First Light


First Light

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Transcript


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This programme contains some strong language.

0:00:020:00:07

PLANE ENGINES

0:00:070:00:09

GUNFIRE

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Saffa, this is Gannick Red 2.

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Are you receiving?

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RADIO STATIC

0:00:230:00:26

Saffa, this is Gannick Red 2. Are you receiving?

0:00:260:00:29

RADIO STATIC

0:00:290:00:31

Saffa, this is Gannick Red 2, are you receiving me?

0:00:320:00:39

Shit. Christ.

0:00:420:00:45

Saffa, this is Gannick Red 2.

0:00:480:00:50

RADIO STATIC

0:00:500:00:53

GARBLED GERMAN SPEECH

0:00:530:00:57

GUNFIRE

0:01:020:01:04

People say to me, you know, "How do you remember these things?"

0:01:150:01:20

How do you expect me to forget?

0:01:200:01:22

You don't, can't.

0:01:220:01:25

And I remember it vividly, you know.

0:01:250:01:27

It's not just a question of remembering - you can see it,

0:01:270:01:31

see things, see people, see aeroplanes.

0:01:310:01:34

The experiences of being a Spitfire fighter pilot

0:01:350:01:39

in the Battle of Britain stay with you forever.

0:01:390:01:43

And you can't do anything about it.

0:01:430:01:47

PLANE ENGINE

0:02:240:02:27

See your pass, please?

0:02:290:02:30

This is it, sir.

0:02:480:02:50

Enter.

0:03:080:03:09

No time to stand on ceremony. Wellum?

0:03:170:03:20

Straight from training?

0:03:200:03:22

Yes. And I didn't quite finish that.

0:03:220:03:25

How old are you, exactly?

0:03:260:03:28

Almost 19.

0:03:280:03:30

I said exactly.

0:03:300:03:32

-18 years, 9 months.

-Jesus.

0:03:320:03:34

What's your Christian name?

0:03:370:03:40

Geoffrey.

0:03:400:03:41

But everyone calls me Geoff.

0:03:430:03:45

Do they indeed?

0:03:470:03:50

My name's Mac.

0:03:500:03:51

I'm a doddery old sod from the first war.

0:03:580:04:01

Pray that this one doesn't last as long, eh?

0:04:010:04:04

Bet you haven't done any time in Spits either, have you?

0:04:080:04:11

No, sir.

0:04:120:04:13

PLANE ENGINES OVERHEAD

0:04:180:04:20

Who the bloody hell are you?

0:04:300:04:31

-Wellum, sir.

-Mac told me your name was Geoff.

0:04:320:04:36

-Oh.

-Said you looked a right cheeky bugger.

0:04:360:04:40

I think you should be called Boy.

0:04:400:04:42

What do you reckon, Tommy?

0:04:420:04:44

TOMMY SNIGGERS

0:04:440:04:46

Brian Kingcome, commanding officer...acting.

0:04:460:04:51

What time is it?

0:04:510:04:54

It's that time again, Brian.

0:04:540:04:56

Tempus fugit, Boy.

0:04:570:04:59

If you start feeling sorry for yourself, he'll sling you straight on the scrapheap.

0:05:030:05:08

We're off to the pub.

0:05:080:05:10

Coming?

0:05:100:05:12

GENERAL CHATTER

0:05:280:05:30

I wouldn't do that if I were you.

0:06:010:06:03

Only those who've seen the whites of the enemy's eyes are allowed to sign up.

0:06:040:06:09

But once you're signed up, you're up.

0:06:090:06:12

Nobody gets rubbed out here.

0:06:120:06:14

-There you go.

-What is it?

0:06:160:06:19

Pilot's one true friend.

0:06:190:06:21

Bottoms up.

0:06:210:06:23

Bloody hell!

0:06:280:06:30

BOTH LAUGH

0:06:300:06:32

Oh, dear. I do fear you're going to need another.

0:06:380:06:41

Medicine too strong for you?

0:06:520:06:54

GEOFF RETCHES

0:06:540:06:56

Sorry, sir.

0:06:560:06:57

You'll call me Brian. I'm not your bloody father.

0:06:590:07:02

Yes, sir...Brian.

0:07:020:07:05

Come back in for more?

0:07:050:07:08

The hair of the dog. Best thing for it.

0:07:100:07:12

HE RETCHES

0:07:120:07:14

Suit yourself.

0:07:160:07:19

But know this, Boy - I haven't the time to train you up on Spits.

0:07:190:07:22

You can have a go tomorrow but God help you if you break the bloody thing.

0:07:220:07:27

HE RETCHES

0:07:270:07:29

Another bleedin' boy wonder.

0:07:500:07:52

Morning, sir. Nice day for it.

0:07:540:07:56

She's all warmed up for you, sir.

0:08:030:08:06

Let's get you sorted out, sir.

0:08:060:08:07

There you are, sir.

