THE BATTLE ON THE RIVER NERETVA
In early 1943 Axis armies were struggling on all fronts.
German command was afraid that Allies forces willl land in the Balkans.
Invasion was expected to take place in Yugoslavia.
Initially in Bosnia, still independant and supported by partisan troops.
To prevent that Hitler ordered total occupation of whole Yugoslavia and elimination of Tito's partisans.
German and Italian forces were supported by Yugoslav formations fighting communist partisans.
Pro-nazi factions of Ustashas wearing black SS uniforms and Chetniks fighting for their exiled monarch.
The offensive campaign of all those forces was called:
THE BATTLE OF NERETVA
Chetniks:Yugoslav guerrilla forces shake hands with the Nazi army
Ustashas(Croatian): wears a black SS uniform (pro-Nazi puppet regime)
Long live the Republic of Yugoslavia! Long live!
Long live Yugoslavia!
Long live Comrade Tito!
Long live Yugoslavia!
May you win
That's right, closer, closer. Put you hands on the sister, that's right.
attention!
- Hey, photographer! - What is it?
- Shall I bow down so you don't cut off my head? - Stand straight!
Smile! Look at me!
Brothers! Nations of Yugoslavia.
Serbs, Macedonians, Croats,
Slovenians, Montenegrins and Muslims.
Let's unite to defend our republic.
Long live our allies, the Soviet Union, England and USA.
Long live AVNOJ! (The Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Yugoslavia)
Long live Tito!
Dear Sir! E Army is ready
General Alexander von Leer Commander of Army Group E
Gentlemen, General. Attention!
Mr. General, the division commanders are waiting...
to be given duties. - Good morning, gentlemen.
Gentlemen!
You all know the "Weiss" plan very well.
The Fuhrer's headquarters have given orders to start the military operations.
We only have 24 hours.
We will attack tomorrow morning
So gentlemen, here in the middle is the partisan area.
Let's start on the east.
You, colonel Reichtal, attack with the division in the middle.
The Anacker platoon and the 117th division will be with you.
Colonel Miilleneisen, your division will attack from the west.
The objective of the attack is here and here.
The Italian divisions and 18,000 Chetniks will come from the south.
You, colonel Krinzer, will strike with the division and the Ustashas from the north
directly into the middle of Tito's state.
I understand, Mr. general.
- Are your squads ready? - Not yet, Mr. general.
We will take the positions till 20.30.
That is all. Do you want to smoke a cigarette?
Tito will have to defend himself on four front lines,
if he will want to save several thousand wounded.
That's why he will try to retain his position.
Which is good for us.
Now we have the final opportunity to get rid of all the partisans.
- You mean an invasion? - That's right.
You all know about the British and American plans for the invasion on the Balkan.
When we get rid of the partisans all of the Balkan will be in German hands...
and the allies will have to think twice.
Thank you very much. Yes, my dear gentlemen!
This war is not about soldier against soldier.
This is...
How do you call it, Kanzer?
- War into the back. - That's right, war into the back.
War against children and civilians.
Fuehrer's order is there should be no indulgence and no captives!
- Mr. General, the Italians... - Yes, let the Italians come.
One more thing, gentlemen
Don't forget that each partisan's life that you spare...
can avenge against you next time with a hand grenade...
or a shot from a gun.
That is all. I wish you luck gentlemen!
Krinzer, it will be the toughest for you. Do what you can.
Oh, general! How are you, fine?
General Morelli of Italy
If you want I can repeat the operation plan for you.
Good day, friends!
Let's go down Got there!
Hurry up! Come on guys
Machine guns on the mules! Quick!
Faster, boys!
Are you okay, gentlemen?
Commander!
Excuse me, commander. Where are they taking us? This doesn't look good.
Good? The worst is yet to come.
We will be the first attacking the partisans on their own territory.
Sorry, but why?
That's how it will he. It won't be easy.
This war means more to them then life and we are strangers here.
There is the colonel! Captain Riva! Come here please.
Commander!
Hurry up, we're late. We must be in Prozor before night falls.
Yes sir
Horst, report our position!
Anton [Lion] one, Anton one, come in!
Lion two speaking. We have reached position 4.
May God he with you, Chetniks!
Acclaim! Acclaim!
Leader of the Chetniks
Brother Chetniks, listen to me! The time has come for us to draw the swords.
Yes, the moment of decision is before us.
My soul is groaning and shivering when I think about the victims...
but it is a honorable thing to fight to the last drop of blood for the king and the homeland.
With the help of the German forces we will deal a lethal blow to them.
To these jackals and fake patriots!
Tanks, divisions of a mighty army are with us.
With God's help, brother Chetniks...
let us get ready to ram a hawthorn pole into their savage hearts.
