0:00:02 > 0:00:07This programme contains some strong language.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09PLANE ENGINES
0:00:12 > 0:00:13GUNFIRE
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Saffa, this is Gannick Red 2.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Are you receiving?
0:00:23 > 0:00:26RADIO STATIC
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Saffa, this is Gannick Red 2. Are you receiving?
0:00:29 > 0:00:31RADIO STATIC
0:00:32 > 0:00:39Saffa, this is Gannick Red 2, are you receiving me?
0:00:42 > 0:00:45Shit. Christ.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Saffa, this is Gannick Red 2.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53RADIO STATIC
0:00:53 > 0:00:57GARBLED GERMAN SPEECH
0:01:02 > 0:01:04GUNFIRE
0:01:15 > 0:01:20People say to me, you know, "How do you remember these things?"
0:01:20 > 0:01:22How do you expect me to forget?
0:01:22 > 0:01:25You don't, can't.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27And I remember it vividly, you know.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31It's not just a question of remembering - you can see it,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34see things, see people, see aeroplanes.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39The experiences of being a Spitfire fighter pilot
0:01:39 > 0:01:43in the Battle of Britain stay with you forever.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47And you can't do anything about it.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27PLANE ENGINE
0:02:29 > 0:02:30See your pass, please?
0:02:48 > 0:02:50This is it, sir.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09Enter.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20No time to stand on ceremony. Wellum?
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Straight from training?
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Yes. And I didn't quite finish that.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28How old are you, exactly?
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Almost 19.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I said exactly.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34- 18 years, 9 months.- Jesus.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40What's your Christian name?
0:03:40 > 0:03:41Geoffrey.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45But everyone calls me Geoff.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Do they indeed?
0:03:50 > 0:03:51My name's Mac.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01I'm a doddery old sod from the first war.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Pray that this one doesn't last as long, eh?
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Bet you haven't done any time in Spits either, have you?
0:04:12 > 0:04:13No, sir.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20PLANE ENGINES OVERHEAD
0:04:30 > 0:04:31Who the bloody hell are you?
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- Wellum, sir. - Mac told me your name was Geoff.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- Oh.- Said you looked a right cheeky bugger.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42I think you should be called Boy.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44What do you reckon, Tommy?
0:04:44 > 0:04:46TOMMY SNIGGERS
0:04:46 > 0:04:51Brian Kingcome, commanding officer...acting.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54What time is it?
0:04:54 > 0:04:56It's that time again, Brian.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Tempus fugit, Boy.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08If you start feeling sorry for yourself, he'll sling you straight on the scrapheap.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10We're off to the pub.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Coming?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30GENERAL CHATTER
0:06:01 > 0:06:03I wouldn't do that if I were you.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09Only those who've seen the whites of the enemy's eyes are allowed to sign up.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12But once you're signed up, you're up.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Nobody gets rubbed out here.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- There you go.- What is it?
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Pilot's one true friend.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Bottoms up.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Bloody hell!
0:06:30 > 0:06:32BOTH LAUGH
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Oh, dear. I do fear you're going to need another.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Medicine too strong for you?
0:06:54 > 0:06:56GEOFF RETCHES
0:06:56 > 0:06:57Sorry, sir.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02You'll call me Brian. I'm not your bloody father.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Yes, sir...Brian.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Come back in for more?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12The hair of the dog. Best thing for it.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14HE RETCHES
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Suit yourself.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22But know this, Boy - I haven't the time to train you up on Spits.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27You can have a go tomorrow but God help you if you break the bloody thing.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29HE RETCHES
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Another bleedin' boy wonder.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Morning, sir. Nice day for it.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06She's all warmed up for you, sir.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Let's get you sorted out, sir.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18There you are, sir.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I've done my homework.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39That's good, sir.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Don't worry, sir. You won't be flying her.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56No, she'll be flying you.
0:09:01 > 0:09:06Excuse me, just one thing. How do you start it again?
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Throttle.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Set it to about there to start.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21Once you're up, nip her up on the friction, otherwise you'll fly along like a hobby horse.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Engine start.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Hit it the same time as the booster call.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27I use these two fingers.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29V for victory.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Primer pump.
0:09:31 > 0:09:36Give her a good old glassful - she's a greedy cow - and dual magnetos.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Don't forget to check for your mag drop,
0:09:38 > 0:09:40and Fanny's your aunt.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Go on, sir, wake her up.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Fresh from the cradle
0:09:58 > 0:10:03and we're giving him a thousand horsepower and eight machine guns to play with.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06What a way to win a war!