0:08:160:08:18

I've done my homework.

0:08:350:08:37

That's good, sir.

0:08:370:08:39

Don't worry, sir. You won't be flying her.

0:08:520:08:54

No, she'll be flying you.

0:08:540:08:56

Excuse me, just one thing. How do you start it again?

0:09:010:09:06

Throttle.

0:09:120:09:14

Set it to about there to start.

0:09:140:09:16

Once you're up, nip her up on the friction, otherwise you'll fly along like a hobby horse.

0:09:160:09:21

Engine start.

0:09:210:09:23

Hit it the same time as the booster call.

0:09:230:09:25

I use these two fingers.

0:09:250:09:27

V for victory.

0:09:270:09:29

Primer pump.

0:09:290:09:31

Give her a good old glassful - she's a greedy cow - and dual magnetos.

0:09:310:09:36

Don't forget to check for your mag drop,

0:09:360:09:38

and Fanny's your aunt.

0:09:380:09:40

Go on, sir, wake her up.

0:09:420:09:45

Fresh from the cradle

0:09:560:09:58

and we're giving him a thousand horsepower and eight machine guns to play with.

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What a way to win a war!

0:10:050:10:06

OK, so...

0:10:140:10:16

Fuel on.

0:10:180:10:20

Primer pump.

0:10:200:10:23

Throttle, descent.

0:10:230:10:26

Clear prop.

0:10:260:10:27

Magnetos on.

0:10:300:10:33

Engine start. On.

0:10:330:10:36

God help us.

0:11:440:11:45

The first flight in a Spitfire was a little bit awe-inspiring.

0:12:260:12:30

People don't understand.

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It was an achievement because it was then THE aeroplane,

0:12:320:12:37

everybody spoke about Spitfires, and here was I flying one.

0:12:370:12:41

And I wasn't 19 years old.

0:12:410:12:43

There you are, careering around at 300 knots in this thing.

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Just the slightest thought that goes through your brain

0:12:530:12:58

conveys it to your hands and your feet,

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and the next thing you know, the aeroplane's doing it.

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You feel detached from fellow man.

0:13:190:13:22

It's clean.

0:13:220:13:25

It's pure.

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It gets into the very soul.

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It gets into the soul and you think, "This is absolutely beautiful."

0:13:290:13:35

How many of those things have you written now?

0:14:070:14:09

You really want to know?

0:14:150:14:16

I just hope to Christ we're not headed for another bloody April.

0:14:200:14:24

1917.

0:14:250:14:28

Yes.

0:14:280:14:29

I really thought we were going to lose everyone back then.

0:14:300:14:33

And now we're chucking them into the meat grinder all over again.

0:14:340:14:38

PLANE ENGINE APPROACHES

0:14:400:14:43

Let's hope his landing's better than his takeoff.

0:14:450:14:47

Bit lumpy.

0:15:120:15:14

-You OK, sir?

-Jesus H.

0:15:290:15:33

Was that really an hour?

0:15:330:15:36

She's sweet, isn't she?

0:15:360:15:37

Yes.

0:15:370:15:40

Absolutely bloody marvellous!

0:15:460:15:48

What I'd give to be a pilot.

0:16:120:16:15

I came down with my pal Eddie.

0:16:150:16:17

I said, "You do the sea, I'll do the air."

0:16:170:16:20

He joined the Navy.

0:16:210:16:23

I'd just love to see the world.

0:16:240:16:26

Actually, I hear Germany's very pretty this time of year.

0:16:260:16:30

Are they all bloody idiots where you're from, then?

0:16:310:16:34

Morning.

0:16:430:16:44

I was going to do my very best to be a good fighter pilot,

0:16:440:16:49

because unless you were,

0:16:490:16:51

then the chances were that you were going to get bumped off,

0:16:510:16:54

and that didn't appeal to me at all.

0:16:540:16:56

The Germans had marched through Europe - Scandinavia, France -

0:16:580:17:04

and the threat of invasion was very real indeed.

0:17:040:17:08

Here we were with bullets flying all over the place.

0:17:080:17:11

If you could survive three weeks,

0:17:110:17:13

you had a good chance of surviving six,

0:17:130:17:16

or even longer.

0:17:160:17:17

I've had quite a few hours on the Spits now, Mac.

0:17:260:17:29

I'm ready for this.

0:17:310:17:33

Oh! I saw him in my sights.

0:17:360:17:39

I couldn't quite believe it at first, right there in front of me.

0:17:390:17:42

Before I knew what I was doing, I'd ripped into him.

0:17:420:17:45

Then there he was, smoke billowing, out of control, spiralling towards the ground.

0:17:450:17:50

Who was he?

0:18:090:18:10

Who was who?

0:18:110:18:12

Have you any idea who Boy's talking about, Mac?

0:18:160:18:19

Haven't the foggiest, Brian.

