"So Britain welcomes members of the new French government and the new French premier, Monsieur Paul Reynaud." "Britain and France issue a solemn declaration binding their two people still more closely." "It declares that the change of government in France will not change cooperation between the two nations and perfect cooperation between the heads of the Allied forces." "Our armies will fight side by side." "So, look out, Hitler, here we come." "Members of the Foreign Press Association visit the British Air Forces on the Western Front." "They represent many newspapers in neutral countries." "Apart from military secrets, we've nothing to hide." "We fight in the open." "Our propaganda is true." "Belgium, too, is showing off her preparedness." "This is one of her coastal batteries where the men live in bomb-proof block houses and can be ready for action within seconds." "German warships hardly dare to operate in seas policed by the Royal Navy," "There lies Belgium's best hope of security." "Here's somewhere else where they're shooting at birds from every angle." "250 Pacific boast cuties..." "I mean Pacific coast beauties." "What a picture!" "What a job." "Ain't it gorgeous?" "At the Mansion House in London," "Mr.." "Chamberlain makes a statement on the progress and prospects of the war." "The oceans of the world have been swept clear of German shipping." "There's a flap on." "No, they're just off to another party." "Come on, let's see what's up." "...they desire to achieve the ruin of the British Empire." " I told you there was a flap on." " There's one every week." " They save 'em for Wednesdays." " Brig seems in a hurry." "I bet he noticed you didn't salute him." "You've been dropped to lance again." "Make that a promise and I'll never salute the old basket again." "He doesn't know me from Adam." "Come on, let's go have some vin blanc." "Don't go pinching tourist behind again." "The locals don't like it." "You think the people back home believe all that stuff in the newsreel?" " All that gaff about being prepared." " Why shouldn't they?" "Besides, it keeps 'em happy." "My missus says they don't know there's a war on." " Lucky blighters." " Thanks, fella." "Fresh landings have taken place in the area, and our forces are astride the road to the north." "The Norwegian forces are cooperating with the utmost gallantry." "Uh, in France, there has been patrol activity in the Rhine area to the south of Strasbourg." "Any questions?" "Uh, may I ask, sir, if there's any confirmation of the reports today about heavy enemy concentrations along the Dutch and Belgian fronts?" "I have nothing to add." "Are you prepared to deny these reports?" "I have nothing to add to the communiqué." "If large troop movements develop during the night, will a new communiqué be issued?" "As far as I know there is no intention to issue any further communiqué before tomorrow." "Any truth in the reports of heavy air reconnaissance over eastern Belgium?" "Nothing to add." "Any security objection to using the reports we've received or shouldn't the Germans be told what they're doing?" " That's a matter for the censor." " Thank you, sir." "Well, Jouvet, what do your people think?" "Have you heard anything from any of the Dutch boys?" "I was talking to Johan Van Bleeck of the Handelsblad." "They have got half a million Germans opposite end." "Coubert, do you know Charles Foreman?" " Delighted." " How do you do?" " Have you heard anything from Brussels?" " Nothing." "You've heard nothing of the 500,000 Germans on the border?" " Has your paper printed it?" " No." "I don't get it." "Here are the biggest troop movements since the war broke out." "Nobody says anything, attempts anything, knows anything." "What do they think they're there for, manoeuvres?" "Patrol activity." "Utter bilge." " Evening, Mrs. Young." " Evening, Mr. Holden." "Hello, girls." "How did you get on?" "70 gross." "The machine broke down just after 7.00 for half an hour." "Frankie mended it." "Germany calling, Germany calling." " Switch that blasted row off." " No." "Let's listen to what he says." "Don't tell me you listen to Haw-Haw's twaddle." "How do you know it's twaddle?" "It must be said again that Germany has no intention to use military might against small countries, unless they seek to aid our enemy." "If Britain or France were foolish enough to invade Belgium, we on our side will be obliged to protect..." "Makes me sick." "Rotten traitor." "All the same, he may be right." "Perhaps they don't want war." "Eh, don't want war?" "What happened to Norway and Denmark?" "They went in there quick enough." " I suppose you're right." " It's a lot of blasted propaganda." "Still, they do let him say it on the radio, don't they?" "Oh, there you are, Frankie." " Good evening, Mr. Holden." " What was wrong with the machine?" "The die gotjammed." "I reset it, same as last time." "Let's have a look." "Well, that's fine now, yeah." "How's Mrs. Holden and the baby?" "Did you see them today?" "Yes, I did." "They're grand." "He's gained another three ounces." "Go on." "You'll be telling me next he's had his call-up papers." "Yes, that's the only blight in the picture." "He had to come along when there's a war on." "Don't worry, it'll be all over before he's out of his nappies." "I hope you're right." "All right, girls, you can knock off now." "Will you lock up by yourself tonight?" "I'll be over at the Queen's Head." " Good night, girls." " Good night, Mr.." "Holden." " Don't forget the blackout." " I won't." "How about a drink, Alfred?" "Or do I serve myself?" "Serve yourself." "I must put up this blackout." "OK, I'll fill mine." "Charles, do you have to do that?" "I have a great, I might say monumental, thirst." " I've been to a press conference." " Any news?" "The usual." "Leaflet raids over Hamburg." "Patrol activity along the entire front." "Usual claptrap." " A light ale, dear?" " Please." " Evening, all." " Hello." " Good evening, Mr.." "Holden." " Evening, Mrs. Foreman." " Hello." "How's Grace and the baby?" " Fine, just fine." "Wet the baby's head, Holden." "What'll you have?" " Scotch, if I may, please, Mr.." "Foreman." " Right." "Alfred, the whiskey's run dry." "Well, you better go easy on it." "If I don't get any more by Monday I'll ration you." "No more doubles." "Come off it, Alfred." "You can get some on the side." "I can't live without Scotch." "What are you kicking about?" "You could always turn a little petrol into a little whiskey." "Wouldn't you?" "It's a lovely war." "How many buckles have you turned out this week?" "200 gross, I should wonder." "The army's gotta have buckles." "Especially if it's caught with its pants down." "Still, I suppose somebody's gotta make 'em." " Thank our stars we're not wearing 'em." " Charles." "Give us another pint, guvnor." "Well, one does what one can." "They made it a reserved occupation, I didn't." "Anyway, would I have done any more sitting on my backside in France for six months?" "Would I?" "A new baby, 200 gross of buckles, unlimited petrol, and all the whiskey you want." "You're sitting pretty, aren't you, Holden?" "Yes, it is a lovely war." "Wouldn't you if you were in my place?" "Wouldn't everybody?" "Doesn't everybody?" " The war's a blasted phoney anyway." " I'm a bit tired of that." " Tired of what?" " This phoney war business." " Isn't it?" " No, it's not." "I've come out of hospital after ten days in an open boat off the Faroes." "I'm sick of