0:10:14 > 0:10:16OK, so...
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Fuel on.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Primer pump.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Throttle, descent.
0:10:26 > 0:10:27Clear prop.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Magnetos on.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Engine start. On.
0:11:44 > 0:11:45God help us.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30The first flight in a Spitfire was a little bit awe-inspiring.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32People don't understand.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37It was an achievement because it was then THE aeroplane,
0:12:37 > 0:12:41everybody spoke about Spitfires, and here was I flying one.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43And I wasn't 19 years old.
0:12:48 > 0:12:53There you are, careering around at 300 knots in this thing.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58Just the slightest thought that goes through your brain
0:12:58 > 0:13:00conveys it to your hands and your feet,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03and the next thing you know, the aeroplane's doing it.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22You feel detached from fellow man.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25It's clean.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27It's pure.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29It gets into the very soul.
0:13:29 > 0:13:35It gets into the soul and you think, "This is absolutely beautiful."
0:14:07 > 0:14:09How many of those things have you written now?
0:14:15 > 0:14:16You really want to know?
0:14:20 > 0:14:24I just hope to Christ we're not headed for another bloody April.
0:14:25 > 0:14:281917.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29Yes.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33I really thought we were going to lose everyone back then.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38And now we're chucking them into the meat grinder all over again.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43PLANE ENGINE APPROACHES
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Let's hope his landing's better than his takeoff.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14Bit lumpy.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- You OK, sir?- Jesus H.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Was that really an hour?
0:15:36 > 0:15:37She's sweet, isn't she?
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Yes.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Absolutely bloody marvellous!
0:16:12 > 0:16:15What I'd give to be a pilot.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17I came down with my pal Eddie.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20I said, "You do the sea, I'll do the air."
0:16:21 > 0:16:23He joined the Navy.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26I'd just love to see the world.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Actually, I hear Germany's very pretty this time of year.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Are they all bloody idiots where you're from, then?
0:16:43 > 0:16:44Morning.
0:16:44 > 0:16:49I was going to do my very best to be a good fighter pilot,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51because unless you were,
0:16:51 > 0:16:54then the chances were that you were going to get bumped off,
0:16:54 > 0:16:56and that didn't appeal to me at all.
0:16:58 > 0:17:04The Germans had marched through Europe - Scandinavia, France -
0:17:04 > 0:17:08and the threat of invasion was very real indeed.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Here we were with bullets flying all over the place.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13If you could survive three weeks,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16you had a good chance of surviving six,
0:17:16 > 0:17:17or even longer.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29I've had quite a few hours on the Spits now, Mac.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33I'm ready for this.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Oh! I saw him in my sights.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42I couldn't quite believe it at first, right there in front of me.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Before I knew what I was doing, I'd ripped into him.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Then there he was, smoke billowing, out of control, spiralling towards the ground.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10Who was he?
0:18:11 > 0:18:12Who was who?
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Have you any idea who Boy's talking about, Mac?
0:18:19 > 0:18:20Haven't the foggiest, Brian.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Boy, come and sit your arse down here.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32Show this Welsh wally a thing or two about the fine art of chess.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33Easy.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- Are you happy to do this now? - I'd rather get this one out the way.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52SINGING
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- One of yours?- No.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28Different squadron.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Sorry, didn't see you there.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09You must be Drummond. Welcome aboard.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Heard all about you, obviously.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Norway, wasn't it?
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Must have been one hell of a battle.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29It was.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Have you been trained on the reflector gunsight?
0:20:33 > 0:20:36No. Nobody has.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38It's a joke, isn't it?
0:20:54 > 0:20:56OK, sir, let's go through it again.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59OK.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Eyes tight shut, sir?
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Say it fast this time.- Trim.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Brakes. Set.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- Not bad, sir. - Get on with it.- Mixture.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15Did I get it right?
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- Yes, sir.- Good. Try me some more.
0:21:18 > 0:21:19Fuel select.
0:21:21 > 0:21:22Good, sir.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Now...
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Cock.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28(Cock...)
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- Cock?- You've got to get this one right, sir.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37It's a vital piece of equipment.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40It's just not part of the aeroplane, sir!
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- BOTH LAUGH - Sods!
