Soy is not much better.
You're the boss, but I'd leave them with no hesitation.
- You're right... but... - But you want to carry them!
My lieutenant, I'm a pro of war. Plus two campaigns in Indochina...
Ok... before this evening we'll be naked...
On your feet everyone! Koot: take point! Ti, stay with me!
Perrin, you're deaf?
- But .. I am... for Roudier... - Leave it!
Shit!
Don't be upset: the Viets would dig him up to know who he was.
Go, now... I'll deal with him.
You're right. You're always right.
Thanks Willsdorf...
Ti, help me!
When the Viets move him, it will blow them up!
Willsdorf, what did you think of Roudier?
He was never talkative. A good guy though. Why?
I've been here a little while, 18 days to be exact. I thought I knew him, but...
I was surprised. He died with... very brave, you see...
I made the good decision by not abandoning him.
You're a weird guy, Willsdorf.
I saw you recovering the MG, you know, in the clearing.
You nearly got killed there, but you would have left Roudier.
Why do you think I got the MG? To preserve it from the Viets?
I didn't care!
A MG well managed is worth many men. What was the value of Roudier?
The speed of a snail. And he died nevertheless.
Watch your distance, for Christ sake!
What a pretty valley!
In 2-3 weeks, all the trees will be red like fire. Those are flamboyants.
The Cambodians will celebrate the red season. They'll get wasted and dance with girls all night.
I'll tell you something, my lieutenant. When you wage a war, you must be sure of one thing:
the objective must justify the casualties. Otherwise, you can't command.
The distance, keep your fucking distance!
Sir, sir!
A village. With no civilians. I sent a man to reconnoitre.
- Viet? - Montagnard...
Ok, let's go!
Not good! Civilians all gone everywhere!
Listen, you get on my nerves!
Civilians scared!
What's this mess? Put that back where you found it!
Don't worry! Koot told them they can take what they want.
So, you're ok with this looting? Congratualtion!
No... I'm going to explain: the civilians thought we were Viets. That's why they fled...
They'll think the Viets have done the looting... that's a good thing, no?
You're very smart Willsdorf, very smart... But we'll take nothing! Understood?
Ok, ok... Koot, get all that mess cleaned up!
I'm going to tell you a story, a funny story
It was in '46, during my first campaign in Indochina... The company...
Look, sir!
What is it? St Estephe 1950... imported in Saigon.
- Where did you find it? - Here!
We can't drink this wine and make this guy drop his pan... That would be unfair.
It's ok, you can keep your pan.
It's quite disgusting...
But it's still better than a kick in the ass...
So, as I said, in '46, the company was in the Mekong delta...
The Captain - an odd fellow, killed in '49 - decided to organize a big raid in the jungle.
He had a wooden leg, I remember. In the pubs, he always stuck forks into it.
Covered with the pants, it was quite comical...
Well, well, well : we are not going to rot here! Let's move on!
I want 5 meters between each soldier! Understood?
Thanks Kott!
So, the first time, everything went well.
In the villages, all the civilians used to wait us with little flags. Just like on the National Holiday!
When we returned, at the first village... No one! Same as here. A desert!
The captain said : every empty village was to be flagged as rebel... and had to be burned.
Finally, a rebel village! We set the fire joyfully...
Less than...You know, burning bamboo crakles like a machine gun!
Less than 5 minutes later, the civilians rush in, yelling like a tousand devils!
... No luck... They were waiting for us at the other side of the village! Hahaha!
Hahaha! And they still had their little flags! And their bawls of rice!
Long live Death, goodness!
Oh, Willsdorf, such an awful story!
Awful...
A battle station... A Viet camp... Still fresh!
There was a lot of them, it seems! How long ago did they leave?
Maybe already left.
You believe it, Willsdorf?
Yep. All those shelters...
Wouldn't surprise me. Koot has a nose for this...
My lieutenant, do you have a cigarette? Chang took mine.
Thanks!
Sir, me scared! Don't want to be at the head!
Fucking coward! Koot, come with me at point!
What's this mess? We found a Viet camp, that's not a reason to rot here!
You! Give me your MG and your ammo!
I don't like to be half-naked in a fight... It doesn't feel right...
I have the feeling that the Viet there just nudged his buddy... Look, I'm going to shoot this guy.
No, not this one. The other, next to him, the naked one!
Stupid, isn't it?
We have to cross here. Maybe with 2 MGs to cover us.
- Ok. Do you think... - I don't know. I'm worried!
There are footprints in the mud, over there...
