You have eyes on Clarke?
No
Saw Dig begin it all.
Goose-stepping bastards!
Did either of You two see Clarke?
Sorry, Skip...
How many, Skip?
Uh... Two boys.
Thanks, Skipper.
I'll pass, Skip.
Coops?
One...
Shaw.
SHAW?
What's that? 5, 4 to them?
By the end of the week, it's just going to be me and the station captain.
We'll have our numbers up soon.
Yeah, That's all we need.
Boys, with no combat experience.
You weren't born with wings or a coat.
I beg to differ.
Any idea when they're arriving, Skip?
Nah. I haven't got a clue, Coops.
Not a bloody clue.
Come on, Clarke.
Squadron leader.
Sir?
I see Digby and Clarke are not back, yet?
Digby got too close to a Heinkel.
No one saw what happened to Clarke.
Sorry mate.
With any luck, Clarke is just taking an early bath.
Can I speak freely, sir?
We are spread too thin.
They are out-numbering us four-to-one.
I know.
Hitler is calling all the shots at the moment.
All we can do is react to whatever it is he throws at us.
We need to be hitting them back.
We are, Mike.
Your replacements will be here soon and then...
then we can give them a proper fight.
How long before we can go back up?
Another 15 minutes.
Good.
See, Walker has the right idea.
I don't know how he does it.
You should take a leaf out of his book.
Get some rest.
Sir.
Give Gerry a few rounds from me.
Fancy a game, Skip?
Sorry, Gibbs. Maybe later?
Shaw?
Looks like I'm playing by myself. Lucky ole me.
Anyone special?
Shaw?
This gal. Come on. Give us a peek.
It's to my mother.
Everything all right, Shaw?
Yes, Skip.
What they did was foolish. That isn't you, is it?
No, Skip.
No. I didn't think so.
You're a good pilot, Andy.
Might even give Walker a run for his money one of these days.
I'm not sure about that.
Well, he's good all right. Cocky sort.
As for Clarke, well...
You know as well as I do that this war eats replacements.
Keep your chin up, lad.
We'll get through this.
Thank you, sir.
Hello, lovely.
Fancy seeing you here.
Who would have thought, yeah?
How long you in for?
I could have to lift straight back. No overnight, I'm afraid.
That's a shame.
I'm a busy woman, Richard. Besides, I'll be back before you know it.
Ah... Nancy?
Guess what? I, uh, got another one this morning.
How many's that then? Eight?
Still a ways off me.
Morning, Nathan. So what are you on now?
Eleven.
Mmmm. Double digits, look at you.
I'll catch you up.
Then mark my words. I'm going to win that money.
When I do, I'm going to marry you Miss White.
And who says I'll let you?
You look tired.
So mad today.
You need to get some rest.
Not here, Nance, please.
Took a few pints to get you off to bye-bye land last night, didn't it Kips?
Thanks, Walker. I can always rely on you to drop me in the shit.
Could barely stand Nancy.
Shocking mess.
Promise me you'll get an early night tonight.
You see it's not that easy.
Promise me.
Don't fret, Nance.
I'll have him tucked up in bed by eight with a hot water bottle.
Thank you, Nathan.
Come on you. You can escort me to the naffy.
"One ship was reported damaged but not destroyed."
"Raids were reported across England and Wales last night"
"with the majority of the activity that the Thames Estuary and some ports."
"Residential areas experienced heavy bombing, too."
"With dozens of casualties in East London and surrounding areas."
"Firefighters fought throughout the night to stop the spread of large fires"
"that decimated civilian homes."
"This morning, we were met with warm weather and a light breeze."
"This saw several fighter command stations"
"attacked by large numbers."
"of German bombers."
Skip...
"Casualties have yet to be declared."
Bloody hell does he want?
"There were also several small scale attacks"
Flight Lieutenant Laurence Stanhope, sir.
Squadron leader Michael Cochrane.
Bloody hell the rest of them?
This is it, sir.
For fuck's sake.
How many hours have you had in Spits?
A few.
Take 'em off some harvets mainly.
What do I tell you?
Boys.
We'll soon have your hours up.
You'll know they're inside out in no time.
Come on. We'll introduce you.
Thank you.
Sir.
Here she is.
This one is yours.
Son.
What do you think?
She's perfect.
Thank you, sir.
The trouble is you won't really know until you take her up.
Twisted air frames were a big problem at the minute.
Sure, she looks good in inspection,
but you start to chuck her about.
She's a death trap.
Pack it in.
I'm just warnin' the lad.
The generator maps so fast you don't know what you're gonna get.
I said, "Pack. It. In."
Huh.
Ignore him.
He's just one ego.
You'll get used to that.