Tito's head will fall at my feet
- Kill communists!! - Attack!
Report here! Report here!
The congress of partisan doctors has ended!
Two more brigades founded in Slovenia!
Report here! Report here!
General fight against typhus!
Report here! Dr, Marija and the whole scene with the sick!
It's on fire, run!
Run! go out!
Evacuate to the other side Find someone to help quickly, the other side
They will kill us all!
- Comrades, open up! - Help me!
Run for your lives!
Follow me, typhus people! Flee from the city!
Follow my voice. Over here!
Here!
Lie down! Hide yourself!
Forward!
Horst, infantry into assault!
Horst
- They're not responding. - Call them again!
Berta, come in. Berta, come in.
Tell the 2nd regiment to reinforce the left wing.
Tanks move forward!
The 2nd regiment should reinforce the left wing.
Left wing, at the same time!
Martin, shorten the effective range! The tanks approaching.
Fire with the artillery without a break.
I understand! There is no retreat!
We musn't withdraw, not even for a single meter.
On enemy tanks and infantry...
Fire!
Put me through to the General in person.
Yes, Colonel Krinzer speaking.
Not yet, General. The resistance is very strong.
We can't break the resistance today but we will break through tomorrow.
Thank you! over!
Fire!
For the homeland, forward!
Fire!
Load!
Vuko, Vuko!
Call my brother, Novak.
Shoot!
Fire!
Understood!
The headquarters are giving an order to retreat towards Bihac.
Which means that the Germans have broken through the front line.
- or Somewhere in the other sector. - Yes.
Hello! Call Martin!
Martin!
The headquarters are ordering a retreat, do you understand?
- I'm not retreating - Do you understand, that we should retreat!
I don't want to! Go into counter-attack. Attack!
- What's the response? - Counterattack the enemy!
Martin! Hey, Martin listen!
I am going to the Slovenian because he doesn't want to fulfil the order.
- You should prepare the brigade retreat! - And you should stay with the artillery!
- Don't tell her! - Vuko. - Don't tell, Damir...
Vuko, my brother
I'm sorry Novak. I must get to Martin as soon as possible.
We can't fight head-on, because our forces would quickly evaporate.
The enemy has technical, numerical superiority and is superior in general.
The headquarters have reached a decision, comrades...
that we leave the free territory together with the wounded and the people.
We will do what the enemy least expects;
we will move into counterattack...
continue towards the Neretva river and forward to the east.
In other words - we will move into a several hundred kilometer run.
One who has 4,000 wounded along doesn't run, comrade Vuka.
Doesn't run, but ties his own hands.
Ties his own hands... What will happen to the partisan mobility if we burden ourselves with...
the typhus people, women and children?
But Vuka, we must act primarily as humans.
Who of us, has the right to to jeopardize the fate of our fight...
because of the wounded?
- I only ask you that. - The human inside us has that right.
You must understand, the path to freedom must be pure.
I'm not in favor of mercy that leads the revolution to suicide.
Ask the wounded that question, revolution or them?
They will all say that the revolution is more important.
That's the reason why they're going with us and we will defend them till the very end.
There is no dilemma for me here.
Stole will explain to you the basic plan of the operation.
Comrades
By order of the headquarters and comrade Tito...
my division and your self- dependent brigade Ivan...
with the assistance of the striking divisions, that are covering our flanks...
we will move towards the city of Prozor.
Stevo, you will stay in the north and defend the central hospital...
and the people. - I understand!
Vlado, Vlado wake up!
This concerns your engineers.
You must mine all the roads that lead to Bihac as soon as possible.
- You must stop the Germans. - Ok, agreed.Understood.
The artillery should also immediately head towards Neretva.
Comrades. We are starting with the counter-attack far across Neretva.
Get to work!
Dr, Marija
Will this medical bulk ever get off?
These are the people who are seriously injured not a combat brigade we can't go any faster
Call the head surgeon!
Call the chief surgeon!
- Why is the hospital late? - We are doing our job. We cant work faster.
- The city must be emptied till the evening, hurry up. - I understand.
Comrade Commander! Order them to untie me!
I'm not crazy
Comrade Commander tell Dr, Marija for the,,,
remove the bullet from my head. I want to be in command.
Stop! The attack is getting started!
Bosko. Calm down. We will take the bullet out later.
Everything will be fine. You will be riding a white horse.
I want that. I like riding a white horse very much.
You're heavy as lead. - If I had legs I would be even heavier.
Take the Sumadin man over here. Over here, on the carriage!
Nada, your harmonica
- Now I will play until Sumadija - Keep it like this
What's up?
That's okay girl
- Is everything ready, boys? - Ready
To shelter!
