Subtitles: Luís Filipe Bernardes
My name is Group Captain Todd.
During the I was commanded an RAF station on the east coast of England.
This is a story of some of the men of an air-sea rescue unit...
... who served under my command.
They didn't fly, but went to sea on high-speed launches.
Their job, to rescue their comrades from the sea.
Their motto:
The time is the autumn of 1944.
The allied armies are sweeping through France...
...and thrusting towards Belgium and Holland.
♪ If I only had wings... ♪
Go on, kids, get some sea servicing.
♪ I'd fly up high ♪ ♪ Up in the sky ♪
Shut it in and prime the port engine, can't you, Dray?
Okay, corp.
♪ If I only had wings... ♪
Go on, rupt yourself, do! Stand up!
- Well, what's your name? - Milliken, sir.
Who are you, what are you? Armorer, electrician, sanitary welder?
Medical orderly, sir. Told to report to 2561.
Medical orderly?
Well, what was you in civvy street, a chartered accountant?
- No, sir. - Don't call me sir.
Save your sirs for the skipper. He's an officer and knows nothing...
...and therefore entitled to be called sir.
See these?
These indicate the most important rank in the Royal Air Force.
Oy, now then. What am I?
- A Flight Sergeant. - And don't you forget it!
No, Flight.
Flight, he says. Just like that.
What the war does for the Air Force.
When I joined the service it was, "Yes, Flight Sergeant.", "No, Flight Sergeant."
Three bags full, Flight Sergeant. Stand still!
My name's Slingsby.
Flight Sergeant Slingsby. I drink blood and eat grenades.
- Morning, lads. - Morning, sir. All right, son, fall out.
- Move on, sir? On to sea? - Tell the engine to start up.
Aye, aye, sir.
Start up, below.
Okay, Dray, start them up.
- Let go springs. - Springs out, sir.
- Let go out! - All gone out, sir.
Let go fore head?
All done fore head, sir.
Fire the engine, Clarkson.
- First trip? - Yes, corporal.
- It's nice and smoothe, isn't it? - Yeah.
Just another pleasure cruise.
Come on, big time, there's no time for sleeping.
You're in the way. Over in the bunk, go on!
Robbie, I'm going to change. Okay, Chiefy.
Have some corned-beef sandwich?
Best in the world, this is.
Here, doc.
- Put that on. - Thanks, corporal.
There's an overcoat in there if you want it. It's gonna be cold.
Oh, you. You married?
- No. - Lucky you.
What's happened? We stopped.
Hey, Gus, do you reckon we'll be back on time?
- Why, are you in a hurry? - Yes, I am.
Well, we won't then.
You'd better get your head down, Doc. We've got a long way ahead of us.
Why, where are we?
We're on what's called rendez-vous.
We're going to stay here until somebody tells us to go home.
It's exciting, ain't it?
- You all right, Skip? - I'm all right, give me a hand.
- Through the hatch, sir, up above. - Right.
How are the others?
The dinghy's been ejected.
Make your way along to the wing, sir.
Will you finish buckling the belt? Get in the dinghy.
The craft's going down any minute.
Come on, Skip, let's help him.
Any more for the skylark? We got a long way to go.
You all right, Skip?
Yes, I'm all right. I got a bit of a whack in the bread basket...
- ...when we ditched, that's all. - What happened exactly?
We got poked in the engine by a Messershmidt.
But if it's any consolation, I returned the compliment.
Right now Jerry's on the North Sea, too, sitting on his own little rubber mat.
Boy, is he going to be lonely.
Do you think anyone saw us ditch, Canada?
I shouldn't think so. I didn't see any ships or anything.
- Where are we exactly? - Just off the coast of Holland, sir.
About 20 miles from the show.
And a long way from home.
Guess we'd better get organized.
- Canada, can you get that small box going? - Right.
- Mac, can you set up the aerial? - Yep.
- Would you mind helping, sir? - Oh, of course, I'm in your hands.
All I want is to get this briefcase back safely to England.
You just treat me as one of the crew.
She's going.
Well, that's that.
Makes you think, doesn't it?
If any of us had anything sharp on us,
rip, zip, and we'd be sitting on about 500 fathoms of ocean and nothing else.
Yes, sir, this little piece of rubber is all there is between us...
... and the bottom of the deep blue sea.
Come in.
- Yes, Flight? - The weather's getting worse, sir.
- I've posted two bridge lookouts. - Right.
By the way, how's the new boy?
His name's Milliken, sir.
Herbert Milliken.
- He's a bit seasick, but he'll do. - You'll get him up to standard, anyway.
- Coffee? - Thank you very much, sir.
Thank you.
- Is it true about the rumor, sir? - Yes, this is my last trip.
I'm checking out of the unit at Gosport. It's a promotion anyway.
I expect the wife's pleased. How is she?
I took her to the hospital an hour before we left.
The baby's due any moment now.
Oh, by the way, my wife made this. She asked me to give it with you.
It's a grey coat. It'll fit a boy or a girl.
It's a nice cozy one. Thank your wife for me, will you?
- I most certainly will. - How's your boy?
- Well, he's let me down, sir. - Why?
He joined the Navy yesterday.
Not again, Milliken!
I don't seem to be able to stop.
I knew a fellow once in the early days of air-sea rescue,
he were a medical orderly, too.
He died from seasickness. He strained his stomach.
Oh, it was a horrible sight.
Hi, Doc, still alive?
- How are you feeling? - Sick.
There's hot soup in the forecastle. Come on, I'll get you some.
Self-heated soup! I never touch it. I don't trust them chemicals.
Come on, chap, get up on deck, you're on.
All right, corp.
Fill your bowls with this.
When's the return to base coming through, Robb?
I'm sick of this bit of sea.
The other bits are just the same.
I never want to see another boat after the war as long as I live.
Ten men and a medical orderly crammed aboard this tub.
What's the matter, Skinner? Danger of losing a date?