She's a dream and her natural habitat.
No savages. Light on the brakes.
Understood.
And don't faff.
She wants to be airborne.
Hang about on the ground.
She'll love the heat.
Yes, sir.
Flight Lieutenant Laurence Stanhope.
Meet Coops.
Andy Shaw.
All right?
You've met Walker already.
You can put your kit down there.
So where are you from?
London, Highgate.
Gunness?
Yes.
Same here.
See, making friends already.
Skip is a top me fan.
How did our last encounter go again?
We're already fighting one war.
Let's not start another.
See?
Pleased, sir.
Call me Skip.
Yes, sir.
I mean Skip.
I'll go.
Ther's a lad.
Uh, make me one more, while you're at it.
What's that?
That's our kill count.
First to 13 wins the pot, but to be honest with you, it's already mine.
How much to buy in?
A Pound.
Nathan.
What? The man wants to play, let him play.
Let the lad catch his breath.
No, really. It's fine.
Okay.
What's your name again, Srub?
Laurence Stanhope.
Come on in.
Cough up.
Good lad.
What's that you're writing there, Sharp?
Letter's good, is it? Let's have gander.
Don't.
Walker, stand down.
Leave the man alone.
What have you've made this with? Engine oil?
You must be the only north Londoner that can't make a decent cuppa.
Gee, s'pose you can't take it strong.
Hey, you know there's a war on?
Privilege of rank.
B-flight.
Scramble!
Stick to me like glue.
Okay. Come on.
Move. Move.
Move!
See to that body chock.
Come on, hurry up!
Stand clear!
Stand clear.
Stand clear!
Stand clear.
Hello Nipper.
B-Flight. Angles-8. Over.
Flight Leader, this is Nipper.
Confirm visual bandits.
Yes, Nipper. Ready to engage.
Thank you, Flight Leader. Good luck.
Focus your attention on the bombers.
Keep an eye on your fuel.
Be aware of the harm in the sun.
Good luck, boys.
Laurence, 109 on your tail!
Nine.
Don't get cocky.
On your right, Shaw.
Come on. Come on.
Bloody good standard.
Keep it together.
9 o'clock.
Shit.
Super on my tail.
I can't shake him.
Ten.
On your nine!
Two o'clock.
Stan, on your six.
Stuka.
11 o'clock
On your fuck'n six!
Shaw!
Bail out!
He's gone.
That's enough, lads.
Turn to 2-10.
Spoil sport.
Good work, Stan.
Cooper.
Will you give it a rest?
What?
Two.
Skip.
Nah.
One for Stan.
Here.
Cheers.
You alright?
Never felt better.
Same here.
Go on, drink up.
A cup always helps.
I know.
Doesn't help bollocks.
Hello.
Walker!
You going to share that with the rest of the class?
The man's dead for God's sake.
The fuck is wrong with you?
Nothing's wrong with me, Coop. I just don't pretend to care.
You fucking WOP.
Why don't you show Stan Hope to the billette?
Touched a nerve, have I?
I'm sick of this fucking act.
And you.
Bugger off.
So...
What have you got for me?
Furmarsh?
First thing this morning.
Doesn't seem like they had much warning.
Two dozen bombers.
Christ.
What are the losses?
It's not clear yet, but it isn't looking good.
A few degrees west, and that would have been us.
What are your thoughts?
It's only a matter of time.
Well...
Let's just hope half the squadron are on the ground, refueling when it happens.
Quite.
I'm no use to anyone sitting here, trittling my thumbs.
Need as many eyes on the skies we can muster.
We'll find another pair on the way.
Come on.
My mum used to give me old man a kiss when he went out for the pub,
and hit him with a frying pan when he got back.
She sounds like a spirited woman.
Not the half of it. Don't blame her, really.
I mean, my old man's idea of a swift half was to go out the Friday payday, come back the follow Tuesday.
My mother would have done anything to be rid of my father for five days.
Walker?
It's unwise to sneak up on a man while he's sleeping.
You snore when you're sleeping.
Thought she slept with another Tom.
Knew it. Always tuned into other people's conversations.
How else is this guy to know the mouse wrote?
But this mouse is going to shit into cat's milk one of these days.
So new boy, you feel at home, yet?
Yes, thank you. I'm...
I don't want war and peace. If you live more than a week, maybe I'll fan interest.
Why must you play the villain?
You weren't always like this. You used to care.
Did I?
You're impossible.
That's fine by me.
I can easily pretend to like you.
That's the ticket.
See, Coops...
Youngster here understands how it works already.
Michael?
Can we come in yet?
Cocky kids.
Oh, don't go hurt my feelings.
You should be setting a good example.