0:21:43 > 0:21:46I've been reaching in the dark for that for years.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50- Right, go again.- Right, ready?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06You're to report for ops at first light.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12That's if you haven't gone off the idea in the meantime.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16No.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17Of course not, Brian.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22The bad news is,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24you're going to be my wingman.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27That way, I get to keep eye on you.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Brian...
0:22:40 > 0:22:42I won't let you down.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04I was very much aware, would I measure up?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07You were defending...
0:23:07 > 0:23:09this country...
0:23:09 > 0:23:15against an utterly... ruthless Nazi regime,
0:23:15 > 0:23:18bombing hell out of our civilian population
0:23:18 > 0:23:21and every city and town they could find.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24What did they expect?
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Shake them by the hand?
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Stroke them?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30No, stop them!
0:23:30 > 0:23:32This is what my duty is,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35in a single-seater interceptor fighter.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40And I didn't want to be afraid.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58LABORIOUS BREATHING
0:24:03 > 0:24:05HE MURMURS
0:25:01 > 0:25:03You're not superstitious, are you, Boy?
0:25:20 > 0:25:23How can he sleep at a time like this?
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Cos he's bloody useless.
0:25:27 > 0:25:33Why was she watching a man being condemned for her own murder?
0:25:38 > 0:25:41SHE could murder me any day.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21PHONE RINGS
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Yes?
0:26:24 > 0:26:26Squadron scramble!
0:26:26 > 0:26:28BELL RINGS
0:26:31 > 0:26:33ENGINES ROAR Start!
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Engines start!
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Ah! Fucking wake up, will you?
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Form up, form up.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Stay with me, Boy.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54Hello, Saffa, gunning squadron airborne.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59I'm steering 120 and climbing hard, over.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Oh, my fucking Christ.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Stay with me, Boy, stay with me.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Here we go!
0:28:24 > 0:28:28OK, Boy, a good first burst, then away. Watch for 109s.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31MACHINE-GUN FIRE
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Shit.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54109s above the first block coming round to six o'clock,
0:28:54 > 0:28:553,000 feet above.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Come on, come on!
0:29:06 > 0:29:10Come on. (Come on, come on!)
0:29:15 > 0:29:19Come on! Come on! Yes!
0:29:24 > 0:29:27QUICK, SHALLOW BREATHING
0:29:48 > 0:29:50MACHINE-GUN FIRE
0:29:55 > 0:29:59MECHANICAL CLUNKING, NO GUNFIRE
0:29:59 > 0:30:00Oh, Christ.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03MACHINE-GUN FIRE
0:30:05 > 0:30:09Christ! Come on.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16MACHINE-GUN FIRE
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Fuck! Get off!
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Close.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Stall, you fucker, come on.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46SHALLOW, QUICK BREATHING
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Sir, are you OK, sir?
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Sir, are you OK?
0:31:10 > 0:31:11We were caught by a 109.
0:31:14 > 0:31:20- She'll have to go away, sir.- Away?
0:31:20 > 0:31:22I don't think we'll be repairing this one.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26You'd better rustle me up another one.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Want to be ready for the next up.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41'When that 109 caught me off that Heinkel, I remember thinking,
0:31:41 > 0:31:45'"If you can get away with this, you'll get away with anything,"
0:31:45 > 0:31:47'cos he should have killed me.'
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Look at Boy's cravat, you look like our glorious leader!
0:31:53 > 0:31:57We're going to see if we can't bag ourselves some trophies beforehand.
0:31:57 > 0:31:58Big trophies.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Boy.
0:32:02 > 0:32:03You're one lucky sod.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06You should have stuck on my wing.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10If there were any justice in the world,
0:32:10 > 0:32:15you'd be cinders now.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Are you coming to this party or not?
0:32:27 > 0:32:28Grace?
0:32:29 > 0:32:31I'll see you inside.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35I can't tell if that's a pleased look or not.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39I just...
0:32:39 > 0:32:41What are you doing here?
0:32:41 > 0:32:44I did write, I'm working near Brasstead.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47Come on, Geoff.
0:32:47 > 0:32:48Friends of yours?
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Yes.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- I'll introduce you.- I'd like that.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59I was sorry to hear about your brother.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14You look beautiful.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23You look different.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34What would persuade you to dance with me?