0:18:190:18:20

Boy, come and sit your arse down here.

0:18:240:18:27

Show this Welsh wally a thing or two about the fine art of chess.

0:18:270:18:32

Easy.

0:18:320:18:33

-Are you happy to do this now?

-I'd rather get this one out the way.

0:18:350:18:39

SINGING

0:18:490:18:52

-One of yours?

-No.

0:19:210:19:25

Different squadron.

0:19:270:19:28

Sorry, didn't see you there.

0:20:020:20:04

You must be Drummond. Welcome aboard.

0:20:060:20:09

Heard all about you, obviously.

0:20:160:20:19

Norway, wasn't it?

0:20:190:20:22

Must have been one hell of a battle.

0:20:220:20:24

It was.

0:20:270:20:29

Have you been trained on the reflector gunsight?

0:20:290:20:32

No. Nobody has.

0:20:330:20:36

It's a joke, isn't it?

0:20:360:20:38

OK, sir, let's go through it again.

0:20:540:20:56

OK.

0:20:560:20:59

Eyes tight shut, sir?

0:20:590:21:01

-Say it fast this time.

-Trim.

0:21:030:21:06

Brakes. Set.

0:21:080:21:11

-Not bad, sir.

-Get on with it.

-Mixture.

0:21:110:21:14

Did I get it right?

0:21:140:21:15

-Yes, sir.

-Good. Try me some more.

0:21:150:21:18

Fuel select.

0:21:180:21:19

Good, sir.

0:21:210:21:22

Now...

0:21:220:21:24

Cock.

0:21:240:21:26

(Cock...)

0:21:260:21:28

-Cock?

-You've got to get this one right, sir.

0:21:320:21:35

It's a vital piece of equipment.

0:21:350:21:37

It's just not part of the aeroplane, sir!

0:21:370:21:40

-BOTH LAUGH

-Sods!

0:21:400:21:43

I've been reaching in the dark for that for years.

0:21:430:21:46

-Right, go again.

-Right, ready?

0:21:460:21:50

You're to report for ops at first light.

0:22:040:22:06

That's if you haven't gone off the idea in the meantime.

0:22:090:22:12

No.

0:22:140:22:16

Of course not, Brian.

0:22:160:22:17

The bad news is,

0:22:200:22:22

you're going to be my wingman.

0:22:220:22:24

That way, I get to keep eye on you.

0:22:240:22:27

Brian...

0:22:380:22:40

I won't let you down.

0:22:400:22:42

I was very much aware, would I measure up?

0:23:000:23:04

You were defending...

0:23:050:23:07

this country...

0:23:070:23:09

against an utterly... ruthless Nazi regime,

0:23:090:23:15

bombing hell out of our civilian population

0:23:150:23:18

and every city and town they could find.

0:23:180:23:21

What did they expect?

0:23:210:23:24

Shake them by the hand?

0:23:240:23:26

Stroke them?

0:23:260:23:28

No, stop them!

0:23:280:23:30

This is what my duty is,

0:23:300:23:32

in a single-seater interceptor fighter.

0:23:320:23:35

And I didn't want to be afraid.

0:23:370:23:40

LABORIOUS BREATHING

0:23:530:23:58

HE MURMURS

0:24:030:24:05

You're not superstitious, are you, Boy?

0:25:010:25:03

How can he sleep at a time like this?

0:25:200:25:23

Cos he's bloody useless.

0:25:230:25:25

Why was she watching a man being condemned for her own murder?

0:25:270:25:33

SHE could murder me any day.

0:25:380:25:41

PHONE RINGS

0:26:190:26:21

Yes?

0:26:210:26:23

Squadron scramble!

0:26:240:26:26

BELL RINGS

0:26:260:26:28

ENGINES ROAR Start!

0:26:310:26:33

Engines start!

0:26:330:26:35

Ah! Fucking wake up, will you?

0:26:430:26:46

Form up, form up.

0:27:090:27:12

Stay with me, Boy.

0:27:180:27:21

Hello, Saffa, gunning squadron airborne.

0:27:500:27:54

I'm steering 120 and climbing hard, over.

0:27:540:27:59

Oh, my fucking Christ.

0:28:060:28:08

Stay with me, Boy, stay with me.

0:28:190:28:21

Here we go!

0:28:210:28:23

OK, Boy, a good first burst, then away. Watch for 109s.

0:28:240:28:28

MACHINE-GUN FIRE

0:28:290:28:31

Shit.

0:28:490:28:51

109s above the first block coming round to six o'clock,

0:28:510:28:54

3,000 feet above.

0:28:540:28:55

Come on, come on!

0:29:040:29:06

Come on. (Come on, come on!)

0:29:060:29:10

Come on! Come on! Yes!

0:29:150:29:19

QUICK, SHALLOW BREATHING

0:29:240:29:27

MACHINE-GUN FIRE

0:29:480:29:50

MECHANICAL CLUNKING, NO GUNFIRE

0:29:550:29:59

Oh, Christ.