I'll lore up one if you're not careful.
All settled in?
Yes, thanks Skip.
See now, that's what you're like when you're not pretending to be asleep.
B-flight.
Right away. Let's go boys.
Stand Clear.
They should be coming into view any time now.
You ready to lose this bet, Coops?
Keep the airways clear, Walker.
Ten o'clock, Skip.
Roger.
Safety switches off, get ready to engage.
Let's go now before the Seals.
On my mark, we hold for A-flight.
Skip...
Wait!
Walker! BREAK!
Say godbye to that money, Coops.
What the FUCK was that?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Breaking early.
And over a poxie bet.
Don't talk rubbish.
Excuse me.
You may have forgotten, but I am your commanding officer!
Walker!
Don't you walk away from me!
You could have got us all killed.
There's always going to be losses, Michael.
Dear God, Man! Have you ever listened to yourself?
We all made it back.
That is not the point!
THEN WHAT IS THE POINT?
WHAT IS THE POINT?
Because, forgive me if I'm wrong, but it's our job to go up there and fight the enemy.
You were coming very close to crossing a line.
For which there is no coming back.
Fancy a walk?
You're going to tell me what you meant by that?
You're kicking me off the flight.
That's up to you.
How do I get it to sink in?
They look up to you.
Surely you can see that.
Bollocks.
Well, there you go again.
It's time to grow up.
Set an example.
You're the C.O.
That's your job.
So you simply negate any responsibility?
The great Nathan Walker has decided that this is his war to be fought on his terms?
And to hell with everyone else.
Get results, doesn't it?
Sit down.
There's something I need to show you.
Read it.
Go on.
You were so desperate to get your hands on it earlier.
Is it always like this?
What? The German's trying to kill us several times a day?
Yup, pretty much.
With Walker and the Skipper.
Things haven't been square between them since we got back from France.
What happened?
This goes no further, alright?
Scout's Honor.
Our Skip bought it up there.
Walker took it pretty hard.
They've been best mates since their Cranwell days.
Jocque was popular old school.
If he ran out of ammo, he'd likely get out on the wing with his fists up. You know the type.
We all loved him, but Walker, he worshipped him.
How did he die?
That's the worst part of it.
I think if he cocked it in action, Walker might have handled it better.
Instead, he's driving back from a briefing at Group HQ when a 109 spots someplace takes a potshot.
Kraut bastard, it ain't got anywhere near him in the air.
Jocque was an exceptional pilot, made Walker look ordinary.
Jocque walked around drinking a winery dry, ended up getting grounded for a while.
That's why he got passed over and Cochrane got Skipper.
Been banging heads ever since.
So, now Walker's fighting a one-manwar.
Better long and short of it.
Walker's a good man, really. He's just...
He's just, he's just hurting.
What about you?
Me?
I'm fine.
Take one day at a time.
Well, I do have one burning question.
What's that?
How does a young Jack like you afford a lighter like this?
There's some weight to it.
Yep.
24 Carrot of Dunn Hills finest.
Figured I could trade it if I ever got shot down over Krautland.
Well, I admire a man who plans ahead, you still hadn't told me how you come to own it.
It's my father's.
I stole it from his desk from the morning I left for flight training.
He doesn't need it. He's a pipe smoker.
Well, remind me not to leave anything of value lying about when you were around.
I doubt you've got anything worth nicking.
Even your flight boots look like hand-me-downs.
A thief and a cheeky kid.
Come on, we'd better be heading back.
B-flight.
Just a moment.
They want us back up.
They're not ready yet.
Well, how long?
Ten minutes.
We'll be up as soon as we can.
Right, come on.
Time to warm our suits.
I had no idea.
Now, you do.
You made his life a living misery.
And yet he still felt compelled to commit two pages to singing your praises.
I just hope it wasn't a waste of ink.
Ready?
Medic!
Walker!
Mike?
Come on, mate, let's get you on.
Just--
Just give me a minute.
Undo my harness, will you?
We're still friends.
Are we Nathan?
Yeah, of course, mate.
Good.
Thought I've lost you.
God, you could be such a pain in the ass.
I know.
I feel cold.
It's all right.
Make things right.
I will.
Do better...
I will.
I promise.
Is it getting dark?
Help me get him down.
Go get yourself cleaned up, Nathan.
I'll take care of everything here.
What lieutenant?
Take a walk.
Clear your head.
Fuck.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.
Fuck!
Everything all right?
Yeah, fine.
Just thought you might be Nance.
Nance?
My girl, she's ATA.
Could still turn out.
Wishful thinking on my part, she was only here this morning.
You got a girl?
No.
My mother would never allow it.
Probably best.
Why is that?