0:33:36 > 0:33:37Just be yourself.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03# Them that's got shall get
0:34:03 > 0:34:07# Them that's not shall lose
0:34:07 > 0:34:08# So the Bible said
0:34:08 > 0:34:13# And it still is news
0:34:13 > 0:34:17# Mama may have
0:34:17 > 0:34:20# Papa may have
0:34:20 > 0:34:25# But God bless the child that's got his own
0:34:25 > 0:34:28# That's got his own
0:34:30 > 0:34:35# Yes, the strong gets more
0:34:35 > 0:34:38# While the weak ones fade
0:34:38 > 0:34:45# Empty pockets don't ever make the grade
0:34:45 > 0:34:48# Mama may have
0:34:48 > 0:34:51# Papa may have
0:34:51 > 0:34:57# But God bless the child that's got his own
0:34:57 > 0:35:01# That's got his own
0:35:04 > 0:35:12# Money, you got lots of friends
0:35:12 > 0:35:16# Crowding round the door
0:35:16 > 0:35:23# When you're gone and spending ends
0:35:23 > 0:35:29# They don't come no more
0:35:29 > 0:35:33# Rich relations give
0:35:33 > 0:35:36# Crust of bread and such
0:35:36 > 0:35:43# You can help yourself but don't take too much
0:35:43 > 0:35:46# Mama may have
0:35:46 > 0:35:50- # Papa may have... # - MACHINE-GUN FIRE
0:35:50 > 0:35:56# But God bless the child that's got his own
0:35:56 > 0:35:58# That's got his own. #
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Look, for what it is, it's a splendid little car.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13How much?
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- Five quid. - Yeah, can't go wrong with a fiver.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19Good little runner, too. Seats four.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Make a good passion wagon.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23In a Ford 10?!
0:36:23 > 0:36:25I'd pay you back, first of the month.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29And what happens if you get the chop in the meantime?
0:36:29 > 0:36:31Come on, I'd do the same for you.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48So when do we get to see this high-powered projectile of yours?
0:36:50 > 0:36:52And the first round's on you.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15God, Geoff, you'll wear me out.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30Oh!
0:37:30 > 0:37:33What a gorgeous brooch.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Nothing special.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Just a little trinket I picked up, you know?
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Oh.
0:37:41 > 0:37:42I see.
0:37:45 > 0:37:46What are you doing?
0:37:46 > 0:37:50- I thought you said it was nothing special.- That's a month's wages.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Oh!
0:37:52 > 0:37:55Where the bloody hell did you throw that, Grace?
0:37:57 > 0:37:59- Can you see?- Shall we have a look? - Yeah!
0:38:29 > 0:38:32Grace...
0:38:32 > 0:38:34I know.
0:38:34 > 0:38:35I feel the same.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Soon.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47It's getting late.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49PLANE ENGINE OVERHEAD
0:38:51 > 0:38:53No clouds.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Must be lovely up there this evening.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Geoff.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Geoff.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15You're getting cold.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50I was like a dog with a bone. They couldn't shake me off.
0:39:50 > 0:39:51Kept on hitting him and then bang!
0:39:51 > 0:39:54He dropped out of the sky like a stone.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Junkers, was it?
0:39:57 > 0:40:00- Yes.- See anyone bail?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02No.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Make sure you write a report before you leave.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24That was my first confirmed kill.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Junkers 88.
0:40:30 > 0:40:31Congratulations.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55"I went into a public house
0:40:57 > 0:40:59"To get a pint of beer
0:41:02 > 0:41:05"The publican, he ups and says
0:41:05 > 0:41:08""We serve no redcoats here."
0:41:08 > 0:41:10"The girls behind the bar
0:41:10 > 0:41:11"They laughed and giggled
0:41:11 > 0:41:13"Fit to die
0:41:13 > 0:41:16"I outs into the street again
0:41:16 > 0:41:18"And to myself says I
0:41:18 > 0:41:19"Oh, it's T...
0:41:19 > 0:41:21"Oh, it's Tommy this
0:41:21 > 0:41:22"And Tommy that
0:41:22 > 0:41:24- BOTH:- "And Tommy, go away
0:41:24 > 0:41:27"But it's, "Thank you, Mister Atkins,"
0:41:27 > 0:41:29"When the band begins to play
0:41:29 > 0:41:32"When the band begins to play, my boys
0:41:32 > 0:41:33"The band begins to play
0:41:33 > 0:41:35"And it's, "Thank you, Mister Atkins,"
0:41:35 > 0:41:38"When the band begins to play."
0:41:40 > 0:41:42Kipling.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44They made us learn that at school.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03Always fancied a quiet life, myself.
0:42:03 > 0:42:08But it's a family tradition, war.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Dad was in the first one.