blokes with softjobs ashore." "Come outside!" "Now don't be silly." "I've lost two fingers, but I'll take you out and knock your block off." "Take it easy." "No need for that." "I'm sorry, I apologise." " I'll come outside, if you insist." " That won't do any good." "It's not his fault." "It's the fault of all of us." "You make me sick, all of you." "It may be a phoney war to you but it's not to all the boys at sea." "It never has been." "Charles, we better be getting home." "Good night, Mr.." "Holden." "You treat this whole thing as a personal issue." "That was nearly a fight." "Poor Holden would've got it." "To blazes with Holden." "He makes me sick." "He's like a lot more in this country." "It's the same everywhere." "is this supposed to be a war effort?" "You're getting to be a bit of a pain in the neck about this war effort." "You don't see it any more than anyone." "This debate in the House, where's it got us?" "Chamberlain is settled in as comfortably as ever, patting us on the head saying everything will be all right so little squirts like Holden can sit on their fat subcontracts and make more money than in peacetime." "What'll it be worth if we lose this war?" "We haven't lost it." "Don't tell me next we're always at our best when we're nearly beaten and all that bilge." "If you ask me, we are nearly beaten." "Charles, for goodness sake, be human." "I know you feel we're making a mess, but it's not the fault of people like Holden." "They're doing their best and doing what they're told." "He fusses about his wife a bit." "Nothing much wrong with that." "No use tearing yourself to pieces, Charles." "Yes, but we're all being such fools." "Poor old Charles." "You'd like to get at him with your bare hands, wouldn't you?" "As far as I can see that's all we've got." "Our bare hands." "They're flags left over from the last war." "They just bring 'em out every 20 years." "Says a lot for the popularity of our fathers." "You're right there, Tubby." "That could be your half-sister, except she's too good-looking." "She's as ugly as Punch's sore-eyed dog." "Oi, oi!" "It seems strange having to leave prepared positions." "You think we'd have to wait for Jerry to appear." "We're going up to the river Dijle to hold a defensive position." "We sit up on a hill by the French to connect up with the Belgians, like closing a door." " And we're the door, eh?" " Yeah, that's right." "At least so the major said." "Yeah?" "Supposing someone puts their foot in the bloody door?" "That is the end of the communiqué." "Any questions?" "Has the Belgian front broken, sir?" "is it true they've attacked in force on either side of Sedan?" " German tanks outside Brussels?" " Gentlemen, one at a time, please." "The situation is fluid in the highest degree." "The main fighting has not yet begun." "The information that I've given you is..." " Orders to fall back, sir?" " Fall back?" " Tell the other sergeant." " Yes, sir." "We're pulling back, sir." "Get moving, we're pulling back." "Pack it up, we're pulling back." " Why?" " Ask the bleeding generals." "I dunno." "They're still the other side of the river." "I don't know." "We've got to be out of here by 19:00 hours." "Get moving!" "I am sorry, gentlemen." "I have nothing further to say." "It has been reported that Calais has been heavily attacked." "Is it true Boulogne has fallen?" "Let the first car get on the bridge." "Blast!" "He's twigged it." "Let him have it!" "Now!" " Right!" "Get your gear together and run!" " Come on, boys!" " OK, all of you?" " Yes, sir." "That should hold 'em for a bit." "Let's get back to the unit." "Double up and quick." "Keep low." "There's nobody in the forward observation post, sir." " There must be." " No, sir." "Nobody in the trenches either, sir." "Looks empty." "The Vehicles are there." "That's C Company's second truck." "Transmission went last night." "That Bren's U/S, too." "There's nobody there." "There's nobody there, sir." "Get the stuff off as quickly as you can." "Very good, sir." "Come on, lads, pick 'em up." "That's a rum go." "I wonder what's happened." " Division pulled out last night." " Where to?" "West, sir." "Concentrating between Arras and Lens, the major said." "Told me to wait for you, sir." "Look out!" "Get to cover!" " You all right, Tubby?" " Yeah, I am all right." "What about the others?" " Where's Mike?" " He ducked down over there, I think." "Come on, let's have you!" "Mike, where are you?" " Down here." " You all right?" " Of course I'm all right." " What are you doing down there then?" "I'm trying to get out of this bloody hedge." "Everybody OK?" " That was quick." " Yeah." "Where's the company?" " Where is everybody?" " Pulled out." "Everything's gone." "Yeah, but where?" "Mr.." "Lumpkin." " Can you get him, Barlow?" " It's too hot." " Let me have a go." " I can't reach him." "I can't get at him." " He's dead." " Oh, my God." "He's dead." "No." "Oh, my God." "Poor devils." "They hadn't a chance in that fire." "It wasn't the fire that killed them." "They got it before that." "Well, what do we do now?" "You've got the stripes, Tubby." "You tell us." "Yeah." "Yeah, I suppose you're right." "What do we do, then?" "One thing's certain, the trucks are U/S. Suppose we have to hoof it." "Come on, let's get cracking before Jerry comes back." " I never wanted the blasted stripes." " Too late now." "You're stuck with 'em." "Hello, Jouvet." "What on earth's the matter?" "We have lost the battle." "Don't be a fool." " They have broken through." " What?" "Well, that's not the end of things." "Look, it can't be as bad as all that." "You don't understand." "You are an Englishman." "It is France that is being torn." "It is my country." "You English, you can never understand." "My home is at Reims." "You have never known what it is to have a German in your home." "Even now, they're in my house tearing things open." "Tomorrow they will be in Paris." "in Paris." "Rubbish!" "You're talking nonsense." "They've broken through and the situation is bad, that's obvious." "We've known it for days." "But Gamelin must be getting his reserve into position." " What reserve?" " The strategic reserve, of course." "When I was in Reims in February, the Seventh Army was the heart of the strategic reserve." "There was almost nothing else." "Gamelin sent the Seventh Army to Holland." "What is there left?" "But you can't mean that." "The whole principle of the Maginot Line was to build up a strong reserve." " What have your generals done?" " Generals." "They sacked 15 front-line generals three days ago." "Did you know that?" "But you called up two million men." "What have you done with them?" "Who are you to talk?" "What have you British sent to France, 200... 