Yeah, a WAF. She promised to see me last night at the station dance tonight.
I thought you were supposed to be overhauling the oil feed...
...on the port engine last night.
- Oh, I did that in 10 minutes. - I thought it was a big job.
Duke said it would take all night.
The engines got us here and they'll get us back.
Come and take this message, will you, Knox?
There you are, Skinner, the one thing you can do well.
Return to base.
- Hey, Chiefy, Chiefy! - What's up, Marshall?
There's a kite in the drink northeast of here.
Knox is just decoding them and they're not quite sure of it.
- Get up! - Return to base, Flight?
Kite the drink. Start up!
Kite in the drink, sir.
Come on boys, there's a kite in the drink.
This is it, Milliken, we're going to war.
- Ahead all speed, Flight. - Ahead all speed, sir.
4050, 2000 revs. - 4050.
Good morning.
Come in.
At ease.
- Good morning, sir. - Sit down.
- Poor show, this. - Yes, nothing further, I suppose?
We've had a signal.
The Hudson took off at 11:20.
The Air Commodore Waltby was definitely on board.
- It was that one? - Looks like it.
There's no other aircraft reported overdue.
Not so far anyway.
If they are in the drink, there's a pretty fair chance of their being picked up.
They've got to be picked up.
I've had London on the phone.
Waltby was carrying a briefcase.
It's vital that neither he nor the briefcase shall be lost.
I know Waltby's number one buff on unguided missiles but...
I wonder what was in the briefcase.
It seems our people over there got hold of some papers.
Formula, blueprints, and so on.
Waltby was sent over to identify them.
London had word from him yesterday.
He's got the follow-on to the B-1 and the B-2.
I wonder if the Jerries knew about Waltby.
And deliberately shot them down? I doubt it.
I'm going to see what's happening.
- Thanks. I'll keep you posted. - Thank you, sir.
- Ah, Dray. - Good morning, sir.
- Which is the Hudson? - Here, sir.
It's only an approximate position, of course, sir.
I can't understand why we didn't get a better one.
Flight Sergeant MacKay is a good wireless operator.
If in fact the signal came from Harding's aircraft.
Oh, quite, sir. We're only guessing.
There's still time to hear the Force landed somewhere in this country.
- Who picked the signal out? - They heard that it Fellwell and Harbury.
A weak mayday signal without a call sign...
...lasting just long enough for them to get enough bearing.
Probably Harding's last chip before he ditched.
Yes, sir.
They've apparently got Air Commodore Waltby with them, of course?
Yes, sir. Do you know him, sir?
He's my brother-in-law.
The plane's the best part of an hour overdue.
Any shipping in the vicinity?
There are air-sea rescue launches north and south in the area.
What about Coastal Command?
They've got a couple of Sea Otters in the job and the Navy have sent at least one.
There's always the chance of an aircraft in the area picking up the signal, I suppose?
With a squawk box in a dinghy? Oh, yes.
- What's the picture on the weather? - A bit dicey, sir.
I'll get Commander Peeple to send someone up.
- Tell him to come to my office, will you? - Very good, sir.
Main office?
- Good morning, sir. - Morning, Scotty.
- Do you want me? I'm rather busy. - I shan't keep you long, sir.
Well, all right.
I found something rather interesting this morning, sir.
Now, sir. What about this?
Rather wizard, I think.
I suggest we hang one up in the mess somewhere, shall we?
You're the adman officer, Scotty. I leave it to you.
Roger, sir.
I'm just on my way to the canteen to give the boys a lecture on post-war planning.
- I might hang one up there too. - Oh, you fix it, Scotty,
I'm rather occupied at the moment.
By the way, sir, about this ensign company...
who's supposed to be giving a show here on Sunday. I...
Come in.
Ah, Hart. Well, what's the picture?
I'm afraid we're in for a nasty blow, sir.
What I really want to talk about, sir, is the new bus service to town.
Deal with it yourself, Scotty.
Roger, sir.
Stoneway reports clouds at 500 ft, heavy rain and a gale-force wind.
No flying.
That's about 400 miles north of here, isn't it?
- Yes, sir. - How long before it reaches us?
It'll be here by this time tomorrow, if not before.
Just a bright day for flying, that's all we want.
The barometer is falling a little already, sir.
I guarantee that every time anyone ditches...
...the weather immediately starts to make things as difficult as possible.
When I ditched in 1940 it took two days to find me.
I never felt so cold and lonely in all my life.
As a matter of academic interest,
has one of these things ever been known to turn over?
Judging by the way this one's behaving at the moment,
I reckon it can turn itself inside out if it tried real hard.
There's a whole lot of water getting in here.
Is there something I can bail with?
That briefcase would make a good bailer. How about it, sir?
I think not.
You could shove the papers in your pockets.
- I think not. - I don't see why...
Enough, Mac!
Do you think anybody's getting a signal from that thing, Canada?
- Sure, if it's working. - It's working, all right.
Just as you say, bud.
It's a pity we didn't get a signal out before we ditched.
I hadn't got a chance, had I?
I made out a couple of maydays and the transmitter...
...went to pieces right in front of me eyes.
Sure, so nobody's got a bearing on us.
- At least not a good one. - I did what I was supposed to do!
Keep your hair on, Mac. Nobody's fault.
I mean, who'd expect to find a Jerry here at this time of the war?
Anyway, it helps to know he's got a wet behind, too.
It don't help mine any.
How long is it since we came down?
About 4 hours, sir.
It'll be dark in another hour or so.
Think of that. And me, I had a date tonight.
Not another new popsy, Canada?
Not a new one. Same as last week. And the week before.
Don't tell me it's the real thing this time.
Sure is. Hell, I didn't pluck up the courage
to kiss her for two nights running.
That proves it then, doesn't it?
All right, I'll take it.
Come on, time we had some food.
Let's get the bag, Allan.
Better start on a strict ration right away.
We don't know how long we're going to make this lot last
Is it getting darned cold?
A nice warm blanket would be just the job now.