Comrade Nazor, I have come for you.
I am ready Stole, I am ready for a long journey.
I only have this suitcase and these books.
I have ordered fighter Zika to take care of you.
We have even provided you a cow so you will have milk.
During the battle you will be in the column where the head hospital will also he.
Thank you, Stole
- Where are you from? Zika? - From the village of Koracica in Sumadija
Take your suitcase and the books. They will come with us.
Who ever saw so many hooks being lugged along during battle!
Listen, Zika. These hooks are written in my language and in yours.
In our language. In mine and your language.
They were written by great men. There are some of mine among them.
I can't separate from the books.
I have nothing against books and poems.
But I didn't join the partisans to drag along a cow, hooks and...
Enough of the foolish talk! You're responsible for the books and comrade Nazor.
- I understand. - I'll tell you something else, Zika.
A nation without poets and a language...
cannot win freedom by fighting. - I understand comrade commander.
My home Dear place
How can I leave?
Let's go daughter-in-law, don't cry!
Please! We will be back another day
CHUY HUY DUC> Bonus 100,000 gold coins for Tito's head
Stop, stop!
Cattle! You're stopping in the middle of the slope! What is it?
Can we get in the car?
I have been dragging them along for 15 days, they're hardly standing any more.
Out of the way! - Jordan, Jordan.
We should at least take the child to Prozor.
How are we going to do that if there is no room, Nada.
There is, that machine gunner died a while ago.
- What machine gunner? - That only son, the schoolboy...
Redhead?
- May his soul rest. - Stop crossing yourself, help out!
I'm going.
Come on, kids!
Take that back seat!
Division, prepare for battle!
Put through the headquarters!
- It's ruined. - Throw away
Battery commanders, come to me!
You help the wounded.
My commander was killed
- So you're the commander - I understand.
Put the dead on the carriages. Put the wounded on the gun-carriages.
Tonight we will breaking through to Prozor.
It's starting to snow so we must hurry up.
Everyone get up
Everyone prepares to go
- Where is the commander, boys? - Somewhere over here.
- Hello, Stole - Hello, Ivan
- Were the air crafts pursuing you too? - No, they just flew over me.
- Immediately assemble all the commanders to the meeting. - Ok.
Battalion commanders, to the meeting.
Ivan
- How are you, Ivan? - Good.
Is Novak over there?
Get up you lazy bum, if the sister is coming!
I managed to get ours photos from Bihac. They were still wet.
For you, for me... I'll give this one to Vuk.
Give me Vuk's photo. I'll probably see him before you.
They have transferred him to security.
- Would you like to eat? - Come on!
My questions is seemingly simple, but it isn't.
Should we attack tonight Prozor without the artillery with which...
we can't establish contact?
If we have set out to do this we must attack immediately.
If we surprise the Italians tonight, we still have a chance...
to break through up to Neretva. - I agree with you.
We must reach Neretva as soon as possible.
We all know that a surprise is better then any artillery.
- Good, I agree. - To conclude...
we will attack the city from all sides.
Mark the exact positions of your forces on the map.
- Stipe, bring me the map when they finish. - I will.
Marking or no marking, there will some fuss in any case..
Well comrade commanders, show me this map.
- Everyone get up! - Prepare for departure!
- Brigade, depart. - Faster, faster.
- Stipe - What
- When does the attack start? - When the shooting stats.
Those who have to may stay.
Ivan, come here for a moment
Sit down, please
Let's stay here a hit as though as nobody is here.
It will he wonderful when we will be together forever once.
But look, soon we will be dying for Prozor.
Come!
Who is the brigade commander? Call him!
Let's go, Danica! Hurry!
Just wait three days. Three days, do you understand?
I will personally set up defense
We can hold out on these positions till the end of the war and longer.
Sir, ah! Mr. General, you must try harder.
You must put more pressure on them on the north, and we will wait for them here.
Where are your tanks now?
No, Morelli, please understand me. We are under siege
You General, must only wait.
Alright then, General Goodbye
Major, prepare yourself! The partisans will attack.
- We'll show these scum! - I understand!
- Here is General Morelli's headquarters - On the alert!
- Be on high alert! - Take orders
- 2nd Artillery Ready - Excellent, Captain
- Slowly, carefully! - I know, I'm being careful!
Carefully camouflage.
Heroic blood was shed tonight, uncle Nazor.
- You will have a lot to chant. - My dear Zika. When will the time come...
when i won't have to write about human slaughterhouses?
Everything will be fine. As long as we cross Neretva.
That's the most important thing!
Let's go, forward comrades, to Prozor!
Stop, hold still!
Where are you going? Where is the head surgeon? Hurry up, doctor.
