0:00:02 > 0:00:09This programme contains some violent scenes and contains strong language
0:00:21 > 0:00:23This is it, boys!
0:00:23 > 0:00:25We're in the war now!
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Get down, Sid!
0:01:10 > 0:01:14SOFT WHISTLING
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Who the bloody hell is that?
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Godley.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Godley?
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Keep that up I'm going to have to assume you're an enemy spy,
0:01:29 > 0:01:33actively announcing our presence to any Germans in the area.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Sorry, sir.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Further to that, I'd have to shoot you for treason,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40just to be on the safe side.
0:01:42 > 0:01:43I'll stop whistling.
0:01:43 > 0:01:44Would you?
0:01:44 > 0:01:47I thought you couldn't wait to meet the Germans.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Just don't want to get popped on patrol because
0:01:49 > 0:01:52one of your private's got a spring in his step and a song in his heart.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Ahhh!
0:01:55 > 0:01:57LAUGHTER
0:01:57 > 0:01:58Jesus Christ, Godley.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Well done, Sid. You found a watering hole.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03Bugger me.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07One of you boys go back and get the horses...
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Quiet! What's that?
0:02:18 > 0:02:20Halt! Who goes there?
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Step forward and be identified.
0:02:33 > 0:02:34Go get the light...
0:02:58 > 0:03:00On me.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07SCREAMING
0:03:07 > 0:03:10SHOUTING
0:03:10 > 0:03:12THEY SPEAK IN THEIR LANGUAGE
0:03:12 > 0:03:16SHE HUSHES HER CRYING BABY
0:03:16 > 0:03:19What are this lot doing out here?
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Refugees.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24What is it they say about rats and sinking ships, sir?
0:03:24 > 0:03:26They say you should always follow them.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Merci.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40Merci...
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Roger, Evans, Downing, George.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Get these people on their way.
0:03:50 > 0:03:51Merci.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00Well, boys, I think it may be possible
0:04:00 > 0:04:02that Lieutenant MJ Dease, C Company,
0:04:02 > 0:04:064th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers,
0:04:06 > 0:04:10has just fired the very first British bullet
0:04:10 > 0:04:12of this entire bloody war!
0:04:13 > 0:04:15That's quite something, mate.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Someone go and get the bloody horses.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22MUSIC: "Big Exit" by PJ Harvey
0:04:22 > 0:04:24# Look dead ahead
0:04:25 > 0:04:27# See danger come
0:04:28 > 0:04:30# I want a pistol
0:04:31 > 0:04:32# I want a gun
0:04:34 > 0:04:35# I'm scared, baby
0:04:36 > 0:04:38# I want to run
0:04:39 > 0:04:41# This was crazy
0:04:42 > 0:04:44# Give me the gun. #
0:05:12 > 0:05:14- That looks lovely. - C'est pour ma fille.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21HQ this way, boys?
0:05:21 > 0:05:22- Down there to the left.- Thanks.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Private Billy Holbrook.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Hi, Sid!
0:05:31 > 0:05:33You've got mud on your uniform!
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Oh, nothing gets past this one, does it?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37- What happened?- Patrol.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Lieutenant Dease liberated an orchard from some gypos.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41It was very exciting.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Does anyone know Corporal Jarvis of the Royal Engineers?
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Oh great, the bloody engineers are lost now!
0:05:47 > 0:05:50I passed a load of your lot back that way. Sid.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Thanks.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Bridge! Over here, now!
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Someone was just here.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45Probably just one of the locals.
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Yeah.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54"Lieutenant Dease, requesting permission to panic".
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Remind me again why we let you in our army!
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Bonjour!
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Put your back into it, Clarky.
0:07:42 > 0:07:43Titsbrough, move your arse!
0:07:48 > 0:07:49All right, Frank?
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Sir, I've got orders from the Colonel,
0:08:00 > 0:08:02have you seen Captain Forster?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04He's in the town. What's the message?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07We're stopping in Mons, only as long as we need to.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Be prepared to move on in the morning.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Intelligence is unsure of the enemy position.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15C Company is to set up temporarily on our side of the canal.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16The forest is too exposed.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19The Colonel recognises that the position is vulnerable,
0:08:19 > 0:08:21but the risk of enemy contact is low.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24Thank you, Holbrook.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Sir, what do we do if the Germans show?
0:08:29 > 0:08:30Shoot them.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33That's generally the way these things work, isn't it?
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Bollocks. That's what this is.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Classic Army bollocks.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Every time we go out, same story.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- Corporal Jarvis?- What?
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Sapper Neary. They told me to report to you.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Neary! I've got good news for you.
0:09:18 > 0:09:19You're going to die a hero.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Valiantly trying to complete a tactical demolition
0:09:22 > 0:09:23without an exploder.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- There are exploders. - There are four.- So?
0:09:26 > 0:09:27So? Maths is so!
0:09:27 > 0:09:31I've got 18 bridges stretched across 20 miles of canal.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34And you have been ordered to demolish exactly none of them.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36You engineering boys are all the same,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39not happy unless you're blowing the shit out of something.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Now, when you need a piece of kit you can come and find me.
0:09:42 > 0:09:43Till then...
0:09:44 > 0:09:48Isn't there a roadblock you should be putting up somewhere?
0:09:48 > 0:09:50By all means smoke near the explosives.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52In your case, I actively encourage it.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Just wait for me to leave first, all right?
0:09:59 > 0:10:00He's got a point, sir.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04We're going to be walking over those bridges tomorrow.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08I think we should probably leave them alone.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12That's the problem with young men like you, Neary.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16You've never fought a war, you forget there's another army fighting this one too.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18We won't always have things our own way.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21If we end up having to defend a town surrounded by bridges,
0:10:21 > 0:10:22we may just wish we weren't,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25and we may just wish we had a way of demolishing them
0:10:25 > 0:10:27that doesn't involve waiting in line!
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Yes, sir. Right away, sir!
0:10:50 > 0:10:55Careful boys, the entire bloody war effort's relying on that thing.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Till it overheats and breaks down!
0:11:02 > 0:11:03Let's give her a sighter.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Who wants a go?
0:11:05 > 0:11:07I'm sure Godley could do with the practice.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Yeah, all right. I'll show you tarts how it's done.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Here's your Hun!
0:11:29 > 0:11:30I'm ready!
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Come on!
0:11:46 > 0:11:48All right, Sid. Let's stop it there.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Give me a platoon of riflemen any day.
0:11:53 > 0:11:5637 rounds a minute, that's our record, right lads!
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Machine gun fires 600 rounds a minute.
0:12:00 > 0:12:0236,000 rounds an hour.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04It's got a range of 4,500 yards.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07You change the barrel on this thing once an hour,
0:12:07 > 0:12:08you can fire indefinitely.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12You'd bloody have to!
0:12:14 > 0:12:16D Company!
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Live rounds! Rapid...
0:12:21 > 0:12:22Fire!
0:12:37 > 0:12:41Well, if the Germans throw tin cans at us, we'll know who to call.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51That was embarrassing.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54How's about you try having a go on that bloody thing?
0:12:54 > 0:13:00This is the Royal Fusiliers, mate, we hit the target in this Battalion.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01Bit like that?!
0:13:03 > 0:13:06SHOUTING
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Out the bloody way.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Enough!
0:13:10 > 0:13:11Get off!
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Enough!
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Who started this?
0:13:16 > 0:13:17I did.
0:13:17 > 0:13:18Just to be clear,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22any more of this and you'll be on a boat home for a court martial
0:13:22 > 0:13:25and the most tremendous bollocking of your entire lives.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28I want sentries across the canal.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Keep a 20-foot distance, and signal on your whistles
0:13:30 > 0:13:32if you sight anything.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34You, you and you.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35Now!
0:13:40 > 0:13:42The rest of you get on with it.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Get those boxes moved down there.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51The ones in the khaki uniforms are on our side, Godley.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53You'd do well to remember that.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Sorry, sir.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57We need some more sandbags down here.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Go and make yourself useful.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04We fight for the man next to us, Sid.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06That's how we win.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13I keep telling you, you should get him transferred out.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16The sooner we move on the better.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19I want to go and check on the boys.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Let us know if you see anything.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Krauts are the ones with the pointy hats, right?
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Anyone can hit a target with a rifle.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36You don't need to get a head shot
0:14:36 > 0:14:39when you're firing 500 rounds a minute on a machine gun, do you?!
0:14:39 > 0:14:42When I'm done, he won't have a fucking head left.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Or any arms or legs.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Allemand, Allemand.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Don't worry, mate, we'll sort all that out for you.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Well, at least you get to shoot something.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57You still sulking about that?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00I'm going to go through this whole war without firing a shot.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Yeah, well you ain't the only one.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Came last in every firing drill, didn't I?
0:15:07 > 0:15:09They just let me load the flaming thing.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12Turns out maybe you do need accuracy or something.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14It's all bollocks.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- Sir.- Anything to report?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57A couple of squirrels...
0:15:57 > 0:15:58..a few birds...
0:15:58 > 0:16:00..other than that, as was.
0:16:07 > 0:16:08Come on get him out, get him out.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10Get him out here.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12Does he speak English? English?
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Keep him down boys, keep him down!
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- Speak English? What's your name? - Keep him down!
0:16:26 > 0:16:28What's your name?
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- Sir!- Jesus.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- We got one! - Where did you find him?
0:16:32 > 0:16:34In the woods a small group of Fritz cavalry.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37The rest of them made it away but we shot this bastard off his horse.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40I say we throw him in the canal, sir! See if he floats.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- Help him up.- Sir...
0:16:42 > 0:16:43Help him up for Christ's sake.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58Lieutenant Dease, Royal Fusiliers.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14HE GROANS
0:17:14 > 0:17:17You speak the King's?
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Sprechen sie Englisch?
0:17:22 > 0:17:24No?
0:17:24 > 0:17:25GUN COCKS
0:17:29 > 0:17:31First week of the war and you take one in the leg.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34That's luck for you.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Bloody hell was that a German, Sir?
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Thought they were miles away?
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Ask him if he's eaten any babies today, Sir!
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Most of your boys are conscripts, aren't they?
0:17:50 > 0:17:53I have to look after professionals...
0:17:53 > 0:17:54..that's hard enough.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09They'll take you from here.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14I wish you luck, Lieutenant Dease.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22Thank you, but I don't believe in luck.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Believe in luck, Lieutenant Dease,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29or believe in God.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Because you are not ready for what's coming here.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54Back at your station.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- Get this gun loaded and ready to fire.- Sir!
0:18:56 > 0:18:59I'll report to HQ.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02If Lieutenant Steele makes a show, let me know.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Bring the ammunition down to the barricade.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26Sapper Neary.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Sir.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Change of plan. They want us to prep the bridges for demolition.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33It'll take us all night to rig one up.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Which is why we're starting right away.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02What did that Kraut say, Sir?
0:20:02 > 0:20:04He said if we hand you over they'll call off the war!
0:20:04 > 0:20:06THEY LAUGH
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Lieutenant Steele returned from the woods yet? No, Sir.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11I need a volunteer to go and tell the Lieutenant
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- to get back over here. - I'll do it, Sir.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- Thank you Private.- All right.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29No need.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- You see anything out there?- Nothing.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36German scout party was spotted. We caught one of them.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38What did he tell you?
0:20:38 > 0:20:41He said we weren't ready for what's coming here.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Well, did you tell him about Godley?
0:20:43 > 0:20:46He seemed confident, Fred.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Even with a bullet in his leg, the smirking prick.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52Bunch of German conscripts.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55He was smiling, Fred.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58He looked at our defences and he liked what he saw.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17So this is it?
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Jemappes Bridge.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Shoddy build right here, you can tell we're in Europe.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24We're doing them a favour taking this thing down.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It was tempting fate, Sir, your talk about the blowing the bridges.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29So how're you doing it, then?
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- I'm just here to assist. - Oh, no, come on.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35I've taken one in the leg.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37I'm bleeding all over the shop, yelling for my dear old ma.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39It's just you and a box of supplies.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41German army's coming.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43How are you going to neutralise this bridge?
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- Affix the gun cotton and tamp down with clay.- Where?
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- On the structure's weakest points - You'll make sure all those points go at once?- Yes.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- If they don't this bridge might not come down.- I'll make sure.- How?
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- I'll cut exact lengths of cable. - Any air bubbles in the clay?
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- No.- Gun cotton dry?- Yeah.- So exact lengths of electric cable...
0:21:57 > 0:22:01Attach the cable to the electric detonators in the clay at one end
0:22:01 > 0:22:04and to the exploder on the other, push down on the exploder
0:22:04 > 0:22:07and boom - neutralise the bridge.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09You forgot about where you drag me to safety
0:22:09 > 0:22:12but, apart from that, very good.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Yes, only, we don't have an exploder.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- No, we have four. Remember? - Yes, Sir.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Do we know where any of them are?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22OWL HOOTS
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Sir...
0:22:32 > 0:22:34I wrote a letter home.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36I thought it prudent to give it to you
0:22:36 > 0:22:40and likewise take your letter in case anything happened to us.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43What I have to say to my wife has no business
0:22:43 > 0:22:44in the pocket of your tunic.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47No, of course.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07We'll need a boat.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56WOMAN LAUGHS
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Boo!
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Bloody hell, Sid.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- What are you doing?- It's the quickest route between here and HQ.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19I need to memorise it.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27How quick are you?
0:24:27 > 0:24:29They don't pick us for speed.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33It's the ability to relay messages, remember details.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Efficiency...that's what makes a good runner.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41I'm really not that fast at all.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Cheers, Gerry!
0:25:21 > 0:25:23How's it looking?
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- Getting there.- Good.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Chances are if we cop it it'll be in a bloody great explosion
0:25:47 > 0:25:50and there won't be anything left of either of us to take home anyway.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Yes, Sir.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Get back to work.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- Hello.- Bonjour
0:26:30 > 0:26:31What the fuck is this?
0:26:42 > 0:26:44It's not bad, that.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46MEN LAUGH
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Here you are, Sir, have a curly roll.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56Mmm...
0:26:56 > 0:26:58..war is hell.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01I should be getting back.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Can you hold the line here?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Sir.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06TWIG SNAPS
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Sir!
0:27:11 > 0:27:13(Is that a German?)
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Yeah, I think it probably is.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Should I shoot him?
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Yeah, I think you'd better had.
0:27:27 > 0:27:28SINGLE GUNSHOT
0:28:04 > 0:28:06BACKGROUND GUNSHOT
0:28:06 > 0:28:08SECOND GUNSHOT
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Right, listen. You take your sister and go
0:28:11 > 0:28:14and find somewhere safe to hide, you understand?
0:28:14 > 0:28:15Sling your hook!
0:28:21 > 0:28:23Could be riding party...More scouts?
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Nah...
0:28:26 > 0:28:28..something else.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31All right, lads, fall back to the bridge.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33This ain't no place for kids. Come on.
0:28:33 > 0:28:34CHILD SCREAMS
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Go on, shooo.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55- What's the pound?- 30. Er, 32
0:28:55 > 0:28:56- 32!- Yes.
0:28:56 > 0:28:57- Are you sure?- Yes.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- Did you tie these?- Uh-huh
0:29:00 > 0:29:01Neary!
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Move... Move!
0:29:06 > 0:29:08You don't leave here until this job's done properly.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Have you got that? Yes, Sir.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Careful lads!
0:29:19 > 0:29:21RUNS BREATHLESSLY
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- Have you seen Lieutenant Steele?- No!
0:29:30 > 0:29:32Have you seen Lieutenant Dease?
0:29:45 > 0:29:48CROSSFIRE OF BULLETS
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Wiltshire, intelligence reports says...
0:29:58 > 0:29:59..the Germans are here.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01- How many?- Fucking all of them.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- Jesus Christ!- Come on!
0:30:05 > 0:30:07Let's go!
0:30:31 > 0:30:33Fire!
0:30:33 > 0:30:35MACHINE GUN FIRES
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Stop fire!
0:30:55 > 0:30:58That's the start of the fucking war right there! Come on!
0:30:58 > 0:31:01They just marched right into it.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04That's what happens when you've got civilians, instead of soldiers.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Holbrook go and tell the Colonel we've engaged the enemy,
0:31:07 > 0:31:09- everything is under control. - Yes, Sir.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Dease, you've had your fun.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14We need to command these men.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Right boys!
0:31:21 > 0:31:23I want a big pile of spent cartridges this side
0:31:23 > 0:31:26and a big pile of dead Germans on that side!
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Sir! Yes, Sir!
0:31:37 > 0:31:39You all right there, Neville, darling?
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Apart from the mud, Sid!
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Hah!
0:31:43 > 0:31:45Apart from the fucking mud!
0:32:27 > 0:32:29Do you see anything?
0:32:29 > 0:32:31No.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38BIRD SQUAWKS
0:32:48 > 0:32:50- TWIG SNAPS - Wait, hang on.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Yes, there! On the tree line!
0:32:56 > 0:32:57Got it!
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Company! Fire!
0:33:04 > 0:33:06CROSSFIRE OF GUNSHOTS
0:33:18 > 0:33:19That's it, boys!
0:33:24 > 0:33:28They're not coming in marching order any more! They're learning.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Jesus! Stretcher!
0:33:32 > 0:33:36Stretcher! Stretcher bearers!
0:33:36 > 0:33:38Stretcher!
0:33:38 > 0:33:41BARRAGE OF BULLETS CONTINUES
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Enemy! Fire!
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Fire!
0:33:51 > 0:33:53Damn it! Someone help that man!
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Come on, boys!
0:33:55 > 0:33:57Pick your targets!
0:34:00 > 0:34:01Come on, lads!
0:34:16 > 0:34:19EXPLOSION
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Jesus!
0:34:23 > 0:34:24That's artillery!
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Where did that come from?
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Jesus, there's a whole battalion out there. Maybe more!
0:34:33 > 0:34:35We'll bottle neck them onto the bridge.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37- Let 'em run into your gun.- Yeah.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39Yeah, we've got about a bullet for each of them.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- Oh, shit, not now...- Stoppage!
0:34:49 > 0:34:52- Stoppage!- Fix that jam!
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Get that gun working, get it working!
0:35:01 > 0:35:04- I've got to get down there... - No, you bloody don't!
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Company! Covering fire! 15 rounds a minute! You know the order!
0:35:07 > 0:35:10Rapid Fire! Fire!
0:35:17 > 0:35:20Get down, Sir. Come on!
0:35:23 > 0:35:27Left flank, left flank!
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Yes, Sir.
0:35:31 > 0:35:32You're a bloody mad man!
0:35:32 > 0:35:34We cannot afford to lose that gun.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36And we can afford to lose you?
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Enemy numbers higher than expected.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Most of them right here.
0:35:49 > 0:35:50Nimy Bridge the critical asset.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Flanks to support
0:35:53 > 0:35:56and engineers primed to blow bridges in sequence along the canal.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Orders to hold the bridge and repel the enemy, Sir.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Best keep that gun running, then.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02RAPID GUNFIRE
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Tell them that we may need support.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Yes, Sir!
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- Is this bridge ready to blow? - Not yet.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- Get a bloody move on, mate, the Germans are coming!- Ah, you think!
0:36:25 > 0:36:26Neary, Neary!
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Concentrate, give me the detonators.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- Shit! Sorry, Sir. - Neary, don't think about them,
0:36:32 > 0:36:34don't think about the Germans,
0:36:34 > 0:36:36don't think about anything other than getting the job done.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37OK? Yes, Sir.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40There's more detonators on the bank, go and get them. Yes, Sir.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43And Neary, do be very quick about it, won't you? Yes, Sir.
0:37:08 > 0:37:09More ammo!
0:37:09 > 0:37:12More ammo, quick!
0:37:15 > 0:37:17We need a stretcher.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Keep the gun going!
0:37:19 > 0:37:22Come on!
0:37:22 > 0:37:25Wait! Give them a chance!
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- Dease, wait!- I'll be back!
0:37:30 > 0:37:32BULLETS WHIZZ AROUND HIM
0:37:32 > 0:37:33Dease!
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Argh!
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Concentrate fire on their machine guns!
0:37:37 > 0:37:38Which one?
0:37:40 > 0:37:42All of them, pick your targets!
0:37:42 > 0:37:44Take out the gunner!
0:37:44 > 0:37:48Aim for the gunners! Take out the gunners!
0:37:49 > 0:37:51He needs attention!
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Come on!
0:37:59 > 0:38:00Stretchers!
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Fire!
0:38:12 > 0:38:13Godley!
0:38:13 > 0:38:18Your responsibility is to this gun, do you understand?
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Yes, Sir. Right come on!
0:38:23 > 0:38:24Sir, you've been hit
0:38:26 > 0:38:28The gun, Godley.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31NO ABATEMENT IN GUNFIRE
0:38:35 > 0:38:37FRANTIC SHOUTING
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Argh!
0:38:54 > 0:38:56SCREAMING
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Keep firing!
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Sir, all units fully engaged along the canal, Sir.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Take the right flank!
0:39:03 > 0:39:04MAN GROANS IN AGONY
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Keep firing! This is for HQ.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10They've got multiple machine guns, heavy artillery within range
0:39:10 > 0:39:13and they're fucking us from three sides!
0:39:14 > 0:39:16If we don't get more men down here,
0:39:16 > 0:39:18that is going to be a Kraut bridge by sundown.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21You can pretty that up for them if you want but get us more men!
0:39:21 > 0:39:22Yes, Sir.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47- The Germans are coming!- Aye, they're coming.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Did they not tell you war might be dangerous, Neary
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- We need to blow this bridge. - When it's ready and not before!
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Yes, Sir, only we still don't have that exploder, do we?
0:39:56 > 0:40:01Neary, I'm going to wait right here for you, son.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04You get that exploder back for me. Bring it home Yes, Sir.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06BULLETS WHIP OVERHEAD
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Man down!
0:41:12 > 0:41:15Man down!
0:41:15 > 0:41:16Man down!
0:41:16 > 0:41:19To the left!
0:41:19 > 0:41:20To the left!
0:41:23 > 0:41:26They're bringing up the left flank.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30To the left flank!
0:41:32 > 0:41:34To the left!
0:41:35 > 0:41:37Shoot the pricks on the left, Frank!
0:41:48 > 0:41:50What do we do, Sir?
0:41:50 > 0:41:51They won't stop coming.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54- How's the ammo?- Low.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Argh!
0:42:08 > 0:42:09Frank!
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Frank's down, Sir!
0:42:13 > 0:42:16We need a stretcher, he needs attention, Sir!
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Frank...
0:42:22 > 0:42:24Frank!
0:42:24 > 0:42:27Godley he's gone! He's gone Godley, come on.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Godley!
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Come on!
0:42:33 > 0:42:34Sir!
0:42:34 > 0:42:35Down!
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Across!
0:42:37 > 0:42:40BARRAGE OF BULLETS INTENSIFIES
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Where are the reinforcements?!
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Delayed, Sir.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Captain Forster's dead. Lieutenant Mead also dead.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02Captain Ashburner's injured, Sir!
0:43:02 > 0:43:06The others are taking casualties all along the canal.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Enemy artillery and machine gun fire is greater than expected, Sir.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Just try and hold the bridge, Sir.
0:43:11 > 0:43:13They said, try and hold the bridge.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15Go and find out where our heavy guns are
0:43:15 > 0:43:18and why they're not blowing the fuck out of the enemy.
0:43:21 > 0:43:22Now!
0:43:40 > 0:43:42Yeah.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Come on, Neary, where the hell are you?
0:44:11 > 0:44:13Holbrook! Are you going to HQ?
0:44:13 > 0:44:15- Yeah.- You need to hurry up, there's not many of 'em left!
0:45:07 > 0:45:11Our line's broken to the east, our artillery's being pulled back.
0:45:11 > 0:45:14There'll be no heavy guns, and no reinforcements.
0:45:14 > 0:45:15They said it's a retreat
0:45:15 > 0:45:17It's not a retreat.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19It's a tactical withdrawal.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21- We're not going?- Not yet.
0:45:21 > 0:45:25If they are withdrawing, that makes us the last men.
0:45:25 > 0:45:26We hold this bridge long enough
0:45:26 > 0:45:29for the rest of the army to get out of Mons.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32- Then we go.- Do you need me to send a message back, sir?
0:45:32 > 0:45:33I don't need a runner now, Holbrook.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35I need you to get in there and grab
0:45:35 > 0:45:36a rifle and fight alongside your mates.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38See the job done.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40- Go on! - Yes, sir!
0:46:06 > 0:46:08Sir! Sir!
0:46:13 > 0:46:15You're good, sir.
0:46:16 > 0:46:17Yeah?
0:46:19 > 0:46:22Must be more fucked than we thought, sir.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24Billy's got a rifle.
0:46:29 > 0:46:30Keep at it.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39Reinforcements will be on their way. Just keep fighting.
0:46:39 > 0:46:40Yes, sir!
0:46:58 > 0:46:59Godley...
0:47:01 > 0:47:02No!
0:47:02 > 0:47:03Sir!
0:47:06 > 0:47:08We need that machine gun!
0:47:08 > 0:47:10Get your heads up, boys!
0:47:10 > 0:47:11Get your heads up.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13Stand fire and get your heads up.
0:47:14 > 0:47:16Fuck! Fuck!
0:47:20 > 0:47:25MUSIC: "Red Apples" by Cat Power
0:47:28 > 0:47:30RAPID HEARTBEATS
0:47:56 > 0:47:58We're going to lose the gun.
0:48:06 > 0:48:08We're going to lose the gun.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10Prepare to withdraw.
0:48:29 > 0:48:32Get on the gun. Get on the gun!
0:48:32 > 0:48:33The gun!
0:48:35 > 0:48:38All right. All right. That's it.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41Look at me. All right?
0:48:42 > 0:48:44- DEASE:- Stay on the gun.
0:48:44 > 0:48:45The gun!
0:48:45 > 0:48:48Godley's got it. He's looking after it.
0:48:48 > 0:48:50You did a bloody good job, Lieutenant.
0:48:50 > 0:48:52Nothing else you could have done.
0:48:52 > 0:48:54SHOUTING >
0:48:56 > 0:48:58Right. Hold on, mate. Just hold on.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05Short, controlled bursts.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08I need to get these men off this line, Godley.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11I can't do that without machine gun cover here.
0:49:11 > 0:49:15I can do it, sir. You take the men away.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17You know what I'm asking you?
0:49:17 > 0:49:20Someone's got to stay to the end, sir.
0:49:20 > 0:49:22Thank you, Sid.
0:49:26 > 0:49:27I'm sorry, mate.
0:49:30 > 0:49:31Come on.
0:49:40 > 0:49:41I'll look in on everyone.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45I'll let them know you had my back the whole time.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50I'll let the boys' families know you did everything you could.
0:49:51 > 0:49:52Come on, then!
0:50:05 > 0:50:07EXPLOSION
0:50:07 > 0:50:10Get your men back now, Lieutenant.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24And make sure Billy gets back safe, sir.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30Come on, then!
0:50:34 > 0:50:36Withdraw. Company, withdraw!
0:50:40 > 0:50:43Draw back. Draw back.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45- Draw back!- What about Sid, sir?
0:50:45 > 0:50:48No, sir. We can't leave him.
0:50:50 > 0:50:51Go on!
0:50:53 > 0:50:54Holbrook! Come on!
0:50:54 > 0:50:56No, sir!
0:50:56 > 0:50:58It's over. It's over.
0:50:59 > 0:51:01Come on, Sid!
0:51:01 > 0:51:03Sid!
0:51:17 > 0:51:18GUNFIRE
0:51:38 > 0:51:39Corporal Jarvis.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44The lad who gave you this - is he dead?
0:51:44 > 0:51:46Not when I left him, sir. Hurt pretty bad, though.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49- Where did you leave him?- Just off the main road, half a mile west.
0:51:49 > 0:51:53All right. You want to put your hands over your ears now.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24HE WHEEZES
0:53:53 > 0:53:56- HOLBROOK:- Captain Forster went early.
0:53:56 > 0:53:57Mead fell.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01Newbury.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03Tyler, Clark...
0:54:05 > 0:54:06Lieutenant Dease.
0:54:16 > 0:54:18Sid's not going to make it back either...
0:54:20 > 0:54:21..is he?
0:54:23 > 0:54:24No.
0:54:46 > 0:54:49There'll be medals, sir.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53They'll remember the 4th Fusiliers...
0:54:53 > 0:54:55and Mons.
0:54:56 > 0:54:58They'll remember we retreated.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02They had too many guns for us.
0:55:04 > 0:55:07How are you meant to defend yourself against that?
0:57:03 > 0:57:08During the action, we lost Lieutenant Maurice Dease,
0:57:08 > 0:57:11who also received the VC,
0:57:11 > 0:57:15and I came under the command of Lieutenant Steele,
0:57:15 > 0:57:19who then gave orders to remain and hold the position -
0:57:19 > 0:57:21which I did do...
0:57:22 > 0:57:26..although I was very badly wounded several times.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29But when it was time for me to get away,
0:57:29 > 0:57:33I smashed the machine gun up, threw it in the canal
0:57:33 > 0:57:37and then crawled back on to the main road,
0:57:37 > 0:57:41where I was picked up by two Germans and taken to hospital.
0:57:46 > 0:57:48'Every soldier thinks about running away.'
0:57:48 > 0:57:51There is no greater betrayal.
0:57:52 > 0:57:55- You could be here instead of there. No-one...- I can't.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57You and your pals knew what you were signing up for.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00I didn't sign up to be part of a firing squad.