0:42:19 > 0:42:20Now me in this.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27You've got to switch this off.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31There's no time to think, just act.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41I used to love flying.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Often wonder what I'd be doing now if it wasn't for Dad.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55I tried telling him once,
0:42:55 > 0:42:56what it's really like...
0:42:58 > 0:42:59..the dreams.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06His war must have been different somehow.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17LAUGHTER AND CHATTER
0:43:25 > 0:43:27Sod the bombers, sod the electrics.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33Live for the present, dismiss our future. 92 Squadron!
0:43:33 > 0:43:36ALL: 92 Squadron!
0:43:36 > 0:43:39LAUGHTER
0:43:39 > 0:43:41Ah, OK. Off we go.
0:43:41 > 0:43:43After three. One, two, three!
0:43:43 > 0:43:44PIANO MUSIC
0:43:44 > 0:43:47# Come on chaps, drinks all round We've had a jolly good summer
0:43:47 > 0:43:49# If a man goes out with a sergeant's wife
0:43:49 > 0:43:52# It's foolish not to ask the general to tea and all his family
0:43:52 > 0:43:56# And if he can't come then tickle his bum with a stick of celery, oi!
0:43:56 > 0:43:59# Blackpool is the place for me I'm fishing from the rock
0:43:59 > 0:44:02# I never use my fishing line I always use my ding-ding... #
0:44:02 > 0:44:06It's his cock, it's his cock!
0:44:06 > 0:44:09# Pockets are so useful especially in the stalls
0:44:09 > 0:44:12# Where if you're tired of what's on stage, you can fumble with your...
0:44:12 > 0:44:14- Balls! - # ..Money, if you've got it
0:44:14 > 0:44:15# If you've had some luck
0:44:15 > 0:44:17# And haven't gone and spent it all
0:44:17 > 0:44:18# Having a jolly good Turkish bath... #
0:44:18 > 0:44:21SPEAKING FADES, REPLACED BY MELANCHOLY MUSIC
0:44:31 > 0:44:33MACHINE-GUN FIRE
0:44:35 > 0:44:40We fought at first light, high noon, evening, dusk.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43It was a relentless ritual
0:44:43 > 0:44:47and we had no idea when it would end.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49MACHINE-GUN FIRE
0:44:59 > 0:45:03'All that mattered was getting airborne, fighting the war,
0:45:03 > 0:45:08'surviving until the next day, day after day after day.'
0:45:29 > 0:45:32Anyone adrift, Tom?
0:45:32 > 0:45:34Drummond.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38Worst of it is,
0:45:38 > 0:45:41it wasn't even the Hun that got him.
0:45:42 > 0:45:44Collided with another Spit.
0:45:45 > 0:45:47What a waste.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58Anyone fancy the flicks tonight?
0:45:58 > 0:46:00The new Bob Hope's on.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02Eurgh, can't stand the man.
0:46:35 > 0:46:37THUNDER RUMBLES
0:46:47 > 0:46:50ALL: Ohhh!
0:46:50 > 0:46:52Sorry, sir.
0:46:54 > 0:46:55Can I bowl now?
0:46:55 > 0:46:58Here we go.
0:46:58 > 0:47:00ALL: Oh! APPLAUSE
0:47:00 > 0:47:03Well done, sir.
0:47:03 > 0:47:04Sorry, chaps.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06I tried to have a word with Adolf,
0:47:06 > 0:47:10but for some reason, he's refusing to answer my calls.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19That's all right, get another bloody six when I'm back.
0:47:19 > 0:47:20No, you bloody won't, Brian.
0:47:40 > 0:47:42RADIO STATIC
0:47:42 > 0:47:46- 'Watch 109s at 12 o'clock high.- Six more at 4 o'clock high.- I see them.
0:47:46 > 0:47:51'They've suddenly come down. Brian! Brake, brake! Brian!'
0:47:51 > 0:47:53RADIO STATIC
0:48:34 > 0:48:36He wouldn't stand around like this.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39Come on.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41First round's on me.
0:48:55 > 0:49:00'Brian Kingcome was 92 Squadron and 92 modelled themselves on him.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04'A real fighter pilot
0:49:04 > 0:49:06'and a leader, yeah.'
0:49:32 > 0:49:34Mac.
0:49:34 > 0:49:36Didn't see you there.
0:49:36 > 0:49:38Take a pew.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42Thanks.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44Plenty of room.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54Listen, Geoff,
0:49:54 > 0:49:56when was the last time you had a break?