Here? We all know the way to Prozor
What Prozor, if we didn't conquer it.
Hasn't it fallen?
They were not able...
...to attack, those whores.
Doctor, take over the new wounded.
Comrade fighters, hand over the wounded to the hospital, quickly.
We had such hopes last night, and today this...
What will we do now, Martin?
I don't' know. Ivan and Stole shouldn't attack without the canons.
Division, to the barracks
Attention!
You were excellent. You have
fought bravely and firmly.
- You have dealt the resistance a big blow. - Vacation, Mr. General!
- Who said that? - I did.
We will speak about that soon, too.
I promise you that we will talk about that on Easter.
We have prevented the enemy of crossing Neretva.
No we must completely destroy all the partisans together with the Germans.
The sooner we destroy them, the sooner we will have vacation.
I give you my word for that.
Long live General!
Mr, Captain
- You don't feel well? - Get lost!
Don't follow me like some loyal dog.
I don't want you to serve me or pity me. Get lost!
Or I will transfer you. Now go.
I don't need anyone, do you understand? Not even you.
No one can help me Leave me alone
I understand, Mr. Captain.
- Hello comrades! - Hello!
We shouldn't have attacked without the artillery.
You got beaten on your heads, now they're bombing the wounded.
- There must be a way out. I think. - We will not think now...
we will act. - Stole, this is an order.
I'm going to the position of the neighbouring division, bye.
Show this command to everyone!
PROZOR MUST FALL TONIGHT. TITO
It's so cold!
A real wolfish country!
Fire!
Go ahead guys Attack away!
Aim your target! Move the tank to the city center!
Fire!
Volunteer!
- First squad to the bunkers! - Second squad to the left wing!
Follow me!
Attack! Follow me!
Here you are!
What's wrong Nikola? why are you shivering?
Are you afraid, you wuss? Fire, fight!
Let's fight! Fight. I'm commanding!
Why are you changing his nappy? Let him die if he wants to!
I'm still in command here!
Fire, Mate, fire, Jure!
Attack! Attack!
Hello! I must speak with general Lohring immediately.
Lohring, immediately!
Where is he?
Sleeping? Wake him up! The enemy is entering the city.
Hurry up!
Fire!
Find Bosch Don't shoot, Ana
- Bosco! - Bosco!
Bosko is coming out!
Over here, you cowards, here!
- That's how you fight! - Bosko, over here!
- Who gave you the weapon? - Bosko seized it, Bosko took it Ana...
we must bind him up. To the hospital, immediately!
- You won't tie me. - Get away!
I will kill you!
Vuka, what is it? What, this fool will kill us.
Take aim at him!
HEY! My Commander! Bosco! where are you
Where are you, my hero!
I'm here I killed them all
Comrade Commander I kill them, In the name of freedom
My best commander! Give me your hand!
Let's shake hands!
I told you not to touch the weapon Tie him up!
Hold him.
Let me out, guys,,, ,,no right
What will we do now, Mr. Captain?
- Don't be afraid, let's go! - Where to?
I have made a decision. I'll return to Prozor.
Mr. Captain! I would like to stay with the Italians because I want to go home.
With the partisans we will be far from home.
I don't care about the rest
Please Captain, don't leave me!
I'm not leaving you, Mario. You don't want to go with me. Good luck!
Comrade fighters. We have opened the path for the wounded.
Danica, hey! This Dana!
Are you looking for Novak? He's alive, still alive
Vuko was a far better comrade and fighter.
I feel bad about him.
I did bad things to him
Don't make that up, you're lying.
I never lie. They found him dead at a canon.
Don't do that, you lied
He was looking for me, and the comrades were nowhere, nowhere.
Don't make it up, you're lying, lying!
And where are you?
Up there they all think you fell in action.
Don't cock, just sit down and eat.
Come on Novo, get up! I heard we are immediately leaving for Neretva!
Let's go, get up!
Prozor has fallen. You have to make a toast. Drink, brother!
You know, I was really worried about you.
Take, people!
Brigade, attention!
- Novak! - Star?
Get out of here!
- Stipe, get out of here - I understand, Comrade Commander
Why didn't you tell me about Vuk?
Why did you do that?
I apologize to you!
Dana, what would Vuko say, if he saw you?
You promised not to cry, if...
Let's join the round dance, come on.
- Come on, Stipe! - I do not want to
Come on,
Come on, Stipe
- Come and dance, commander - Just have fun
What's wrong with him?
Nikola!
You have typhus. Go to the hospital, immediately!
I'm good. I can still dance
Nikola!
- You have to go to the hospital. - Ok, if you give me my pigeons.
You'll get your pigeons.
Listen, take him to Marija. Tell her to give him an injection.