Look, Steve, here's my jacket. I don't need it.
I've got a jacket. You keep yours for yourself.
- But I can get a bang on the guts. - I don't feel the cold, honest.
Don't be a clod, Mac.
If you don't feel the cold you must be dead or something.
No, you keep your jacket on.
Well, well, well! Water purifying tablets.
That's gonna be real handy with all this sea around us.
What are those?
Oh, biscuits. They're useful.
And energy tablets. Say, they think of everything.
Cigarettes, chewing gum...
...compass, and...
My, my, what a delicate thought! Toilet paper.
All right...
One food tablet and one biscuit each for this meal.
What, no coffee and licors?
Oh, that reminds me.
- Brandy. - Brandy?
No wonder you didn't want to let that case go, sir.
We'd better keep that till we need it.
What, when we're too weak to taste it?
Not in your life! Let's have it now while we can enjoy it.
Let's die happy.
What do you think, sir?
I think a little nip around will do us good.
- Here, you first. - No, after you.
Carry on.
I got it.
Go on.
Thanks.
Okay, sea, I'm ready for you now.
This would happen to me.
We'll never get back to London now.
I don't know what you're talking about, Tebbitt.
She can't get a train to London till midday tomorrow. So long as we're back by noon...
No, I know the wife. Of course, blimey, I ought to.
Look, she says here...
If you are not back home tonight I am going to London.
There is someone there who loves me and who will not leave me alone...
...all the time like you do.
Who is this bloke, have you got any idea?
How should I know, with her living in town and me stuck in camp?
Maybe she only wrote that to put the wind up you.
No, Wilda's always wanted to get back to London.
B1s, B2s, she don't mind.
She misses the pubs, and dance halls, and things like that.
Maybe we'll make it back tonight even yet.
I bet we don't. Even if we do pick up them fellows in the dinghy...
...we'll probably hit a bloody mine or something.
Here, you take over.
- Comfy, Tebbitt? - That's right.
It's not all right. There's an aircraft over
there and it's coming this way in fast.
- Sir, I'd seen it... - Well, report it, you berk.
Aircraft approaching from starboard. It's a Sunderland.
Thank you very much!
- What's that, Robby? - Cocoa.
Give us a cup, will you?
- Any sign of anything yet? - Nah!
What's up, Flight?
Ah, that Tebbitt. Drives you up a wall.
He's all right. He's a good boy when it comes to the pick-up.
Oh, sure, they're all good boys when they're on the job.
The problem is keeping them going in between times.
You don't mind that, do you?
You think I like chasing Tebbitt? It's my job, that's all.
Look at young Milliken. Do you think I like chasing him?
- He hasn't complain, has he? - No, he's got guts, all right.
They have to learn the hard way, same as you did.
You were a civilian for the duration, weren't you?
Well, you made it, and so will he. And the same way.
With punishing flight sergeants chasing from butt holes to breakfast time.
But I was a bit older.
Maybe you were.
But he'll grow old. I'll see to that.
Oy!
You're the sergeant. And the sergeant's got to be tough, eh?
That's right.
Ever a Beau Geste.
- How are the engines, baby? - No complaints.
Bet you're beginning to wish now you hadn't skipped those repairs last night.
Ah, get stuffed, you.
Listen, son.
A damaged oil feed can stop the engines stone dead, and you know it.
All you can do now is hope and be ready.
Ah!
How long is it since we ditched?
About ten hours, I imagine.
Why the hell couldn't look for us in the daylight?
They must be somewhere about. They can't be far away.
You're the only one who wants to get out of here, bud.
My girlfriend's waiting for me back there.
I reckon in just about an hour I'll be kissing her good night.
That's all you ever think about, isn't it?
Beer, and girls, and going to the pictures.
Well, I've got other things to think about.
I'm not going to spend the rest of my life in this blasted dinghy.
If the sea gets much rougher, you won't have to worry about that, Mac.
Wait a minute.
Are you all right, Skip?
Yeah, I'm all right.
- A bit stiff. - A bit stiff.
Here.
Listen, MacKay, and you, Kirby.
If anything should happen to me,
this briefcase has got to go overboard, do you understand?
And if we're picked up by an enemy vessel,
take the strap of this squawk box, pull it through and tie it tight,
and drop it overboard so that it sinks fast.
Did you get that?
Okay, sir.
Is that understood, MacKay?
Why don't you throw it overboard now and have it done with it?
It's brought us only but bad luck.
Listen, MacKay, up to now I haven't reminded
you that I have got a certain rank.
When I ask you to do something it's an order.
Did you hear that?
Yes, sir.
Right. We won't talk anymore about the briefcase.
It's about time we did some more exercise. Come on.
It's the damn water we're sitting in.
I've had pins and needles on my behind for the last hour or more.
I can't get rid of it.
Still, if it's just the job for working up an appetite,
boy, am I looking forward to my next energy tablet.
- Come on, MacKay! - Oh, what's the use?
It's a waste of time anyway.
Come on, for goodness' sake. Do something, stop arguing.
We'll have a song, too.
On and on...
Away, pull and tug.
Dear God.
We are four men here... on a pretty tough spot.
I know You've got a lot to think about but...
please, try and not forget us.
Our trust is in You.
And if You could possibly see Your way clear getting us somewhere dry,
we'd be very grateful.
Amen.
I say, what's the trouble?
It's nothing, sir.
Come along now, you're not crying for nothing.
Nothing, sir, really.
I say...
You're one of the mess clerks, aren't you?
- Yes, sir. - Well, can't I help?
- That's what I'm here for, you know. - Yes, sir, I...
I suppose you haven't heard any news of Mr. Harding's crew, have you, sir?
Oh, I see. Well, uh...
Look, I was just going to see the Group Captain, I'll find out what's happening.
Who is it you're interested in?
- Sergeant Kirby, sir. - Your boyfriend, right?
- We're nearly engaged, sir. - Jolly good show.
You hang on here and I'll let you know.
