Battleground
1949
Hansan: This is an M-1, semi-automatic, high velocity... Soldier: Look, you're not selling it to me, you're showing me how to fire it.
Major: Thank you Sergeant. Holley: That's P.F.C. to you major as in praying for civilian
(while being bombarded by German artillery during a driving blizzard) Holley: We've had good deals before, but this is the best one yet. This is great. I don't ever wanna go back. I found a home in the army.
Holley: Yeah, they really shoulda sent out a bigger patrol. PFC. Johnny Rodriguez: Do you want to goof off? Holley: Who said anything about goofing off? PFC. Johnny Rodriguez: Nobody. I'm just saying, the best way is to tell them you heard voices talking in German. PFC. Donald Jarvess: Let's say we heard voices talking in Japanese and let G-2 figure that out.
(As Bettis is digging a foxhole) Holley: Let's not try to reach China this time, hey Bettis? Bettis: Well there's no sense digging if you don't go deep. Holley: The last one we dug one together, you went so deep that when I climbed out in the morning I got the bends.
(Holley returns to the squad from the hospital) Pvt. "Kip" Kippton: Rough in the ETO. A little scratch on the leg and a month later he comes back in time for a three-day pass to Paris.
Holley: That the new platoon leader? Pvt. Johnny Rodriguez: Yeah, fresh off the boat. Pvt. Ernest J. "Pop" Stazak: I understand your problems, men. I was once an enlisted man, myself. Holley: For six months, maybe. Then seventeen weeks at OCS and he's an officer and gentleman by special act of Congress.
Pvt. Garby: What time is it, Hanson? Pvt. Hanson: 11: 30. Pvt. Garby: What? It can't be that late. We left at two o'clock. Pvt. Hanson: 11: 30 AM, Garby. Central Standard Time. Pretty near lunchtime in Springfield. Pvt. Garby: You mean you never changed your watch? Pvt. Hanson: What's the use of changing your watch? Pvt. Garby: What's the use? You're here, you're not in Springfield, Illinois. Pvt. Hanson: I hear you...
Holley: What's going on? Sgt. Kinnie: Me and General McAulliffe decided to move I Company up on the line. That is if you agree.
Sgt. Walowicz: I want three volunteers to go out on a patrol, you, you, and you. You're in charge, Holley. Holley: Why am I always volunteering for patrols? I'm just a cowboy.
(Staniferd is too sick to stay in combat) Pvt. Staniferd: Hey Kinnie, how about showing me the way to the aid station? I'm freezing. Sgt. Walowicz: Feeling any better? Pvt. Staniferd: Worse, much worse. I've never felt so sick in my life. Maybe, maybe I've even got pneumonia. (He walks away laughing) Sgt. Walowicz: He's really bad. Pvt. Bettis: Yeah, he's a cinch to go back to the field hospital, maybe even to Paris. Holley: I don't know. With that penicillin, he's liable to be back in a day. Pvt. Bettis: Yeah, a good, clean flesh wound is better. Then they gotta send you back.
Pvt. Donald Jarvess: Only one thing gets me. When you work on a newspaper, I'd get those wire releases and know I was the first person in town who had the news, all the news. I guarantee you my wife knows what's going on in Bastogne. All I know is what's going on in the 2nd squad of the 3rd platoon of I company.
(Rodriguez is wounded and left under an American artillery barrage) Pvt. Donald Jarvess: That's great. Artillery, can't miss. They've got Rodriguez to use as an aiming stake. Sgt. Kinnie: Tell Walowicz to send out for Rodriguez as soon as the barrage lifts. Holley: With what, a sponge?
Pvt. Jim Layton: The dreams are getting better all the time. I was back home in Baltimore loading up on hard-shelled crabs and beer. Holley: That dream's against regulations, soldier. You know what our boys overseas always dream about. Pvt. Jim Layton: Mom's blueberry pie? Holley: Why, certainly. That's what we're fighting for. Boy, when I get home, just give me a hot dog and a slice of that pie. Am I gonna kick when I don't get my job back? No siree.
Pvt. Jim Layton: I thought Holley was running away. That's why I ran after him. Pvt. Donald Jarvess: How do you know what Holley was thinking? How do you know if he was thinking at all? Things just happen, then afterwards you try to figure out why you acted the way you did. Pvt. Jim Layton: I know why I ran. I was scared to death. Pvt. Donald Jarvess: You just joined the biggest club in the army. Everybody belongs.
(A nurse gives Hanson two shots of cognac for anesthetic) Pvt. Ernest J. "Pop" Stazak: If she pours him one more, I'm going out and getting myself shot.
Lt Teiss: You sure they were enemy tanks? Pvt. Donald Jarvess: We saw them, Lieutenant. Lt Teiss: You think we got enough anti-tank grenades to do any good? Sgt. Kinnie: We ain't got any. Mind if I make a suggestion, Lieutenant? Lt Teiss: What? Sgt. Kinnie: Well, sir, our usual defense against tanks is to call for artillery, and then to run like a jackrabbit. Lt Teiss: We got orders to hold these positions. Sgt. Kinnie: Well, sir, let's call for artillery and keep our heads down, then. Lt Teiss: We could send out some bazooka men... if we had any bazookas.
German Lieutenant: The major thinks General McAuliffle must have misunderstood. We have appealed to the well-known American humanity to save the people of Bastogne from further suffering. We have given you two hours to consider before raining destruction upon you. We do not understand General McAuliffe's answer. American Colonel: I'd be glad to repeat it. The answer is "nuts". German Lieutenant: (discusses with German major) Is that a negative or an affirmative reply? American Colonel: Nuts is strictly negative. German Lieutenant: (discusses in German with German major) We will kill many Americans. American Colonel: (studies them contemptuously before replying) On your way, bud.
The Chaplain: (at an interfaith service for the soldiers) My answer to the sixty-four dollar question is yes, this trip was necessary. As the years go by, a lot of people are going to forget. But you won't. And don't ever let anybody tell you you were a sucker to fight in the war against fascism. And now, Jerry permitting, let us pray. Almighty God... (artillery drowns him out) The organist is hitting those bass notes a little too loud for me to be heard. So let each of us pray in his own way, to his own God.
Mess Sergeant: (Bastogne is about to be overrun and everyone is being rallied to defend the town, he runs into motor pool) Fall out and draw rifles and ammo right now! motor pool PFC: (shuts down motor he's working on) Chow? Mess Sergeant: You ain't even warm! Follow me all of you, on the double!