When we get to the other side, send 4 or 5 guys. Widely spaced...
Koot!
Keep your distance!
Your distance! Keep the fucking distance!
Cease fire! Cease firing! Fucking cease firing!
- Ti, take the MG! Stay here! - Yes, sir!
Let's go!
Take cover!
Han, give me the MG! I know where they are!
They are about 10. With only 4 or 5 rifles.
2 Viets killed. When you did your little trick, they ran away like little devils...
Sir, sir, civilians very dead scared!
What do they say, your civilians?
Over there, this is the Vietminh officer. Fighting around Tao-Tsay.
So, Tao-Tsay is still holding out...
Anything wrong?
Corporal, go back there. And tell Ti to come here with the rest of the group!
Hooo... My belly is so painfull!
Some tropical disease. Eat some opium. Best thing we have
- What do they have to say? - Huh, not much.
They were forced to carry rice for the Viets, to a food warehouse
The Viets told them Dien-Bien-Phu has surrendered. Tao-Tsay too.
But they heard some firing during the night.
Don't drink like that!
Tao-Tsay, is it still far?
2 hours on the trail. But we won't use it.
Excuse me...
Ti, follow them!
Cease fire! Cease fire!
Why were you there? And your radio, idiot?
Oooh shit! They killed Gegene... Sir, there was a SMG...
I took it, and...
It's nothing. That's teach you a lesson, you're not a rifleman.
Now, leave!
Tao-Tsay!
It should come as no surprise...
Shit! No more cigarettes!
You surprised me.
I didn't think you could manage to get us this far.
Shit! I've got smoke in my eye!
I knew it. I always knew it.
Tao-Tsay has fallen. Ok. We continue toward Kra-Tsie.
We make a halt tonight. We still made half the distance. It'll be easier, now...
This is the Dakota of Royal Air Cambodia! Perrin, Perrin, goodness, your radio!
Yes sir. I'm going to try to contact them on 5400 kcs... He must be in QAP.
I don't care how...
Delpierre is the pilot. A civilian. He's the one who dropped us the mail at Liong-Ba.
- Perrin? - 2 minutes. Pedal Chang! Hurry!
What is his flight code? Kilo-something... Dakota, Lima Bravo speaking...
Answer if you can hear me, Dakota, Lima Bravo speaking! Answer!
Lima Bravo. Dakota Alpha Kilo speaking...
Plug me in. Alpha Kilo, Willsdorf speaking. Delpierre, do you hear me?
Willsdorf? It's not possible! You're alive? Everybody thought you were dead! Are you all right?
That's wonderful! Request a supply drop!
Alpha Kilo So- so! Can you drop us ammo, food and medical supplies! Understood? Over.
Affirmative, Lima Bravo, affirmative. Tell me where and when. Over
Alpha Kilo. ASAP! I don't know where. Yes: where we hunted tiger last year. Understood? Over.
Affirmative. The bikini of my wife? Over.
Alpha Kilo affirmative.
Lima Bravo. Tomorrow, around 5 PM, I repeat, around 5 PM. You'll guide me. I'm low on fuel, I leave. You'll get your drop. Over.
Alpha Kilo. Understood. Thanks. Go to Pelgrin's and drink an iced cognac to us all! Out!
What is this tiger story?
French soldiers of Lima Bravo! You have lost! Surrender to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam!
The wounded will be treated just like ours. Stop this fratricid war!
They are making fun of us!
We're not out of the woods yet...
Nobody on the skyline! Clean your weapons!
Koot, count the ammo! Ti, look after the sick guys! Understand?
Here is Radio- France Asia. This is our newsletter :
After a 57 day battle, all organised resistance seem to have come to an end, at Dien-Bien-Phu.
Pilots of supply aircraft planes report that after 6 PM, the Vietminh DCA ceased firing.
They have noticed long columns of men. Most likely prisoners, entering the jungle to the north.
At this time, in all Indochina, Vietminh divisions advance towards the south.
Tomorrow, in Geneva, the conference on Indochina opens. Mr Jean Chauvet...
So... They won the war?
I'll tell you something...
We're not out of the woods!
I don't think we can reach Kra-Tsie.
So, I think... Willsdorf, a cigarette please...
So... Tomorrow, we'll attack! We'll attack the Viets of the village.
The village where they stock the rice...
You'd better smoke with a water-pipe, like me...
It's a little bit harsh at the beginning, but you get used to it...
And... you say nothing?
You're the boss. I hear you.