- Thank you, sir. - Think nothing of it.
Come in.
- Good evening, sir. - Evening, Scotty.
- Sorry to bother you so late, sir. - Is it important?
- I'm afraid so, sir. Any news of Harding? - No.
Well, this is about Flight Sgt. MacKay. He's with Harding, isn't he?
MacKay? What about MacKay?
Well, sir, the station police have found a Jerry kind of petrol in his car,
you know, that old Morris he runs about in.
Seems it fell off the back of a motor transport...
...and the police corporal spotted MacKay picking it up after dark.
For sure, sir, fetching petrol is a Court Martial offense.
- Has the corporal reported it? - Yes.
- That means a charge will be made out. - Afraid so, sir.
MacKay's a good wireless operator. He was put in for commission with me.
That's right, sir. It's all he could do altogether.
What do you feel should be the drill?
There was a sergeant at Fell Borough who took a jerry can of petrol, I remember,
in similar circumstances. Stealing by finding, I suppose you'd call it.
That's right, sir. Court Martial and reduced at the ranks.
Then, shortly afterwards he was given his rank back...
...and was eventually killed over Essen.
Oh, was he, sir? I didn't remember that.
No.
Anyway, nothing much can be done about it until MacKay gets back.
If he gets back.
By the way, sir, about this ensign show on Sunday,
I was wondering if we couldn't possibly...
Roger, sir.
Did you find out, sir?
Oh... yes, my dear. Well, there's no need to worry.
- They're going to be all right. - You mean they've found him, sir?
Well, they know where they are. It's just a matter of time.
- He is all right, isn't he, sir? - Of course he is.
He'll be on the telephone through the War Effort before you know where you are.
- Now, you run along and don't worry. - Thank you, sir.
I've been in touch with the Navy at Dover. sir.
If it gets no worse they think the dinghy will rough the night.
- And if it does get worse? - I'm not so sure.
I wish we knew where they were.
If they can hold out till daylight, there's still a chance.
We'll get everything that can fly off the ground at first light,
unless there's thick fog or heavy rain.
- What's the temperature, Howard? - Low, sir. Cold and raw.
Possibly some frost on the way.
It could be pretty grim out there.
Could you get a new piece of chalk, corporal?
Sorry, sir.
Oh, Flight! 2559 is around. I've just picked up a signal.
- They've called airmen to search now. - Very good. Where is she?
Due north of here.
Well, here we go again. It'll be the usual, Ryce.
Three tours on the point of a pick-up, and each time fire on us was pitiless.
Next time I'll pull out her bungs and scuttle her.
What's this?
I tied us all... all together.
And that... case... In case one of us..
...went overboard.
Oh, yeah...
- How's the skip. - I'm all right, Canada.
How's yourself?
Lousy.
Came the dawn.
Skip, would you like some food?
- No? - No.
This damn wind...
...taking us closer to the Dutch coast all the time.
Where are they?
It can't take them all this time.
They're...
They're just not trying.
Him and his blasted little bag.
What if he has got Jerry secrets in it?
The war's nearly over now.
Pipe down, Mac. Whining's not gonna get us anywhere.
Bloody charm we're under...
He... he can't fall himself...
...so he has to take us in the drink too.
Oh, the hell, Mac.
He's a nice enough guy.
What's he doing in the Air Force anyway?
Earning his living? Not likely.
I know his type.
Constable over his camp...
pink gins in the mess...
Mac...
I don't think they served any pink gins in the last six weeks.
Why? Did the mess run out of gin or something?
Did you ever make a parachute jump, Mac?
No.
He did. To get all the stuff that's in that bag.
Made his way through...
...occupied territory for heaven knows...
...how many miles to get it back.
Not so many miles, Harding.
Only about 6 km, actually.
Pretty sticky ones, though.
- What's happened to your boots? - Hm?
Your boots!
Oh, Skipper's got them on.
He only had shoes on.
How are you feeling?
I'm all right.
I don't feel the cold.
He flew through the air with the greatest of ease
The bold, daring man on the flying trapeze.
He flew through the air with the...
One more leg, Ted, then we head for home.
Set out the course, will you, Ted?
Yep.
Wouldn't like to be in the drink in this weather.
Lord knows I'm fed up with these Sea Otters.
To hell with ditching in a kite that won't float.
Accomplished course 270. Turning at 5 minutes exact.
Roger dodger.
Listen! Listen!
It's one of ours.
Say, Mac, you'll capsize us.
- Where's the flare? - I've got it.
Wait a minute, Mac. Let's see the aircraft first.
- There it is! - Where?
- I can't see it! Where? - I can, sir. Over there!
- Have you got the flare ready? - I can't. I'm too cold.
Hey! We're here! Here we are!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Hurry up, man!
It's a Sea Otter. They're searching for us. Hurry up with that flare!
- Hurry up, man, for God's sake or we'll miss it.
- It won't come, I can't help it! - Let me try, here!
It's turning away. It's heading south. It's too late, I'm afraid.
- We're here! Here we are! - Hey!
Hey! Hey!
It's no good, fellows. They can't hear us.
No wonder they didn't spot us. Why weren't you turning that thing?
I was turning it.
Why didn't they hear us then?
Got a hell of a clout when we ditched.
Maybe it's busted.
You're the wireless operator. You ought to know.
Knock it off you two. Quarreling won't help.
Nobody's fault.
They're all the same. They don't care.
They're warm.
Skipper's passed out.
- Wish we could have found them. - Me too.
The weather's closing in.
If we don't head for home, we'll be in the drink ourselves.
Come on, you old string bag.
Twenty miles an hour flat out. The wind and tide behind her.
Bloody taxi driver, that's what I am.
Hey, can you see something down there?
- Huh? - Look!
- Yeah, it looks like a dinghy. - I'm going down.
It isn't what we're looking for. It must be a fighter boy.
I'm going down to pick him up.
Made it!
It's rougher than I thought.
Stand by, Ted.
