Quel maledetto ponte sull'Elba

Fire!

- Muller! - Yes, sir!

Thank you, sir.

- You want one? - I don't feel like smoking now.

- Pass them on to the others. - Yes, sir!

- We did a good job. - A dozen less Americans!

- Hoffmann! - Yes, sir!

Someone may still be alive.

If that is so, bring him here. I want to question him.

Karl, Hans! With me!

The Russians and Americans are convinced they won the war,

but we don't feel the same way. Right, Muller?

Yes, sir!

Until I am alive, Germany will be alive, too.

But Nazi Germany is dying.

The agony began on June 6, 1944

when three American divisions, two English and a Canadian one,

supported by 5 battleships, 22 cruisers, and 63 fighters,

landed on the Normandy coast.

At the same time, three Allied divisions

were parachuted in the hinterland.

24 days after the landing, the Allied Forces in Europe

amounted to over one million men

and 170,000 armored vehicles.

On March 22, 1945 General Patton's army

crossed the Rhine.

The Allies also conquered supremacy in the air,

and the Germany sky was crossed in every direction

by imposing formations of flying fortresses.

In the east, the Soviet armed forces passed on to a counter-offensive.

In just over a year, 135 Nazi divisions were wiped away.

The only Germans left on Soviet territory

were prisoners of war, as these, captured in Stalingrad,

who are now crossing the streets of Moscow.

On March 26, 1945, the Allies entered Bavaria.

Frankfurt fell on the 27th.

Lippstadt on April 1st, Kassel on the 3rd, Dusseldorf on the 18th.

The American divisions from the west and the Soviet ones from the east,

rapidly advanced towards Torgau

where there is still an efficient bridge on Elbe River.

- Hello, Johnny. - Sergeant...

- Are you repairing it? - It's not broken, just dirty.

With this tool I began the war.

And I'd like to end the war with it.

- I'll help you clean it. - No, thank you!

If you help me, I'll finish right away,

and then I'll have nothing to do.

Sergeant, is the war always like this?

- What do you mean? - Nothing ever happens.

Johnny, it's a lot better if nothing happens!

I know, you can't wait to start fighting.

- Right? - Yes, in a certain sense.

I don't know if I'll be afraid. If I don't see the enemy in the face,

I'll never find out. I've been here 11 days and...

In your place, I'd thank God!

You're right.

You're the only one here who listens to me.

The others just make fun of me.

Am I to blame if my name is Eisenhower? I don't want to compete!

Hey, Sergeant! I bet they've already served lunch.

What're you saying, Doyle? The colonel saw you weren't here

and said to wait. He doesn't want to lose his rank! How'd it go?

Nothing doing. I think it's easier

to find a cat with six legs here than a German soldier.

They disappeared in the fog.

Hear that, Johnny? Disappeared in the fog. You can only wait.

- Major Larson is waiting for you. - Who is he waiting for?

You. It's urgent.

Why didn't you say so? Assemble that tool!

- Yes, sir! Sergeant... - What is it?

If something is up, will you take me with you?

Nothing is up. The war is about to end.

I know, but if I should shoot, I want you next to me.

Alright... if it happens, I'll be next to you.

- I promise. - Thank you.

Mark. Did you see Major Larson?

No, and I hope I don't.

- Looking for someone, Sergeant? - Yes.

Major Larson. He wanted to see me.

Hey, Doyle! Where the hell did you find that chicken?

He's Adolf.

I found him this morning during patrol service.

He defended himself, but I made him my prisoner.

Did you say Larson?

- He was just in front of the Command. - Thank you.

Keep an eye on your war prisoner, or he'll end up in a pot!

- Forget it! - But then don't cry!

Let's try to make it snappy!

You wanted to see me, Major?

Come on, boys! Hustle! Hataway, load that crate, too.

Be careful, or we'll all explode!

- I had you called a half hour ago. - Sorry, but they detained me.

Listen, Richards... Would you mind if you died?