I understand!
Hey Italian, should I shorten your head?
Comrade Commander
I have brought these two. An officer and this fascist.
I'm not a fascist. I'm a simple poor man.
You fascist and you officer, how many partisans killed?
Mr. commander, explain to them that you think like they do...
otherwise they will kill us without any reason.
- Did you shoot at us? - Yes, I did.
But I came to you voluntarily. They didn't capture me.
You shot, therefor you are a fascist like the rest of them.
And you say you can distinguish a friend from an enemy?
I came, because I want to fight for Italy without fascism.
If you accept me as one of yours, I will loyally fight for your side.
I can't act anymore against my beliefs...
and from now on I also won't.
Let's take him. We'll see... Let's test him.
I don't want him in my unit. You take him!
- Do you speak French? - Yes
- What's your name? - Michele Riva
What kind of weapon do you have? What kind of cannon do you know?
Mostly light artillery.
I'll take him into my division. I need him.
Go ahead and keep him
- Return the coat and the shoes to the captain! - Comrade Martin.
- But I have already been without shoes for three months. - Take them off!
I'm giving you a chance to prove yourself in battle
Thank you, sir!
Venice? Florence? Rome?
No, Parma
- What about your profession? - I am an engineer, And you?
Me, theatre, drama, Dalmatia,,,
So cute
- So beautiful - You Italians are all Don Juans.
No, we're comrades. And I also have a wife... married.
I'm married too. Me...one child...four years.
General Lohring, General Lohring!
General, strong partisan units are advancing towards Jablanica.
They have cut me off from the back part of my units.
I demand that our army attacks from Knnjic.
- Immediately! - On no account, Morelli!
There is no reason to panic, calm down!
Their objective is not Jablanica. They are coming afler me, to Konjic.
Here they will set up a bridge and get the wounded over the river.
I must tell you something else.
Morelli, the plan of "Fall Weiss" is not feasible anymore.
You must defend Jablanica by yourself. I can't help.
And above all stay calm!
over
General Lohring, General Lohring!
Comrade Commander!
This fighter says that on the other side of the fortress...
there is an Italian ammunition warehouse. We moved a cannon over there.
- Excellent! Let's go - Follow me
Ivan, Ivan, this is the commander!
Novak, Danica Tell the fighters,,,
to withdraw from the fortress. Quickly! - Ok, let's go!
Captain, fire on the ammunition warehouse. Fire.
I can not. I can not and I will not.
I can fire on the Germans, I can't on the Italians. They are my compatriots.
Fire, quickly!
Immediately! Do you do it now?
Fire! Or I shot you
Get lost!
Betray!
What's the matter, Ivan?
There is no way I can hit the window on the fortress.
The ammunition is there.
Give me a grenade!
Ivan, a grenade.
Comrade commander, this is... He has golden trimmings.
Colonel, why didn't your surrender immediately?
Danica, tell him that he is personally responsible for the death of these soldiers.
I'm a General, not a Colonel.
If the warehouse didn't explode, you wouldn't have captured us.
I know what I can expect.
You think, we will shoot you?
Mr. General, like all prisoners of war...
you will also be carrying the wounded, do you understand!
I'm a General, not a beast of burden.
I would have your officer shot.
I don't expect anything else for myself Shoot me!
Novak, take him and keep an eye on him!
And this handsome shall carry the typhus people.
I understand, commander! General...
- Drago, maybe we can exchange them for medicaments. - I understand!
Come in
Coat!
Take off your coat Hurry up!
Party members are given priority
Drago, come here so i can put some clothes on you.
If you didn't have much luck with that antifascist.
- Does it suit me? - Shorten it a hit, and it will be fine.
Don't shorten it too much! The boy might still grow a bit.
- He killed himself. - He really scared me! I thought he was shooting at me.
Leave!
This is their last chance. Their only resort left.
Because Tito didn't have any luck in Konjic, he's heading towards the Jablanica bridge.
The photos are clearly indicating it.
We are at the last stage of the operation.
We must destroy the partisans in Jablanica.
We push them towards Neretva...
and we don't let a single soul cross the bridge.
All Chetnik units should immediately head here...
in the direction of Neretva.
Mr. General. Your plan is strategically...
...brilliant.
But I dare think a bit different.
Believe me, I don't want to interfere...
in military matters, but I know this country well.
I know my enemy
Go ahead, I want to hear your opinion.
It seems, the typhus is doing its job.
They're starving.
Physically and mentally they wont be able to endure...
and here is our chance. Let the partisans cross the bridge.
Yes, they must cross the bridge.
They will drag the wounded on snow.
They will curse the day, when they decided...
to carry the wounded and typhus people across these mountains.