Johnny, it's a Jerry.
Grab the rope!
Hang on tight!
Come on, you sausage-eating baboon!
Don't panic! We're getting you!
Danke... danke shoen.
Danke shoen.
I wonder if he's seen anything of the other dinghy.
- Did you see another dinghy? No? - A dinghy.
- No English. No speak English. - He doesn't speak English.
Where, what happened? Who shot you down?
Bomber... attack.
Hudson! Must be the one we're looking for.
- Where was it? Where was it? - Wo war der Hudson?
He must be the character that shot the Hudson down.
They probably got a pop at him and shot him down too.
Better get him back in the damn tub, too.
Yeah, let's get going. We haven't any time to waste.
Now we're in trouble.
Someday I'm gonna meet the guy that invented these tripe machines.
Better get busy on the buzzer and contact base and tell them where we are.
Then climb out on the wing and see what the score is, will you?
What about him? He's in pretty bad shape.
I hope he can hold on until they question him.
I hope so.
Danke. Danke shoen.
- 59's pretty close now. - Wonder which is gonna pick up the dinghy.
I bet it's 59. You couldn't pick up a curl in the head.
Hold it! Yes, that's all right.
Procede...
immediately...
to assistance...
of damaged Sea Otter...
tow back to base.
That's due south of here. Away from the search area.
Oh, now, 61 always gets the dirty jobs.
This boat's got a jinx on it.
Visibility's not so good, Flight.
Still good enough to spot trouble, sir. See what I see?
2559. Full speed!
Skipper! Sea Otter in the drink by the sound of it, sir.
Signal, sir.
Ahoy, there, 61!
I see they're taking you out of the search.
Well, well, well!
Never mind, you're better off doing an honest job of towing.
They're only using us because we can tow the Sea Otter and search.
- Anyway, good luck with the pick-up. - Keep your trousers dry.
Head off, Flight. Head off, aye, sir.
We'll never get back before the train leaves now.
- That's me last chance up the spout. - That's right, chum, you've had it.
I bet she'll be wearing her new coat.
Ten quid that cost me, you know? With the gloves in the act.
She's daft about money, dead daft.
She said she wanted it to go with her green suitcase I bought her for Christmas.
I bet she takes that with her, too.
Yeah, and the knives, and the forks, and the family jewels.
That's all right for you to talk, you're not married.
No, and after serving in this lot with you, chum, I'm staying that way.
Phooey! After 20 years of this game I'm posted to a tug.
- Five-man passengers, that's all. - Oughtn't to be.
- It's just a ship built at the same time. - They have a better fitter that we have.
Yes, that's true. Ah, Skinner!
He should have been a tailor. Al he's interested in is trousers and skirts.
Weather report, sir. Gale blowing up.
- Do you think they want me, corporal? - Damn, get out of the way, can't you?
Skinner! Oh, there you are. What's up?
- The water pumps are packed up, Flight. - Water pumps?
Yes, sir, both of them. The engines are overheating.
There's no water coming through.
How is it that both the water pumps are packed altogether, Skinner?
Well, sir, the keys have sheared.
They have a habit of shearing at awkward moments.
What are you going to do about it then?
- Dismantle the pumps and fit new keys. - How long will it take?
It'll take about 2 hours, sir. I'll have to make new keys.
- Haven't you any spare keys? - That's right.
Not like the boat I was on before, sir.
The fitter there he made spare keys. They were in his kit.
Why haven't you? Why not?
- Well, you see... - Come on, Skinner, out with it!
Well, sir, it's pretty busy down there with only two of us.
None of the boats have more than 2 fitters.
Yes, sir, but...
Skinner, how long did it take you to fix the oil feed last night?
It took me about 3 hours, sir.
I don't believe you took 10 minutes at the most!
- How long did it take you? - Well, it took me about...
Go on, get back there to make those new keys.
I'll sort you out when we get back.
Hang around.
- Knox. - Yes, sir?
Send a signal to base.
Tell them we've broken down and we can't pick up the Sea Otter.
Sir.
Pick it up, Skinner! Go on!
- Pick it up and get on with it! - But, Flight, it's bleeding.
Lovely!
I'd like to see you bleed slowly to death, master-flaming-corporal Skinner.
Go on, get on with it!
I'll just strip off a bit, Flight, it's pretty hot...
There's no time for stripping off, master-flaming-corporal Skinner!
Maybe you'll sweat to death.
If you do, I'll read the burial service when they push you over the side.
I'll be the first to shout per ardua ad astra as you go down.
And you're gonna be hanging I'll bloody well push you down with a boat hook!
Fire away!
I'll be watching you.
- How's it going, son? - All right, Flight, it's coming off.
How long's it gonna take?
- A day at this rate. - All day?
Well, the first sea lord here is gonna be back in a couple of hours.
He'll be lucky.
Thanks, Flight.
Launch on stern quarter, sir.
Ahoy, there, 61!
Broken down again? Never mind, we're on the job.
We'll find the Sea Otter and tow her in.
Much obliged to you!
You're welcome. And we'll come back for you in the morning if you like.
Very funny, ha-ha.
I'll make a note of where you are in case you're not sure.
Shall I give you your position?
I know where I am, thank you.
You'd better let the Navy know we're here.
If this weather gets worse, we might need help.
We'll probably come back for you ourselves.
Have a good day. You'll get a medal for this.
He knows what he can do with his blasted medals.
Hold on, 61, I'll pass on your message. Good luck!
All right, you move along, on the bridge.
All right, Flight.
You'll all end up with double pneumonia this flight, I'm telling you.
Milliken, get me some cocoa.
Well, I've been 20 years in the Marine Corps
but I never knew anyone like Skinner.
There's a gale warning out, Flight. Everybody's been recalled.
And we had to stop here. All because of Master Skinner. Ain't it marvelous?
I keep telling you, kid. There's no Sergeant Kirby here.
We're keeping beds ready and hot-water bottles...
...but they haven't even found them yet.