300,000?" "What about the navy and the air force?" "What will they do for you when you have lost your army?" "We haven't lost it yet." "It is the one Virtue that we French have left." "We are realists." "This battle is lost." "What will you fight with?" "Those?" "Sometimes there's a lot to be said for not being too much of a realist." "Left, right, left, right, left." "Squad will retire." "About... turn." "Swing your arms." "Keep your dressing by the left." "Pardon, madame, où est Anglaise?" "Pardon, monsieur, où est Anglaise?" "Dead stupid." "Don't understand their own ruddy language." "We'll never get far with this lot." "Let's get moving." "Let's get off the road." "We'll never get through this mob." "This way." "What did she want to do that for?" "That's one brush with a French girl your old woman won't mind." "Planes." "Jerry planes!" "What about going back to help them?" "What can we do?" "We can't do any good." " Didn't use their bombs." " Didn't need to, the bastards." "Can only mean one thing:" "they're saving the road for their tanks." "Come on, let's get back to the unit." " Got a fag, Mike?" " Aye." "And I'm keeping it." "Got a fag, Barlow?" "Motorbike." "Might be a Jerry." "Get down quick!" "If it's a Jerry, don't miss." "You can shoot me if I do." " Can you see him?" " Not yet." "He's wearing a uniform." "I hope it's a Jerry." "He's a Don R. He's one of ours." "I believe he's right." "Who are you?" "What's your mob?" "B Company, Wiltshire's 13th Brigade." "Where's your unit?" "That's what we want to know." "Thought perhaps you could help." "Who was top of the league this year?" "Top of the league?" "Darned if I know." "There was no league held this year." "Everton won it last year." " You'll do." " He thinks we're ruddy fifth column." " You can't be too careful these days." " Do we look like fifth column?" "No, you don't." "Neither do they." "Blasted Jerries everywhere." "Never mind that." "Whereabouts will our unit be?" "I don't know." "An RA battery back in those woods." "They can tell you." "I'd look slippy about it too." "Some Jerry tanks a few miles back." "I only just missed them." "Sounds like good advice to me." "We didn't check whether he was fifth column." "Can't you tell a DR when you see one?" "Couldn't tell what we were when he saw us." "Well, uh..." "Come on, let's find this battery." "What's your ammo state, John?" "50 HE, 12 AP." "All right." "Corporal!" "Where do you think you're going with that heap?" "Home sweet home." "Stand to attention when I'm speaking to you." "All right, don't tell me, don't tell me." "You got left behind when your unit pulled out." " You've been astray, not your fault." " That's right..." " You're a shower." " Sarnt major!" "Get your men down to the cookhouse." "When you've eaten, report to me." "We've had our orders, Sarnt major." "Taken 'em long enough to make up their minds." "When do we pull out?" "We don't." "We're staying." "How long do we have to hold, sir?" "The situation is Very confused." "Till it's been sorted out, we've just got to stay put." "Till the ammunition runs out, I reckon." "I always did say we were overdrawn on ammo." "Yeah, my name's Miles." "He's Harper." "He's a moaning bleeder." "But don't take any notice of him." "He just likes it." "Been astray long?" " Too long." "And you?" " Yeah." " One tin between two." " Have you not got anything hot?" "You're lucky to get that." "We're on half rations." "Don't worry, you'll get something off before long, only it won't be grub." "What's the sergeant major's name, sarge?" "They've all got the same name, haven't they?" "Good." "Good." "We'll let them get to the culvert as we planned." "Keep me informed." " Sarnt major!" " Sir." "Take post." "Mixed column coming up the road, sarnt major." "Two armoured cars, six tanks, a mobile 88, lorried infantry." "Get your odds and sods into the slit trenches." "Take post!" "Sector B, right section, engage!" " What's going on, sarge?" " Stand to." "Jerries coming up." "The muck will start flying soon." " Get in the slit trenches!" " What, me?" "Yes, you too, Green." "Why don't you forget it?" "You'd have been mad yourself in her place, humping all those bags in a crowd of refos." " They seem to hate us." " Refugees hate everybody." " Wouldn't you?" " Well, they don't need to hate us." "Fire!" "Fire!" "Hundred-sixty box of ammo!" "Christ." "Stretcher bearers!" "Come on, you two." "Come on." "Number four gun's had it, sir." "Smashed side bracket." "Three killed." " Number one's all right." "Two and three?" " All right too, sir." "All right, down here." " Corporal Binns, Private Bellman." " Anything else we can do, sir..." " It's Fraser, corp." "He's wounded bad!" " Shut up, shut up!" "Get a hold of yourself!" " Where's Bellman?" "You seen him?" " He's helping the wounded." "It was horrible, Fraser was just..." "Just looking, and then..." "And then, it was so sudden that..." "All right, son, all right." "Keep a grip on yourself." "Right, Tubby." "Right." "Barlow saw Fraser cop it." "Must have been pretty grim." "I'm worried about that kid." "He's a bit young for this lot." "What's that?" "Say again." "Good, good." " They've pulled out." " Another killed and three more injured." "That's not the end of it." "They weren't expecting anything." "Took them by surprise." " What will they do now?" " Pull back." "Keep our heads down with an occasional shell." "That's what they learned in Spain and Poland, what we're learning now." " We just wait." " Yes, sarnt major." "We just wait." "I'll see the men get a hot drink, sir." "Just a minute, sarnt major." "I'd get the odds and sods away if I were you." "I doubt they'll use the infantry now." "They'll wait for the divebombers." "Very good, sir." "I'll do that." "I'm not badly hurt, am I, corporal?" "I'm not badly hurt?" "No, I don't think so, son." "The MO didn't spend a lot of time with you, did he?" "No, he didn't, did he?" "I don't feel any pain." "I don't feel anything at all." "It can't be bad if I don't feel anything?" "Of course it can't." "Just a little flesh wound, I reckon." "All right, son, all right." "Lie back and rest." "Corporal." " Sir?" " Get the men together, corporal." "Those two as well." "Come on, man, get somebody moving!" "Private Russell, get our party together." "Look lively!" "Take your men, head north." "Try and connect with your unit." " What's the idea, sergeant major?" " Just do as you're done well told." "Smarten yourself up, keep your wits and move, fast." "Very good, sir." "Keep going around to the left, Mike." "Come on, boys." " Good luck, corporal." " Thank you, sergeant major." " I wish I were with 'em." " So do I, by God." " What'd they send us off for, corp?" " Did you want to stay?" "Not on your blinking life." " is Fraser badly hurt, corp?" " He's dead." "Stukas!" "Run for it!" "So that's why he sent us away." "Do you think he knew?" " He knew, all right." " That's murder." "That's sheer bloody murder." "I hope somebody knows what they're doing." " No chance of seeing the C in C yet?" " Not a hope." "Things the way they are, he must be a Very worried man." "Any news of the 5th and 50th divisions pushed to the south?" "Not really." "They're putting out the usual probes." "So far the main attack hasn't gone in." "Yet, thank goodness." "You know, it's an impossible scheme." " But it's de Gaulle's plan, isn't it?" " Yes, it is." "So, we've got to try something." "We are in a pretty awful mess." "Of course." "Shouldn't we be?" "With the French breaking we're wide open on our right flank." "If the Belgians crack we'll be in trouble." "If that happens, we need the 5th, 50th, and any others we can scrape up..." " ... to stop Jerry's run to the north." " What was the outcome of Dill's Visit?" "That didn't help much." "As far as I know the push to the south still goes." "Cabinet's pressuring Gort to carry it through." "How he'll sort that problem out I wouldn't know." "How can he?" "He's a subordinate commander." "He can't overrule the French high command, go over the CIGS, let alone defy the Cabinet." "Henry, I've come to a decision." "I'm calling off the 5th and 50th Divisions from the attack to the south and send them to the left." "Sir, that's against all orders we've had." "French 1st Army won't attack without their support." "I know that." "It's got to be done." "We've got to protect our escape route." "I'm Very worried about this Belgian sector." "If they crack, and from my summing up of the situation I'm sure they will, our chances of withdrawing to Dunkirk are nil." "And I am now perfectly certain that is what we shall have to do." "Very good, sir." "Our only hope of getting back is to reinforce Brookie, and to do that I shall withdraw the 5th and 50th Divisions" "in spite of any orders that we've had." "It's 1800 hours." "Have the orders drafted at once." "Calais is being heavily shelled from the west." "Wessex is asking for support." " What's Wessex doing?" " Engaging air batteries." "Greyhound and Burza should be with her in half an hour." "I'm afraid that's the end of Calais." "That leaves only Dunkirk." "Ostend and Zeebrugge?" "No, I don't think we shall use them." "Dunkirk was bombed last night." "The French lost another destroyer." "That makes two of their Tiger class gone." "How soon can you start moving up your Dutch schuyts from the Solent?" "We can move the first four at about 1800, sir." "Do so." "Can your ministry start the Isle of Man boats moving at once?" "Yes, sir." "And I've not yet had the report from Cardiff." " I want everything from there started." " Very good, sir." " What about the Portsmouth tugs?" " Two on the way, sir." "Four to follow." "Good." "Sorry, boys." "They want it cleared tonight." " Who?" " Why didn't you tell us before?" " The navy want her." " A scull like this?" "We must have her out in tonight's tide." "We need her across the other side." " Scraping the bottom of the barrel?" " Anything that can float." " What's it all about?" " Sorry, I can't tell you." "Take my word for it." "It's important." "My orders are to transfer you and your crew to the drifter as she comes along." "We've come to make certain every available ship sails." "How?" "My chief engineer is ashore and half my crew." "You'll have to find them." "Sorry, you must sail for Dover tonight." "Captain wants to see you on the bridge." "Operation Dynamo is to commence." "We proceed to Dover." "Think up the oddest names, don't they?" "Something to do with a large scale evacuation of troops?" "They'll try and bring the army away." "Not a chance. 2-2-0 revs, port 15." "Jerry was well past Calais." "Dunkirk's been bombed to blazes." " What do they think we can do about it?" " Pick them off the beaches." "Pick an army off the beaches?" "Don't be a fool, James." "Hey, we're all right, Tubby." "Where there's a farm there's eggs." "Wait a minute." "Looks too quiet to be safe." "Let's take a gander." "That should fetch 'em out if there's anyone there." "Seems quiet enough." "Come on." "I don't like it much." "Why not?" "Everybody's gone." "The whole place is deserted." "Wouldn't have done that if Jerry wasn't coming." " We gotta kip somewhere, Tubby." " Huh?" "Yeah." "Barlow, nip upstairs and keep a lookout." "Keep your eyes skinned, mainly east." " Stay there till somebody takes over." " I'm gonna try to scrounge some eggs." "I'll take a look around." "You two check the blackout." "We'll need the light in a minute." "Shove an old screen around the door." "A lot of firing going on over there." " Good." "That tells us our direction." " How come?" "Use your loaf." "That's where the fighting is, where our lot will be." " You found any yet, mate?" " I haven't, but give us a chance." "Oh, you haven't?" "Hey, where did you get those?" "I wasn't born in the country for nothing, you know." "I'm glad this isn't my place." "Having a lot of strangers walk in and scrounge around doesn't seem right." "It don't, do it?" "Funny, I never thought of us as strangers." " Shut that blasted door!" " All right!" "Keep your hair on!" "Clumsy clots." "How were we to know you put that thing up?" "How was I to know you'd tear in like a pregnant camel with its hump on fire?" "No sense of gratitude." "What'd you find?" "Two loaves of stale bread and butter." "A couple bottles of Vine, if it ain't Vinegar." " It'll taste the same." " Quiet a minute." "Can you hear that?" "What is it?" "Somebody's gonna cop it." "Cor!" "How many do you think there are?" "Too many for my liking." "I wonder who's gonna be on the receiving end of that lot." "Long as it is not us I don't mind." "Yeah, you're dead right there." "Should be some grub up soon, I hope." "Where do you think they're going to?" "London?" "Your folks there, son?" "My mother." "So's my missus." " Oi, oi!" " Posh, innit?" " Looks like a tart's dressing table." " Here we are, sunny side up." "Ta." "More to come, if you're lucky." "Thanks, mate." "Dave, pop up and relieve Barlow when you're finished." "How long ago is it since we went into Belgium?" "Ten or 12 days ago?" "Bloody if I know." "Notice how all those flags disappeared when we pulled out?" "Aye." "Flowers on the way in, raspberries on the way out." "Funny thing about those flowers, mate." "I used to like the smell of lilac." "I hate it now." " Got a fag, Mike?" " You'll be lucky." "Don't be lousy." "Give us a fag." "Typical NCO, always on the make." "All right, Dave, up you go." "What's time now?" "About half past eight?" " Yeah." " If we do an hour and a half each, that should get us away by round about, uh..." " ... well, round about first light." " Ruddy marvelous." " We'll be dead beat before we start." " Ta." "Match?" "Get up, you!" "Jerry's here." "Get up, Harper!" "Dave, Dave!" "Jerry's here, get up." "Come on, boys, up, quick!" "Jerry's here." "Come on, quick!" "Keep going." " Where's Bellman?" " He's coming." "Bellman!" "Over here!" " Dave, quick!" " Righto, corp!" " Dave, quick!" "Let's go in here!" " Check!" "Mike, here, quick!" "Come on." "I'll keep their heads down, you get Dave." "Look out!" "Go and give 'em a hand." "I'll keep Jerry under cover." "Can you hold 'em for a bit?" "Yeah, I reckon I can." "He's got it right through the chest." "We'll never get him away like this." "We'll have to leave him." "We cannae." "We've got to get him away." "He'll be dead in no time with us trying to lug him around." "We won't hold 'em much longer." "There are too many of 'em." "Tell Miles to give 'em another burst and get back quick." "Get moving, quick!" "Don't you understand?" "We got to leave him!" "This is the only chance." "They'll find him." "They've got doctors." "Now come on, get moving!" "Get moving!" "Don't stop, keep on after 'em." "Dave, Dave." "Can you hear me?" "I'm sorry, Dave." "We gotta do it." "We gotta." "They'll look after you." "Good luck." "Tubby?" "Mike?" "Tubby?" "Hey, Harper!" "Here, it's about time you had a go with this, innit?" " You all right, Mike?" " I'm OK." " We should never have left him." " Forget it." "It's over and done with." " Not for him, it isn't." " Come on, run." "Through here, quick!" "What do they want with a waterboat?" "The water mains are bursted at Dunkirk." " Bet the army's thirsty." " Me too." "Blimey." "They're not gonna send that?" "Ok, she's free." "Let her go astern." "What are you doing with my husband's boat?" " Bring it back at once." " Sorry, ma'am, she's commandeered." "Oh, Mr. Foreman." "Oh, hello, Holden." "Did Tough ring you, too?" "He just sent one of his men to pinch my boat from its moorings." " So he pinched it, did he?" " Yeah, he did." "What's the idea?" "It's got something to do with the BBC broadcast