Let them eat each other.
I like your idea very much, but we don't have much time.
Fuehrer's headquarters demands immediate action.
That's why we will attack immediately. We musn't give them time.
Not even a single hour.
- I'm only a politician. - You can also be a good soldier if necessary.
The attack will take place from the following directions...
Krinzer is coming from the north with his division...
and is pushing them into the canyon.
You will be holding the left bank of Neretva.
When they are in the siege, we will attack them from all sides.
Thank you for your question, Mr. General.
No, I'm not feeling especially warm.
I understand, I also don't like this place very much...
but I'm happy that I have caught up on them.
I will force them into action, here and now.
I understand, Mr. General. Over!
You have heard, gentlemen.
Our advance party is already fighting against the partisans.
Their resistance is strengthening. With all forces forward!
- But, Mr. Colonel... - I know, what you want to say...
snow, ice, the north wind... Be happy it's not raining excrement.
Nada, get the tools!
Tools, Nada!
Fire... Fire...
I'm cold... I'm cold...
Typhus. Nada
Tell them to cut her hair.
Doctor, please don't amptutate my leg!
- My friend, gently, slowly. - Ok.
- Nikola - You are so Beautiful!
Wonderful!
Nikola Hug me!
The howitzers are firing too much to the left again.
Tell these fools to correct the coordinates!
Howitzers left for 100!
Sergeant Pratzke From the general
Warm yourself up at the kettle. It's probably more pleasant at your place in Konjic.
That's true, Mr. Colonel.
- What did we get? - 100 iron crosslets EK 1 and 500 EK 2.
The General is generous today.
- Is the shock fighting unit appointed? - Yes.
- Allow me, Mr. Colonel? - what
Allow me to take over the shock fighting unit.
- Too early - Mr, Colonel,,,
I finally have them!
Danica, guess what I brought you!
- What? - I do not know
Open it!
I can not, open it for me Come on, open it
Open it yourself!
I have waited for us to cross Neretva.
Not now, because of Novak and the brigade.
You keep it I love you
Vlado, Vlado! what are you doing, damn it!
You have folded the explosive in the middle of the bridge. What's wrong with you?
An order! You withdraw the people as far as possible from the bridge.
You're telling me I should move them away?
- What are you planning to do with the bridge? - I'll destroy it.
Bridge?
Yes, Ivan With dynamite
Listen, Vlado This bridge,,,
is our only hope and chance of saving ourselves.
And you want to blow it up
Yes, Ivan. I will blow it up into the sky.
- And when it is destroyed? - What will be do then?
Sit and fish
Until the Krinzer tanks don't arrive?
I'm fulfilling the orders. I don't know about the rest.
- Who came up with this idea? - Who gave the order?
Orders! it's not a command it is stupidity!!
Novak, typhus. Look!
Typhus... He is sick.
- He doesn't have typhus! - He has typhus. - He doesn't!
Tie him up!
I don't have typhus. I'm fulfilling an order
Get away from the bridge! Or I'll shoot.
Ivan,I don't have typhus. Leave me alone!
I have to mine. Without delay. Move further backwards!
Blood will he shed here. Mine and yours.
Be careful! Away from the path.
Vuka, why this mess?
- Vlado, are you ready?! - I'm doing it
- How much time do you need? - Two minutes
Destroy it immediately!
Engineers, follow me
But why, for God's sake, why?
Did we march for 300 km and drag the wounded, so we can now pull it down?
- Why? Answer me! - Because we must return to the north.
The hospital in Scit is in danger, the Germans are attacking it.
And on the other side of the hill the Chetniks are waiting.
They want to attack us in the hack. We must blow up the bridge.
Ivan, Tito gave the orders for this.
Hold out till the other brigades don't come. Go!
Brigade, departure! To the north, comrades! Faster!
Oh my God! How do I get home?
Do we really have to head for that ice and snow again?
- I am not the one to be blamed. - I'm sick of all of this.
Come on people Come on, let's go!
- Devil take you! - Let's go
I am in command over here. Follow me, typhus people!
It doesn't matter. Bosko doesn't mind that you blew up the bridge.
We will swim across Neretva. Typhus people, follow me!
Stop typhus people, get back! Bosko!
- Across the water into freedom. - Bosko!
Snap-shots, Mr. General.
It wasn't an accident, which means they deliberately destroyed it.
I'm asking myself, why did they blow up...
their only chance they had left.
What do you think? There is no other explanation.
Tito must return to the north. Notify all the units...
abandon your current positions...
and take the new way to the north, over Jablanica.
Detailed instructions to follow. Tell Krinzer...
that this is his opportunity. He will get Tito directly into his hands.
Follow me! Retreat only till the slope.