From what I heard in the ops room they don't even know where they are.
That can't be true!
Squadron Leader Scott definitely said last night that they'd been found.
He was only saying that to cheer you up.
No, he wasn't. He said they knew where the dinghy was and...
Listen to me. If they had found Kirby or any of them, I'd know, wouldn't I?
Sorry, kid. Keep your chin up.
Excuse me.
I couldn't help overhearing.
I'm afraid Sqn. Ldr. Scott misled you. He meant well, of course.
- They haven't found them then. - No.
We've had no luck at all so far.
We're assuming they got into their dinghy safely and that they're still afloat.
But we can only guess at where they are.
- But... in this weather, sir? - I know.
If it's any help to you, I still honestly believe...
...there's a chance of their being picked up.
Yes. Thank you, sir.
Here.
Let me help you.
Is he going to die, sir?
Do you think he'll be all right?
I hope so.
Must be...
...nearly midday.
He's a nice fellow, Harding.
You like him, don't you?
He'd so the same for me.
It's...
...just the way he is.
The way... he talks, the bloke.
We've been together nearly two years, sir.
Others have... have come and gone.
But... we seem to have stuck, I don't know why.
Yes, I know how it is.
His dad's got big estates.
Biggest there are in town.
My father's got fruiters and grocers.
In Luton.
It's mine now.
It's time for his water-foolish son...
...to get back to the shop.
I've got an old bloke looking after it but...
...he doesn't care.
No, it's not the same when it's not your own.
- Did you say Luton? - Eh?
- Luton. - Yes, do you know it?
That's funny...
You know, you must know my dad.
Why, did you live there, sir? What is he, the mayor or something?
No, not exactly.
But he must have punched your ticket at the railway station often enough.
He's a porter there. Or he was, till two years ago when he retired.
Oh.
I used to be mad about trains when I was a kid.
Playing about the railway line all the time...
...watching the numbers of the trains and so on.
But Dad always said no. Fly. Flying is the thing of the future.
Well, I dropped into the RAF but they wouldn't let me fly.
Eye sight test, you know.
Well, well, I was lucky. I got a scholarship.
I... I'm an engineer, you know.
Yes... I got back into the RAF again in the end. They wanted me.
Some use to them, I suppose.
So... here I am.
I'll put in for my commission.
Do you think I'll get it?
I don't see why not.
You would, if you knew.
Why?
It's a bit soft telling this to an Air Commodore but...
I pinched a Jerry can of petrol...
...the night before we started out on this lot,
and it landed in a ditch.
I've got a little car I bought off a bloke, you know...
to go down see the shop now and again.
I just slung it in the back.
If anybody's found it...
I've had it.
If that shop goes bust...
I'm finished.
Yes.
This damn weather, this trouble at home, and you can't get back.
By the way, you'd better consider yourself under close arrest.
Oh...
You know...
He always thought...
...that he'd come and get his groceries from me...
...even if he had to cycle from Gloucestershire.
That's where he lives.
He will, Mac.
So help me, bud, he will.
Where do you think we are now, Kirby?
Somewhere off the coast of Belgium, I reckon, sir.
There's a chance we may be washed up on...
...enemy territory then.
Well, at least he'd be safe and warm in hospital.
How's your hand, Mac?
Can't even feel it, sir.
That reminds me. Time we had another ration.
See if you can reach that thing and...
...chuck it over, will you?
If I can.
With the other hand.
Thanks.
Do you think that...
...Sea Otter will...
...ever come back again?
Not exactly flying weather, is it?
Not ideal.
What about the air-sea rescue?
As my old grandma used to say...
Patient, ever patient,
enjoy, so be thy share.
- Got it? - Thank you, sir.
Oh, God!
I hate the bloody sea!
Is that the dinghy?
According to the Navy, yes, sir.
They've questioned that German pilot they brought in pretty closely,
and allowing for wind and the tide, that's about it, sir.
- As close in as that. - As close in as that.
If she's still afloat.
The Navy says she'll be right by the beach this evening...
...in occupied territory.
- Are both our launches still out of it? - Yes, sir.
2559 is due at any time now with the Sea Otter.
2561 I reckon will be able to operate in a couple of hours.
Look!
Look what's happened to my best jacket.
Look at it! Look what's happened to my best jacket.
- Look what's happened. - Good!
Nothing like a spot of oil for a two-bit, Skinner.
You'll have to get it off. Got to wash it, like I do.
Maybe it'll keep you in at nights. Go on, keep firing.
- What are you doing, bosseye? - Yes, Flight.
The big swan wants his head examined.
How long is this likely to last?
Robbie seems to think we won't get the full force of the gale.
We're somewhere on the edge of it. What do you think, Timmy?
Maybe I should have walloped her, given her what for, showed her who was boss.
No, that good-for-no-good, she'd just gone off sooner, wouldn't she, eh?
Well, what do you think, Gusser?
I'll tell you what I think, chum.
Somewhere out there there's four blokes in a dinghy.
They've been out there all night. And if they're not dead already,
they're sitting out there depending upon you and me to go and find them.
So if you don't stop whining about that silly wife of yours,
I'm gonna pick you up and chuck you right over the side, personally.
All right, all right, I was only asking.
Come on, it's time you and I go on watch.
Milliken, put the kettle on. Robbins will be down in a minute,
he'll want a cup of tea.
Okay, corporal, Tobey's in the way. He asked for Flight.
Okay.
Do you think we'll be back before dark, Flight?
What's the matter? Can't you sleep without a night light?
What about the skipper?
- Going to Gosport. - Yes...
Ever been to Gosport?
- No. - I have.
I was stationed there in the old days.
Yeah, we've gone a long way since then.
And what have we got? We've got radar, wireless,
loops, launches with vast engines and patent logs.
With that and a fishing crew you're up a well-known creek.
Excuse me. I think I've set the boat on fire.
Fire!
Get down below!
It's all over here, sir.