0:29:590:30:00

MACHINE-GUN FIRE

0:30:000:30:03

Christ! Come on.

0:30:050:30:09

MACHINE-GUN FIRE

0:30:130:30:16

Fuck! Get off!

0:30:160:30:18

Close.

0:30:310:30:34

Stall, you fucker, come on.

0:30:340:30:37

SHALLOW, QUICK BREATHING

0:30:430:30:46

Sir, are you OK, sir?

0:31:040:31:06

Sir, are you OK?

0:31:060:31:08

We were caught by a 109.

0:31:100:31:11

-She'll have to go away, sir.

-Away?

0:31:140:31:20

I don't think we'll be repairing this one.

0:31:200:31:22

You'd better rustle me up another one.

0:31:220:31:26

Want to be ready for the next up.

0:31:260:31:28

'When that 109 caught me off that Heinkel, I remember thinking,

0:31:370:31:41

'"If you can get away with this, you'll get away with anything,"

0:31:410:31:45

'cos he should have killed me.'

0:31:450:31:47

Look at Boy's cravat, you look like our glorious leader!

0:31:500:31:53

We're going to see if we can't bag ourselves some trophies beforehand.

0:31:530:31:57

Big trophies.

0:31:570:31:58

Boy.

0:31:580:32:00

You're one lucky sod.

0:32:020:32:03

You should have stuck on my wing.

0:32:030:32:06

If there were any justice in the world,

0:32:080:32:10

you'd be cinders now.

0:32:100:32:15

Are you coming to this party or not?

0:32:150:32:17

Grace?

0:32:270:32:28

I'll see you inside.

0:32:290:32:31

I can't tell if that's a pleased look or not.

0:32:330:32:35

I just...

0:32:370:32:39

What are you doing here?

0:32:390:32:41

I did write, I'm working near Brasstead.

0:32:410:32:44

Come on, Geoff.

0:32:440:32:47

Friends of yours?

0:32:470:32:48

Yes.

0:32:480:32:50

-I'll introduce you.

-I'd like that.

0:32:500:32:53

I was sorry to hear about your brother.

0:32:570:32:59

You look beautiful.

0:33:110:33:14

You look different.

0:33:210:33:23

What would persuade you to dance with me?

0:33:310:33:34

Just be yourself.

0:33:360:33:37

# Them that's got shall get

0:34:000:34:03

# Them that's not shall lose

0:34:030:34:07

# So the Bible said

0:34:070:34:08

# And it still is news

0:34:080:34:13

# Mama may have

0:34:130:34:17

# Papa may have

0:34:170:34:20

# But God bless the child that's got his own

0:34:200:34:25

# That's got his own

0:34:250:34:28

# Yes, the strong gets more

0:34:300:34:35

# While the weak ones fade

0:34:350:34:38

# Empty pockets don't ever make the grade

0:34:380:34:45

# Mama may have

0:34:450:34:48

# Papa may have

0:34:480:34:51

# But God bless the child that's got his own

0:34:510:34:57

# That's got his own

0:34:570:35:01

# Money, you got lots of friends

0:35:040:35:12

# Crowding round the door

0:35:120:35:16

# When you're gone and spending ends

0:35:160:35:23

# They don't come no more

0:35:230:35:29

# Rich relations give

0:35:290:35:33

# Crust of bread and such

0:35:330:35:36

# You can help yourself but don't take too much

0:35:360:35:43

# Mama may have

0:35:430:35:46

-# Papa may have... #

-MACHINE-GUN FIRE

0:35:460:35:50

# But God bless the child that's got his own

0:35:500:35:56

# That's got his own. #

0:35:560:35:58

Look, for what it is, it's a splendid little car.

0:36:060:36:09

How much?

0:36:110:36:13

-Five quid.

-Yeah, can't go wrong with a fiver.

0:36:130:36:16

Good little runner, too. Seats four.

0:36:160:36:19

Make a good passion wagon.

0:36:190:36:21

In a Ford 10?!

0:36:210:36:23

I'd pay you back, first of the month.

0:36:230:36:25

And what happens if you get the chop in the meantime?

0:36:250:36:29

Come on, I'd do the same for you.

0:36:290:36:31

So when do we get to see this high-powered projectile of yours?

0:36:440:36:48

And the first round's on you.

0:36:500:36:52

God, Geoff, you'll wear me out.

0:37:130:37:15

Oh!

0:37:280:37:30

What a gorgeous brooch.

0:37:300:37:33

Nothing special.

0:37:330:37:35

Just a little trinket I picked up, you know?

0:37:350:37:37

Oh.

0:37:380:37:41

I see.

0:37:410:37:42

What are you doing?

0:37:450:37:46

-I thought you said it was nothing special.

-That's a month's wages.