You know why.
I don't know.
There's a two of love to all that.
I just wish it wasn't chewing me up inside.
Not one minute on with her, and I have everything to live for.
The next time dragging my Skipper's corpse out of a Spit, and I realize I have everything to lose.
What have I been doing?
Instead of asking the woman I love to marry me, I've been waiting like an idiot...
...to win the bet against the squadron's resident lunatic.
So are you going to ask her?
You don't know I should, just...
I can't think straight.
Cuppa?
Think it'll help?
Will it? Bollocks.
I know.
Can't sleep?
First few nights at hell, but...
Gets easier.
What are you reading?
Bleak House.
Mum used to read it to me as a kid.
Helps put me to sleep.
You know, I was like you at first.
Bundle of nerves.
In the end, you're so tired, you just drop.
Luckily, we get a couple of extra hours tomorrow.
No batman waking us up at first light.
Off anywhere nice?
Share a draw with me.
Thanks.
To Skip.
You're supposed to drink it, not breathe it.
Better?
Don't worry, I won't tell Nancy.
To Skip.
To Michael...
...And B-Flight.
Hopefully, you'll rest.
Morning, James.
Morning.
Are you alright?
Sorry, I'm...
Squadron Leader Cochrane was killed yesterday.
What happened?
He got her down...
...bled out in his seat.
He seemed almost indestructible.
And Richard?
They're both taken it pretty hard.
Why don't you wait in the hut?
Morning, Nance.
Nathan, morning.
Sorry, I didn't see...
Nope.
Not found my pillow.
Cuppa?
Yes, please.
Gonna have to give you a dirty cup, I'm sorry.
I quite understand.
Is it the help's day off?
Either that, or she'd been shut down somewhere over Dover.
It's hard to keep her up, some times.
I'm so sorry, Nathan.
Coops is still getting his beauty asleep.
He won't be long.
What's this?
Oh, nothing really.
Just thought you and Coops get better use of it.
Nathan, you really can't expect...
No.
That's for you and Richard, and that's that.
Now we are out of milk, but there's a war on.
So we're gonna have to make do.
Sir.
There's enough room in those overalls for three of you, Connolly.
Don't they feed you ACs?
No, sir.
I'd complain to Mr. Churchill, pronto if Iwere you.
Another week and that winning smile is all that's gonna be left, boy.
We'll do, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Stop teasing the poor lad.
Are you questioning my authority now, Miss White?
Shut up and drink your tea. That's an order.
Yes, sir.
B-flight.
Sir. Sir!
What was the hell is this?
You needs to get airborne immediately.
Where's Flight Lieutenant Walker?
He's already at dispersal.
Stan! Stan!
Get up.
I think Gerry's about to make a house call.
Any sign of them? -Not yet, sir.
What's our status?
Like the A and B flights are already up, sir.
Engaging Heinkels over the channel.
Puma A and B are scrambling now.
What the bloody are you doing with it?
Richard.
Wait.
Not now.
We need to go.
You need to get to cover.
I'm not leaving that Spit on the ground.
Take care, Richard.
You too, Nance.
Now go!
Go. Go. Get to cover.
Contact!
How many?
Right, thank you.
Dozen bombers coming in from the southeast.
Get those helmets on.
Contact!
Come on.
Come on, go.
All right, B-flight. This is going to get messy.
Control?
Dozen Heinkels to my 9 o'clock.
Control, where are Viper squadron?
On their way, ETA eight minutes.
That's eight minutes, too late.
Keep it together.
Where are they now?
Six minutes out, sir.
Coops is down.
Did you see a chute?
He's gone.
Control, we can't take much more of this.
Shit.
What is it?
I can't see a damn thing.
I'm gonna have to put her down.
Copy.
I see you.
There's a field about a mile ahead of you.
Southeast.
Roger. Southeast.
No. I'm losing power.
On his tail.
Just don't shoot me in the ass!
Ah SHIT!
I got one on me!
Break away.
No! I got this.
I am NOT asking!
Come on, girl.
Jesus Christ!
Where are they?
Two minutes, sir.
What's in front of me, Stan?
You're in the clear.
Walker, what are you doing?
Walker!
Sorry, Stan.
Come on!
Hey flight, is there anyone there?
I got a 109 on my tail.
I can't shake him!
BUGGER OFF!
Nipper, this is Viper leader. Engaging now.
The pilot officer Paul Martin, reporting for duty, sir.
The pilot officer, Douglas Parsons, sir.
Flight lieutenant Laurence Stanhope.
Sir.
It's good to meet you, sir.
How many hours have you had in Spits?
A few.
Same here, sir.
Well, I'm sure we'll have you up to speed in no time.