Good then! Tomorrow, we'll attack the village of the Viets!
Don't be upset, my lieutenant. Don't be upset. I have a proposition...
They are begining to piss me off, damnit!
You're right. It's impossible to reach Kra-Tsie.
We can only escape towards the north-east.
We can join the Montagnard villagers. They are organised for guerilla warfare.
That was our goal with Koot until we arrived in the village where you took the elephants.
That's the tiger meaning: telling Delpierre we go north-east.
What's the deal with this tiger?
Last year, during a patrol, Koot killed a tiger with his MG.
We gave the skin to Delpierre, who sent it to his wife.
Because of the holes, she couldn't make a coat with this skin...
So, what did she do? She made a swimsuit...
Can you believe it? A swimsuit! A bikini!
Cooked grass... Is good for the diarrhea.
Drink it. Be careful: it's hot. It's good for you.
The Montagnard guerillas. Very good. A very good idea.
But we can attack the village before then.
Our guys are exhausted!
Exhausted... exhausted... Sure, we're running like rabbits...
Exhausted... My foot! Cowards in fact!
No. Listen. Tomorrow, we hide the wounded men. We form a commando and we charge!
The Charge of the Light Brigade!
And we'll be naked at the end...
What do you think, Koot?
- Better run away! - I'd rather go with you, sir! - You shut up!
So. If we are lucky, 10 Viets will be dead. If we are lucky. For what?
Do you want some of this disgusting tea?
Willsdorf... those Viets... we just do it... ok?
Then we'll go to the hunt of bikinis...
Woooh goodness... The weather is almost cool...
You remind me of a guy I met once. He was injured in the arm. Like Perrin.
But, he was like you...
It was in Berlin. In May '45. He also wanted to do it... "The Charge of the Light Brigade"!
But I ran. He said: we'll all be hung.
Long live Death! He said... And he laughed...
When I left, the Viets were shooting them with mortars... No, not the Viets... the Russians.
You see Willsdorf... If we escape alive, we'll have an evening in Kra-Tsie. We'll go to that pub... What's its name?
What?
You know, the pub at Kra-Tie...
Ah, yes... The Bungalo, by Pelgrin's.
Yes, that's it. Pelgrin's...
A big big party at Pelgrin's!
We'll smoke big cigars... You see Willsdorf...
What?
Nothing...
Do you think Hanoi will fall now?
If they want to... There is nothing between Dien-Bien-Phu and Hanoi.
- And all Indochina? - I don't think so.
How do you cope with losing wars?
You must know that. You were in the Wehrmacht...
- By conviction? - I was drafted!
Alsace was German territory! Annexed!
That's true, I was in the German army... It was not he end of the world...
And fuck! Smolensk, Voronej, Koursk, Kharkov... Damnit!
Saturday, May the 8th, 09:15.
We go, now? The Charge of the Light Brigade.
There are 8 Viets. But some more may be hidden.
What is this guy doing? Talking about their victory?
I think it's a political commissar.
- Ok... Listen... We set up 2 MGs here... - No. You listen.
Look at the last house, over there. A peasant told me it's the rice stock.
I'll go there and I'll block the main exit. You watch this house.
The 2nd sentry may hang around the house.
When I'm in position, crac! Understood?
And I believed you wanted go right now to the tiger hunt!
Hey! Perrin!
Give me that. I was a good sniper at Coet...
The sentry, the sentry!
Take that and stay here... Follow me!
Watch out for the Viets!
Ti, bring me everybody here!
Koot, go and burn the rice stock!
Stop that! Stop it now!
Looting is strictly forbidden! Understood?
Ok... The party is over! 3 men with Koot!
You other men destroy the rifles.
This woman is dying. I told them to give her opium to calm her. I took a bit for you.
Sir, he was trying to escape. Me kill him?
No, he'll carry the wounded men.
Glorious victory... The Charge of the Light Brigade... How many Viets dead?
9 here, with the 2 sentries. And I don't know how many in the barracks.
3. So, 12. 3 are missing. No, 2, I forgot the prisoner...
Sir, house burned! Run out now!
But what was this guy doing?
Me know, sir!
Him say : Cambodian, yellow. Not good become friend with French white men.
Good become friend with yellow Vietminhs.
Him say: French run away Dien-Bien-Phu.
White run out.
Yellow stay.
Him say that way.
Him say that way?
So. Listen and translate what I'm going to say to these laughing guys.
The blood is red. The red stay! And it will remain here forever, with all his comrads! Forever!
Dig graves! In the village!