0:37:460:37:50

Oh!

0:37:500:37:52

Where the bloody hell did you throw that, Grace?

0:37:520:37:55

-Can you see?

-Shall we have a look?

-Yeah!

0:37:570:37:59

Grace...

0:38:290:38:32

I know.

0:38:320:38:34

I feel the same.

0:38:340:38:35

Soon.

0:38:380:38:40

It's getting late.

0:38:440:38:47

PLANE ENGINE OVERHEAD

0:38:470:38:49

No clouds.

0:38:510:38:53

Must be lovely up there this evening.

0:38:580:39:00

Geoff.

0:39:040:39:06

Geoff.

0:39:060:39:08

You're getting cold.

0:39:130:39:15

I was like a dog with a bone. They couldn't shake me off.

0:39:470:39:50

Kept on hitting him and then bang!

0:39:500:39:51

He dropped out of the sky like a stone.

0:39:510:39:54

Junkers, was it?

0:39:550:39:57

-Yes.

-See anyone bail?

0:39:570:40:00

No.

0:40:000:40:02

Make sure you write a report before you leave.

0:40:020:40:05

That was my first confirmed kill.

0:40:220:40:24

Junkers 88.

0:40:270:40:30

Congratulations.

0:40:300:40:31

"I went into a public house

0:40:530:40:55

"To get a pint of beer

0:40:570:40:59

"The publican, he ups and says

0:41:020:41:05

""We serve no redcoats here."

0:41:050:41:08

"The girls behind the bar

0:41:080:41:10

"They laughed and giggled

0:41:100:41:11

"Fit to die

0:41:110:41:13

"I outs into the street again

0:41:130:41:16

"And to myself says I

0:41:160:41:18

"Oh, it's T...

0:41:180:41:19

"Oh, it's Tommy this

0:41:190:41:21

"And Tommy that

0:41:210:41:22

-BOTH:

-"And Tommy, go away

0:41:220:41:24

"But it's, "Thank you, Mister Atkins,"

0:41:240:41:27

"When the band begins to play

0:41:270:41:29

"When the band begins to play, my boys

0:41:290:41:32

"The band begins to play

0:41:320:41:33

"And it's, "Thank you, Mister Atkins,"

0:41:330:41:35

"When the band begins to play."

0:41:350:41:38

Kipling.

0:41:400:41:42

They made us learn that at school.

0:41:420:41:44

Always fancied a quiet life, myself.

0:42:000:42:03

But it's a family tradition, war.

0:42:030:42:08

Dad was in the first one.

0:42:160:42:19

Now me in this.

0:42:190:42:20

You've got to switch this off.

0:42:250:42:27

There's no time to think, just act.

0:42:270:42:31

I used to love flying.

0:42:390:42:41

Often wonder what I'd be doing now if it wasn't for Dad.

0:42:450:42:48

I tried telling him once,

0:42:520:42:55

what it's really like...

0:42:550:42:56

..the dreams.

0:42:580:42:59

His war must have been different somehow.

0:43:040:43:06

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

0:43:140:43:17

Sod the bombers, sod the electrics.

0:43:250:43:27

Live for the present, dismiss our future. 92 Squadron!

0:43:290:43:33

ALL: 92 Squadron!

0:43:330:43:36

LAUGHTER

0:43:360:43:39

Ah, OK. Off we go.

0:43:390:43:41

After three. One, two, three!

0:43:410:43:43

PIANO MUSIC

0:43:430:43:44

# Come on chaps, drinks all round We've had a jolly good summer

0:43:440:43:47

# If a man goes out with a sergeant's wife

0:43:470:43:49

# It's foolish not to ask the general to tea and all his family

0:43:490:43:52

# And if he can't come then tickle his bum with a stick of celery, oi!

0:43:520:43:56

# Blackpool is the place for me I'm fishing from the rock

0:43:560:43:59

# I never use my fishing line I always use my ding-ding... #

0:43:590:44:02

It's his cock, it's his cock!

0:44:020:44:06

# Pockets are so useful especially in the stalls

0:44:060:44:09

# Where if you're tired of what's on stage, you can fumble with your...

0:44:090:44:12

-Balls!

-# ..Money, if you've got it

0:44:120:44:14

# If you've had some luck

0:44:140:44:15

# And haven't gone and spent it all

0:44:150:44:17

# Having a jolly good Turkish bath... #

0:44:170:44:18

SPEAKING FADES, REPLACED BY MELANCHOLY MUSIC

0:44:180:44:21

MACHINE-GUN FIRE

0:44:310:44:33

We fought at first light, high noon, evening, dusk.

0:44:350:44:40

It was a relentless ritual

0:44:400:44:43

and we had no idea when it would end.

0:44:430:44:47

MACHINE-GUN FIRE

0:44:470:44:49

'All that mattered was getting airborne, fighting the war,

0:44:590:45:03

'surviving until the next day, day after day after day.'