0:49:58 > 0:50:00Remind me what that is again.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05I've managed to swing you a 48-hour pass.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09- Hope you don't mind.- Mind?
0:50:09 > 0:50:12Christ.
0:50:12 > 0:50:13That's settled then.
0:51:05 > 0:51:07'I went home and, er,
0:51:07 > 0:51:10'it was a strange thing to say,
0:51:10 > 0:51:14'it was so good to be there, but when I saw my room,
0:51:14 > 0:51:16'as it was when I left it,
0:51:16 > 0:51:19'my cricket bat in the corner
0:51:19 > 0:51:21'and Mum fussing around,
0:51:21 > 0:51:26'I couldn't wait to get back to the squadron.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30'It was almost as if I'd had enough to cope with,
0:51:30 > 0:51:33'without emotion at home.'
0:51:49 > 0:51:52These fellows in your squadron...
0:51:53 > 0:51:55..good pilots, are they?
0:51:57 > 0:52:00Yes, I suppose.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05That's good, then.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10I am too.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14I don't doubt it, Geoff.
0:52:18 > 0:52:20Sometimes I do.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27I don't blame you for not staying over.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32I'll tell your mother you had to get back early.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43Have this on me.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46Thanks.
0:52:55 > 0:52:57Proud of you, son.
0:52:58 > 0:52:59We all are.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24Oh!
0:53:27 > 0:53:29Oh, me.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32Oh, my, look at you, Gracie.
0:53:36 > 0:53:38What would I do without you?
0:53:39 > 0:53:41I'm so glad you called me.
0:53:44 > 0:53:46I know.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54Just seems impossible that they actually got Brian Kingcome.
0:53:56 > 0:53:58I mean...
0:53:58 > 0:54:00We all thought,
0:54:00 > 0:54:02"Who the bloody hell can shoot HIM down?"
0:54:04 > 0:54:06But then...
0:54:10 > 0:54:12I don't know.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18When I'm at home, all I want to do is be back on the base
0:54:18 > 0:54:20and when I'm on my way back there, all I want is...
0:54:22 > 0:54:24..home.
0:54:28 > 0:54:30Wherever that is.
0:54:34 > 0:54:35HE SOBS
0:54:38 > 0:54:39Geoff.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59If I don't call you...
0:54:59 > 0:55:01it doesn't mean that I don't care about you.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04Forget about it.
0:55:36 > 0:55:38How was it?
0:55:48 > 0:55:51- Brian!- Hello, Boy.
0:55:51 > 0:55:55Bailed out a mile from Dover.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59Not sure exactly what happened next, woke up in hospital with this bloody thing.
0:55:59 > 0:56:01Bastards got me in the leg.
0:56:05 > 0:56:06This came for you.
0:56:18 > 0:56:19Must be some mistake.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21Bad news?
0:56:24 > 0:56:26Christ.
0:56:26 > 0:56:31- They've only gone and given you a bleedin' medal.- What?- DF bloody C.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33Well, we all know what that stands for.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36Disastrous Fucking Clown.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39Don't take it too personally, Boy.
0:56:39 > 0:56:44They had to give it to someone and the other bugger's dead.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46Good show.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08'We all had combat fatigue in the end.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11'Didn't realise it, but we did.'
0:57:13 > 0:57:16'Exhaustion came into it
0:57:16 > 0:57:20'and if you got too tired, that was when you lost your concentration
0:57:20 > 0:57:23'and you thought, "Oh, I can't be bothered.
0:57:23 > 0:57:25'"I can't be bothered. Come on, kill me."
0:57:41 > 0:57:44PHONE RINGS Yes?
0:57:46 > 0:57:48Yes, I sent them through yesterday.
0:57:50 > 0:57:51Thank you.
0:57:56 > 0:57:58I swear...
0:57:58 > 0:58:02if ever I own a house, I'm never getting a bloody telephone.
0:58:10 > 0:58:12What were we doing this time last year?
0:58:12 > 0:58:16Easy. Contemplating a fourth pint of Shepherd's down the Pretty Pigs.
0:58:19 > 0:58:22You, Tom?
0:58:22 > 0:58:25Have you ever been to Beauchamp Chapel in Warwick?
0:58:25 > 0:58:33It's on Church Street. There are these great medieval stone tablets
0:58:33 > 0:58:35of the earls and knights of the county.
0:58:37 > 0:58:39Good for brass rubbing, you know.
0:58:40 > 0:58:43Odd to think we led normal lives once.