Nice show! But a little bit simplist, the egg trick, no?
Don't you believe it!
You see, in '46, the rebels didn't dare to shoot at us. Us the white "gods".
Because the bullets would return back to them. They thought.
You know, in Cambodia...
- Perrin! - Yes! - Come here!
I've got a good nose, hey.
Not bad. Looks like English ones...
So... In Cambodia, they like fairy tales.
Fate signs... Symbols...
They are poets...
You are a poet, too. A tragic one...
Koot! Move on!
Alpha Kilo, Alpha Kilo, Lima Bravo calling.
Oh, Chang, shut up and pedal stronger!
Alpha Kilo, Alpha Kilo, Lima Bravo, Lima Bravo calling... Are you receiving me?
Eh! Look at this Chinese staring me!
Do you want my picture? Eh?
Hey, Chinese! Smoke! This is from Belgium!
I've got him, my lieutenant!
Alpha Kilo. 5/5. Over.
Lima Bravo, I'm just over Tao-Tsay. Guide me. Over.
30° right... West... Perrin, tell him! Fly on 350!
Alpha Kilo, Alpha Kilo. Fly on 350. Speak.
Lima Bravo, I am scrambled. I don't understand. Repeat!
Go on Chang! Faster!
Alpha Kilo. Fly on 350. You've been scrambled. Fly to 350.
Quiet! Listen!
He's coming!
Alpha Kilo, Alpha Kilo, I see you. Turn right!
Yes. 120° right! Right. We are behind you right now!
You are too far. Turn back! You are completely lost! Turn back!
Lima Bravo, I see your marker. I'm going to drop!
What is he doing?
Contact him! He's being misled!
Alpha Kilo, we are behind you. Behind you! Fuck!
Alpha Kilo, you're insane damnit! You are dropping among the Viets!
I repeat! We are behind you, behind you! Speak!
He's turning. He understood, this moron.
Alpha Kilo. We are now on your left!
Keep turning left! Left turn. It's OK. Just straight on! Over
Lima Bravo. Very bad reception. We drop on a hill with a beacon. They fired at us. We can only make one more drop. Over.
OK, and thank you!
Alpha Kilo. You're going to see us on your left.
Lima Bravo. Roger. Lima Bravo. I see your marker at 11 o'clock. Over.
Alpha Kilo. I guide you for the drop. In 5 seconds .. 4 .. 3 .. 2... 1 .. Go!
Great job! See you later! Out.
Alpha Kilo to Lima Bravo : good luck, guys! Out.
Stay calm! 5 men to each parachute!
Koot! Remove the parachutes! It's a too visible a target!
The parachutes! The parachutes!
- Koot, what a mess! - Pernod all broken!
Form up the guys in column!
Take it!
- Take this my lieutenant... You, first... - Oh... It's the Ritz!
Koot! 2 packs of ammo per man...
Look after your radio instead of playing the clown!
Sir, sir!
Sorry, I dropped the meds among the Viets. They are numerous in the valley. Delpierre.
A chicken? Stop it! Now! The Viets are on the other side!
Stop it! Where does it come from, this chicken?
Oh yes... It's you, Ksun. It's obvious...
Take in village. Him happy to sleep here!
Goodness... The lieutnant said: don't take chickens...
I take it before lieutnant say!
Dismissed!
Ti, 2 more ammo packs for him! T o teach him to like chicken. Hurry up! Get the equipment!
Monday, May the 10th, 15:00.
The lieutenant is moving... Let's go, Koot...
Koot! We rush down there!
It is so fucking hot...
Are you in pain?
It's disgusting!
What do you mean? Disgusting... Yes, it's war...
They are good at war, these assholes!
Great soldiers!
Do you think you can stay stuck on me?
Because they are going to come here, so they can admire their artwork...
Leave, Willsdorf... Leave me...
We'll rush right to the jungle. Back there we will be safe.
We'll find bamboo to make a stretcher.
Leave me...
I don't care now... I'm so tired...
Give me a cigarette and leave...
Sir, sir! Run out!
I'm coming!
Farewell, my lieutenant!
Go away... You too...
Come on, Ti!
Willsdorf...
Willsdorf... If they don't come back...
Tonight... The beasts... I'm scared of the beasts...
Let's go!
It's 3h30 PM. Monday, May the 10th 1954.
The 317th platoon doesn't existe anymore.
On December the 7th 1960, Warrant Officer Willsdorf will be gunned down during a skirmish in the Amour Djebel. Algeria.