about registering boats of 30 foot or more." "Mine's not 30 foot, not since I ran into Teddington Lock." " I took six inches off the stem." " So you didn't register it?" "I don't know." "Fools at the top, fools at the bottom." "There are times I don't think we ought to win this war." " What's it all about?" " We've a right to know." "By whose authority is this action being taken?" "I can't tell you any more than I have already." " That's nothing." " There must be some reason." " Perhaps the commander can tell you." " Sorry, I'm not allowed to tell you." "But I can assure you it's official." "That's as may be, but we know nothing about this at the station." "You will, constable, you will." "Mr. Foreman?" " Yes?" " "Vanity"?" "I see you registered your boat." "Are you prepared to help us a bit further, Mr. Foreman?" "Would you take it down to Sheerness at dawn?" "Sheerness?" "Yes, yes, of course." "Thank you, Mr. Foreman." "Here's your pass for the lower river." "Get your petrol from Mr. Tough." "Next, please." "Holden, "Heron"." "She's not registered." "Why not?" "Doesn't make any difference." "You've got her just the same." "We're requisitioning her." "Are you prepared to take her to Sheerness?" "My wife just had a new baby." "Sheerness is not at the North Pole, Mr. Holden." "I'm sorry." "I haven't the time." "I've got responsibilities." "So have many men, Mr. Holden." "I understand you're a motor engineer." "We need them to keep the engines going." "Are you sure you can't take her?" "I can't spare the time." "Excuse me." "Mr. Holden!" "There wouldn't be any objection to young Frankie taking the Heron to Sheerness?" " No, there wouldn't be any objection." " He's good with engines." "Yes, I'll let him know." "John?" "John, is that you?" " Hello, darling." " You should've been here earlier." "Why weren't you here?" "The ARP people have been here." " What of it?" " They brought this." " What is it?" " It's a gas mask for Baby." "A gas mask for Baby?" "I tried to put him in it, but he screamed, he was so frightened." " He went red in the face." " Now, look, darling." "You can't just shut your eyes to it." "You must know how to use it." "Come on, let's try it again, shall we?" "You go fetch the baby." "Come on." "I'll look at the book." "Uh, "Lay the helmet down..."" ""... the window"." "Yes, I see." "Like that." ""Place the baby in the helmet so that its seat rests in the curve of the tail breast"." "That's right, show him in." "Put his bottom there." "And, uh..." "Oh, I see." "Right." "Now let me try." "Now, then." "Pull that back like that." "Tie the tapes over." "Tight, like that." "OK, just start pumping." "Don't." "Don't!" "I'll never be able to do it." "I couldn't." "You'll have to be here." "I can't always be here, Grace." "John, promise me you'll never go away." "Never leave Baby and me." "I don't think I can, Grace." "I don't feel right about things sometimes." "What do you mean?" "About this war." "I don't really feel I'm doing enough." "Sometimes I feel terrible." "Like the other night in the pub with that navy bloke." "I hate this war." "I hate it!" "Yes, well, uh, there are plenty of others with reason to hate it more than we do." "I don't think I can make you that promise, Grace." "is that Tough's Yard?" " Hello, darling." " Hello, dear." " Had a good day?" " Mm-hmm." " I heard they're taking over the boats." " Yes." "I suppose that's why they asked us to register them." " When do they collect her?" " They don't." "I've got to take her to Sheerness tomorrow morning." " That's asking rather a lot, isn't it?" " Some of the other chaps are going." "Be like a club outing." "Good excuse for farewell celebrations." "What do you mean?" "Farewell to the boats." "They're being conscripted, going to war." "Yes, of course." " You'll be back by Wednesday?" " Be back tomorrow night." "If you weren't, I'd ask you to ring Michael." "You promised to go to the school for Founders Day." "All I've got to do is take the boat to Sheerness and catch a train back." "Yes." "He'd be disappointed if he didn't hear from you..." "I'll be back tomorrow night." "Yes." "It doesn't take long to Sheerness and back." "What time do you want the alarm set for?" " Have a good trip, Frankie?" " Smashing, Mr. Foreman." " How did it go?" " Pretty well." " Chief." " Call in the boat owners." "You men there!" "Will all boat owners report to the office, please." "Will all boat owners report to the office, please." " Where's the office?" " Across the bridge, that building." "Thanks." " Have you reported yet?" " Yes, we have." "Got railway warrants for the return." "They won't tell us why they want our boats." " I think I can guess." " So can I." "But you won't get it confirmed by them." "Hey, look, Mr. Foreman, look!" "Go over there, over the bridge, over to the other side." "Got everything you want there." "Good, boys." "Come along now." "Come along, sir." "Go now." "Straight over the bridge." "Right over the other side." "So that's it." "They'll need all the boats they can get over there to do any good." "And every man they can get to take 'em over." "Well, they're our boats." "Straight over the bridge, right over the other side." "You can only collect a railway warrant at that table over there." "Yes?" "Come on." " Name, please?" " Charles Foreman." "Foreman, Charles." "Name of boat?" " Vanity." " Vanity." "Right." "Fill out that form, sign at the bottom, and collect a railway warrant there." "Next, please." " Name?" " Holden." "Holden." "Name of boat?" "The Heron." "Fill out one of these." "Collect a railway warrant from the table there." "I'd like to go over with her, sir." "You can't." "But you can't possibly have naval crews for all the boats." "I know my own boat." "Don't be a fool." "It's no place for civilians over there." "Nevertheless I'd like to go." "I expect some of you feel the same." "We know our own boats, sir." "We can handle them better than anyone." " Why can't we go with them?" " Because this is a naval operation." "Have you the slightest idea what it's like over there?" "We've lost two..." "We've lost ships already today." "I still want to take my own boat over." " I have no authority." " Who would have?" "All right." "I'll ask the commodore." "But I don't think he'll agree." "We asked him and he brushed us off." " Wouldn't listen." " 'Course they can't manage." " Couldn't handle small boats." " Where would they get crews?" " How far is it?" " Where are they working from?" " Out from Ramsgate, I hear." " They'll travel in convoy, I suppose." "I hope so." "No fun getting lost out in that lot." "I doubt they'll let us go." "You win, but the commodore has asked me to emphasise that it's..." "Well, it's dangerous over there." " And you'll have to sign T124 articles." " What does that mean?" "It's Merchant Navy serving under Royal Naval command." " I'll sign." " I can't sign." "I'm running the place." " I can't." "I..." " Most of them have never been to sea." "What about the mines?" "How will they know where the mines are?" "They're mad." "I suppose you're right, Mr. Holden, but I'm gonna try." "You can't go, you're only..." " What can I do for you?" " I want to sign, sir." " How old are you?" " Nineteen, sir." "Old for your age, aren't you, son?" "Have you got a boat?" "I brought him down in my boat, sir." "He can go across with me." "All right." "Oh, what Grace will say." "I..." "Mr. Foreman?" "You'd better draw steel helmets and duffel coats right away." "The first convoy will leave at dawn for Ramsgate." " Can't we go now, sir?" " At dawn." "You're under orders now." "And thank you all." "Do you mind collecting our gear, Frankie?" "Righto, Mr. Foreman." " How long's it been dark?" " Not long." "Why?" " We've got to get started." " What's the hurry?" "Barlow?" "Barlow." "Wake up, we're moving." "Miles, up on your feet." " What for?" " On your feet!" "Ah, go chase yourself." "What's the matter with you lot?" "If we don't move while it's dark, we may not move at all." " That suits me." " Me too." "I'm fed up with the army." "Dopey blasted fools, you can't buck the army." "You want to end up in Jerry's hands?" "Well, do you?" "Have you had a good look around here?" "Look." "Jerry trucks." "Lights on 'em and all." "Well, that just proves what I said, doesn't it?" "We gotta move while it's still dark." "With that lot out there we don't stand a blinking chance." "Why don't you go back to sleep?" "What about you, then, Barlow?" "You chucking your hand in too?" "Well, are you?" "I'll go with the others." "I don't care one way or the other." "Whatever they do..." "I'll do." "Oh, what's the use?" "Mike." "Mike." "How do you feel?" "Me?" "I'm fine." "We gotta push on." "All right." "Say the word, corp." "Where's Davy?" " You feel all right?" " Aye." "Why?" "We had to leave Dave yesterday." "Aye, so we did." "I must've lost a day somewhere." "Well, come on, then." "They've gone yellow." "They're turning it in." " What do you mean?" " Packing it up." "Well, let 'em." "Why should we worry?" "We'll be OK." "Easier with the two of us anyway." " They're your lot, Tubby." " You mean they were my lot." "And they still are, so long as you got these." " Always told you I never wanted 'em." " You're still stuck with 'em." " They just hate my guts." " Of course." "You got the stripes." "Now listen, you lot." "I'm gonna give you one more chance to come to your senses." "I've never kicked a man lying down before, but this may be the moment." "Now get on your feet, we're moving!" "That's an order!" "Fine, as long as you know your own mind we'll have a bash." "Come on, quick." "Make for those fires." "Come on." "Keep it quiet." " What's the trouble?" " I don't know." "I feel lousy." " Let's take your rifle." " No, it's all right." "I'll manage." " Hold it!" " What is it?" "Ruddy nerve, using lights." "Which way now, corporal?" "We'll swing to the right, go 'round 'em." "Come on." "Wait!" "Get back!" "Well?" "We'll go right through 'em." "Come on." "Wait!" "We'll go under cover of Jerry aircraft." "Come on." "Run!" "Quick!" "Where now, corp?" "Come on, quick." "Bear to the left and keep going." "Keep going." "Where's Mike?" "Mike?" "Mike?" "Mike!" "Mike!" "Get him into the ditch, quick!" "Come on, shift him!" "Quick!" "Brownjobs." "We thought you were Jerries." " Can you give us a lift?" " Pile in, make it snappy." " Things aren't too healthy around here." " Got room in the cab?" "He's hurt." "OK." "Better get a bit of sleep in." "Got too near a grenade, then we had to run for it." "Concussion, I reckon." "He'll be all right, though." " Where have you come from?" " Originally from outside Arras." "We've been dodging Jerry all day." " How'd you get through the last lot?" " I don't know." "Just drove." "They must have been busy." " Joe, take the wheel." " Very good, sir." "Hey, look at this." "Well, what do you know?" "What a to-do." "Get off the road." "This is as far as you'll go." "Leave her where she is, wreck her." " Wreck it?" "This is..." " Now don't you start." "This will be made unserviceable." "Run your engine until it ceases up." " You don't need to tell us, sarge." " He used to work in a garage." " What do we do then, sarge?" " Hoof it." "You'll get further orders." "All right, boys, let's wreck the blasted thing." "Breaks my heart but it's jolly good for me inhibitions." " Sir?" "Where are we, sir?" " What is it?" " This is the Dunkirk perimeter line." " Can you tell me where 5th Div are?" "Up in the line near Ypres, I think." " How do we get there, sir?" " Don't." "Get your men to the beaches." " We gotta get back there." " How long have you been adrift?" " For about six days." " Well, you've made it." " Good work, corporal." "Take 'em off." " Sir." "Attention." "Right turn." "Keep going!" "Over here." "Come on, over here." " Just like home." " I said that once a long way back." "Didn't do us much good." "Ain't gonna do no good here, either." "It won't be much like home on them beaches." " Why?" " Where have you been the last few days?" "Jerry don't like it here much, but the Luftwaffe do." " Interesting." " I've seen thousands go past here, but I've never heard of any getting through, though." " What have you got to gripe about?" " We're the rear guard, that's what." "It's all right for you if you get there, and if you find a blasted boat when you do get there!" " Ammo!" " Haven't got any left!" " Didn't open up on us." " The target's on the beach, that's why." "The whole town is burning, Joe." "Can people be living in that?" "Keep moving, keep moving." "Plenty of room up front." "Keep moving." "Keep moving." "Plenty of room up front." "I think we'd better thin them out, colonel." "The ships alongside will barely take this lot." "There will be a jam here in a few minutes..." "Where's she hit?" "She's been hit in midships." "Looks like she's going down." "Didn't stand a chance." "Bastards!" "We've gotta go in one of them things?" " Here, what's on, then, chum?" " They're gonna take us off in ships." "Take this lot off?" "The whole bloody army's here." " It ain't." "Lots of 'em went days ago." " How'd they get them away?" "The navy, of course." "Good old navy." "Ain't that good." "I've had two tries, ain't got away yet." " How far does this beach go?" " Twenty miles." "Don't I know." "I walked it." "Runs right through into Belgium." "Belgium's packed it in, did you know?" " Where's the HQ, then?" " What HQ?" " Why, Gort's, of course." " in La Panne, ain't it?" " No, he's gone." " He hasn't." "He's still here." "Did you hear that, Tubby?" "Old Gort's still here." " Don't talk soft." " He is." "I seen him today." "There you are, he's just told you he's seen him." "Looks like a pier over there, sir." "But it can't be." "It's open beaches all the way along here." "It's men, sir." "Men." "If you can bring her up to the end here we'll steady her." " How many can you take?" " About 20, I think, perhaps more." "First 20 men forward!" "Come on, lads, keep in line there." "Get back in line!" "Into the cabin, as many of you as can get in." " Ride up front, the rest of you." " Come on, move along here." " How much longer are we gonna be here?" " Shake it up at the front there." "Come on, move on." "Move on, there." " All right, all right, that's the lot." " Right, stand clear." "Pull ahead." " Ciwy, wasn't he?" " No, navy." "He must have been." " I'll be back." " Thank you, sir." "All right, boys, we'll hang on." "Blasted cold, sir." "All right, you men, on your feet." "Get moving along the dunes to the mole." "Take all your orders from the navy." " Come on, lads." " All right, on your feet, get mobile." "Now keep together, all of you, understand?" "Keep together." "Get those boats cleared as quick as you can, sir." "Hang on for me, Mr. Foreman?" "Keep 'em moving." "Get the wounded to the sick bay quick." " How many did you bring up, Mr. Foreman?" " Thirty." "Fifteen for us." "Right, speed