0:58:43 > 0:58:44Brass rubbing normal?
0:58:44 > 0:58:46THEY LAUGH
0:58:49 > 0:58:51Yeah, bloody move, Wade.
0:58:55 > 0:58:58You know there's ground crew outside?
0:58:58 > 0:58:59Buggered if I like the look of this.
0:59:01 > 0:59:03We're going over the water.
0:59:05 > 0:59:06Convoy patrol.
0:59:08 > 0:59:12Two aircraft. Krauts are nailing our shipping again.
0:59:12 > 0:59:14In this weather, Brian? Jesus H.
0:59:14 > 0:59:16Control wanted the whole flight up.
0:59:17 > 0:59:19Are you hearing this, Trev?
0:59:19 > 0:59:22I'm asleep and, what's more, I haven't heard a bloody thing.
0:59:22 > 0:59:24I've already called this one.
0:59:24 > 0:59:26Tommy, you're up with Boy.
0:59:54 > 0:59:55Right, then.
0:59:59 > 1:00:00Off we go.
1:00:10 > 1:00:12Even a high priest can't control the weather, sir.
1:00:15 > 1:00:16How long will you be gone?
1:00:18 > 1:00:21At least an hour, maybe more.
1:00:49 > 1:00:50Bloody hell.
1:01:49 > 1:01:52'Red 2, Red 2. How is it going?'
1:01:52 > 1:01:55Red 1. I can see very little.
1:01:55 > 1:01:58I think my RC's giving up.
1:01:58 > 1:02:00Red 1 do you read me?
1:02:02 > 1:02:06Repeat, RC very bad.
1:02:25 > 1:02:28Shit, shit!
1:02:28 > 1:02:31Come in, Red 1.
1:02:31 > 1:02:33Red 1, come in.
1:02:37 > 1:02:39'Red 2, say again.
1:02:39 > 1:02:42'We have a bandit 10 miles east approaching.'
1:02:42 > 1:02:44Red 1, received.
1:02:44 > 1:02:47Understand. Bandit approaching.
1:02:47 > 1:02:51Come in Red 1. Red 1, do you read me?
1:03:12 > 1:03:14This must be what eternity feels like.
1:03:26 > 1:03:30Jesus. Fucking cloud!
1:03:42 > 1:03:45Red 1, bandit sighted.
1:03:45 > 1:03:46Red 1.
1:03:55 > 1:03:57GERMAN VOICES ON RADIO
1:04:18 > 1:04:19Shit!
1:04:19 > 1:04:20Shit, fuck!
1:04:23 > 1:04:24THUNDER
1:04:37 > 1:04:39Fuck! Fuck!
1:04:41 > 1:04:44Come on, little lady.
1:04:44 > 1:04:46Get me home.
1:04:58 > 1:04:59He dived away.
1:04:59 > 1:05:02- I think he went after something. - You think?
1:05:02 > 1:05:05- Lost RT. - Then you should have turned back.
1:05:05 > 1:05:07I did.
1:05:07 > 1:05:10Where the bloody hell is he?
1:05:10 > 1:05:11Get yourself inside.
1:05:56 > 1:05:57Fuck.
1:06:11 > 1:06:14What was the last heading you were flying?
1:06:14 > 1:06:15I'm not sure.
1:06:51 > 1:06:52PHONE RINGS
1:06:53 > 1:06:57Yep? No.
1:06:57 > 1:06:58What just happened?
1:06:58 > 1:07:00I've no idea.
1:07:00 > 1:07:03I swear to Christ, it's him.
1:07:06 > 1:07:07What?
1:07:10 > 1:07:14All right, sir? We were expecting you over an hour ago.
1:07:16 > 1:07:18Just a bit tired.
1:07:19 > 1:07:22Geoff, where the hell have you been?
1:07:24 > 1:07:27Any news on the Junkers I shot down?
1:07:27 > 1:07:28What?
1:07:28 > 1:07:31Junkers '88.
1:07:31 > 1:07:32But then if I had hit it...
1:07:32 > 1:07:34- Geoff.- All that metal.
1:07:34 > 1:07:36- You must have seen it. - Where were you?
1:07:36 > 1:07:40Chasing a fucking German, where were you?
1:07:49 > 1:07:54- RT failure means abort, what part of that don't you understand? - Sorry, Brian, you know how it is.
1:07:56 > 1:07:58You've nothing to prove, Geoff.
1:08:25 > 1:08:27We were never to have a moment's peace.
