The Pacific s01e06 Episode Script

Hanks: September 16th, 1944-- Day two of the invasion on Peleliu.
Veteran #5: They thought it would be a very short campaign, Maybe over in two or three days-- Only a couple of thousand Japanese there.
The only problem was there were more Japanese there Than there were marines waiting to get ashore.
We didn't realize there was a ridge there With over 500 caves in it, All seeing every bit of us on that island.
( gunfire ) Hanks: The Japanese resistance was so fierce That the marines couldn't get supplies to shore.
During the day the temperature rose To 110°.
And no drinkable water could be found on Peleliu.
Veteran #5: You can go a long time Without food and survive.
But you cannot do it without water.
I've known thirst in my life, But I've never known thirst like that.
Hanks: Under these conditions, The marines' orders were to cross the exposed airfield In the middle of the island.
When they advanced, the Japanese opened fire.
Veteran #4: Going across that airfield, That was the longest walk I think I've ever took in my life right there.
( gunfire ) It was scary as hell.
I guess what made it so scary, There wasn't a damn thing you could do about it.
I felt helpless, I felt defenseless.
I mean, there just wasn't anything you could do.
Veteran #5: It's a horror show.
It's a miracle that the 1st marine division Wasn't completely decimated.
Ho ho ho.
I can't believe I finally get here and you go home.
What's it like? You could never imagine.
Follow the man in front of you And get off that beach.
Here we go, boys! Open fire! Open fire! Keep moving! Keep moving! Sledge, get off the beach.
Let's make a move! ( whimpering ) - Oh God, bill.
- Oh fuck! Bill.
Bill! Corpsman.
Corpsman! We're rich, boys.
Jap's got a shitload of gd in his teeth.
We have to go out there tomorrow.
( gunfire ) ( theme music playing ) ( crickets chirping ) ( car approaching ) Tee, will you see whoever it is calling so late in the evening? Yes, ma'am.
( car door closes ) It's a man in a uniform, ma'am.
( cup clinks ) ( knocks on door ) ( door opens ) ( door closes ) ( tee chuckles ) ( gasps ) Sidney Philip.
- Oh! Father, Sid's here.
- ( Sid chuckles ) - I hope I didn't startle you, Mrs.
Sledge.
- Oh, not at all.
Now who the hell is this standing in my hallway? - It's Sidney.
- Dr.
Sledge.
There's more pie on the counter.
Thank you, Rose.
I want you to speak frankly about my Eugene.
- How is he, Sid? - Now don't put the boy on the spot.
Mrs.
Sledge, Eugene's with a lot of good Marines.
The 1st is the best there is.
They're great guys, too.
They look after each other.
Besides that, well, he's a mortar man, The same as me.
Us stovepipe boys, We're always a little behind the hot stuff, Which is a good place to be, let me tell you.
Now I can't say this about every marine I know, But I'm not worried about Eugene.
See, father? That's not so hard to hear, Is it? ( bombs exploding ) Man: Second Platoon Corpsman, get up here! ( plane engines roaring ) ( men speaking ) ( lighter clicks ) Snafu: What the hell you doing? Break this shit down.
Get ready to move.
What do you got? Any movement? It's all quiet.
Any word on Hoosier? Well, we got hit pretty hard on the beach.
We're still sorting out the casualties.
- Let's go.
- No word on ours, though.
- ( lighter clicks ) - God damn it, I just want some fucking water.
( canteen clinks ) ( distant gunfire ) ( distant yelling ) Man: There's a gook squad off the the right! Man #2: Yeah, they're coming from-- Hey.
Hey! Somebody found water.
I swear to Christ.
- Water.
- Somebody found water.
- Halle-fucking-lujah.
- There's plenty, boys.
- All right.
Yeah.
- ( water sloshing ) Man #3: Pass my helmet.
Oh, Jesus! Man! It's poisoned.
Jap fuckers poisoned it.
( sighs ) ( water sloshing ) Man #4: Listen up, weapons! CO's got our orders! Haldane: All right, here it is.
The entire division's moving across the airfield at 0900.
First and Second Platoon will lead, Followed by Weapons and Third platoon.
The only way to stop this Jap artillery is to get into those hills, And the only way into those hills is across this airfield.
When we move, do not stop until we get across.
- You got it? - All: Aye, skipper.
Any questions? We need water, Captain.
I'm working on it, Corporal.
Get your gear ready and stand by.
Haney: Get back to your positions.
Pack it up! Man: Let's go, second squad! Let's get back on line! Man #2: Let's go, rockets! Pack 'em up! Move it! We have to cross that? Quit whining.
It'll all be over by the time you cross.
Japs hate mortars and bazookas As much as riflemen, Leyden.
How many Japs do you think are up there? - Anybody got any asswipe? - No asswipe, no chow, No water.
So don't even think about it.
A nice cold sip of water? A little splash on your head? Put it right out of your mind.
I've got a little water.
( men chatting ) ( explosion ) ( man yells ) we gotta go! Stand by! Look alive! Thank you.
Man: Let's go! Get that gear squared away! You've been promoted.
You're gonna give him the mortar sight? It's the least I can do for the water.
Man: Second Squad, on me! Get off your ass.
Get under that gear.
We're moving shortly.
Man #2: Stay alert! Stand by! ( distant gunfire ) Hey, the 5th's dry too.
Maybe the Japs have some over there.
How could they send us up here without any fucking water? Lucky? ( multiple explosions ) Get your gear together! Stand by to move out! ( plane engines roaring ) ( distant explosions ) Thank God for the Navy.
First and Second Platoon, move out! Man: Let'! Let's move! Let's move! ( men shouting ) Man: Let's move! Haldane: Come on, First Squad! Stay on me! - On me, second squad! - Man #2: Hurry it up, people! ( guns cocking ) ( men yell ) Left platoon, move out! Man #2: Go go go! Move it! Let's go! Always first.
- Man: Okay, let's cross the airfield! - Right behind you, Bill.
- Man #2: Do not stop! - Man #3: Move! Stay low! ( guns cocking ) Weapons, let's go! Man: First squad, push dead ahead! - See you on the other side! - Haldane: Let's go! Go! Hurry up! Let's go! - Man #3: Move it! - ( plane engines roaring ) ( guns cocking ) ( bombs exploding ) ( men shouting ) ( grunts ) ( men screaming ) ( machine guns firing ) - ( man screams ) - get him out of here! Reassemble at the fallen base! Come on, sledge! Move! Let's go.
Listen up! We're crossing the airfield! Stand by to move out! Man: Get ready to cross! Pass the word! We're up! How company! On the left, on the right, move out! ( plane engines roaring ) - See you on the other side! - Let's go, marines! - Let's go! - Man: Go go go! ( bombs exploding ) - ( men screaming ) - ( machine guns firing ) Man: Move it! My knee! Man #2: Corpsman, help me! Haldane: Stand by to move! Seibel, move out! Let's go! Sonny! J! - Sniper attack! - ( rifles firing ) Let's go! Move out! Go go! Haldane: Move out! Let's go! Let's go! ( gunfire continues ) ( screams ) Don't stop moving! Let's go! You're all right! Get up! ( men shouting ) You've got to get up! Come on! You're all right! - Man: Move it! Move it! - Come on! Hurts like hell! ( slurring ) are you receiving? Halfway across the runway, sir.
We're taking heavy fire.
- Runner.
- We need an air strike.
We need-- we need an air strike ( gurgles ) To subdue jap artillery From the hill.
( gagging ) Are you receiving? - Gotta get some fire on that bastard.
- We're gonna get you some help.
Are you receiving? Are you receiving? - I don't think we can send.
- Need a goddamn radio that works.
Fix it.
Do you hear me? Get it done.
- Yes, sir.
- ( machine gun fires ) Leckie.
White Castle, this is How-4.
Do you read? - Gotta go back.
- What about Conley? Get us a radio and a corpsman up here.
- I'll stay with conley.
- ( gunfire continues ) - Okay.
- Man: White Castle, this is How-4.
Do you read? Hey, I'm coming back.
I'm coming back.
Do you hear me? I'm coming back.
I'm coming back.
Come on, stay with me.
( man screaming ) Corpsman! Hey, Corpsman! - Working time is at X-Ray-5.
- Corpsman! White Castle, White Castle, do you read? I need a Corpsman and a radio! A radio? You're better off With two tin cans and a fucking string.
Man: Plus 100.
Over.
- Get me in contact! - Man: White Castle-- ( machine gun firing ) This is Ack Ack.
Are you receiving? Drover-King-6 ( yells ) We need an air strike on it.
Over.
( clanks ) We've gotta get the hell out of here! Let's go! Let's go! Man: Let's go! Let's go! - Come on! Let's go! - ( gunfire continues ) Man #2: Get him on his feet! Keep moving! - You're okay! - Come on! - Come on! - Let's go! Oswalt! ( plane engines roaring ) ( machine guns firing ) Man: Let's go! Let's go! ( men shouting ) Corpsman! Hey, Corpsman! ( jeep approaches ) Corpsman! ( plane engine roars ) Mortars, bomb center sector and adjust! Direct fire-- HE on the building on your right front! - ( men shouting ) - ( machine gun firing ) Leyden, get that gun on the right! - Hanging! - Fire! - Hanging! - Fire two! ( yelling in Japanese ) Get that one on the left, ay! Direct fire, 100.
Base charge.
- Hanging.
- Fire! - 100'! Hit 'em again! - Four! - Hanging.
- Fire! Let's go, k company! Move out! ( men shouting ) Ah! Spread out! Keep moving! - ( groaning ) - man: Up.
Stop.
Easy.
- ( bomb explodes ) - squad leaders, Find your people, check 'em out.
You jasco people, get set up and wired in.
I need an ammo count.
What do you got? What do you need? We'll have OPs going up before dark.
- Here you go, guys.
- Haney: Standby to standby.
- That's all we've got.
Pass it around.
- ( tank clanking ) - Is this Item Company? - No, K-3-5.
I've got to get back to Baker-1-7.
Do you have any idea where they are? No, I don't.
I need you to take our wounded back to the beach.
No can do.
We're moving out.
( tank engine revs ) Hold here till we load our wounded, Then you can move your ass wherever you want.
Yes, sir.
( engine stops ) Get the wounded aboard! Let's get 'em onboard! ( people chatting ) We're fine below! Lower away! - Out of the way, sir.
- Where do you want this one? Man: Right over here.
- Man #2: Clean this dressing.
- Woman: Doctor, his BP is falling.
Doctor: Clamp the bleeder Right there.
Woman: I've got a diminished blood pressure.
Sponge.
He's gone.
Get him below and prep that abdominal.
( coughing ) ( crying ) ( man speaking ) Daniels: 56, 57, 58, - 59 - Man #2: Set him down here.
Get a tourniquet on that.
60, 61 Dextrose.
Take one now, save one for the morning.
62, 63, 64, 65, - 66-- - Whatcha doing, Daniels? - Water.
- Counting Japs.
One, two, three - What's the report, Hillbilly? - 81 from battalion.
60s are all here and registered.
Gunny, I need another man at second platoon l.
P.
Roger that.
Hey, Daniels.
Second platoon LP.
Let's go.
Daniels: I can count Japs from here.
Hey, Daniels, did you hear me? - I said-- - Gunny.
Gunny.
Find someone else for him.
I need Daniels here.
Aye, Skipper.
Haldane: Doc, Daniels is gonna come help you count bandages, - Maybe get a little shut-eye.
- Yes, sir.
Come on, Private.
Let someone else take over.
There's so many to count.
I know, Private.
I know.
All right, Daniels.
Just as easily been me counting Japs I can't see.
But it's not you.
Sir, coming across the airfield today I've never been more scared in my entire life.
We're all afraid.
All of us.
A man who isn't scared out here is either a liar or dead.
History is full of wars Fought for 100 reasons.
But this war, our war, I want to believe-- I have to believe That every step across that airfield Every man that's wounded, every man I lose-- That it's all worthwhile because our cause is just.
Of course, if a just cause came with some hot food and cold water, That'd be okay too.
Rest up, boys.
- Thought you might need that.
- Thank you, sir.
Ack Ack got me my battlefield commission on the canal.
Seems like 1,000 years ago now.
You handled yourself well today, Sledge.
You'll be all right.
Just remember your training.
Yes, sir.
Order for the 3rd battalion To make a company-sized frontal assault.
G2 thinks the bulk of the Japanese defenses Are dug into the ridges that run up the spine of the valley.
Until we take the high ground, they'll keep plastering us.
Haldane: We're moving into the hills! Haney: Let's move, people! - Pork chops.
- Pork chops? That's my meat.
Courtesy of LST-661.
- About time.
- Thank you.
- Let's go.
Let's go.
- ( men chatting ) ( barks ) ( distant explosions ) Saw you reading last night.
My bible.
Writing too.
Ain't supposed to write shit down, you know.
It gives the Japs valuable intel if they find it.
I guess I won't show it to them then.
Got a smoke? ( lighter clinks ) Thanks, Sledgehammer.
Sledgehammer.
I like that.
- Jesus Christ.
- Snafu: Don't worry.
We've got a nickname for you too, Bill Leyden.
We call you ball-peen hammer-- A little hammer for a little man.
All right, snafu.
Shit 'n' ass Fuck up.
- ( chuckles ) - little joke from the little man.
( distant explosions ) - Gunny, get someone from mortars.
- Aye, skipper.
Burgie, get me an FO - Sledge.
- Haldane: You too, Leyden.
Let's go.
- First squad, follow me! - Hold 'em here, Sergeant.
- Set up a security perimeter.
- Aye, sir.
Set up a security perimeter.
Machine guns move out to the left and right flank.
Riflemen, faced outwards.
Man: Second squad, 36, let's go.
Man #2: 91 over on the right! ( distant gunfire ) Looks like two heavy bamboo machine guns, Probably more.
I need to get a better look.
- Sledge, Leyden.
- No no, I'm gonna scout it.
- You sure? - Yeah.
Get your top ready.
( machine guns firing ) Skipper, pull back! Stay on those guns! It's a fortress up there.
We've gotta move! Pull back! ( mortars exploding ) - Pull back! - Let's go! Let's go! Pull back! - Man: Skipper coming in! - Man #2: Hold your fire! - Radio, get me battalion.
- Yes, sir.
White Castle, this is Harper Field.
Do you read? Do you read? Haldane: Master White, Ack Ack.
We've done the recon.
Objective is heavily fortified.
Limited approaches and plunging fire all the way.
We can't take this objective without unacceptable casualties.
Do you copy? Fuck.
I've got to go back to battalion, Get these orders changed.
Good luck.
If I don't come back, the company's yours.
( flare hissing ) Do you think he'll come back? You disobey orders, you get court-martialed.
You guys, check your weapons.
Keep a round chambered.
- Done.
- Can you believe this bullshit about the dog? Some dog's supposed to smell a Jap before me? I don't think so.
I appreciate the thought, but ain't no dog gonna make me sleep safe at night.
I've got a dog.
His name's Deacon.
You keep fucking that stovepipe.
If the nips come through here at high port with fixed bayonets, You nail 'em with flare and HE As fast as you can.
- You think you can do that? - We've got it, Gunny.
I was asking Sledgehammer.
Yes, Gunny Haney.
Woof.
( laughing ) What the fuck was that? - ( men laughing ) - hey, stovetop boys-- woof! ( wind blowing ) ( man whimpering ) What's that? Sledge: Sounds like some guy having a nightmare.
Snafu: He'd better shut up before every nip on this island knows we're here.
Hillbilly: Quiet that man down.
God damn it, shut up.
- ( yelling ) no! No! - Hillbilly: Quiet down! Hold him down! Stick him with morphine.
Shut that fucker up.
- Stick him with morphine.
- ( yelling continues ) - ( gun fires ) - Jesus Christ, who the hell is that? ( flare hissing ) Hillbilly: Hold him down.
Calm down.
Help me, please! Help me! That guy is gonna get us all killed if he don't shut up.
Hold him down.
Hold h.
Hit him with something.
- Help me! - ( thuds ) ( men panting ) All right.
Get back to-- Get back to your holes.
I guess better him than a of us.
Sledgehammer's right.
It had to be done.
- What you got back there? - What do you want? I'll take a cup of Joe.
Runner: Hey, Peaches, are you gonna waste those? - You made it.
- I could say the same about you.
I tried to get you a corpsman.
- I tried to get back to you.
- I know.
Lucky, I know.
( grunts ) You, uh-- You heard any word about Hoosier? Chuckler's still on that goddamn piece-of-shit island.
Left a piece of whatever hit me in my arm.
I guess I'll never have to buy another drink - In Buffalo ever again.
- ( chuckles ) I'm gonna grab some coffee.
Do you want some? Can you take me topside? I need some air.
- ( rain pattering ) - haldane: We've got our orders changed.
Regiment wants us hunting Japs up the East road.
Don't blame yourself.
You did the right thing.
- Good to have you back, sir.
- Thanks.
K Company, move out! ( plane engines roaring ) Whoever is up there is getting pounded.
- You should start to feel better.
- ( engine thrumming ) Feel that.
They're starting the engines.
Yeah.
Hey.
Let's go home, Cobber.
( distant explosions )