Run, comrades!
- Occupy the slope positions! - Quickly, cover the retreat!
- Lie down here! - All the rest of you follow me.
Run, comrades!
Comrades, our people have come! The brigade is here!
Come on, let's go! Let us go, comrades!
They cut my hair. Tell them to give them back to me.Ivan
I will order them, comrade
- You will order them? - I will. - Thank you, comrade.
They will give you back your hair. I'll order it.
- oh! Nikola - Stay away!
go!
Hurry up, comrades! Faster, run along!
- Left wing forward! - First battalion, to the right!
Artillery, attack! Shoot at the enemy lines, shoot!
Hurry up!
Stop! There is no retreat, comrades!
- Stop! Hold still! - Leave me, they will kill us all.
- There is no solution! - No retreat.
Leave me, I don't want... The wounded are behind us.
Run, comrades!
- Quick, load the cannons! - I understand, Mr captain!
Fire!
Bertram, now it's your turn.
The 3rd in 4th battalion should get ready, is that clear?
Your interceptors forward! Did you understand?
Attack!
Fire!
First battery...
...Fire!
- Fire! - Fire!
Reinhardt. Where are your tanks? I want the tanks!
I don't care. You think, we don't have snow over here?
If they don't come in 10 minutes, I'll go there and shoot you.
Horst!
Horst, now it's your turn. I can't wait any longer.
- Bring me the tanks! - I understand, Mr. Colonel.
Stop, stop!
To your positions! To your positions!
3rd battalion forward!
- Reinforce only the first line of battle. - I understand!
Forward!
This is lieutenant Horst, in the second tank.
All tanks forward!
Captain, stop... Tanks over there, directly.
Over there, and there!
Cannons on the ridge! Quick, the tanks are approaching.
Forward, forward!
Prepare to shoot
Reload, quick!
Almost there!
Take the bottle!
fire!
Further!
I don't see!
My eyes!
Captain!
Marija!
- No, the doctor can't help me. - Why not?
Marija!
It's too late, it's all over for me.
Wait, Riva! No! You can handle it. You have to make it.
Listen, please. Take this letter.
The lamella has my name, surname and address.
Send it...
Send it to my wife. Do this for me...
Fire!
Calm down, save people
Martin!
- Martin, Martin - Fire!
- What should we do, Martin? - Fire!
They will kill us all.
- Calm down, Marija - They will kill us
Don't panic. Sing a song. Fire!
Sumadija man, a song! You start!
Let's sing, wounded people!
Down with injustice and violence!
The nation is now calling you to the judgement.
Run from us, nightly darkness...
our day has come too.
Run from us, nightly darkness...
out day has come too...
- Tera - Yes!
- What is this? - I do not know
- Tera - Yes!
- Ustasha's into attack! - I understand
Drum stronger!
- Attack! - Attack!
Lie down!
Don't! Take care of yourself! I beg you, brother.
Follow me!
Forward, Black Legion!
Hurry up, boys!
Colonel Krinzer here Yes I will wait,,
We have to stop them
Strike with all forces! Tito wants to go to the north, into Bosnia.
And you must prevent that from happening. I rely on you.
Listen, I haven't told you this yet, but you already know...
you are my best man and your division is my best unit.
Krinzer, send the soldiers once more into attack.
You can rely on me. I will send you the Anacker group...
and the Chetniks. Don't wait till they attack.
You attack first! It seems though, that we are in a tough position.
He must head to the north and that way you will get Tito directly...
in front of the tanks and cannons. We have gone through a lot of things in this life.
I am speaking to you as comrade and as a friend.
It all depends on you now.
I understand, Mr. General. Into counterattack. Over!
Horst!
I'm sorry, Schrider!
- We're proceeding into defense. - But Mr. Colonel...
I didn't ask you for an opinion, Schriider.
Into defense!
Entrench, send the reconnoitering parties, wait for the partisans to attack.
Is that clear, captain Schriider?
Yes, Colonel
- Repeat that! - Entrench, send the reconnoitering parties, wait for the partisans.
And that order will be fulfilled.
Come on, boys! Quick!
The brigades are waiting. Hurry up!
- Hello, Mario - Hello, Zika
Uncle Nazor, goodbye!
Goodbye Zika, good luck!
- No offence, comrade poet. Drivers... - Farewell!
- Ciao Mario! - Ciao Zika! - Wait, Jordan!
Who will you leave our bus to?
- When I tell you, push. - Ok.
Hey, my darling, you were good.
- Be careful down there - Go!
Send the Chetniks immediately back to Neretva. On the shortest path.
Only constant bombarding of the bridge can save us.
Bravo! You showed them well those bearded people.
