Black Sheep Squadron (1976) s01e15 Episode Script

It's a pleasure to meet you.
- My pleasure, Lieutenant.
See you later, Greg.
We got a flamer comin' in, let's move! appy, on's been hit.
He's never gonna make the field.
- Oh, my God! How're the hands? You're not gonna be much use around here for a while, eh? Doesn't look like it.
Jim, you're in command.
Major - Greg.
Are you married? - No.
What's wrong with you guys? You guys all strike out last night? Maybe he was right, maybe you were right.
If I was you I'd forget about Greg all together.
Baa Baa Black Sheep S01E15 - The Deadliest Enemy of All (1) S01E15 - The Deadliest Enemy of All (1) The Allied offensive pushes eastward the obective, the heavily fortified Japanese stronghold of Rabaul.
Dubbed Gibraltar of the South Pacific, Rabaul has resisted Allied bombing raids to remain the vital staging area for the Japanese push against the Solomons.
Now a new military tactic promises sure defeat against the enemy, the fighter sweep! Brainchild of General Ralph J.
Mitchell, waves of fighter planes engage the enemy head-on, penetrating their air-cover to strike the harbor and landing strips on New Britain, cutting Japanese supply lines in preparation for the Allied invasion of Bougainville.
Losses to the enemy run high.
General Mitchell predicts victory at New Britain by Christmas.
They could make all the predictions they wanted to but Christmas had come and gone, and Rabaul was still there.
Now it was our turn.
And you' ll be flying over the heaviest flak fields this side of Berlin.
You'll fly over twice.
Coming in and going out.
And I will guarantee you one thing, gentlemen.
You'll be picking flak outta your butt after every mission.
Am I keeping you from something? - No.
There's flak, there's gonna be a lot of flak.
The courier plane's due in any minute, Pappy.
- It is loaded with nurses.
I didn't think you guys got cleaned up on my behalf.
But I think there's something you have to hear, I mean, that is if you have the time.
and Rabaul's still there.
If we don't do any better.
You guys can start saying goodbye to each other.
We take off in 20 minutes.
Jim.
Yeah.
Some flak vests are suppose to be on the courier plane.
Check it out for me, will ya? I intend to seriously check out that courier plane.
For flak vests, Jim.
Among other things.
Hello.
Bye.
Two shots for one.
- Two? That's the price, take it or leave it.
- Wiley, you're a thief.
Hurry up! - Let's go, come on.
Pour it in, Wiley.
There you go.
Okay.
- Hurry! Shot! There you go.
- Okay.
Next.
Jim, that's two fingers, right? - Two fingers of what? Of course it is.
- Come on.
Two fingers of whiskey for one shot of mouthwash? Next.
Good.
Wait a minute that's not sanitarized.
You think it's the hospital, Boyle? Take it or leave it.
Come on, Boyle, just drink it up.
Shut up.
You ought to try some of that.
Whiskey for you.
Yeah you pay just like everybody else.
What you gonna do if I don't pay, T.
J.
? What are you a communist or something? Hey, what are you doing? Hey, boss, lemme borrow some of your aftershave.
Thanks a lot! Come on, let's get out of here.
Let's go! Sorry last call.
You bums better hurry up.
Let's go, let's go! There go the wolves.
Six weeks we've been here, they've never looked that good.
Except on the day we arrived.
Okay, girls, get your bags and line up.
Forward march! Glad you could make it.
- I'm gonna miss you.
I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding somebody to take my place.
Ain't nobody could take your place.
I'll bet.
Don't talk like that, darling, we're gonna be seeing each other again real soon.
I'm sure we will.
Besides, New Caledonia's not that far away.
I'll write ya, every week or so.
You watch.
I can smell those beauties are comin'.
- Oh, yeah.
Are you kiddin'? It's his aftershave.
Oh, you're right.
Hey! Hutch, look at those nurses.
They're beautiful.
Yeah, lovely.
All officers.
Holy, mackerel.
Look at that one Hutch, Look.
I see, I see.
Smith.
Think I'm in love.
So what's new? I'll see you later, Hutch.
- Yeah.
Grace, Baltase.
Here you go, lieutenant.
Girls, could you please follow me? The jeep is over here.
You're gonna like it here on Vella La Cave.
Great weather, lot of things to do.
Lemme take that for ya, Bob.
Hey, French! Name's Don French, ma'am.
You guys are welcome here to Vella la Cava.
Excuse me, Don.
My name is Larry Casey.