- Where is he? - Check the upper deck, the cabin.
- Aye, aye, sir. - This is a fine bloody mess.
Who's responsible for this?
I am, sir.
Flt. Sgt., I want the full facts before we get back.
Milliken...
They'll probably shoot you for this.
But I was only trying to put the kettle on for a cup of tea.
If they don't shoot you, you'll be paying for this boat for the rest of your life.
Keep out of my way till we get back.
Now get up top. You're doing bridge watch.
- Bridge watch, what's that? - Keeping your silly eyes open, that's all.
You keep sitting on your old mat all day. Go, get up there!
Tobey, you follow him.
- Don't take your eyes off him. - Okay, Flight.
- Well done, Tebbit. - Thanks, very much.
- Clear this muck up. - That's gonna take hours!
We've got all day!
I shouldn't have cared if we all blowed up. What have I got to live for?
Hey! Come on, Guy Fawkes.
- How are you feeling now? - Like death.
Why don't you sit in the wheel house? I'll stand your watch for you.
Thanks, Corp, but I think I'd better stay here.
I'm not very popular with the Flight Sergeant at the moment.
All I did was put a match to it and it blew up in my face.
Oh, forget it. I know it was an accident.
The Flt. Sgt. doesn't think so.
- He's a bit of a terror, isn't he? - He's gotta be.
After all, the Flight Sergeant's got to be tough.
He's all right.
You watch him if you run into any trouble. You'll see.
Hey, skipper. Kraut firing ahead!
Launches.
Yeah.
And more than one by the sound of it.
I heard them. And the firing, too.
You'll get a bloody medal, you will.
- They're due east of us, sir. - And they're not HSLs.
You bet your life they're not.
They're right in the middle of eboat tally here.
I suppose they couldn't be Navy boats, could they?
Yeah, they could. But not our Navy.
The enemy.
I hope they don't run into us before Skinner gets his engines going again.
We've got to make this pick-up.
All right, you bunch of heroes, get back to your holes...
we're not dead yet.
Did you hear that?
There's firing.
Canada!
Canada! They've come, they've come!
Hold...
Hold the flare, Mac.
Let's see them first.
They might be Jerries.
Why should they be?
They must be ours. They must.
Hear that?
But they... they must be our chaps. They must...
Testing their guns around here? No, they're Jerries all right.
That means we must have drifted south faster than we expected.
Yes, sir.
My guess is we're...
we're somewhere off the mouth of the Scheldt.
How far off, do you think?
Well, unless... the wind changes...
...or the tide...
...we'll be inshore before nightfall.
Right under the nose of their shore batteries.
That washes out any chance of a rescue.
- There they are. - Where?
There. Two of them, see?
I... I knew it. They're Jerries.
- What do we do now, sir? - Wait.
Wait?
We're not going to give up ourselves now.
We'll be on the beach by nightfall. You said so.
And Skipper... it'll be too late.
They may not have seen us yet. There's still a chance of a rescue.
What's so good of being rescued if he's dead?
He's had as much as he can take.
We all have.
Haven't you got any pity? Look at him.
He's dying, I tell you! He's dying!
I've got to get this case back to England even if we all die.
There's just a chance they may be looking for us.
- For us, sir? - Or this case.
They've passed us by.
No!
What are you up to, man?
For God's sake, man, what are you doing?
MacKay, MacKay, let go.
Give me that! Give it!
- I'm gonna do it! I'm gonna...
- It's time. It's time! - MacKay, listen to me!
Millions of lives are... Listen!
There are millions of lives that we can save...
...if I can only get this case of mine back home.
Come on, Mac. For God's sake, believe me, man.
He's right, you know, Mac.
Excuse me, sir.
You'll excuse me speaking to you, you're Group Commander Todd, aren't you?
- Yes. - I've seen you at the dances.
- Oh, I'm uh... - I'm Mrs. Tebbitt.
Oh, Mrs. Tebbitt. - Yes.
My husband was due back from patrol last night and he hasn't turned up.
- What launch is he in? - 2561.
Are you planning to catch this train?
Yes.
Yes, I am. I'm going to London.
- At least I... - Mrs. Tebbitt.
There are four men down in a dinghy.
They're somewhere in the North Sea.
About their only chance now is for launch 2561 to find them.
Oh.
Excuse me. I've got to break the news to someone.
- Hello, Chris, dear. - Hello, Eve.
How nice of you to come and meet me.
- Where's Clive? - He's not here. Eve.
Don't tell me I've come all this way...
What is it, Chris?
Has something happened?
I'm afraid Clive's missing, Eve.
The aircraft he was traveling back in yesterday morning failed to arrive.
There's a crew of three with him. We believe they're in a dinghy.
Dinghy?
Message from headquarters, sir. Must be highly secret. I can't decode it.
Flight.
Aye, aye.
- Congratulations, sir. - Thanks, Flight.
I told you that coat would fit a boy.
- Any reply, sir. - Yes, send a signal.
When do the new childs allow us to start?
I hope we get back soon, Flight.
It's gone 2 o'clock. That's me lot. She's left me.
Here... you don't have it, you know. Well, I did.
She's on her way to London by now. I shall never see her again.
And a damn good job, too, 'cause I'm jolly well sick of her.
- Where's the captain. - On the bridge with Chiefy.
- Well, they're all right. We can start. - The engines are okay?
- I said we can start. - Right.
- Engines are ready, sir. - Good, and about time, too.
All right, start them up.
Marshall, send the signal to base.
- We're ready to continue the search. - Very good, sir.
Blythe, go ahead all speed, 1000 revs.
Come in.
Well, Scotty, what is it this time?
- I thought you'd want to see this, sir. - What is it?
It's a charge sheet made out against Flt. Sgt. MacKay.
- You haven't wasted much time. - No, sir.
- Any news of the dinghy? - No, there isn't.
Did all you could do, sir.
I suppose this will have to go through.
But if he comes ashore alive, he will be dealt with lightly,
or I'll know the reason why.