I believe... I believe I would!

I confess that dying has never been the main goal in my life.

I would have bet 100 dollars

that you didn't care much about your hide.

You'd have lost. I do my duty, but I care about my hide!

You're the right man for them. Let's go see the Colonel.

- What does he want from me? - He'll tell you.

In 5 minutes everything must be ready!

Major Larson and Sergeant Richards reporting.

At ease.

So he's the best man in the regiment, Major?

I don't know if he's the best, but he's the luckiest.

Come here.

- How old are you? - Thirty-two, sir.

Do you have a wife?

No, sir.

- Your parents? - I am an orphan.

- No distant relatives? - I don't think so.

- So you're alone in the world? - Why do you beat around the bush?

You can simply ask,

"If you should die, will someone cry for you?"

And I would answer, "No, Colonel."

- Thank you, Major. - Yes, sir.

First launch, on La Roche.

And then Bastogne.

- A promotion on the field, huh? - Yes, sir.

Can you read a map?

- Enough not to get lost. - That's more than sufficient.

I think we're all set, Cullen.

Sergeant, we're talking about a bridge on the Elbe River,

10 kilometers from Torgau.

It's defended quite well, but it absolutely must explode.

- You think you can make it? - It can't be impossible.

Aren't we advancing in just that direction?

Yes, but we aren't the only ones. Right, Cullen?

Yes, the Russians from the east, and they may cross the river

before we reach the west bank.

Washington wants to avoid any possible Russian interference

beyond Elbe River. - They will face no resistance.

If we don't want the Soviet tanks to cross the river,

we must destroy the bridge.

This matter sounds very political.

Let's say that politics has a role in it.

Cullen, explain to the sergeant the action

as our secret service sees it.

A half dozen men will be launched on the other side of the river.

In the enemy's rear.

The bridge is well defended.

And that is rather strange,

because no movement of troops was noticed in that area.

The mission must remain secret. This goes for us as well as...

- As the Russians. - Cullen.

Make sure the sergeant receives what he needs.

- Is it all clear, Richards? - Very clear, Colonel.

Just one detail is missing.

- When? - Tomorrow night.

There's little time, but it'll have to do.

Be quick in choosing the men and setting up an attack plan.

Yes, sir.

I don't like politics either,

but it's a pill we must swallow once in a while.

Good luck, Sergeant.

Thank you.

Hey, Rod! We're playing tonight. You're in, huh?

See you later.

Hello!

Hinds! I've told you at least 100 times.

These aren't jokes to play!

At least not with friends!

See you tonight for the usual game.

- Come on, Doyle, accept. - Five dollars are 5 dollars!

- You're afraid I'll clobber you! - Coward!

- Chicken! - Clown!

- You'll be there or not? - No! I'm not afraid of you,

but of your rank.

I don't want to face a Court Martial.

There. No more ranks. Is this alright?

Understand? Your chicken

against 5 dollars. - Yes, sir.

Prepare the skewer, guys!

Come on! Come on, Cameron!

- Doyle! Come on, Doyle! - Go!

Come on!

Way to go!

- Come on! - Go for it!

- That's it! - Come on!

- Come on, Cameron! - Bravo! Come on!

Ok!

I must confess something.

I was more afraid of you than your rank.

Give me your paw!

- Bravo, Doyle! - Bravo!

Adolf, know what I'll do with this? Buy you a lovely wife!

Happy?

Hold on to it. We're playing poker tonight.

Yes, but this money is already booked.

Here. It works perfectly.

- Thanks. May I ask another favor? - Sure.

- Find Stiles, Hataway and Fellows. - Alright.

Tell them tonight we're playing poker at the usual place.

If you don't mind, I'll come too. I'm a poker champ.

Ok.

- Fold. - Three Jacks.

- Full of 7s. - Look at that!

- That's it, alright? - Fine with me. I won 20 dollars!

Doyle loses. Adolf brings him bad luck!

Don't be so funny! I won 40 from you the other night.