Larry, Boyington is lookin' for ya.
Where? Right over there, hurry up.
What did you say your name was? We're havin' a party tonight in your honor.
It's kind of a tradition around here.
I'm sure the girls will enjoy it.
Maybe we could come pick you up at the hospital.
Say 7:00.
Sorry.
Someone has to stay on duty.
Tonight's your first night on the island.
Sorry.
Lieutenant, you don't want to give us the wrong impression.
I'm tryin' as nicely as I can to give you the right impression.
Wouldn't you know it an iceberg.
Best lookin' nurse in the bunch, too.
Maybe she's just got good taste.
If you guys hadn't horned in on her, I'd have had it all sewed up by now.
Come on, Wiley.
Watch this.
Excuse me, Lieutenant.
You're absolutely, 100% right.
Big parties aren't the best way to get to know people.
Maybe you and I ought to get together tonight I could show you around the island, get a feel for the place You don't give up, do you? You're a little reluctant.
I can understand that.
You've probably heard all about fighter pilots.
Well, most of these guys aren't exactly gentlemen.
Lieutenant, no.
No.
No.
Big parties aren't the best way to get to know people.
I'm looking for Major Boyington? He's right over there.
Right.
Major, I'm Lieutenant Commander Gladys Hope.
I'll be in charge of the hospital while we're here.
My pleasure, Commander.
- Gladys.
Gladys.
I'm Greg.
I must say, I'm impressed with your men.
Do they always fly missions dressed like that? My boys are the best-dressed squadron in the Marine Corps.
Are you married? No.
Commander, all troops present and accounted for.
Thank you, Caroline.
Caroline, this is Major Boyington.
Greg, Lieutenant Holden, my executive.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
- Pleasure, Lieutenant.
They're ready to go.
- Fine.
See you later, Greg.
Flak vests are here, Greg.
- What? I want to get organized as soon as possible.
Have everyone ready for inspection by 1800.
Flak vests are here.
Greg.
- I heard what you said.
You want me to pass 'em out? - Tomorrow.
Got to get ready to take off.
Pappy, wait till you see this brunette Forget it! Will you forget it! The man wants to take off right now.
Give us a minute to change? The plane was late.
The plane was late? That's too bad 'cause we take off now.
Dressed like this? Are you afraid the enemy'll smell ya comin'? Let's form up at five angels.
Be right with you, Pappy.
Hey, not too bad.
Watch your pal Patterson.
The next man who tries that's confined to quarters for a week, starting tonight.
Not tonight, we'd miss the party.
That's right, Bob.
Now, get back in formation.
We got work to do.
Okay, you meatheads, we do not go in in formation.
We stagger our altitudes.
Let's not make it easy for 'em.
I'll lead the first pass at 200 feet.
Jim, you lead the second at 150.
By the time they adjust, Don, you'll come in at 250 feet above the flak.
Any of you guys still thinkin' 'bout girls, forget it.
Make one mistake up there and you'll be lookin' at nurses from a hospital bed.
If you're lucky.
Let's go.
Okay, let's do it.
All right, gentlemen, it's our turn now.
Anybody take any hits? All clean, Greg.
Nothin' to it.
Let's do it again.
I got one! Pappy, Don's been hit.
- How bad? Can't tell, it looks like he flew right into one.
Don, you read me? His radio must be out.
Jim, take command.
I'm gonna get Don home.
Hit the Air field one more time.
- Roger, Pappy.
Don was low when he took the hit.
Too low to bail out.
The way his engine was smoking I was afraid to try for any more altitude.
That left two options, bellying into the water and praying, or trying to make it to Vella la Cava.
It looked like Don was hurt pretty bad.
I didn 't think he could survive in the ocean.
I decided to take a chance and bring him home.
We got a flamer comin' in, let's move! Come on, damn it! Let's get over there, it's gonna blow.
Bring the fire extinguisher.
Is the pilot all right? Get the pilot out! Can't get up there, it's too hot.
This thing could blow up any minute, Major.
Get an ambulance over here! Is the pilot still inside? - He's over there.
Get over here.
Come on.
Help.
Over here.
Over here.
Bring the stretcher over here.
Are you all right? I burned my hands.
Get French into that ambulance make sure he's all right.
How is he? Get him to the hospital right away.
I'm gonna take care of the major.
How is he? - Alive.
Let me see your hands.
This may hurt.
- His bird's a goner, Pappy.
It does hurt.
- Thank God, you got him out when you did.