1:08:29 > 1:08:36The summer of 1941, I went on 50 missions, escort and fighter sweeps, over northern France.
1:08:39 > 1:08:43I didn't think any more about dying or being killed, it didn't worry me.
1:08:43 > 1:08:45I'd become an automaton.
1:09:22 > 1:09:23You all right, sir?
1:09:49 > 1:09:52'Tommy Lund was a lovely chap,
1:09:52 > 1:09:55'very dear friend, very dear friend.'
1:09:55 > 1:09:59'He went into the Channel, but all the best blokes did
1:09:59 > 1:10:02'and yet the blokes like me got away with it.'
1:10:04 > 1:10:08I don't know about you ladies, but I plan on getting stupidly, stinkingly arseholed.
1:10:08 > 1:10:10You can count me in.
1:10:14 > 1:10:17INAUDIBLE
1:10:59 > 1:11:01'I think I was like a...
1:11:01 > 1:11:04'a bit of stretched elastic.
1:11:04 > 1:11:08'I think I'd reached the end at that time, but I didn't know it.
1:11:08 > 1:11:10'You don't know it.'
1:11:36 > 1:11:38Geoff.
1:11:41 > 1:11:43You're off ops.
1:11:45 > 1:11:48Though we're very sorry to see you leave us.
1:11:49 > 1:11:52Beg your pardon, Brian?
1:11:52 > 1:11:55You've done bloody well...
1:11:55 > 1:11:57but it's over.
1:11:58 > 1:12:0018 months of this is enough for anyone.
1:12:05 > 1:12:06Why, Brian?
1:12:08 > 1:12:10I don't understand.
1:12:11 > 1:12:16- Have I put up a black? I don't understand. - You've come to the end of the line.
1:12:16 > 1:12:18That's all.
1:12:18 > 1:12:20You're finished.
1:12:22 > 1:12:26Now, you've got a posting to an OTU, to instruct.
1:12:33 > 1:12:36Don't want to go.
1:12:37 > 1:12:38I know.
1:12:53 > 1:12:56'I felt the peak of my life was behind me.'
1:12:57 > 1:13:00'I'm not going to reach here again,
1:13:00 > 1:13:02'everything else is going to be...
1:13:02 > 1:13:06'with the curve going downwards, the graph going downwards.'
1:13:22 > 1:13:25I remember your first day here.
1:13:25 > 1:13:28The words "right", "cocky" and "bastard" spring to mind.
1:13:35 > 1:13:38You know, Boy...
1:13:38 > 1:13:41I was never more happy than when I saw you landing safely today.
1:13:43 > 1:13:46Your posting come through just before you took off.
1:13:46 > 1:13:48It was too late to stop you,
1:13:48 > 1:13:53but... like I said...
1:13:53 > 1:13:55when you landed...
1:13:56 > 1:13:59"At least", I thought,
1:13:59 > 1:14:02"Geoffrey Wellum has made it and lived."
1:14:06 > 1:14:10God knows I've written enough letters to the parents of those who didn't.
1:14:46 > 1:14:50'I asked myself, "Was it worth it?
1:14:50 > 1:14:51'"Was it worth it?
1:14:51 > 1:14:58'"All those young men I fought and flew with, all those chaps that are no longer with us?"'
1:15:00 > 1:15:03'I ask myself that question and I can't answer it.
1:15:03 > 1:15:05'I suppose it must have been.'
1:15:08 > 1:15:09'Suppose it must have been.'
1:15:10 > 1:15:12'I am still struggling.'
1:15:28 > 1:15:29We never did get to sign it.
1:15:37 > 1:15:40Nobody wants a medal,
1:15:40 > 1:15:42nobody wants a thank you.
1:15:45 > 1:15:50But it would be nice just to be remembered,
1:15:50 > 1:15:53because then you must think of all of us
1:15:53 > 1:15:56and not just those of us who survived.
1:16:11 > 1:16:13Flying alone,
1:16:13 > 1:16:17nothing gives such a sense of mastery over mechanism,
1:16:17 > 1:16:19mastery indeed over space.
1:16:19 > 1:16:23Time and life itself is this.
1:16:26 > 1:16:32Only the lonely threshers of the sky, hidden from the Earth, have gazed on it.
1:16:32 > 1:16:37Only we, who went up late into the high places
1:16:37 > 1:16:40under the shadow of wings.
1:18:03 > 1:18:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
1:18:06 > 1:18:09E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk