24 Hours To D-Day (2024) Movie Script
1
Another couple of miles!
We should be at the drop-off
point in two minutes!
Approaching target zone!
Stand by!
Here we go!
Are you ready?
Flight check, clear!
Check your chutes
and clips at the ready.
We can't afford
any malfunctions.
That beacon fails,
we're as good as dead.
My girlfriend would kill me
if I died on my first
deployment overseas.
We're not going
to let that happen.
All right, boys!
Pipe down!
Today, we make history.
First boots on the ground
behind Fritz's line.
Nazi turf.
We've trained for this.
We've sweated for this.
You boys are ready.
Now, I have that kind of faith
in each and every one of you.
Our mission, so help us God,
is to activate
the Eureka radar beacon
to establish the next
paratrooper drop zone.
We need these beacons
to light the way
for the next round
of paratroopers
who will destroy key roads
and bridges
so that our assault on
Normandy can be a success.
No matter what happens
out there,
we must make it to
the rendezvous point.
We must ensure the success
of this mission.
Yes, sir!
This is not going
to be a cakewalk.
There'll be blood,
that's for sure.
Scared?
Got every right to be.
That's natural.
We just let that pass.
I have confidence in your
abilities, your training,
your commitment to the cause.
You are the best of the best.
Yes, sir!
You were chosen for
this mission for a reason.
Our success tonight
and tomorrow morning
depends on our working
together as a team.
Stay focused,
communicate clearly,
and rely on each other.
Yes, sir!
The fate of this mission and
the world rests in our hands.
But we are the 82nd Airborne.
We are the Pathfinders.
Yes, sir!
We will lead the way, sir.
That's right!
No! No!
Private! Move!
Clip on! Clip on!
-Come on!
-Clip on!
How far to the DZ?
Lieutenant!
Coordinates!
O'Neill, I need coordinates!
Damn it!
We're not going to make
the coordinates!
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
Jump!
Move, move, move!
Move, move!
Go!
I'm not on the line!
Use your reserve!
Go! Go!
Eyes on the horizon!
See you on the ground!
Go! Go! Go!
Go! Go!
Let's go, Cap! Go!
Move!
Go!
See you on the ground, Cap!
May St. Christopher protect you!
Trying to join
the enemy, Brooks?
-No, sir.
-Then move it!
Roger that!
We got a mission!
Mayday! Mayday!
47-1197!
Repeat! Mayday! Mayday!
47-1197!
Allied forces are massing
a fleet the likes of which
has never been seen before.
Our brave boys are lining
up to give Jerry
a licking he'll never forget.
After pushing them out of
Africa, the stage is set.
It's time to open the door
on Fortress Europe
and send those bullies back
where they belong.
Yes, Mr. Hitler,
we're coming for you.
Our fearless soldiers have
their marching orders
and are going in with
an audacious plan.
Using our newest technology,
the Eureka Beacon,
we will guide our bombers
to the target
in the dead of night
with pinpoint accuracy.
It's no mission for
the faint hearted,
millions of lives are at stake.
The future of the free world
hangs in the balance
as we hold our breath.
And look to the Pathfinders,
the 82nd Airborne
as they head to the front line.
Good luck and Godspeed,
you band of brothers.
Yes, General,
I'll call Biloxi right away.
Mayday! Mayday!
47-1197, we've taken fire!
SHAEF to 47-1197.
We hear you loud and clear.
General, sir!
Landing gear's been loaded
and ready for departure, sir.
Good.
We're on schedule.
And the status of
the supplies and munitions?
Major.
Arrived and unloaded.
Currently heading to
the pre-designated areas.
Let's make sure
we cover every contingency.
We can't afford any mistakes.
-Are you with me?
-Sir.
Yes, sir.
Sir, it's an incoming
message from
one of the Pathfinder pilots.
Lieutenant Peters, sir.
Thank you, soldier.
This is General Bradley.
General Bradley,
this is Lieutenant Peters.
We've been hit!
The other two C-47s are down.
I'm all alone up here, sir.
Understood, Lieutenant.
What about the Pathfinders?
Can you confirm
boots on the ground?
No, sir.
There's very
little visibility up here.
I'm going to circle back
around to get a better look.
They did get out of
the plane, though, right?
Affirmative!
That'll have to do.
General, I don't even know
if they made it
within five miles of the
drop zone.
Lieutenant Peters,
you've done your part.
Now turn around,
head back to base.
You're a pilot.
We need your skills in the air.
Get your plane fixed and ready
for the next wave.
That's an order!
We need as many paratroopers
on the ground as possible
to disrupt the necessary
infrastructure.
If we have any
chance at all of
this Operation Neptune's
success, are you with me?
Yes, sir.
Understood.
Turning back now.
Godspeed.
Over and out.
Those boys are in
for a hell of a night.
I'll take this.
Ah!
Captain!
Get this kraut off me.
Easy does it, Brooks.
Thank you. It's a close one.
Hey, don't mention it.
You hurt?
Uh... No, just grazed.
I'm all right.
Hey, do you have
the radar beacon?
-Yeah, right here.
-Yeah?
Is it damaged?
No, it's all right.
Just scuffed, maybe.
Okay. Good.
Let me just radio.
Find out where the hell we are.
Oh, damn it.
Radio's shot.
I must have fallen
really hard.
Well, we're in this alone.
Get down.
More krauts.
I can't take another brawl.
Hold still.
Hold!
Oh.
Sergeant Steele,
Private Murphy.
You guys seen any more of,
uh, them?
No, sir.
That right there's
the first Nazi
I've seen with my own two eyes.
Yeah, and it won't be our last
we stick around here.
We came toward the sound
of that gunfire.
Them Jerrys will too.
Which way, Sarge?
Yeah, let's take a peek.
All right, we want to
put ourselves
right in the drop zone.
Yeah, this looks
like the right spot.
Terrain's correct.
Just looking for a landmark.
Right there.
Is it close?
Yeah, close enough.
Then we should leave.
Yeah.
Hey, mind if
I take a look?
I couldn't see shit
on the way down.
Yeah.
What do you think?
We could be anywhere
inside this circle.
What makes you so
sure that we're here?
Instinct.
That stream right there.
All right, Murph, take point.
Go, Brooks.
Huber!
Look at this.
American.
Ready yourself.
Ja wohl.
We got ourselves a
dead American parachuter.
What should we do
with him, sir?
Cut him down, and search him.
Ja wohl.
Whoa!
He's alive!
-What's going on?
-Shut up, swine!
What are you doing?
Hello, American.
Nazi scum!
What are you...
American...
Screw you!
I have questions for you.
I'm not telling you anything.
What is your mission?
Hey, go to hell!
Leave me alone!
Get off me!
Ah!
What is your mission?
I'm not telling you anything.
Ah!
God damn Nazi bastard!
Enough.
You're sick.
This is a waste of time.
Enough of this.
Sir...
I'd rather die an American hero
then die and give
you Nazi pigs anything.
You know you're going
to lose, right?
You know you're going to lose.
Hitler's going to lose.
Germany's going to--
He was rude.
He would not shut up.
Sir, what if he's the only
American we can find?
Schiesse.
Doesn't matter.
Look.
Footprints.
These are not from German boots.
What should we do with him?
Cut him down.
Search him.
Hurry.
Agh...
Dirty American swine.
No, sir.
Not yet.
American cigarettes?
Over my dead body.
Hurry.
Ja wohl.
We must find his friends.
Come.
We all landed
way outside
of the target drop zone.
Once the four of us regrouped,
we set off north,
following the nearby stream
towards Saint-Mere-Eglise.
We need to get
to the drop zone
so Brooks can set up a beacon.
Or else the main assault
won't know where to drop.
Sarge, let me see that map.
So we're supposed to
land in Saint-Mere-Eglise
and hit the drop zone
from there, right?
Yeah. That stream.
Compared to this...
We're on the map here, man.
What do you see? Murphy.
Rita Hayworth in a bikini, sir.
You'd have better
luck bringing
that Kraut back to life.
I crossed the river
about half a click back
before I met that Nazi.
Shh!
Which way, Brooks?
That fight disoriented
me pretty good.
But remember,
fate of the free world
rests in our ability to
light that beacon tonight.
That way, I think.
All right.
Keep your eyes open, Huber.
The Americans could be anywhere.
We have to stop them
before anything happens.
They must fail.
They must die.
Did you hear that?
No, sir.
This is a waste of time.
Sir...
We should split up.
So we're flying due north
and the wind is
coming in from the west.
Should be the right area.
So if we trace this river west,
then we'd end up at
the Saint-Come-du-Mont.
Yeah.
We could still make
it to the DZ,
but time's not on our side.
So we move west and then north.
We're about three miles
from the drop zone.
Yeah, about three hours
from the next wave of planes.
Let's go.
You heard him, move out.
Stick to cover
wherever possible.
Keep your head on swivel.
You going to be okay
to keep up, son?
Yes, sir.
I'll be fine.
All right, move out.
Look, this is
the road on the map.
Looks like it gets us
pretty close to the DZ.
Leaves us exposed.
Yeah, but it gives
us a clear path.
Okay.
Keep your weapons
at there ready, boys.
Look at that tree line, Murph.
Hey, Brooks?
How does that
thing work, anyways?
The transponding radar?
The beacon?
It sends out a pulsing signal
that a specialized receiver
in the planes can pick up.
Based on the time
of the return signal,
pilots can navigate toward it.
So it's like a
bat with echolocation?
Yeah, kinda.
And the planes, they all have
the right equipment for it.
We've got a long
march in front of us.
Less talking, and stay focused.
Get off the road, get off
the road, get off the road.
All clear!
Steady now.
That was close, cap.
That was close.
We're on a mission.
You shaking like a red moon
Rosalita does not help, son.
I understand that, sir.
But how are we going to make
it if every time
a damn Nazi truck drives by,
we've got to get off the road?
And what about
the other Pathfinders?
What about us?
Tell you what, Peters
and the rest of them...
Hey, just shut up!
No contact from anyone
means we're the only
ones that made it.
Our mission is still the same.
We get to the DZ,
deliver that beacon,
or else Operation Neptune
is lost.
We're not going
to let that happen.
We can warn the others later.
Understood.
You know, back on the farm,
if we had a tough job ahead of
us, my granddad would say,
"You put the hay in the barn."
Respectfully, sir, I don't
know too much about that.
Yeah, well, for you city boys,
if you leave hay outside,
it gets rotten,
it gets pests and rained on.
So if you really want
to finish your job,
you put the hay back
in the barn.
Men, we got one hell of a
tough job in front of us,
but I think we're going
to make it through.
Not just for ourselves,
but for the whole free world.
I'm with you, sir.
Let's put the hay in the barn.
Move out!
Maneuvering around
all the Nazi patrols
made for slow progress,
and at times we were worried
we might not make it at all.
However, thanks to
the captain's pep talk,
we were determined
to see things through.
Hey, hey, up ahead!
Jerrys!
Take cover, take cover.
-Move, move, move.
-Go, go.
I got the one on
the left, Cap.
I'll take the one on the right.
Three, two, one.
Nice shooting, Cap.
Murphy, Books,
check their pockets.
See if there's anything useful.
Yes, sir.
We got some smokes, Cap.
I'd rather shoot myself twice
than smoke any of
those kraut cigarettes.
Take them anyway.
I got a German map, I think.
Oh, shit.
Speak up, Brooks.
We're going the wrong way.
Look here.
Oh, shit, they marked
their patrol route.
This is more detailed than ours.
If we'd have had this
from the beginning...
Move, move, move!
Go, go, go, go!
Brooks!
Wait, come on, Brooks!
Pick up the pace!
Krause, Krause.
Come in.
What is your position?
Krause to HQ,
Krause to HQ.
Visual confirmation of...
Krause to HQ,
Krause to HQ.
Visual confirmation of four
Americans on foot heading north.
Repeat, four
Americans heading north.
-Krause.
-Go ahead.
Gather intelligence on
the American paratroopers.
Capture and bring them
in for questioning.
Capture.
Do not kill...
Sir, what?
Why do we not just kill them?
You heard HQ.
Dozens of American
paratroopers dropped.
They're clearly on a mission.
We need to find
exactly what that is.
We got two and a half hours
to establish the drop zone.
Speed is essential.
They know where we are now.
Yes, sir.
What are you doing, Murphy?
Nazi smoke is
still smoke, sir.
What are you,
some kind of philosopher?
Come on, move.
Work for me,
God damn it.
47-1197 to SHAEF.
47-1197 to SHAEF.
49-711, that's a fine mess
you made on our runway.
Hang in there, Lieutenant.
We've got a crew on the way.
Come on, come on.
Get the hoses out.
General Bradley, sir.
Report, Lieutenant.
We ran into a heavy flak
over the drop zone.
My bird took a beating, had to
get the Pathfinders out early,
lost contact with C-47s,
confirming the two that
were with me went down.
-It was brutal.
-The Pathfinders.
You were saying they cannot
confirm they landed?
I didn't have visual
confirmation, sir.
Damn it.
There were thick clouds
and heavy flak everywhere.
What are the odds they landed
in the right spot?
Tough to say, sir.
We were under heavy fire,
but we were one mile inland
before things got hairy.
What about the beacon, Peters?
Any sign they got it deployed?
I don't know.
I haven't had any ground
communications save for here.
No one's radioed in?
We can assume they fell
where the drop zone is,
like the Lieutenant said.
Which means they might have
had the opportunity
to activate the beacon.
But we don't know that.
For all they know, it fell off
the cliff along with his men.
No, no, no, no one
went over the cliffs.
We were one mile inland
before the Germans
shredded our plane,
before I let my men jump.
Understand?
Sorry, of course.
General, Beacon or not,
we cannot delay
the Normandy invasion
any longer.
The spring tide won't occur
again for another month.
We can't afford
to wait that long.
If we don't move now,
any chance we have of winning
this war may be lost forever.
We should wait for more intel.
What's the contingency plan?
There is no contingency plan,
not one that doesn't
end in disaster.
Operation Overlord
is already in motion.
We have to get the second wave
of paratroopers in the air.
We can't call in retreat now.
But we don't know if the
Pathfinders landed successfully.
We can't send thousands of men
to their death
without knowing if
we established the drop zone.
You've already sent thousands
of men to their death.
The least we can do is make
sure that
their sacrifice isn't in vain.
Gentlemen, enough.
We will move forward
assuming the Pathfinders
will be able to deploy
the first beacon.
We will send out the next wave
to destroy necessary
infrastructure.
We need to slow down
the Nazis
ahead of tomorrow's
Operation Neptune.
We don't have any other choice.
Then let me head back out there.
I know where they are.
I know where we were shot,
so I know where
the Germans are too.
I can do this
and report back, sir.
And if the beacon isn't on?
I'll light it myself.
We don't have enough planes.
Son, if you understand
what's at stake,
we need every plane,
every pilot, every paratrooper.
I brought you back here to get
ready for the Normandy invasion,
not to go back for the beacon.
We need everything we've
got for this assault,
or we're going to lose this war.
Do we understand?
Yes, sir.
But if it's not on,
we'll be flying in blind.
Do you trust your men?
Yes, sir, I do.
But without any
true confirmation,
I know that those men
are going to fight to the death
to get that beacon lit.
But that's what I'm afraid of.
Okay, I hear you.
We'll get your plane repaired
and on its way back to France.
Yes, sir.
Out of here.
That's a good man.
With no way to call
home to ask for reinforcements,
we were truly on our own.
My injured leg was
slowing us down,
but we all knew we needed
to complete our mission,
or the main assault would fail.
Keep your eyes open, Murph.
We don't want to get caught
by any more Jerry patrols.
Murph, how are you holding up?
Actually, can we stop
for a second?
-Captain!
-Yeah, I heard him.
What do you want to do?
Kiss it and make it better?
Sir, he's losing a lot of blood.
All right, all right,
all right, two minutes.
Brooks, you rest your leg.
Everyone, drink some water.
Now look, we got about 90
minutes before the next wave.
That's it.
How bad is it?
I'll be fine, I'll be fine.
We need you better
than all right.
Brooks, the fate of Operation
Overlord rests on you, son.
I won't let you down.
Well, I say we get out of here.
Longer we're here, more
chance we'll be caught, huh?
Agreed, let's move.
Brooks?
Ugh...
I'm ready.
Let's move, soldiers.
Thank you.
-Feels better at least.
-Don't mention it.
My mother's a nurse,
I know a thing or two.
I'm sure you're
practically a nun.
Pick point, Murph.
It's a farmhouse.
Let's move, Cap.
Should we circle back?
No, we can't circle back.
It's a waste of time.
I'm with the Sergeant.
We got to assess the situation.
Sarge, you want to take a look?
Yeah.
One kraut,
fiddling with his radio.
Say we keep moving.
I don't want to stick
around for a gunfight.
You never know how
many more there are.
Agreed.
All right, keep your
wits about you
and shut the hell up, Murphy.
Yes, sir.
Halt!
Halt!
Halt!
Holy hell, that was close.
Shh! He didn't see us,
but he can still hear us.
You dumb shit.
All right, Cap.
We're right here.
Yeah.
We got to pick up the pace.
We got 75 minutes before
the next wave arrives.
We got to get that beacon
to the drop zone.
Hey, can you pick up the pace?
Otherwise, this mission
is doomed.
Thousands of lives lost.
Captain, I'll do whatever
it takes, okay?
I won't be the reason
for failure.
Get off the road,
get off the road, come on.
Go, go, go, go.
-I'm sinking.
-Shh.
-Shit.
-That was close.
Think he's looking for us?
I don't know.
We got to keep moving, though.
I'm stuck.
Sarge, Sarge, Sarge.
Can you help him?
Shit.
He's stuck.
Cap, come on.
I'm stuck,
my leg, my leg.
All right, all right.
Let's work as a team.
Take my hand, son.
Let's get you out of here.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Ow, ow, it hurts.
I know, I know, son.
All right, we got
to get you out.
You're the only one who
knows how to work that beacon.
Oh, I thought you wanted
to save me for my charm.
Come on, come on, come on.
Ah!
Shit, Brooks.
That wound's asking for trouble.
I got to clean it again.
Do it quickly.
Every German in the area
is going to know we're here.
They'll be coming for us.
Ah!
Wait, wait.
The radio, the radio
the Germans had.
What about it?
Nobody knows we're here, though.
We still have the beacon.
Yeah, so?
So we commandeer
the radio.
We call up command and
we let them know the score.
The operation's still on.
Yeah, if he's not by his radio,
this could be our chance.
Yeah, makes sense.
All right, Brooks,
you stay here.
Ryken and I will
go back to the radio.
Murphy, keep an eye on Brooks.
No, no, no, I can go.
Take your firearm, Murphy.
You heard the sergeant.
Nurse Florence Nightingale.
You're staying with Brooks.
Let's go.
Thank you.
Stupid American.
Hey, let's move.
Thanks, Sarge.
Don't mention it.
Halt!
-Whoa!
-Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Settle down, settle down.
Shit.
See you managed
to secure the radio.
Yeah, didn't take
much convincing.
And a cherry ride.
Look, Brooksy was right.
Nobody knows if we survived.
We got to get
a message out there.
Let them know that the mission
can go forward as planned.
Here, put this
frequency into the radio.
See if it works.
If it does, he could get
a message to the general.
All right.
Let me...
Just give me a moment.
Pathfinder 1 to Allied Command,
do you read me?
Pathfinder 1 to Allied Command,
do you read me? Over.
Pathfinder 1,
do you read me? Over.
Pathfinder 1 to Allied Command,
do you read me? Over.
Pathfinder 1,
Pathfinder 1.
This is Lieutenant Peters.
I read you loud and clear,
loud and clear.
Peters, it's Technician Brooks.
Brooks, you survived.
Anyone else with you?
What's your status?
I'm here with Ryken,
Steele and Murphy.
We're heading to the drop zone,
package in hand.
That's great news, Brooks.
The others?
I don't know, some KIA.
What's your timetable?
And is the package viable?
We think so. We haven't tested
it yet, but we're pretty sure.
That's the tops for me, Brooks.
Brooks?
Lieutenant?
Peters?
Peters?
Damn German radio.
Hey, hey, hey,
I hear something.
No, that's not Peters,
that's more German.
Let's take the jeep.
Make it a lot
easier on my knee.
No, sorry, Brooks.
We can't risk the noise.
We stick to walking,
gotta stay stealthy.
Understood, sir.
Come on, let's move out.
Getting in touch
with Peters was a much needed
boost to morale.
Our call was cut short,
so we had to assume
that the attack was still
moving ahead as planned,
which meant we only
had an hour to set up
the beacon at the drop zone.
This bridge gets us
straight to the drop zone.
We've got no choice
but to cross it.
Circling around is
gonna waste too much time.
It feels like we're
walking into a trap.
There's just no cover.
We have to set up that beacon.
Thousands, maybe millions
of lives depend on it.
Okay.
Enough wasting time.
I don't see anything unusual.
It's too damn dark to see
anything at all.
Looks clear.
Just keep your guard up.
I don't know, Sarge.
I'm telling you,
we're walking into a trap.
Look, hey.
There's German brigade
stationed here and here.
Crossing this river is the
only way to the drop zone.
I know we gotta go, Sarge.
It just doesn't seem safe.
It's not safe, Murph.
It's just war.
Stick together, stay vigilant.
Anything goes sideways,
rendezvous to the drop zone.
All right, move, Murph.
Sarge! I think I see something!
I don't see anything.
Stay sharp.
Brooks, did you catch that?
I'm not sure.
Look, there it is again.
-Shit!
-Get down.
We gotta get
off this bridge, Cap.
You keep your
head down, soldier!
We gotta get in the water,
it's our only hope.
Don't even think about it.
We can swim downstream
They'd shoot us in the water.
But water will
ruin this beacon,
and I can't swim with my leg.
Then let's fall back!
You saw the map
the same as I did.
We got to make it across
this bridge and take them out.
What do you say, Cap?
We got to protect Brooks
and the beacon at all costs.
I want to show them what it
means to be an American.
After this next fire,
catch them off guard.
And...
Now!
Sarge, is it me or will
these krauts just not die?
It's like they made
a deal with the devil.
You know what I say?
Let's send them to hell.
This Nazi bastard is mine!
He's mine!
I'm gonna send you to hell
and make sure he
stays there!
Sarge, Sarge!
He's dead!
He's dead!
Shit!
Not gonna help, Murph.
Not gonna help.
It's not gonna help, Murph.
You stay with me, Captain.
All right, as soon as we
light that beacon,
I'm gonna come back for you.
You are Florence Nightingale.
I'm a soldier, damn it!
I know.
If I was hard on
you it's because
you're gonna be a great man.
You just follow your sarge.
You boys have a mission.
Tell my Sarah I love her.
You tell her yourself.
No. It's too late for me.
Tell my Sarah...
We won't let you down, Cap.
Of course you won't.
We're Pathfinders.
No!
No, Cap!
Captain!
Cap!
You've done all you can do.
-Captain!
-We gotta get moving.
No, I'm not leaving him,
all right?
What are you gonna
tell his wife, huh?
God, I should
have just listened.
I should have just listened.
Hey.
Get off of me!
All right, I'm not leaving him!
Oh, Cap.
Cap...
Oh, God.
-Murphy.
-Cap?
Come on, Murphy.
Come on, Murphy.
Murphy.
Murphy!
Hey!
It's not gonna bring him back.
Murph, he's right.
We have an hour to set up
this beacon, we gotta move.
Did you know he was married?
Are you?
Are you?
Murph...
Give these to Sarah.
God...
All right, men.
Let's move out.
Fog coming in thicker.
Check him.
Lieutenant, aren't you supposed
to be preparing your aircraft?
Yes, Major.
I heard from the Pathfinders.
What did you hear?
They have the beacon.
Ah, good, good.
We need it.
We need it now more than ever.
What happened?
God happened.
France happened.
Major?
The fog rolled in.
France is completely covered.
We're running blind.
We need that beacon.
They have the beacon, General,
but I don't know if
they can get it up.
The transmission cut out before
I could confirm anything.
Are they communicating
with you on that?
-Yes, sir.
-Okay, leave it here.
We will confer with them
if they reach out again.
Now go, get your planes
in the air.
You and your squadron
are up first.
The next round of
paratroopers needs to be
on the ground in France,
securing key bridges
and roads by midnight.
Before the amphibian assault
begins at sunrise.
Yes, General.
Get out of here.
Thanks, sir.
This is the source
of gunfire we heard.
Looks like our men
got one of them, too.
Must have taken
them by surprise.
Do not try to justify
their actions.
They killed our brothers.
That is Becker.
Becker.
His body is still warm.
We cannot be far behind.
This is eerie.
Looks like a five-cent movie.
It's creepy but,
it's good for cover.
We're gonna need that beacon
now more than ever.
Well said, Murphy.
At least we're close
to the drop zone.
I don't think we would have
found it in this fog otherwise.
Keep your eyes open
for any Jerrys.
Even in this fog.
Especially in this fog.
Copy that.
Looks like
we did have company.
I need to find a suitable
location for this beacon.
It has to be unobstructed.
Yeah, but not
if we're compromised.
We have to find a cover.
Let's scope out the situation.
Come on.
Did they see us?
There, in the bush.
Oh, shit!
Shoot!
Sarge, behind you!
Got him dead.
You need to take out that truck.
Right, heads up.
Cover me.
Now!
Frag out!
Nice one.
All right, come on.
Woo!
I got one dead.
Yeah, this one too.
Nice throw, Murphy.
Yeah, well, high school
ball coach back home
always said there was a spot
for me on the Yankees.
If I make it back,
maybe I'll give it a try out.
Hey, it's not if.
It's when, all right?
Have a positive attitude.
We're almost there.
All right Brooks, we got to
get this beacon set up
before any more
Jerrys get here.
Sarge...
Look at this.
What am I looking at?
According to this,
thousands of German troops
are positioned just up ahead.
We don't have any intelligence
showing troops there.
They know about the invasion?
Sarge, if they know,
we're dead.
Not just us.
All of America.
Let me think.
If the Germans really
are that close,
then the paratroopers will
be slaughtered as they fall.
And if we can't
set this beacon up,
they'll be scattered
and ineffective
rendering
Operation Overlord useless.
What are you thinking, Sarge?
We've got to keep
moving forward.
We've got no other choice.
We'll move up further
to a similar location.
We'll still be able
to light the beacon,
but we'll be far enough
away from the Germans
that our paratroopers
will know where to go
before the Germans
can get to it.
Here.
Can we even make it in time?
We've got 45 minutes before
the next wave arrives.
We can make it if we hurry.
All right, we've got
to get moving.
I'm sure planes are
already in the air.
Let's move.
Squadron leader,
we're just coming
to the coordinates now, sir.
Here we go again.
Sir.
Okay, in about 30 minutes,
the first wave of aircraft
will enter French airspace.
The beacons?
We have 1,200 planes carrying
about 13,000 paratroopers.
With the beacons,
we will prevail.
Our men will land on the shores
and prepare an
amphibian assault.
What if the beacons,
they don't go on, sir?
Colonel, have you ever
heard of trench telephone?
No?
The story goes that
in the first great war,
an English private needed to
get a critical message
to their front line.
An all-clear
for an attack
against a superior
German command,
but he couldn't do it.
Too many explosions.
All field telephones
were destroyed.
You see, the British battalion
was planning a surprise attack
on a German position,
but without the information
from the private,
the British front line wouldn't
know when they could attack.
They were flying blind.
So what did he do?
He improvised.
As he sprinted
to the front line,
he grabbed a discarded
beer bottle,
he broke off the bottom half,
and he used it as a megaphone.
And he yelled, King George,
King George,
King George, three times,
which was the code that
it was all clear to attack.
And to everyone's surprise,
they heard him all clear.
And the British attacked.
And they won their
battle that night.
I think the French drink
through wine bottles.
An even bigger megaphone.
Salud.
Operation Overlord has begun.
Our men will do whatever
it takes
to ensure we are successful
because, good friend o' mine,
we will prevail.
The captain's death
took a huge toll on all of us,
but there was
no time to grieve.
When we finally
reached the drop zone
to set up the beacon,
we were out of time
and out of options.
And didn't realize
what was awaiting us.
I see your radio.
No soldiers.
Captain, over there.
They must be out looking for us.
Shh.
Or it's a trap.
Don't let your guard down.
All right, it looks clear.
Same as before. The beacon
has to be unobstructed.
All right, we need to get that
beacon operational ASAP.
Got a bunch of paratroopers.
who need to land quickly
to take out bridges and roads
before those Nazis
can meet them on a shore.
-They land.
-I know. I'm working on it.
The paratroopers will land
in 20 minutes.
All right, work quickly.
Shh. Shh.
I hear footsteps,
but I can't see anything.
Halt!
Surrender or die.
You're in German territory.
Last I looked,
this was France.
Put your weapons down.
And your hands in the air.
I'm almost there.
Hold them off for a minute.
Hey, stop, stop.
Hey, don't shoot, don't shoot.
We're seeking refuge
as prisoners of war
through the Hague Convention.
We're sitting ducks out here.
We need to move
to better cover!
I think I've almost got it.
I've got it.
Scheisse American bastard!
Oh, God!
What's the word?
There's a wire
connection problem.
Sarge, you all right?
Got hit it in the shoulder.
Brooks, we got to move.
We can't stay here..
It's not working.
It won't turn on.
Forget about it.
We got to fall back.
Right.
Fall back, fall back.
Go! Go!
We have to recover the beacon
before they destroy it.
Sarge, are you all right?
Got any more of those grenades?
I got one left.
Brooks and I are
going to cover you.
You take those
Nazi bastards out.
Yes, sir.
Frag out.
Brooks.
Did I hit?
Sorry, fellas, I should
have thrown better.
You did fine, Murphy.
It's that damn French fog.
No!
This is insanity.
I can't see a goddamn thing.
Dear God, this is a disaster!
To anyone listening,
climb higher, climb higher!
Hang on!
Where are the Pathfinders?
Where's that beacon?
Pathfinders, this is
Lieutenant Peters.
Do you read me, over?
Pathfinders,
this is Lieutenant Peters!
Do you read me, over?
Do you think any more of
you are coming to save you?
You are mistaken.
I'll charge him from the front.
I'm going to count to ten.
And let you guys flank.
Go around the barn
and catch him by surprise.
What?
You're gonna get
yourself killed.
First Ryken, and now you?
Sir, if anyone's gonna
do it, it's gotta be me.
All right, I can do it.
You just gotta trust me.
No, I'm in charge.
Seven.
And I gotta make sure you
two make it out of here alive.
Six.
- It's too late for me.
- Five.
I'm all shot up.
We will kill you.
But if we don't take
this Jerry out...
Four!
The whole invasion will fail.
Three!
-Sarge...
-I know what I'm doing.
Two.
Just be ready to take him
out when he's distracted.
Steele, there's gotta
be another way.
We just want to
know what you are doing.
There's not, Brooks.
Be reasonable.
I'm not making
it out of here alive.
Come out with your hands up.
But you two can.
Or we must shoot.
You gotta get
to that radar beacon
and fix it, you understand?
You ready?
Americans, do you hear that?
Please, come out
with your hands up.
Now!
Bastards!
Murphy, you gonna be okay?
I'll live.
Steele's?
He's gone.
Steele.
Rest easy, brother.
He saved the mission.
Who knows how many lives.
Look, we gotta
complete the mission.
For his sake and Ryken's too.
Copy that.
Check the beacon.
The beacon's dead.
There's no way.
No, there is a way.
Because we gotta complete
the mission, Brooks.
This is specialized technology.
I can't just fix it
with any old thing.
Look, I don't care.
We gotta complete the mission.
I don't know any other way.
Look, I don't
know either, all right?
But what I do know
is that Steele,
Shanahan, and Ryken
and the rest of the 82nd
didn't die for nothing.
Look, Brooks, you're the only
one that can fix this.
When you give up, it's over.
So don't give up on me just yet.
Don't give up on me.
Okay.
Let me check the radio.
The radio's fried.
There's gotta be something.
Jerry cans.
This one's empty.
Wait, this one's
still kind of full.
What the hell are
you doing, Brooks?
How's that supposed
to be a radar beacon?
It wouldn't be radar at all.
But it just might work.
Remember what Ryken said about
putting the hay in the barn?
Helena, thank you, darling.
What?
Get back!
Where's that damn beacon?
Son of a bitch.
It's beautiful.
I knew it.
It's them.
It's a bonfire.
Attention all units.
This is Lieutenant Peters.
Change course and
head towards the flame.
That's the beacon.
All right, boys, this is it.
Good luck and Godspeed.
And don't land in that fire.
Brooks, look!
The next wave made it!
Operation Neptune can move
forward at full swing.
You did it.
Nah, we did it.
You, me, all of us.
Scheisse Americans!
Ah!
No...
He's dead?
I hear you, man.
Let it out.
What is that?
It's the paratroopers.
They're bombing the bridges.
Your fire worked?
Looks like it.
Come on.
Where are we going?
To help them.
The war's not over yet, Private.
Allied sources
say that heavy fighting
is taking place between
the Germans
and invasion forces on
the Normandy Peninsula.
British-American landing
operations from the sea
and from the air are
stretching over the entire area
between Cherbourg
and La Havne.
These soldiers
should be welcomed
as the goddamn heroes they are.
You understand?
Good.
Dismissed.
Technician Brooks.
It's good to see you, soldier.
You look like shit.
Yeah, you don't
look much better.
-It's good to see you.
-Private Murphy.
You've served
your country well.
Made it back
in one piece, didn't I?
But, uh, Ryken, Steele,
Shanahan,
they weren't so lucky.
I know, son.
You've been through hell.
You two saved the day
with that fire, though.
Just some improvisation.
Well, General Bradley would like
to see both of you immediately.
Commendation?
Colonel Rothstein, immediately.
Technician Brooks and Private
Murphy here to see you, sir.
Brooks, Private Murphy.
Good to see both of you.
Thank you.
I heard about the fire beacon.
Very impressive work.
You found the
biggest beer bottle.
General?
I'll tell you later.
It's a good story, I promise.
That kind of thinking is
what's going to win us this war.
We need men like you.
Thank you, sir.
And that's why I
am recommending the two of you
for the Silver Star.
You went above and beyond
the call of duty.
And I'm raising each of you
a rank effective immediately.
Well, you're not happy.
It's not that, sir.
Sir, we're only here because
our team kept us alive.
I understand.
-Colonel.
-Sir.
Please find out the names
and rank of the men
in Lieutenant Peter's flight.
I'm recommending them
for Silver Star as well.
Honoring their sacrifice
will give their families
additional comfort
with this metal.
Sir.
Dismissed.
General.
Another couple of miles!
We should be at the drop-off
point in two minutes!
Approaching target zone!
Stand by!
Here we go!
Are you ready?
Flight check, clear!
Check your chutes
and clips at the ready.
We can't afford
any malfunctions.
That beacon fails,
we're as good as dead.
My girlfriend would kill me
if I died on my first
deployment overseas.
We're not going
to let that happen.
All right, boys!
Pipe down!
Today, we make history.
First boots on the ground
behind Fritz's line.
Nazi turf.
We've trained for this.
We've sweated for this.
You boys are ready.
Now, I have that kind of faith
in each and every one of you.
Our mission, so help us God,
is to activate
the Eureka radar beacon
to establish the next
paratrooper drop zone.
We need these beacons
to light the way
for the next round
of paratroopers
who will destroy key roads
and bridges
so that our assault on
Normandy can be a success.
No matter what happens
out there,
we must make it to
the rendezvous point.
We must ensure the success
of this mission.
Yes, sir!
This is not going
to be a cakewalk.
There'll be blood,
that's for sure.
Scared?
Got every right to be.
That's natural.
We just let that pass.
I have confidence in your
abilities, your training,
your commitment to the cause.
You are the best of the best.
Yes, sir!
You were chosen for
this mission for a reason.
Our success tonight
and tomorrow morning
depends on our working
together as a team.
Stay focused,
communicate clearly,
and rely on each other.
Yes, sir!
The fate of this mission and
the world rests in our hands.
But we are the 82nd Airborne.
We are the Pathfinders.
Yes, sir!
We will lead the way, sir.
That's right!
No! No!
Private! Move!
Clip on! Clip on!
-Come on!
-Clip on!
How far to the DZ?
Lieutenant!
Coordinates!
O'Neill, I need coordinates!
Damn it!
We're not going to make
the coordinates!
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
Jump!
Move, move, move!
Move, move!
Go!
I'm not on the line!
Use your reserve!
Go! Go!
Eyes on the horizon!
See you on the ground!
Go! Go! Go!
Go! Go!
Let's go, Cap! Go!
Move!
Go!
See you on the ground, Cap!
May St. Christopher protect you!
Trying to join
the enemy, Brooks?
-No, sir.
-Then move it!
Roger that!
We got a mission!
Mayday! Mayday!
47-1197!
Repeat! Mayday! Mayday!
47-1197!
Allied forces are massing
a fleet the likes of which
has never been seen before.
Our brave boys are lining
up to give Jerry
a licking he'll never forget.
After pushing them out of
Africa, the stage is set.
It's time to open the door
on Fortress Europe
and send those bullies back
where they belong.
Yes, Mr. Hitler,
we're coming for you.
Our fearless soldiers have
their marching orders
and are going in with
an audacious plan.
Using our newest technology,
the Eureka Beacon,
we will guide our bombers
to the target
in the dead of night
with pinpoint accuracy.
It's no mission for
the faint hearted,
millions of lives are at stake.
The future of the free world
hangs in the balance
as we hold our breath.
And look to the Pathfinders,
the 82nd Airborne
as they head to the front line.
Good luck and Godspeed,
you band of brothers.
Yes, General,
I'll call Biloxi right away.
Mayday! Mayday!
47-1197, we've taken fire!
SHAEF to 47-1197.
We hear you loud and clear.
General, sir!
Landing gear's been loaded
and ready for departure, sir.
Good.
We're on schedule.
And the status of
the supplies and munitions?
Major.
Arrived and unloaded.
Currently heading to
the pre-designated areas.
Let's make sure
we cover every contingency.
We can't afford any mistakes.
-Are you with me?
-Sir.
Yes, sir.
Sir, it's an incoming
message from
one of the Pathfinder pilots.
Lieutenant Peters, sir.
Thank you, soldier.
This is General Bradley.
General Bradley,
this is Lieutenant Peters.
We've been hit!
The other two C-47s are down.
I'm all alone up here, sir.
Understood, Lieutenant.
What about the Pathfinders?
Can you confirm
boots on the ground?
No, sir.
There's very
little visibility up here.
I'm going to circle back
around to get a better look.
They did get out of
the plane, though, right?
Affirmative!
That'll have to do.
General, I don't even know
if they made it
within five miles of the
drop zone.
Lieutenant Peters,
you've done your part.
Now turn around,
head back to base.
You're a pilot.
We need your skills in the air.
Get your plane fixed and ready
for the next wave.
That's an order!
We need as many paratroopers
on the ground as possible
to disrupt the necessary
infrastructure.
If we have any
chance at all of
this Operation Neptune's
success, are you with me?
Yes, sir.
Understood.
Turning back now.
Godspeed.
Over and out.
Those boys are in
for a hell of a night.
I'll take this.
Ah!
Captain!
Get this kraut off me.
Easy does it, Brooks.
Thank you. It's a close one.
Hey, don't mention it.
You hurt?
Uh... No, just grazed.
I'm all right.
Hey, do you have
the radar beacon?
-Yeah, right here.
-Yeah?
Is it damaged?
No, it's all right.
Just scuffed, maybe.
Okay. Good.
Let me just radio.
Find out where the hell we are.
Oh, damn it.
Radio's shot.
I must have fallen
really hard.
Well, we're in this alone.
Get down.
More krauts.
I can't take another brawl.
Hold still.
Hold!
Oh.
Sergeant Steele,
Private Murphy.
You guys seen any more of,
uh, them?
No, sir.
That right there's
the first Nazi
I've seen with my own two eyes.
Yeah, and it won't be our last
we stick around here.
We came toward the sound
of that gunfire.
Them Jerrys will too.
Which way, Sarge?
Yeah, let's take a peek.
All right, we want to
put ourselves
right in the drop zone.
Yeah, this looks
like the right spot.
Terrain's correct.
Just looking for a landmark.
Right there.
Is it close?
Yeah, close enough.
Then we should leave.
Yeah.
Hey, mind if
I take a look?
I couldn't see shit
on the way down.
Yeah.
What do you think?
We could be anywhere
inside this circle.
What makes you so
sure that we're here?
Instinct.
That stream right there.
All right, Murph, take point.
Go, Brooks.
Huber!
Look at this.
American.
Ready yourself.
Ja wohl.
We got ourselves a
dead American parachuter.
What should we do
with him, sir?
Cut him down, and search him.
Ja wohl.
Whoa!
He's alive!
-What's going on?
-Shut up, swine!
What are you doing?
Hello, American.
Nazi scum!
What are you...
American...
Screw you!
I have questions for you.
I'm not telling you anything.
What is your mission?
Hey, go to hell!
Leave me alone!
Get off me!
Ah!
What is your mission?
I'm not telling you anything.
Ah!
God damn Nazi bastard!
Enough.
You're sick.
This is a waste of time.
Enough of this.
Sir...
I'd rather die an American hero
then die and give
you Nazi pigs anything.
You know you're going
to lose, right?
You know you're going to lose.
Hitler's going to lose.
Germany's going to--
He was rude.
He would not shut up.
Sir, what if he's the only
American we can find?
Schiesse.
Doesn't matter.
Look.
Footprints.
These are not from German boots.
What should we do with him?
Cut him down.
Search him.
Hurry.
Agh...
Dirty American swine.
No, sir.
Not yet.
American cigarettes?
Over my dead body.
Hurry.
Ja wohl.
We must find his friends.
Come.
We all landed
way outside
of the target drop zone.
Once the four of us regrouped,
we set off north,
following the nearby stream
towards Saint-Mere-Eglise.
We need to get
to the drop zone
so Brooks can set up a beacon.
Or else the main assault
won't know where to drop.
Sarge, let me see that map.
So we're supposed to
land in Saint-Mere-Eglise
and hit the drop zone
from there, right?
Yeah. That stream.
Compared to this...
We're on the map here, man.
What do you see? Murphy.
Rita Hayworth in a bikini, sir.
You'd have better
luck bringing
that Kraut back to life.
I crossed the river
about half a click back
before I met that Nazi.
Shh!
Which way, Brooks?
That fight disoriented
me pretty good.
But remember,
fate of the free world
rests in our ability to
light that beacon tonight.
That way, I think.
All right.
Keep your eyes open, Huber.
The Americans could be anywhere.
We have to stop them
before anything happens.
They must fail.
They must die.
Did you hear that?
No, sir.
This is a waste of time.
Sir...
We should split up.
So we're flying due north
and the wind is
coming in from the west.
Should be the right area.
So if we trace this river west,
then we'd end up at
the Saint-Come-du-Mont.
Yeah.
We could still make
it to the DZ,
but time's not on our side.
So we move west and then north.
We're about three miles
from the drop zone.
Yeah, about three hours
from the next wave of planes.
Let's go.
You heard him, move out.
Stick to cover
wherever possible.
Keep your head on swivel.
You going to be okay
to keep up, son?
Yes, sir.
I'll be fine.
All right, move out.
Look, this is
the road on the map.
Looks like it gets us
pretty close to the DZ.
Leaves us exposed.
Yeah, but it gives
us a clear path.
Okay.
Keep your weapons
at there ready, boys.
Look at that tree line, Murph.
Hey, Brooks?
How does that
thing work, anyways?
The transponding radar?
The beacon?
It sends out a pulsing signal
that a specialized receiver
in the planes can pick up.
Based on the time
of the return signal,
pilots can navigate toward it.
So it's like a
bat with echolocation?
Yeah, kinda.
And the planes, they all have
the right equipment for it.
We've got a long
march in front of us.
Less talking, and stay focused.
Get off the road, get off
the road, get off the road.
All clear!
Steady now.
That was close, cap.
That was close.
We're on a mission.
You shaking like a red moon
Rosalita does not help, son.
I understand that, sir.
But how are we going to make
it if every time
a damn Nazi truck drives by,
we've got to get off the road?
And what about
the other Pathfinders?
What about us?
Tell you what, Peters
and the rest of them...
Hey, just shut up!
No contact from anyone
means we're the only
ones that made it.
Our mission is still the same.
We get to the DZ,
deliver that beacon,
or else Operation Neptune
is lost.
We're not going
to let that happen.
We can warn the others later.
Understood.
You know, back on the farm,
if we had a tough job ahead of
us, my granddad would say,
"You put the hay in the barn."
Respectfully, sir, I don't
know too much about that.
Yeah, well, for you city boys,
if you leave hay outside,
it gets rotten,
it gets pests and rained on.
So if you really want
to finish your job,
you put the hay back
in the barn.
Men, we got one hell of a
tough job in front of us,
but I think we're going
to make it through.
Not just for ourselves,
but for the whole free world.
I'm with you, sir.
Let's put the hay in the barn.
Move out!
Maneuvering around
all the Nazi patrols
made for slow progress,
and at times we were worried
we might not make it at all.
However, thanks to
the captain's pep talk,
we were determined
to see things through.
Hey, hey, up ahead!
Jerrys!
Take cover, take cover.
-Move, move, move.
-Go, go.
I got the one on
the left, Cap.
I'll take the one on the right.
Three, two, one.
Nice shooting, Cap.
Murphy, Books,
check their pockets.
See if there's anything useful.
Yes, sir.
We got some smokes, Cap.
I'd rather shoot myself twice
than smoke any of
those kraut cigarettes.
Take them anyway.
I got a German map, I think.
Oh, shit.
Speak up, Brooks.
We're going the wrong way.
Look here.
Oh, shit, they marked
their patrol route.
This is more detailed than ours.
If we'd have had this
from the beginning...
Move, move, move!
Go, go, go, go!
Brooks!
Wait, come on, Brooks!
Pick up the pace!
Krause, Krause.
Come in.
What is your position?
Krause to HQ,
Krause to HQ.
Visual confirmation of...
Krause to HQ,
Krause to HQ.
Visual confirmation of four
Americans on foot heading north.
Repeat, four
Americans heading north.
-Krause.
-Go ahead.
Gather intelligence on
the American paratroopers.
Capture and bring them
in for questioning.
Capture.
Do not kill...
Sir, what?
Why do we not just kill them?
You heard HQ.
Dozens of American
paratroopers dropped.
They're clearly on a mission.
We need to find
exactly what that is.
We got two and a half hours
to establish the drop zone.
Speed is essential.
They know where we are now.
Yes, sir.
What are you doing, Murphy?
Nazi smoke is
still smoke, sir.
What are you,
some kind of philosopher?
Come on, move.
Work for me,
God damn it.
47-1197 to SHAEF.
47-1197 to SHAEF.
49-711, that's a fine mess
you made on our runway.
Hang in there, Lieutenant.
We've got a crew on the way.
Come on, come on.
Get the hoses out.
General Bradley, sir.
Report, Lieutenant.
We ran into a heavy flak
over the drop zone.
My bird took a beating, had to
get the Pathfinders out early,
lost contact with C-47s,
confirming the two that
were with me went down.
-It was brutal.
-The Pathfinders.
You were saying they cannot
confirm they landed?
I didn't have visual
confirmation, sir.
Damn it.
There were thick clouds
and heavy flak everywhere.
What are the odds they landed
in the right spot?
Tough to say, sir.
We were under heavy fire,
but we were one mile inland
before things got hairy.
What about the beacon, Peters?
Any sign they got it deployed?
I don't know.
I haven't had any ground
communications save for here.
No one's radioed in?
We can assume they fell
where the drop zone is,
like the Lieutenant said.
Which means they might have
had the opportunity
to activate the beacon.
But we don't know that.
For all they know, it fell off
the cliff along with his men.
No, no, no, no one
went over the cliffs.
We were one mile inland
before the Germans
shredded our plane,
before I let my men jump.
Understand?
Sorry, of course.
General, Beacon or not,
we cannot delay
the Normandy invasion
any longer.
The spring tide won't occur
again for another month.
We can't afford
to wait that long.
If we don't move now,
any chance we have of winning
this war may be lost forever.
We should wait for more intel.
What's the contingency plan?
There is no contingency plan,
not one that doesn't
end in disaster.
Operation Overlord
is already in motion.
We have to get the second wave
of paratroopers in the air.
We can't call in retreat now.
But we don't know if the
Pathfinders landed successfully.
We can't send thousands of men
to their death
without knowing if
we established the drop zone.
You've already sent thousands
of men to their death.
The least we can do is make
sure that
their sacrifice isn't in vain.
Gentlemen, enough.
We will move forward
assuming the Pathfinders
will be able to deploy
the first beacon.
We will send out the next wave
to destroy necessary
infrastructure.
We need to slow down
the Nazis
ahead of tomorrow's
Operation Neptune.
We don't have any other choice.
Then let me head back out there.
I know where they are.
I know where we were shot,
so I know where
the Germans are too.
I can do this
and report back, sir.
And if the beacon isn't on?
I'll light it myself.
We don't have enough planes.
Son, if you understand
what's at stake,
we need every plane,
every pilot, every paratrooper.
I brought you back here to get
ready for the Normandy invasion,
not to go back for the beacon.
We need everything we've
got for this assault,
or we're going to lose this war.
Do we understand?
Yes, sir.
But if it's not on,
we'll be flying in blind.
Do you trust your men?
Yes, sir, I do.
But without any
true confirmation,
I know that those men
are going to fight to the death
to get that beacon lit.
But that's what I'm afraid of.
Okay, I hear you.
We'll get your plane repaired
and on its way back to France.
Yes, sir.
Out of here.
That's a good man.
With no way to call
home to ask for reinforcements,
we were truly on our own.
My injured leg was
slowing us down,
but we all knew we needed
to complete our mission,
or the main assault would fail.
Keep your eyes open, Murph.
We don't want to get caught
by any more Jerry patrols.
Murph, how are you holding up?
Actually, can we stop
for a second?
-Captain!
-Yeah, I heard him.
What do you want to do?
Kiss it and make it better?
Sir, he's losing a lot of blood.
All right, all right,
all right, two minutes.
Brooks, you rest your leg.
Everyone, drink some water.
Now look, we got about 90
minutes before the next wave.
That's it.
How bad is it?
I'll be fine, I'll be fine.
We need you better
than all right.
Brooks, the fate of Operation
Overlord rests on you, son.
I won't let you down.
Well, I say we get out of here.
Longer we're here, more
chance we'll be caught, huh?
Agreed, let's move.
Brooks?
Ugh...
I'm ready.
Let's move, soldiers.
Thank you.
-Feels better at least.
-Don't mention it.
My mother's a nurse,
I know a thing or two.
I'm sure you're
practically a nun.
Pick point, Murph.
It's a farmhouse.
Let's move, Cap.
Should we circle back?
No, we can't circle back.
It's a waste of time.
I'm with the Sergeant.
We got to assess the situation.
Sarge, you want to take a look?
Yeah.
One kraut,
fiddling with his radio.
Say we keep moving.
I don't want to stick
around for a gunfight.
You never know how
many more there are.
Agreed.
All right, keep your
wits about you
and shut the hell up, Murphy.
Yes, sir.
Halt!
Halt!
Halt!
Holy hell, that was close.
Shh! He didn't see us,
but he can still hear us.
You dumb shit.
All right, Cap.
We're right here.
Yeah.
We got to pick up the pace.
We got 75 minutes before
the next wave arrives.
We got to get that beacon
to the drop zone.
Hey, can you pick up the pace?
Otherwise, this mission
is doomed.
Thousands of lives lost.
Captain, I'll do whatever
it takes, okay?
I won't be the reason
for failure.
Get off the road,
get off the road, come on.
Go, go, go, go.
-I'm sinking.
-Shh.
-Shit.
-That was close.
Think he's looking for us?
I don't know.
We got to keep moving, though.
I'm stuck.
Sarge, Sarge, Sarge.
Can you help him?
Shit.
He's stuck.
Cap, come on.
I'm stuck,
my leg, my leg.
All right, all right.
Let's work as a team.
Take my hand, son.
Let's get you out of here.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Ow, ow, it hurts.
I know, I know, son.
All right, we got
to get you out.
You're the only one who
knows how to work that beacon.
Oh, I thought you wanted
to save me for my charm.
Come on, come on, come on.
Ah!
Shit, Brooks.
That wound's asking for trouble.
I got to clean it again.
Do it quickly.
Every German in the area
is going to know we're here.
They'll be coming for us.
Ah!
Wait, wait.
The radio, the radio
the Germans had.
What about it?
Nobody knows we're here, though.
We still have the beacon.
Yeah, so?
So we commandeer
the radio.
We call up command and
we let them know the score.
The operation's still on.
Yeah, if he's not by his radio,
this could be our chance.
Yeah, makes sense.
All right, Brooks,
you stay here.
Ryken and I will
go back to the radio.
Murphy, keep an eye on Brooks.
No, no, no, I can go.
Take your firearm, Murphy.
You heard the sergeant.
Nurse Florence Nightingale.
You're staying with Brooks.
Let's go.
Thank you.
Stupid American.
Hey, let's move.
Thanks, Sarge.
Don't mention it.
Halt!
-Whoa!
-Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Settle down, settle down.
Shit.
See you managed
to secure the radio.
Yeah, didn't take
much convincing.
And a cherry ride.
Look, Brooksy was right.
Nobody knows if we survived.
We got to get
a message out there.
Let them know that the mission
can go forward as planned.
Here, put this
frequency into the radio.
See if it works.
If it does, he could get
a message to the general.
All right.
Let me...
Just give me a moment.
Pathfinder 1 to Allied Command,
do you read me?
Pathfinder 1 to Allied Command,
do you read me? Over.
Pathfinder 1,
do you read me? Over.
Pathfinder 1 to Allied Command,
do you read me? Over.
Pathfinder 1,
Pathfinder 1.
This is Lieutenant Peters.
I read you loud and clear,
loud and clear.
Peters, it's Technician Brooks.
Brooks, you survived.
Anyone else with you?
What's your status?
I'm here with Ryken,
Steele and Murphy.
We're heading to the drop zone,
package in hand.
That's great news, Brooks.
The others?
I don't know, some KIA.
What's your timetable?
And is the package viable?
We think so. We haven't tested
it yet, but we're pretty sure.
That's the tops for me, Brooks.
Brooks?
Lieutenant?
Peters?
Peters?
Damn German radio.
Hey, hey, hey,
I hear something.
No, that's not Peters,
that's more German.
Let's take the jeep.
Make it a lot
easier on my knee.
No, sorry, Brooks.
We can't risk the noise.
We stick to walking,
gotta stay stealthy.
Understood, sir.
Come on, let's move out.
Getting in touch
with Peters was a much needed
boost to morale.
Our call was cut short,
so we had to assume
that the attack was still
moving ahead as planned,
which meant we only
had an hour to set up
the beacon at the drop zone.
This bridge gets us
straight to the drop zone.
We've got no choice
but to cross it.
Circling around is
gonna waste too much time.
It feels like we're
walking into a trap.
There's just no cover.
We have to set up that beacon.
Thousands, maybe millions
of lives depend on it.
Okay.
Enough wasting time.
I don't see anything unusual.
It's too damn dark to see
anything at all.
Looks clear.
Just keep your guard up.
I don't know, Sarge.
I'm telling you,
we're walking into a trap.
Look, hey.
There's German brigade
stationed here and here.
Crossing this river is the
only way to the drop zone.
I know we gotta go, Sarge.
It just doesn't seem safe.
It's not safe, Murph.
It's just war.
Stick together, stay vigilant.
Anything goes sideways,
rendezvous to the drop zone.
All right, move, Murph.
Sarge! I think I see something!
I don't see anything.
Stay sharp.
Brooks, did you catch that?
I'm not sure.
Look, there it is again.
-Shit!
-Get down.
We gotta get
off this bridge, Cap.
You keep your
head down, soldier!
We gotta get in the water,
it's our only hope.
Don't even think about it.
We can swim downstream
They'd shoot us in the water.
But water will
ruin this beacon,
and I can't swim with my leg.
Then let's fall back!
You saw the map
the same as I did.
We got to make it across
this bridge and take them out.
What do you say, Cap?
We got to protect Brooks
and the beacon at all costs.
I want to show them what it
means to be an American.
After this next fire,
catch them off guard.
And...
Now!
Sarge, is it me or will
these krauts just not die?
It's like they made
a deal with the devil.
You know what I say?
Let's send them to hell.
This Nazi bastard is mine!
He's mine!
I'm gonna send you to hell
and make sure he
stays there!
Sarge, Sarge!
He's dead!
He's dead!
Shit!
Not gonna help, Murph.
Not gonna help.
It's not gonna help, Murph.
You stay with me, Captain.
All right, as soon as we
light that beacon,
I'm gonna come back for you.
You are Florence Nightingale.
I'm a soldier, damn it!
I know.
If I was hard on
you it's because
you're gonna be a great man.
You just follow your sarge.
You boys have a mission.
Tell my Sarah I love her.
You tell her yourself.
No. It's too late for me.
Tell my Sarah...
We won't let you down, Cap.
Of course you won't.
We're Pathfinders.
No!
No, Cap!
Captain!
Cap!
You've done all you can do.
-Captain!
-We gotta get moving.
No, I'm not leaving him,
all right?
What are you gonna
tell his wife, huh?
God, I should
have just listened.
I should have just listened.
Hey.
Get off of me!
All right, I'm not leaving him!
Oh, Cap.
Cap...
Oh, God.
-Murphy.
-Cap?
Come on, Murphy.
Come on, Murphy.
Murphy.
Murphy!
Hey!
It's not gonna bring him back.
Murph, he's right.
We have an hour to set up
this beacon, we gotta move.
Did you know he was married?
Are you?
Are you?
Murph...
Give these to Sarah.
God...
All right, men.
Let's move out.
Fog coming in thicker.
Check him.
Lieutenant, aren't you supposed
to be preparing your aircraft?
Yes, Major.
I heard from the Pathfinders.
What did you hear?
They have the beacon.
Ah, good, good.
We need it.
We need it now more than ever.
What happened?
God happened.
France happened.
Major?
The fog rolled in.
France is completely covered.
We're running blind.
We need that beacon.
They have the beacon, General,
but I don't know if
they can get it up.
The transmission cut out before
I could confirm anything.
Are they communicating
with you on that?
-Yes, sir.
-Okay, leave it here.
We will confer with them
if they reach out again.
Now go, get your planes
in the air.
You and your squadron
are up first.
The next round of
paratroopers needs to be
on the ground in France,
securing key bridges
and roads by midnight.
Before the amphibian assault
begins at sunrise.
Yes, General.
Get out of here.
Thanks, sir.
This is the source
of gunfire we heard.
Looks like our men
got one of them, too.
Must have taken
them by surprise.
Do not try to justify
their actions.
They killed our brothers.
That is Becker.
Becker.
His body is still warm.
We cannot be far behind.
This is eerie.
Looks like a five-cent movie.
It's creepy but,
it's good for cover.
We're gonna need that beacon
now more than ever.
Well said, Murphy.
At least we're close
to the drop zone.
I don't think we would have
found it in this fog otherwise.
Keep your eyes open
for any Jerrys.
Even in this fog.
Especially in this fog.
Copy that.
Looks like
we did have company.
I need to find a suitable
location for this beacon.
It has to be unobstructed.
Yeah, but not
if we're compromised.
We have to find a cover.
Let's scope out the situation.
Come on.
Did they see us?
There, in the bush.
Oh, shit!
Shoot!
Sarge, behind you!
Got him dead.
You need to take out that truck.
Right, heads up.
Cover me.
Now!
Frag out!
Nice one.
All right, come on.
Woo!
I got one dead.
Yeah, this one too.
Nice throw, Murphy.
Yeah, well, high school
ball coach back home
always said there was a spot
for me on the Yankees.
If I make it back,
maybe I'll give it a try out.
Hey, it's not if.
It's when, all right?
Have a positive attitude.
We're almost there.
All right Brooks, we got to
get this beacon set up
before any more
Jerrys get here.
Sarge...
Look at this.
What am I looking at?
According to this,
thousands of German troops
are positioned just up ahead.
We don't have any intelligence
showing troops there.
They know about the invasion?
Sarge, if they know,
we're dead.
Not just us.
All of America.
Let me think.
If the Germans really
are that close,
then the paratroopers will
be slaughtered as they fall.
And if we can't
set this beacon up,
they'll be scattered
and ineffective
rendering
Operation Overlord useless.
What are you thinking, Sarge?
We've got to keep
moving forward.
We've got no other choice.
We'll move up further
to a similar location.
We'll still be able
to light the beacon,
but we'll be far enough
away from the Germans
that our paratroopers
will know where to go
before the Germans
can get to it.
Here.
Can we even make it in time?
We've got 45 minutes before
the next wave arrives.
We can make it if we hurry.
All right, we've got
to get moving.
I'm sure planes are
already in the air.
Let's move.
Squadron leader,
we're just coming
to the coordinates now, sir.
Here we go again.
Sir.
Okay, in about 30 minutes,
the first wave of aircraft
will enter French airspace.
The beacons?
We have 1,200 planes carrying
about 13,000 paratroopers.
With the beacons,
we will prevail.
Our men will land on the shores
and prepare an
amphibian assault.
What if the beacons,
they don't go on, sir?
Colonel, have you ever
heard of trench telephone?
No?
The story goes that
in the first great war,
an English private needed to
get a critical message
to their front line.
An all-clear
for an attack
against a superior
German command,
but he couldn't do it.
Too many explosions.
All field telephones
were destroyed.
You see, the British battalion
was planning a surprise attack
on a German position,
but without the information
from the private,
the British front line wouldn't
know when they could attack.
They were flying blind.
So what did he do?
He improvised.
As he sprinted
to the front line,
he grabbed a discarded
beer bottle,
he broke off the bottom half,
and he used it as a megaphone.
And he yelled, King George,
King George,
King George, three times,
which was the code that
it was all clear to attack.
And to everyone's surprise,
they heard him all clear.
And the British attacked.
And they won their
battle that night.
I think the French drink
through wine bottles.
An even bigger megaphone.
Salud.
Operation Overlord has begun.
Our men will do whatever
it takes
to ensure we are successful
because, good friend o' mine,
we will prevail.
The captain's death
took a huge toll on all of us,
but there was
no time to grieve.
When we finally
reached the drop zone
to set up the beacon,
we were out of time
and out of options.
And didn't realize
what was awaiting us.
I see your radio.
No soldiers.
Captain, over there.
They must be out looking for us.
Shh.
Or it's a trap.
Don't let your guard down.
All right, it looks clear.
Same as before. The beacon
has to be unobstructed.
All right, we need to get that
beacon operational ASAP.
Got a bunch of paratroopers.
who need to land quickly
to take out bridges and roads
before those Nazis
can meet them on a shore.
-They land.
-I know. I'm working on it.
The paratroopers will land
in 20 minutes.
All right, work quickly.
Shh. Shh.
I hear footsteps,
but I can't see anything.
Halt!
Surrender or die.
You're in German territory.
Last I looked,
this was France.
Put your weapons down.
And your hands in the air.
I'm almost there.
Hold them off for a minute.
Hey, stop, stop.
Hey, don't shoot, don't shoot.
We're seeking refuge
as prisoners of war
through the Hague Convention.
We're sitting ducks out here.
We need to move
to better cover!
I think I've almost got it.
I've got it.
Scheisse American bastard!
Oh, God!
What's the word?
There's a wire
connection problem.
Sarge, you all right?
Got hit it in the shoulder.
Brooks, we got to move.
We can't stay here..
It's not working.
It won't turn on.
Forget about it.
We got to fall back.
Right.
Fall back, fall back.
Go! Go!
We have to recover the beacon
before they destroy it.
Sarge, are you all right?
Got any more of those grenades?
I got one left.
Brooks and I are
going to cover you.
You take those
Nazi bastards out.
Yes, sir.
Frag out.
Brooks.
Did I hit?
Sorry, fellas, I should
have thrown better.
You did fine, Murphy.
It's that damn French fog.
No!
This is insanity.
I can't see a goddamn thing.
Dear God, this is a disaster!
To anyone listening,
climb higher, climb higher!
Hang on!
Where are the Pathfinders?
Where's that beacon?
Pathfinders, this is
Lieutenant Peters.
Do you read me, over?
Pathfinders,
this is Lieutenant Peters!
Do you read me, over?
Do you think any more of
you are coming to save you?
You are mistaken.
I'll charge him from the front.
I'm going to count to ten.
And let you guys flank.
Go around the barn
and catch him by surprise.
What?
You're gonna get
yourself killed.
First Ryken, and now you?
Sir, if anyone's gonna
do it, it's gotta be me.
All right, I can do it.
You just gotta trust me.
No, I'm in charge.
Seven.
And I gotta make sure you
two make it out of here alive.
Six.
- It's too late for me.
- Five.
I'm all shot up.
We will kill you.
But if we don't take
this Jerry out...
Four!
The whole invasion will fail.
Three!
-Sarge...
-I know what I'm doing.
Two.
Just be ready to take him
out when he's distracted.
Steele, there's gotta
be another way.
We just want to
know what you are doing.
There's not, Brooks.
Be reasonable.
I'm not making
it out of here alive.
Come out with your hands up.
But you two can.
Or we must shoot.
You gotta get
to that radar beacon
and fix it, you understand?
You ready?
Americans, do you hear that?
Please, come out
with your hands up.
Now!
Bastards!
Murphy, you gonna be okay?
I'll live.
Steele's?
He's gone.
Steele.
Rest easy, brother.
He saved the mission.
Who knows how many lives.
Look, we gotta
complete the mission.
For his sake and Ryken's too.
Copy that.
Check the beacon.
The beacon's dead.
There's no way.
No, there is a way.
Because we gotta complete
the mission, Brooks.
This is specialized technology.
I can't just fix it
with any old thing.
Look, I don't care.
We gotta complete the mission.
I don't know any other way.
Look, I don't
know either, all right?
But what I do know
is that Steele,
Shanahan, and Ryken
and the rest of the 82nd
didn't die for nothing.
Look, Brooks, you're the only
one that can fix this.
When you give up, it's over.
So don't give up on me just yet.
Don't give up on me.
Okay.
Let me check the radio.
The radio's fried.
There's gotta be something.
Jerry cans.
This one's empty.
Wait, this one's
still kind of full.
What the hell are
you doing, Brooks?
How's that supposed
to be a radar beacon?
It wouldn't be radar at all.
But it just might work.
Remember what Ryken said about
putting the hay in the barn?
Helena, thank you, darling.
What?
Get back!
Where's that damn beacon?
Son of a bitch.
It's beautiful.
I knew it.
It's them.
It's a bonfire.
Attention all units.
This is Lieutenant Peters.
Change course and
head towards the flame.
That's the beacon.
All right, boys, this is it.
Good luck and Godspeed.
And don't land in that fire.
Brooks, look!
The next wave made it!
Operation Neptune can move
forward at full swing.
You did it.
Nah, we did it.
You, me, all of us.
Scheisse Americans!
Ah!
No...
He's dead?
I hear you, man.
Let it out.
What is that?
It's the paratroopers.
They're bombing the bridges.
Your fire worked?
Looks like it.
Come on.
Where are we going?
To help them.
The war's not over yet, Private.
Allied sources
say that heavy fighting
is taking place between
the Germans
and invasion forces on
the Normandy Peninsula.
British-American landing
operations from the sea
and from the air are
stretching over the entire area
between Cherbourg
and La Havne.
These soldiers
should be welcomed
as the goddamn heroes they are.
You understand?
Good.
Dismissed.
Technician Brooks.
It's good to see you, soldier.
You look like shit.
Yeah, you don't
look much better.
-It's good to see you.
-Private Murphy.
You've served
your country well.
Made it back
in one piece, didn't I?
But, uh, Ryken, Steele,
Shanahan,
they weren't so lucky.
I know, son.
You've been through hell.
You two saved the day
with that fire, though.
Just some improvisation.
Well, General Bradley would like
to see both of you immediately.
Commendation?
Colonel Rothstein, immediately.
Technician Brooks and Private
Murphy here to see you, sir.
Brooks, Private Murphy.
Good to see both of you.
Thank you.
I heard about the fire beacon.
Very impressive work.
You found the
biggest beer bottle.
General?
I'll tell you later.
It's a good story, I promise.
That kind of thinking is
what's going to win us this war.
We need men like you.
Thank you, sir.
And that's why I
am recommending the two of you
for the Silver Star.
You went above and beyond
the call of duty.
And I'm raising each of you
a rank effective immediately.
Well, you're not happy.
It's not that, sir.
Sir, we're only here because
our team kept us alive.
I understand.
-Colonel.
-Sir.
Please find out the names
and rank of the men
in Lieutenant Peter's flight.
I'm recommending them
for Silver Star as well.
Honoring their sacrifice
will give their families
additional comfort
with this metal.
Sir.
Dismissed.
General.