Hey, look, about that mechanic I don't want to hear it, Hutch.
Get him outta here.
I never want to see him again.
Understand? All right, Greg.
Hurts! - I'm sorry.
How'd it go? It went fine.
- How's Don? Don's okay.
The doctors want to keep him µin the hospital but he's okay.
How're the hands? They hurt, Pappy? - Of course they hurt.
You're not gonna be much use around here for a while, eh? Doesn't look like it.
Jim, you're in command.
Casey, you'd have to do my accounts work for me, huh? Sure.
You guys gonna stand around and stare at me, or what? Pappy, I'd like to say we're proud of you - Knock it off.
I just bought myself a vacation.
Why don't you guys get cleaned up for the party tonight and I want you to take your best shot with those nurses, 'cause starting tomorrow, you'll be doing work.
Don and I'll have all the nurses to ourselves.
That's what you think.
That'll just make it all the easier for us.
Don't bet on it.
After tonight it won't make any difference anyway.
He's all right.
- Yeah.
Let's go see, Don.
- Yeah.
Hey, Greg.
- Yeah.
How long are your hands gonna be wrapped up like that? I don't know.
A few days, a week.
No big deal, Jim.
It was pretty rough out there today, Greg.
I don't suppose it's gonna get any better.
You just be careful and take it easy.
Don't get overconfident, Jim.
That ain't gonna be my problem.
I'm not sure that I'm ready to take command of this squad right now, Greg.
Jim, you've done it before.
Not this kind of action.
You're ready for it.
You just don't know it yet.
Didn't I meet you in Santiago one time? Hey, T.
J.
, who's your friend? The waiter is here.
- Get me some more popcorn there, will you? Excuse me, care to dance? - Oh, I'd love to.
Thank you.
Fine lookin' face.
- Thank you.
Hi, baby, where you from? - Schenectady.
I'm from right around there.
- Really? Where? Baltimore.
That's not really very near Schenectady.
Well, when you're half way around the world in a war what difference does a few hundred miles make? We could all be dead tomorrow.
Ya wanna dance? Is it really dangerous here? I mean, this is my first front post.
No, it ain't dangerous for you.
I meant I could be dead tomorrow.
Do you know what the life expectancy of a fighter pilot is? Less than a year.
- One year? That's all.
One year.
We'd better hurry.
What's the most frightening thing that can happen to you in the air? Most frightening thing is flak, am I right? Yeah right.
We can handle the Zeros, but the flak, that you got no control over.
Ya gotta fly through it and take your chances.
It's the deadliest enemy of the fighter pilot.
Nothin' you can do about it.
It must be awful.
I even got scars from it.
Really? Where? He's sitting on them.
World's greatest fighter pilot.
Hi, skipper.
- How you doing? Good.
- Thanks, Patterson.
Where's your girl? Where's yours? Funny how they're gettin' younger every year.
Not like in China.
They get prettier too.
You know something, Patterson? Talkin' 'bout China.
It's nice to have an experienced fighter pilot to fly with.
You're doing a good job.
- Thanks.
Watch out for the flak.
Hey, Jim, you want to dance? I lead.
Greg.
- Yeah.
I've been looking for you.
You found me.
- Right.
Nice party, isn't it? - Just fine.
Where's your executive officer? Caroline? - Yeah, Caroline.
She stayed on duty tonight.
Well, I admire a person like that.
Take my executive officer for instance, Jim Gutterman.
The last thing he thinks about is himself.
His unit always comes first.
- That's very admirable.
You should get to know him.
He's a real hero.
Is there anything wrong with getting to know you? - I hope not.
We'll have to make time for that.
But right now I'm on my way over to the hospital to visit one of my pilots.
I'll come with you.
No, no.
Stay here, have a good time.
You're in good hands with the Black Sheep.
Hey, ace.
How you doin'? Hi, Pappy.
No party? There's a party, I just wasn't in the mood.
Hey, you know what, the guys were by.
You know something, they had to kick 'em out.
Made too much noise.
They brought me this.
God bless 'em.
I got an opener here but I can't use it.
I can't open it.
I got to do something.
Let's improvise.
- Okay.
What you gonna do? All right.
Come on.
All right.
That's enough.
No, that won't work.
- We got to.
Get your hands off it.
This is unsanitary but Major, you're not supposed to be in here.
And that's out of the question.
Lieutenant French is under sedation.
No alcohol.
You're a hard man, Lieutenant.
It's okay, Pappy, it wouldn't do me any good anyway.
You should be asleep.
And you're leaving.
- Yes, sir.
I'll see you in the morning, ace.
You get some sleep, lieutenant.
You can have this back.
Lieutenant, I'm concerned about my hands.
I think these bandages are too tight.
They're supposed to be tight.
My fingers are numb.
- That's good.
Part of the time they're numb.
The rest of the time they hurt.
Why don't we look at them in the morning? You're not on duty in the morning.
I checked the roster.
Okay, Sherlock.
Sit over here.
Thank you.
You really should help me with this wine for my own good.
I might drink it all myself.
That's not my responsibility.
My welfare's in your hands.
Are you going to shirk your obligation? Your medical obligations? - Yes.
It's 1935 from Australia.
They make good wine down under.
One of the unexpected benefits of this war.
We sure aren't getting any from France.
Something wrong? I was just thinking about Europe and the war.
Be happy you're here.
Weather's lousy in Europe right now.
What's the problem, Captain, lose your girl? Guess I'm just not in a partyin' mood tonight.
That's too bad.
It's a nice party.
Yes, ma'am.
- Gladys.
You must be worried about something.
Bad news from home? Nothin' like that.
If you're depressed, a lot of people having fun can make it worse.
Is that a fact? Have I ever lied to you? - I don't believe you ever have.
How 'bout a walk on the beach? That's sounds like a very nice idea.
Which way's the beach? Follow me.
I'll show you where the beach is.
Maybe we should go somewhere else.
No problem.
Beach is that way.
Wonder where Jim's goin' with the Commander? Just carry your beer, will you? We don't understand these people.
They're not like us.
It's no wonder we can't predict 'em.
I ran into that lot in China.
Hold still.
What do you know about China anyway? - I know everything about China.
You were there? Before the war? This war began in '31 when Chiang-Kai-shek started fighting the Japanese.
I was with the Flying Tigers in 1940.
Hold still or you can do this yourself.
You don't like my stories.
I like your stories.
Continue, you were flying tigers in 1940.
No, I wasn't flying tigers, I was with the Flying Tigers.
They were called the American volunteer group.
We were sort of the Chinese air force.
We were on their side but if one of our pilots get shot down and ended up in a rice paddy or something, even if the pilot was hurt or his plane was on fire, you think they'd help? Of course.
Uh-uh.
Were they ungrateful, or what? Are you asking me? - Yeah.
Till two months ago I'd never been further west than Salt Lake City.
Not a lot of Chinese in Salt Lake City.
You don't understand the Oriental philosophy.
They believe that if you save a man's life, you're responsible for him the rest of their life.
Very serious thing with them.
You mean they'd let a pilot die when they could've saved him? But you have to understand them, for the most part they're very poor, they have a lot of children, they're peasants.
And they didn't need another life to be responsible for.
But you were on their side.
- That's right.
That's funny Only it's not.
Now the Burmese, completely different.
The time I was in Rangoon What? Your hands are finished.
I've lost my audience.
What about the wine? I have a lot of work to do.
Forgot for a minute, didn't you? Tell you what I'm gonna do, I'm gonna leave the wine here.
I'll come by tomorrow and take you for a picnic.
I don't think so.
Why? You skipped the party, you're entitled to a picnic.
Major - Greg.
Thanks, Caroline.
Something wrong? Nothing's wrong.
I suppose you always kiss people who don't want to kiss you back.
Only women.
I don't think it's funny, Major.
These things sure are heavy, aren't they? Do you know what these things weigh? - Twenty ponds.
Here, strap that on.
Morning.
- Hey, Boyle.
Where's Gutterman? I bet he was out all last night.
He passed out on the beach.
I didn't see him this morning when I woke up.
Maybe he surrendered to the enemy to get away from the Commander.
Did you see the way she latched on to him? Well, look at this.
- You wish, yeah.
What're you so happy about? Good morning, gentlemen, how are you all today? Doin' fine yourself.
Jim, you know about these flak vests? Yeah, what do we do with 'em? You sit on 'em.
You try and wear one of those things, it's like flying with a straight-jacket.
They're for bomber pilots.
But since they sent 'em to us, if you want to use 'em, sit on 'em.
That way, if you take a hit, you won't get brain damage.
That didn't make a whole lot of sense.
What's wrong with you guys? You guys all strike out last night? Not all, Captain Gutterman I believe it's about time we got goin' here.
Got anything to say, Greg? - Yes, you're in command.
All right.
See you, Greg.
- Later on.
How's the hands, Pappy? Okay.
Well, looks like I'm finally gonna get a chance to work on your engine.
Hutch.
- Yeah.
What about the rest of 'em, they all in good shape? Oh, sure, about as good as can be expected.
Casey's been having some trouble with his.
Why don't you pull it and let him fly mine.
Pappy, nobody's ever flown your bird but you.
Maybe it's time, Hutch.
Meatball, how you doing? Short day isn't it, come on, come on.
Will you get out of there? Who's next? Major.
I changed those bandages last night.
Morning, Lieutenant.
- Good morning.
How do they feel? - Fine.
Well, I guess, we won't have to bandage them again then.
Okay.
Why'd you come in this morning? My pilot, Lieutenant French.
Incidentally, I met your Captain Gutterman last night.
And? - Next.
I'm sorry about last night.
I was out of line.
I'm sure it won't happen again.
I wouldn't bet on it.
It's wonderful here.
- Thank you.
I'm so glad we came.
- I'm glad you came.
It's hard to believe that there's a war going on out there.
The war's going on over there.
What have you got in here? I think there's a little bit of everything in there.
Where'd all this come from? - Well, I managed.
Are these English cookies? They are my absolute, most favorite.
I've got no will power at all when it comes to them.
Meatball, get out of there.
Meatball, get out of there.
Meatball, will you get out of there? How do you manage to have a dog? Isn't that against regulations? Meatball just won't pay any attention to regulations.
I have the feeling you don't either, unless it suits you.
Who've you been talking to? - Why, no one.
Would you rather eat or walk? I'd rather walk.
- Let's do it.
Where are you from? - Seattle.
Miss it? Sometimes.
I'll bet you always wanted to do what you're doing.
Fly? No, no.
I wanted to be a pirate.
A pirate? And I wanted to have a three-masted schooner, right out there, filled with gold.
Flying the Jolly Roger, huh? Maybe have a rich noblewoman.
Someone who looked like you.
Someone I had stolen from a Spanish galleon and then put in chains.
Go on.
Well, then it gets a little too personal.
I can imagine.
You know, I can see you in that daydream.
It fits you.
It fits you too.
Except the part about the chains.
I'd jump over the side first.
No, you tried.
That's why I put you in the chains.
Suddenly I'm very hungry.
Caroline.
They're coming back.
One's in trouble.
Why is he comin' in so low? He's never gonna make the field.
God.
Oh, my God! Get in! Get in! Who got hit? Patterson! He took a direct hit.
I had him on the radio all the way back, Pappy.
Said he couldn't see.
He was hurt pretty bad.
Why didn't he bail out? He never had the altitude.
What happened, Jim? I thought he could make it, Greg.
His engine was on fire, why didn't he ditch? He was too low.
He didn't have the power.
He had the power and the altitude when he took the hit! You should've stayed with him till Air Sea Rescue showed up.
He was groggy, Greg.
All he could do to pop the canopy and breath.
I don't care how groggy he was.
That man didn't have a chance.
He went down in flames.
If he'd gotten out when he had the altitude, damn it, he would've had a chance! I thought I could bring him in, Greg.
I thought the man could make it.
Do you fly a burning aircraft 50 miles and try and land it? What are you saying, Greg? You want me to say it was my fault? All right, it was my fault! I killed a man, Greg, all right? But you weren't there, Greg? No, but I put you in command, didn't I? Well, didn't I? If you're not ready now, Gutterman Come on, Greg.
Come on and say it, Greg.
Maybe I'll never be ready, right? You're the only one who'll ever know that, Jim.
Wait up, Jim.
Hey, Jim, wait up! He had the power, he had the altitude, didn't he? You bail out! I thought I'd find you here.
Do you want to talk about it? Greg, I can't stop thinking about what happened this afternoon.
I know what you're doing, you're blaming yourself for having been with me.
It's got nothing to do with it.
Then what is it? If I had been with him, maybe it wouldn't have happened.
I lost a friend.
I know what it's like to lose someone.
It could happen again tomorrow and there's nothing I can do about it.
Greg.
I don't even know why we're going down here, T.
J.
'Cause Casey said that Greg's down here.
And I want to see you guys patch this thing up.
We're all counting on you.
You got to hold this outfit together till Greg gets back in the air with us.
We need you, Jim, and that's the thing you got to be thinkin' about.
If I was you I'd forget about Greg all together.