0:45:030:45:08

Anyone adrift, Tom?

0:45:290:45:32

Drummond.

0:45:320:45:34

Worst of it is,

0:45:360:45:38

it wasn't even the Hun that got him.

0:45:380:45:41

Collided with another Spit.

0:45:420:45:44

What a waste.

0:45:450:45:47

Anyone fancy the flicks tonight?

0:45:560:45:58

The new Bob Hope's on.

0:45:580:46:00

Eurgh, can't stand the man.

0:46:000:46:02

THUNDER RUMBLES

0:46:350:46:37

ALL: Ohhh!

0:46:470:46:50

Sorry, sir.

0:46:500:46:52

Can I bowl now?

0:46:540:46:55

Here we go.

0:46:550:46:58

ALL: Oh! APPLAUSE

0:46:580:47:00

Well done, sir.

0:47:000:47:03

Sorry, chaps.

0:47:030:47:04

I tried to have a word with Adolf,

0:47:040:47:06

but for some reason, he's refusing to answer my calls.

0:47:060:47:10

That's all right, get another bloody six when I'm back.

0:47:160:47:19

No, you bloody won't, Brian.

0:47:190:47:20

RADIO STATIC

0:47:400:47:42

-'Watch 109s at 12 o'clock high.

-Six more at 4 o'clock high.

-I see them.

0:47:420:47:46

'They've suddenly come down. Brian! Brake, brake! Brian!'

0:47:460:47:51

RADIO STATIC

0:47:510:47:53

He wouldn't stand around like this.

0:48:340:48:36

Come on.

0:48:370:48:39

First round's on me.

0:48:390:48:41

'Brian Kingcome was 92 Squadron and 92 modelled themselves on him.

0:48:550:49:00

'A real fighter pilot

0:49:020:49:04

'and a leader, yeah.'

0:49:040:49:06

Mac.

0:49:320:49:34

Didn't see you there.

0:49:340:49:36

Take a pew.

0:49:360:49:38

Thanks.

0:49:400:49:42

Plenty of room.

0:49:420:49:44

Listen, Geoff,

0:49:520:49:54

when was the last time you had a break?

0:49:540:49:56

Remind me what that is again.

0:49:580:50:00

I've managed to swing you a 48-hour pass.

0:50:010:50:05

-Hope you don't mind.

-Mind?

0:50:060:50:09

Christ.

0:50:090:50:12

That's settled then.

0:50:120:50:13

'I went home and, er,

0:51:050:51:07

'it was a strange thing to say,

0:51:070:51:10

'it was so good to be there, but when I saw my room,

0:51:100:51:14

'as it was when I left it,

0:51:140:51:16

'my cricket bat in the corner

0:51:160:51:19

'and Mum fussing around,

0:51:190:51:21

'I couldn't wait to get back to the squadron.

0:51:210:51:26

'It was almost as if I'd had enough to cope with,

0:51:270:51:30

'without emotion at home.'

0:51:300:51:33

These fellows in your squadron...

0:51:490:51:52

..good pilots, are they?

0:51:530:51:55

Yes, I suppose.

0:51:570:52:00

That's good, then.

0:52:030:52:05

I am too.

0:52:080:52:10

I don't doubt it, Geoff.

0:52:120:52:14

Sometimes I do.

0:52:180:52:20

I don't blame you for not staying over.

0:52:250:52:27

I'll tell your mother you had to get back early.

0:52:290:52:32

Have this on me.

0:52:410:52:43

Thanks.

0:52:440:52:46

Proud of you, son.

0:52:550:52:57

We all are.

0:52:580:52:59

Oh!

0:53:220:53:24

Oh, me.

0:53:270:53:29

Oh, my, look at you, Gracie.

0:53:290:53:32

What would I do without you?

0:53:360:53:38

I'm so glad you called me.

0:53:390:53:41

I know.

0:53:440:53:46

Just seems impossible that they actually got Brian Kingcome.

0:53:510:53:54

I mean...

0:53:560:53:58

We all thought,

0:53:580:54:00

"Who the bloody hell can shoot HIM down?"

0:54:000:54:02

But then...

0:54:040:54:06

I don't know.

0:54:100:54:12

When I'm at home, all I want to do is be back on the base

0:54:140:54:18

and when I'm on my way back there, all I want is...

0:54:180:54:20

..home.

0:54:220:54:24

Wherever that is.

0:54:280:54:30

HE SOBS

0:54:340:54:35

Geoff.

0:54:380:54:39

If I don't call you...

0:54:550:54:59

it doesn't mean that I don't care about you.

0:54:590:55:01

Forget about it.

0:55:020:55:04

How was it?

0:55:360:55:38

-Brian!

-Hello, Boy.

0:55:480:55:51

Bailed out a mile from Dover.

0:55:510:55:55

Not sure exactly what happened next, woke up in hospital with this bloody thing.

0:55:550:55:59

Bastards got me in the leg.

0:55:590:56:01

This came for you.

0:56:050:56:06

Must be some mistake.

0:56:180:56:19

Bad news?

0:56:190:56:21

Christ.

0:56:240:56:26

-They've only gone and given you a bleedin' medal.

-What?

-DF bloody C.

0:56:260:56:31

Well, we all know what that stands for.

0:56:310:56:33

Disastrous Fucking Clown.

0:56:330:56:36

Don't take it too personally, Boy.

0:56:360:56:39

They had to give it to someone and the other bugger's dead.

0:56:390:56:44

Good show.

0:56:440:56:46

'We all had combat fatigue in the end.

0:57:050:57:08

'Didn't realise it, but we did.'

0:57:080:57:11

'Exhaustion came into it

0:57:130:57:16

'and if you got too tired, that was when you lost your concentration

0:57:160:57:20

'and you thought, "Oh, I can't be bothered.

0:57:200:57:23

'"I can't be bothered. Come on, kill me."

0:57:230:57:25

PHONE RINGS Yes?

0:57:410:57:44

Yes, I sent them through yesterday.

0:57:460:57:48

Thank you.

0:57:500:57:51

I swear...

0:57:560:57:58

if ever I own a house, I'm never getting a bloody telephone.

0:57:580:58:02

What were we doing this time last year?

0:58:100:58:12

Easy. Contemplating a fourth pint of Shepherd's down the Pretty Pigs.

0:58:120:58:16

You, Tom?

0:58:190:58:22

Have you ever been to Beauchamp Chapel in Warwick?

0:58:220:58:25

It's on Church Street. There are these great medieval stone tablets

0:58:250:58:33

of the earls and knights of the county.

0:58:330:58:35

Good for brass rubbing, you know.

0:58:370:58:39

Odd to think we led normal lives once.

0:58:400:58:43

Brass rubbing normal?

0:58:430:58:44

THEY LAUGH

0:58:440:58:46

Yeah, bloody move, Wade.

0:58:490:58:51

You know there's ground crew outside?

0:58:550:58:58

Buggered if I like the look of this.

0:58:580:58:59

We're going over the water.

0:59:010:59:03

Convoy patrol.

0:59:050:59:06

Two aircraft. Krauts are nailing our shipping again.

0:59:080:59:12

In this weather, Brian? Jesus H.

0:59:120:59:14

Control wanted the whole flight up.

0:59:140:59:16

Are you hearing this, Trev?

0:59:170:59:19

I'm asleep and, what's more, I haven't heard a bloody thing.

0:59:190:59:22

I've already called this one.

0:59:220:59:24

Tommy, you're up with Boy.

0:59:240:59:26

Right, then.

0:59:540:59:55

Off we go.

0:59:591:00:00

Even a high priest can't control the weather, sir.

1:00:101:00:12

How long will you be gone?

1:00:151:00:16

At least an hour, maybe more.

1:00:181:00:21

Bloody hell.

1:00:491:00:50

'Red 2, Red 2. How is it going?'

1:01:491:01:52

Red 1. I can see very little.

1:01:521:01:55

I think my RC's giving up.

1:01:551:01:58

Red 1 do you read me?

1:01:581:02:00

Repeat, RC very bad.

1:02:021:02:06

Shit, shit!

1:02:251:02:28

Come in, Red 1.

1:02:281:02:31

Red 1, come in.

1:02:311:02:33

'Red 2, say again.

1:02:371:02:39

'We have a bandit 10 miles east approaching.'

1:02:391:02:42

Red 1, received.

1:02:421:02:44

Understand. Bandit approaching.

1:02:441:02:47

Come in Red 1. Red 1, do you read me?

1:02:471:02:51

This must be what eternity feels like.

1:03:121:03:14

Jesus. Fucking cloud!

1:03:261:03:30

Red 1, bandit sighted.

1:03:421:03:45

Red 1.

1:03:451:03:46

GERMAN VOICES ON RADIO

1:03:551:03:57

Shit!

1:04:181:04:19

Shit, fuck!

1:04:191:04:20

THUNDER

1:04:231:04:24

Fuck! Fuck!

1:04:371:04:39

Come on, little lady.

1:04:411:04:44

Get me home.

1:04:441:04:46

He dived away.

1:04:581:04:59

-I think he went after something.

-You think?

1:04:591:05:02

-Lost RT.

-Then you should have turned back.

1:05:021:05:05

I did.

1:05:051:05:07

Where the bloody hell is he?

1:05:071:05:10

Get yourself inside.

1:05:101:05:11

Fuck.

1:05:561:05:57

What was the last heading you were flying?

1:06:111:06:14

I'm not sure.

1:06:141:06:15

PHONE RINGS

1:06:511:06:52

Yep? No.

1:06:531:06:57

What just happened?