it up, lads." "Thank you." "We're pulling out now." " But you're not full yet." " We've been ordered back." " We just hung on to pick up this lot." " Why?" "What do we do now?" "There's nothing else about." "There still seem to be some old destroyers working by the mole." "I'd try there, if I were you." "There's only one ship." "We'll never get aboard her." "Be ruddy lucky if you did." "It's my fourth try." "Close up there, close up." "Go on, keep moving, lads." "It's one of the I's, I think." "I can't get her pennant number." "I think she only came in half an hour ago." "Tell Commander Clouston, sir, another of the I's has just pulled out." "Could be Impulsive, or Intrepid." "Intrepid was damaged yesterday." "Oh, that's right, sir." "Must be the Impulsive." "That's four of the big 'uns gone in the past hour." "None have come before." " I can't make it out." " I've given up trying to make sense." "I'd say they're pulling the big destroyers out of it." "I can't see!" "I can't see!" "Aaah!" "Stand back, men." "Let us through." "Down." "All right, catch." "Stand back!" "Keep moving, keep moving." "Come on, let's have you." "Close up down the end there." "Get a move on." "Come on, corporal, get on board." "I've got to see my lads on first." "How's it going, chief?" "We can still take a few more, sir." "We were lucky." "We just made it." " And it's flat calm that." " I should be sick just the same." "Well, you can't." "I could be sick on Finsbury Park lake." "I have." "That's it!" "That's enough!" " Tell the engine room to stand by." " Engine room, stand by." " Let go aft, chief." " Let go aft!" "Let gone aft, sir." " Let go forward." " Let go forward!" "Move on forward!" "Christ Almighty." "They'll be hundreds of 'em in the water." "You all right, Tubby?" "I can't take any more!" "Hang on to these." "Harper?" "Harper!" "Back where we ruddy well started now." "Bad luck, corp." "Barlow?" "Miles?" "Miles?" "Miles!" " You still with us, corporal?" " Seen the others?" " Where's Barlow?" " I don't know." "Bought it, I reckon." "Barlow!" "Barlow!" "Corporal Binns!" "Corporal Binns!" "Corporal Binns!" "Corporal Binns!" "Tubby!" "Tubby!" "Over here!" "Harper's calling you, corp." "Over there." "Perhaps the others have turned up." "Everybody here?" "Good." " I reckon we were just lucky." " We had to get back to you, corp." "We knew you couldn't do without your glamour boys." " Glamour." " Think we'll get another ship, corp?" "What, after that lot?" "Don't make me laugh." "I heard they lost three ships in the last two hours." "I think we've had it now, sergeant." " Let's get ashore and try and dry out." " Yeah, OK, sir." "Come on, on your feet!" "Hold on." "Who's gonna do it if you don't?" "I'm all right." "B Company, about turn!" "Swing!" "Oh, come on, lads, up on the beach." " Aren't we gonna get off, sir?" " They'll come in again tonight." "The navy won't let us down." "First Sea Lord speaking." " This is Vice Admiral Dover, sir." " Ah, Ramsay." "What's this protest about?" " I've got to have them back, sir." " We can't do that, Ramsay." "We've considered the whole position." "We've lost too many destroyers already." "We've got to have them." "There are nearly 200,000 men ashore still." "You've only left me ships enough to lift 40,000 a day." "The perimeter's breaking already, sir." "Ramsay, you know we've got to guarantee the convoys..." "If we get the army back, we shall have a chance of standing up to the invasion." "If I have the big destroyers, we'll get the army back." " We've got to take that chance." " We've got to balance chances, Ramsay." "There are 30,000 men on the open beaches at this moment." "There are 50,000 in the dunes behind them." "There are 100,000 between the dunes and the canal." "We've got to get them out, sir." "The French are doing all they can." "They've lost heavily in ships." "Abriard is doing his damndest in every way." "Walt." "Very well, Ramsay." "You'll have them." "Thank you, sir." "Thank God for that, sir." "That means we have still got a chance." "Order Ivanhoe, Impulsive, Icarus to Dunkirk." "Harvest and Heaven to La Panne, with all dispatch." "Very good, sir." "Here, that's mortars." "Jerry's getting closer all the time." "If we don't get off by tonight we'll be in the bag." "I don't fancy walking the plank on that blasted mole again." "I reckon we've had the big ships." "We'll try the little boats next." " Take a chance from where we are." " Take cover!" "It's the Vanity!" "They've got her, Mr. Holden!" "They've got her!" " Where's Joe?" " We never saw him." "I don't think he stood a chance." "Small boat out there copped it." "Just like that." "One minute there, next minute gone." "Doesn't Jerry ever let up?" "What's to stop him?" "A squadron of two of your blokes might." "Where are they?" " Sleeping it off." " We've knocked out plenty." "There are plenty left." " Sky is full of the swine." " Where is the air force?" " Ah, they got no guts." " They've got as much as you!" " Well, where are they, then?" " Cut it out." "Cut it out, I tell you." "If they got so much guts they'd be here, wouldn't they?" "Wouldn't they?" "Haven't seen one of our aircraft that we could recognise for three days." "You mustn't blame the boys." "They've got a lot to gripe about." "Why don't you change into battle dress or something?" "It's blasted wicked, sergeant." "We only had four fighter squadrons in the area." "What do they expect to get?" "Only three airfields in England can send fighters." "I said I know, but they don't, and there's a lot like 'em." " I were you I'd get that battle dress." " No, thanks." " Suit yourself." " Take cover!" " Here we go again!" " Enemy aircraft!" "Field dressing, quick!" "There's a casualty clearing station over there behind the dunes." "All right, all right." "Welsh Guards, close on me." "Come on over here, all the Welsh Guards!" "Padre." "Orderly!" "They're closing in pretty steadily now." "We got to make up our minds what we do when they reach us." " Will there be another ship in, sir?" " Not in daylight, that's definite." "They might try again tonight." "We're not moving anything up to the mole until we get definite orders." "That's a heavy machine gun." "Must be pretty close if we can hear that." "It's the first time." "Right, chum." "That's the best I can do for you." "Next one." "Orderly." "Supposing we don't get any orders, sir?" "Supposing they come in sooner than we think?" "The orders are one medical officer and ten men stay for every 100 patients." "That means three medical officers, 30 other ranks." "I'll stay if you want me to, sir." "No, we'll draw lots." "Sergeant, write out the names on slips of paper." " How many medical officers?" " Sixteen." "Seventeen." "Put my name in with them." "The first three out of the hat stay." "Two to one the field." "Five to one I'm a loser." "You better draw, sergeant." "You're more or less a disinterested party." "Lieutenant Ripley, sir." "'Twas a snip at five to one." "You couldn't lose." " Captain Dean, sir." " He was killed this morning." "Lieutenant Kennedy, sir." "He's outside." "Let him know, please." "Will you?" "Lieutenant Levy, sir." " How is he?" "is he gonna be all right?" " I don't know." "They're gonna keep him." "That's rotten luck, isn't it?" "Yeah." "Yeah." "Hey, corp." "Seen this?" "You know what you can do with that, don't you?" "If anybody's interested, there's a small boat on the beach." "That's ours." "Where?" "Down