Novak, now to the hill and stop the Chetniks.
As long as the brigades don't arrive. And no retreating!
I understand! Prepare for departure!
Stipe, tell Martin, that Ivan will attack the Chetniks from the middle,
- This time we must destroy them once and for all. - I understand!
- Set out immediately! - Novak, the tins.
- Thank you, my friend. - Danica, stay here.
- I want to be with Novak. - This time he can be without you.
- Stay with me. - I will wait for you above.
I hardly managed to shake off the poets cow and the hooks.
- Take care of the distance. - Will you manage, Jordan?
I can, if I have to.
- Step on the gas, Jordan! - Be quiet, you poor devil.
Shift to the third!
Be quiet, you poor devil! For you it's a cow, not a gun.
Children, children,,,
...don't go out, children. Don't move.
Help, help...
- Where are the beardos, Dana? - It's almost here
Come on Novak, hurry up! No time to eat.
I wont eat it in haste. I'll finish it later in peace.
Don't start firing before I do!
1st battery... fire!
Order your officers an immediate retreat of all units!
Did you understand me?
What is it, senator? What retreat?
Commander, you must know how to wait, too. That is a tactic, too.
- Did you get scare? - No, I won't allow...
I want to win the war, not just one battle. Is it clear?
You will win it only with battle, not by retreating.
By fighting to the last breath.
Let them fight! Let them shed their blood!
We will wait, save our force, until the right moment comes.
- Now is the right moment! - For them it is.
I make the decisions! I am the Royal commander.
- The army was entrusted to me. - I represent the king and the government!
That is treason, senator. I will destroy every person...
that will be standing on my way.
Pistol!
Give it to him
In the name of the king on behalf of the government,,,
I order retreat...
Captain, officer!
- Go to the bridge! - I understand!
Here with the building materials! Faster!
Forward, battalion!
More lively, comrades! The Chetniks are putting pressure.
1st battery,,, Fire!
Mine throwers, to your positions!
Prepare the elements! Quick!
Let's go!
Back!
Dana
Dana!
I'm coming, Zika
Danica, come here
I'm already here!
Comrade commander. The Chetniks will destroy Novak's platoon.
Novak will fall and everyone with him. You should Attack!
It's still early.
Comrade Commander We must attack
They will shoot them down. Stole!
Listen, Stipe
Until I completely surround the Chetniks, there will be no attack.
- Novak and his platoon... - What are you waiting for! Transmit the order!
- Go! - I understand!
- Dana, do you hear me! - I'm here - Okay
Dana, you,,!
- Dana! - Fire, fire!
Fire!
Dana!
Don't uncover yourself! Prepare the bombs!
Get back! Retreat!
Get back! There is no retreat! Attack! To the bridge, forward!
Mr. Lieutenant Colonel, we're surrounded.
The partisans have attacked us in our back.
Follow me!
Over here, turn around! Follow me, over here! Turn around!
- Turn around! - Break through the siege!
Let them come close and cold-blooded!
Bombs!
Attack with the bombs!
Now!
Forward!
Stand up! Get stand up!
Follow the strategy! Otherwise I will kill you all!
Into battle! Cowards!
Get down, you idiot!
Novak, Novak,,,
What will I do without you, Novak?
Stipe!
Hold your fire! Stipe!
Get out of the way, Ivan! Move away!
- Stipe - Get out of my way Ivan, make way!
Stipe, stop!
What are you doing?
Who gave you the right to shoot prisoners?
Stand still! Shame on you!
go!
Crime of disobeying orders
You will be brought before a court-martial.
What's wrong with you? Why are you so gloomy?
And you just sing. Sing and burn down.
Of course we sing. We're crossing Neretva.
Don't mourn, Martin. There will be more cannons. Many of them..
Soon you will be as happy as before.
Happy, you say?
I'll he happy, when there will he no wars and no cannons. Do you understand?
We all think that way sometimes.
I have been demolishing, burning down, leaving ruins behind me for 3 years.
Sometimes I dream about bridges, that I will set up.
What can we do! That's how it is, my Slovenian.
- Go, so you won't he late. - I won't be like that.
Hurry up, Engineers!
push!
Slowly, slowly comrade
She's just sleeping. Only sleeping.
Nikola, you can see that,,,
She's not dead
Just sleeping
That's right Let her sleep,,,
Let's take her home Bring her in, comrades!
Comrades Look, comrade
What a beautiful corpse!
It's looking, it's seeing us
It's looking at me!
Nicholas, Nikola!
Nikola, let's go!
Nikola!
- What's your name? - Mirko
- And you? - Mira
I know you, what do they call you?
- How do they call me? - Gunner Martin. -long time ago!
- Now you don't have any left. - I don't.