1:06:571:06:58

I've no idea.

1:06:581:07:00

I swear to Christ, it's him.

1:07:001:07:03

What?

1:07:061:07:07

All right, sir? We were expecting you over an hour ago.

1:07:101:07:14

Just a bit tired.

1:07:161:07:18

Geoff, where the hell have you been?

1:07:191:07:22

Any news on the Junkers I shot down?

1:07:241:07:27

What?

1:07:271:07:28

Junkers '88.

1:07:281:07:31

But then if I had hit it...

1:07:311:07:32

-Geoff.

-All that metal.

1:07:321:07:34

-You must have seen it.

-Where were you?

1:07:341:07:36

Chasing a fucking German, where were you?

1:07:361:07:40

-RT failure means abort, what part of that don't you understand?

-Sorry, Brian, you know how it is.

1:07:491:07:54

You've nothing to prove, Geoff.

1:07:561:07:58

We were never to have a moment's peace.

1:08:251:08:27

The summer of 1941, I went on 50 missions, escort and fighter sweeps, over northern France.

1:08:291:08:36

I didn't think any more about dying or being killed, it didn't worry me.

1:08:391:08:43

I'd become an automaton.

1:08:431:08:45

You all right, sir?

1:09:221:09:23

'Tommy Lund was a lovely chap,

1:09:491:09:52

'very dear friend, very dear friend.'

1:09:521:09:55

'He went into the Channel, but all the best blokes did

1:09:551:09:59

'and yet the blokes like me got away with it.'

1:09:591:10:02

I don't know about you ladies, but I plan on getting stupidly, stinkingly arseholed.

1:10:041:10:08

You can count me in.

1:10:081:10:10

INAUDIBLE

1:10:141:10:17

'I think I was like a...

1:10:591:11:01

'a bit of stretched elastic.

1:11:011:11:04

'I think I'd reached the end at that time, but I didn't know it.

1:11:041:11:08

'You don't know it.'

1:11:081:11:10

Geoff.

1:11:361:11:38

You're off ops.

1:11:411:11:43

Though we're very sorry to see you leave us.

1:11:451:11:48

Beg your pardon, Brian?

1:11:491:11:52

You've done bloody well...

1:11:521:11:55

but it's over.

1:11:551:11:57

18 months of this is enough for anyone.

1:11:581:12:00

Why, Brian?

1:12:051:12:06

I don't understand.

1:12:081:12:10

-Have I put up a black? I don't understand.

-You've come to the end of the line.

1:12:111:12:16

That's all.

1:12:161:12:18

You're finished.

1:12:181:12:20

Now, you've got a posting to an OTU, to instruct.

1:12:221:12:26

Don't want to go.

1:12:331:12:36

I know.

1:12:371:12:38

'I felt the peak of my life was behind me.'

1:12:531:12:56

'I'm not going to reach here again,

1:12:571:13:00

'everything else is going to be...

1:13:001:13:02

'with the curve going downwards, the graph going downwards.'

1:13:021:13:06

I remember your first day here.

1:13:221:13:25

The words "right", "cocky" and "bastard" spring to mind.

1:13:251:13:28

You know, Boy...

1:13:351:13:38

I was never more happy than when I saw you landing safely today.

1:13:381:13:41

Your posting come through just before you took off.

1:13:431:13:46

It was too late to stop you,

1:13:461:13:48

but... like I said...

1:13:481:13:53

when you landed...

1:13:531:13:55

"At least", I thought,

1:13:561:13:59

"Geoffrey Wellum has made it and lived."

1:13:591:14:02

God knows I've written enough letters to the parents of those who didn't.

1:14:061:14:10

'I asked myself, "Was it worth it?

1:14:461:14:50

'"Was it worth it?

1:14:501:14:51

'"All those young men I fought and flew with, all those chaps that are no longer with us?"'

1:14:511:14:58

'I ask myself that question and I can't answer it.

1:15:001:15:03

'I suppose it must have been.'

1:15:031:15:05

'Suppose it must have been.'

1:15:081:15:09

'I am still struggling.'

1:15:101:15:12

We never did get to sign it.

1:15:281:15:29

Nobody wants a medal,

1:15:371:15:40

nobody wants a thank you.

1:15:401:15:42

But it would be nice just to be remembered,

1:15:451:15:50

because then you must think of all of us

1:15:501:15:53

and not just those of us who survived.

1:15:531:15:56

Flying alone,

1:16:111:16:13

nothing gives such a sense of mastery over mechanism,

1:16:131:16:17

mastery indeed over space.

1:16:171:16:19

Time and life itself is this.

1:16:191:16:23

Only the lonely threshers of the sky, hidden from the Earth, have gazed on it.

1:16:261:16:32

Only we, who went up late into the high places

1:16:321:16:37

under the shadow of wings.

1:16:371:16:40

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1:18:031:18:06

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1:18:061:18:09

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