there, but it looks if somebody thought of it first." "Come on!" "Keep off, please!" " What's wrong, sir?" " Those blasted fools rushed us." "We're half-full of water and not working, drifted ashore." " Anything we can do?" " I doubt it." " Jammed up solid coming across." " Mike." "Used to work in a garage." "I own a garage." "I expect we'd do with some expert help." " Want any more, sir?" " No, two will be enough." " Can I go ashore, Mr. Holden?" " We'll both go ashore." "I'm not much good with engines anyway." " What's the trouble, Mac?" " The gears, I think." "Jammed up solid." "I never thought I'd see a sight like this." "Us neither, sir." "What a mess." "What a shambles we've made of this whole rotten affair." "When was it we went into Belgium, May 10th, wasn't it?" " That's right." " Less than three weeks, and now this." "One could hardly credit it." "Takes a bit of believing, doesn't it?" "What do they think about all this at home?" "I don't know." "They weren't thinking much about it when we came away." "They didn't know much." "Things look Very different on the other side." "I suppose they think we made a muck of it." "Somebody's made a muck of it, but I don't think it's the army." " What do you mean?" " Listen." " I can't hear anything." " The guns have stopped." " Suppose they chucked their hand in?" " Don't be a clot." "They've certainly stopped." "Maybe it's like that leaflet said." "We can't have packed it in." "Listen." "There it is." "It's their bombers again." "That's why they've stopped shelling." "They're sending in a low-level attack." " What do you do?" "Run?" " Where to, son?" " You mean we stay put?" " What else?" "Get your head down." "Come on, son." " Can you see 'em?" " No." " Do you think they're coming for us?" " Who else?" " Keep counting." " I wish I was blind stinking drunk." " Fifteen..." " Mother of mercy, keep me this night." " Twenty-five..." " Keep me through this night." "Mother of mercy, keep me through this night." "I don't want to die." "I don't want to die!" " You might have to." " I don't want to die!" "You might bloody well have to, chum!" "is it always like this?" "Likely as not, it won't happen again tonight, son." "I should kip down and get a bit of sleep." "What happened, sir?" "What caused all this?" "Stupidity." "Everybody saying that war was so damnable it couldn't happen again, shoving our heads in the sand like a lot of ostriches." "The Germans didn't think that way." "To them war meant guns or butter." "They chose guns." "We chose butter." "No, you can't blame the army." "They had what we gave them:" "last war weapons, last war medals." "This is the result." "What happens now, after this?" "If we're lucky we'll get another chance." "Heaven knows we don't deserve it." "Get the best men in the rightjobs." "You think we've made a start?" "With old Churchill, I mean?" "Yes." "Yes, I think we've made a start." "We've found the trouble." " What was it?" " Rope around the prop." "It must have stopped her with a jerk and jumped the gears." "We cannae do anything in the dark." "There will be time in the morning." " The tide won't be in for hours." " That's right, it won't." "Will I try it?" "Might as well." "We're lucky." "Give it a swing." "We've done it." "Go easy." "There's a three-inch crack in the casing." " But will she run?" " We'll try when the tide's in." " Church parade?" " Yeah." " It's Sunday morning." " Sunday?" "Yes, of course." "I should have known." "I'm glad I came, Frankie." "Very glad." " Our Father..." " Our Father..." " ... who art in heaven..." " ... who art in heaven..." " ... hallowed by thy name." " ... hallowed be thy name." " Thy kingdom come." " Thy kingdom come." " Thy will be done..." " Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." "...on earth as it is in heaven." "Give us this day our daily bread." "Give us this day our daily bread." " Forgive us our trespasses..." " Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us." "...as we forgive them that trespass against us." "Lead us not into temptation..." " ... but deliver us from evil." " ... but deliver us from evil." " For thine is the kingdom..." " For thine is the kingdom..." " He's a civvy." " Must be a Frenchman." "No, he's not." "He's Mr. Foreman." "Are you hurt bad, Mr. Foreman?" "My back..." "Get to the boat, Frankie." "Tell Mr. Holden..." "Stretcher bearers!" "Stretcher bearers!" "Stretcher bearers!" "Get to the boat, Frankie." "Tell Holden... tell my wife..." "We'll get you away with us." "I don't think so." "is he a civvy?" "What's the difference?" "It won't be long now." "Where's the corporal?" "Better tell him to get his men together." "What's the matter, Frankie?" "Frankie, what's the matter?" "Where's Mr. Foreman?" "He's dead, Mr. Holden." "He's dead." "He's dead, all right." "That last Stuka got him." "We were at church parade." "He said you were to tell his wife, Mr. Holden." "Poor Diana." "Oh, God." "We had to leave him, Mr. Holden." "We had to!" "You better get your men together, corporal." " How many of them are there?" " Seven, all together." "No, only six now." "I'll take 12." "We can't carry more than that on a long trip." "Get the anchor in, Frankie." "I want six of you." "Six, no more." "Six." "Sorry, everyone." "All right, lads." "Shove the bow down." "Jump aboard, lads." "Jump aboard, Frankie." "It had to happen." "Must be the gears again." "Let's have a go anyway." "What do we do now?" " What's that town over there?" " Calais, must be." "Well, we're drifting into it fast." "It's the tide." "The tide's taking us in." " So long as it's dry land..." " Don't be a mug." "Jerry's got Calais, he's had it for a week now." "How's it going, Mr. Holden?" " It's not." " It's OK, lads." "Here comes the ruddy navy." "Small boat, bearing 3-2-0, sir." "Very good." "Small boat, bearing 3-2-0, sir." "England." "I don't believe it." "You wouldn't, would you?" "Ya moaning bleeder." "We're home, Tubby." "Yeah." "I never thought we'd make it." "We wouldn't have made the beaches if it hadn't been for you." "Come on, keep moving, get up on the pier." "They'll give you tea and something to eat in the fish sheds." "Keep moving." "All right, soldiers, keep moving." "Soldiers." "This was Dunkirk." "Over a third of a million men were lifted from the mole and the beaches." "But for others, there was no escape." "Some thousands, mainly the sick and the wounded, were held in a captivity that was to last five long years." "Many remained, never to return." "Those that were saved, straggling ashore, dazed and resentful, found almost to their astonishment a new reality waiting for them." "Dunkirk was a great defeat and a great miracle." "It proved, if it proved anything, that we were alone but undivided." "No longer were there fighting men and civilians, there were only people." "A nation had been made whole." "Parade..." "Halt!" "Parade will retire!" "Left... turn!" "Order... arms!" "Come on, come on, smarter than that." "Wake up." "Shoulder... arms!" "Order... arms." "Stand at... ease." "All right." "Look, from the way you're going on, anyone might think we just won a war, but you may as well know it." "We came down here losing one." "We got a long way to go yet." "The quicker you get going the better." "Parade... shun!" "Parade will advance!" "About... turn!" "Shoulder arms." "Parade will move to the right in threes." "Right turn!" "By the left, quick march!" "Left, right, left, right, left..."