Yes, sir. Still it's jolly unpatriotic, you know. I mean, pinching petrol...
- Don't behave like a club man! - Yes, sir... Very good.
- Oh, one thing more. - Yes, sir?
This little WAF, Sgt. Kirby's, I gather you told her last night...
- ...he was safe and on his way back. - I was trying to cheer her up.
She's only a child, you know.
She didn't behave like a child when I told her the facts.
Sorry, sir.
I seem to make rather a muck of things all around.
Come in.
Signal from 2561, sir.
- They're ready to resume the search. - Right, I'll come.
May I talk to you of the dance on Sunday, sir?
No.
- Oh, no news yet, I'm afraid. - Thank you, sir.
Where do you reckon the dinghy should be now?
Just about here, sir.
Right in close to enemy shore.
Forecast for that area is mist lifting rapidly.
It means the Jerries are bound to spot them.
Yes...
How long would it take 2561 to get to that position?
About an hour, sir. 45 minutes, maybe.
Right. Signal them to make an in-shore search in that area.
Yes, sir.
It's a devil of a place for a launch to go right out to the shore batteries.
- That is not all of it, sir. - Hm? What else?
This is an enemy mine field.
I think it's about time we did some exercises again, huh?
- Land! - Where?
- I saw land. - Huh?
I saw land over there.
- Look, there it is. - Where?
See it?
Yes, I can see it now that the mist is lifting.
Houses.
Real houses.
Well... we're close in.
Belgian coast.
South of Antwerp.
That'll be nice. Right in Jerry's lap.
Listen!
It's only waves.
No, it sounded louder than that.
It's a sand bank.
We're inside it.
If it dries out at low tide...
they'll be able to walk out and pick us up.
At least you'll be all right.
All I've got to look forward to is a court martial.
If we can get this briefcase back to England safely...
you'll find it'll weigh more than a Jerry can of petrol.
Well, if anyone wants to pick us up now...
...they'll have plenty of fun.
- Will you make us some tea, Knox? - Tea? Hot-water bottles in case of shock.
- Oughtn't I to do that? - You did enough damage last time.
You get up on deck and keep your eyes open.
The shore's only over there through the mist.
We've got just about enough petrol to get us out.
Keep searching.
Aye, sir.
Thank goodness for this mist.
At least they can't see us from the shore.
A launch.
- A launch, they've found us. - Where, man, where?
Over there.
I saw it for a second, then...
Then it disappeared.
- It's nothing. - I tell you I saw a launch.
Air-sea rescuer, or I'm crazy.
Get the flare out, will you? Make sure that it works this time.
Come on, where is it?
There!
There she is.
- Shout! - Hey!
- For God's sake, shout! - Hey! Hey!
It's no good attracting mensches at that distance
Get the flare out, Mac, go on!
Hey...Hey... - I can't. You... you do...
The whistle! Blow the whistle, Mac.
The mist is lifting.
It's a bit disappointing though, coming all this way without making the pick-up.
Blarmey, Tebbitt, you're human after all.
Thanks very much, Flight.
Flare, Flare! Flight, a red flare.
Sir, a red flare over there!
That's all, hold it.
- There she is, sir! - It's a dinghy, sir! It's a dinghy!
Stand by to pick-up!
On posts! Keep your eyes keen everybody. The shore's somewhere over there.
Come on, get below, Milliken. You've got work to do, come on.
She's coming. She's coming towards us.
Shout, boys. Shout like hell.
Hey! Hey!
- Hey! - Hey!
We go uptide to the south side of the sand bank and come out the other end.
Aye, aye, sir.
Skinner, up on deck!
Let's have all of you up on deck! We may need you.
Full speed ahead on all three.
- They've seen us, Flight! - Here it comes!
Pretty rotten shots, aren't they?
Any menace they all start up.
One more like that, that's all we want, just one more like that.
Come on, hurry up! Get a move on.
All together! Right, lift!
Steady as you go!
- Are you all right, sir? Don't worry about me, watch the dinghy.
We've got do this damn quickly. Take the wheel.
You'll be all right, chums. You'll be on board a train in a minute.
- Hey, Tebbitt! - All right, sir.
Try to get a move on.
- I got it. Watch out chap. - Okay, get her away!
Head off!
Hold your breath, boy!
We did it! We bloody well did it!
Tebbitt!
- You all right? - They must have chucked the gun at me.
- I'll get you an order to sick bay. - And an all clear, Flight.
All clear? Do you hear that noise?
The sweetest music in the world.
The engines making for home.
How are you, Clive?
- Hello, Chris. - It's good to see you.
Good luck, sir.
- Thanks. Come see me later. - I will, sir.
Okay, now?
Yes.
You?
Fine.
See you later.
Thank you, Treherne. You did a great job.
The doctor said you'll be on your feet in a matter of weeks.
That'll suit me fine, sir.
Have a nice stretch of convalescence leave. Give you time to get to know your son.
I'd like that, sir.
Congratulations. Thank you all very much.
Thank you, sir.
- Well, how do you feel? - Oh, I'll be fine in a couple of days.
I'm glad Eve took it so well.
Oh, by the way, I wanted to talk to you sometime about that Flt. Sgt. MacKay.
Funny you should mention that. I wanted to talk to you about him.
How's Flight Officer Harding?
Oh, he'll be okay, Sergeant. We got him just in time.
- How was it? - Oh, a bit dodgy.
But we held them off, you know?
Here, Milliken!
A fag?
Oh, thanks, Flight.
I thought you did a favor to us all. You made a pick-up.
You're one of God's chosen few.
Enjoy the trip?
I never thought we'd get back.
Get back? Get back?
After a pick up like that I'd have swum under the basket and carried her home.
I bet you would, Flight.
Now come on, son, don't keep the ambulance waiting. You're wounded, aren't you?
Oh, it's nothing. I feel a bit hungry.
I thought I'd go down to the cookhouse.
All them WAFs! Come on, Robbie.