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( dramatic music)
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Downloaded from
YTS.MX
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(breathing heavily)
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Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.MX
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Go, go!
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This is it.
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(gunfire)
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CAPTAIN (over radio):
All on you now, George.
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(explosion)
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Fire!
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(scraping)
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Someone tell me that's not a bloody mine.
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Anytime you like, sir.
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We're on.
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(winces in pain)
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Copper One to Copper Six.
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ELDRIDGE: We were told there
are no conditions for abort!
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It's time.
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TAILOR: Damn tank came right
through into the middle of us.
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You couldn't stop it.
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SPALDING: Back in the water,
boats were in flames.
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Now!
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Let me go first.
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- Sergeant!
- Direct hit.
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Bombs away.
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HONOUR (over radio): Our commander said
they were looking for volunteers
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for hazardous underwater work.
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The qualifications were that you had to be
able to swim, and were single.
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How are we looking, Lyne?
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We're drifting a little.
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NARRATOR: 26-year-old Lt George Honour
is the captain of midget submarine, X23.
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15 feet slow ahead.
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15 feet, slow ahead.
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NARRATOR: Honour's mission sounds simple.
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Park his tiny sub
right on the Nazi's doorstep.
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Remain undetected on the seabed for days.
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Then guide the invasion to shore.
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But it's extraordinarily dangerous.
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On the surface,
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they'll be exposed to
attack by enemy aircraft and patrol boats.
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Beneath the waves, lie hidden minefields
that could atomize the tiny craft.
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HONOUR: Our part of the operation
was called Gambit.
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We looked up the code name in the
dictionary and much to our horror it said,
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"Pawn given away
before big move in chess."
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NARRATOR: George and his crew are in the
vanguard of the largest invasion
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of the 20th century...
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A massive armada led by British, American
and Canadian forces.
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Over 5000 ships, supported by
more than 11,000 aircraft
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will land 132,000 men...
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All in a single day.
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The Germans know it's coming.
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But they have no idea when or where.
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The plan is for troops to come ashore on
five Normandy beaches.
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Their codenames...
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Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.
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But east of Sword Beach,
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where 29,000 British troops will land,
are lethal mudflats.
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If the invasion force hits them,
the landing on Sword could be a disaster.
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It's George Honour's job
to stop that happening.
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On the morning of D-Day,
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X23 will surface a mile off Sword Beach.
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Honour will then light a beacon to guide
the first wave in.
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Those troops will be in 40 amphibious,
Sherman tanks
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converted specifically for D-Day.
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These extraordinary crafts,
known as "DD" tanks,
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are key to the success of the invasion.
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HONOUR: The DD tanks were in flotation
bags, great big canvas bags,
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and carried two propellers.
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The tanks would be launched all around us
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and they would swim ashore
under their own power.
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NARRATOR: If X23 fails to guide the DDs
safely to Sword Beach,
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the thousands of troops that follow
will be defenseless.
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It's a high-risk strategy
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that relies on the courage and skill
of George and his crew.
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For just over 24 hours,
the tiny sub avoids enemy contact.
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(scraping)
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All stop!
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(scraping)
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Someone tell me that's not
a bloody mine cable.
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(scraping)
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You could hear it scraping along the side.
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(scraping)
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We are assuming being in the middle
of a mine barrage that it was a mine.
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(scraping)
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Even if you hook one and you slid up...
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(scraping)
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...you might set the mine off.
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(scraping)
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Slow astern.
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Slow astern.
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(scraping)
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Half astern.
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Half astern.
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(scraping)
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(clanking)
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Pop on a brew, Jim.
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(chuckles)
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NARRATOR: 50 hours after leaving Britain,
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X23 surfaces a mile off Sword Beach.
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Honour is expecting a crucial coded
radio transmission.
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(radio static)
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MAN (over radio):
For Padfoot. For Padfoot.
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Auntie Nelly is unwell in Scarborough.
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It's postponed, lads.
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Bloody weather.
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We had the postponement.
It didn't say how long it was for.
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NARRATOR: Honour has to wait
another 22 hours
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for the next scheduled transmission.
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X23 must sit on the seafloor and remain
undetected until then.
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HONOUR: We had this awful problem.
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Did we have enough oxygen?
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NARRATOR: The tiny sub is just six feet in
diameter and 50 feet long.
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It was designed for a crew of four,
but X23 carries five.
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So the sub has been fitted
with extra oxygen tanks for this mission.
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But these were salvaged from
a crashed German bomber.
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The Oxy bottle didn't seem
to have anything on it
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to say how much there was left,
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and it did seem to be a bit short.
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LYNE: (coughing)
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You alright, Lyne?
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NARRATOR: Honour has no idea how long
the remaining oxygen will last.
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Eighty miles away,
off the coast of England,
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566 battleships,
destroyers and other warships
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are also nervously waiting...
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Among them,
29,000 British invasion troops...
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destined for Sword Beach.
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(wind whistling)
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Twenty two long hours
after the last contact,
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George Honour fires up
the radio once again.
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(static)
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It's no good. I can't hear a thing.
There's too much interference.
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It was only a wire really,
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(chuckles) we got very bad reception.
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I think it might be one of the pumps.
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HONOUR: Kill it now.
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MAN (over radio): For Padfoot.
For Padfoot.
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What is this?
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Henry would like his pom...
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For Padfoot.
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Henry would like his pomade.
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We're on.
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NARRATOR: Honour now has just a few more
hours to wait on the seafloor,
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so long as the oxygen lasts.
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On the surface, the Allied forces
are moving into position.
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Let's get some fresh air, shall we?
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Blow Ballast.
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NARRATOR: It's now or never.
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Okay, boys, this is it.
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NARRATOR: Midget submarine
X23 surfaces just a mile off Sword Beach.
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Seven miles away, 40 DD tanks,
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418 landing craft and 29,000 men
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are relying on George Honour and his crew.
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The D-Day invasion at Sword Beach
hangs on this moment.
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Pass me the beacon.
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NARRATOR: X23 lights up.
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(wind whistling)
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HONOUR: As you looked back
towards England
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there were ships as far as
the eye could see.
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All forms of ships.
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One was very pleased
they were on our side.
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(wind whistling)
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NARRATOR: Zero hour.
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As dawn breaks,
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Allied ships unleash a massive bombardment
of the French coastline.
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Despite shells flying overhead,
the sub must hold its position.
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If the DD tanks don't see X23's beacon,
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everything Honour's crew have gone through
is for nothing.
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Can you see the tanks?
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Skipper?
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(noise passes)
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HONOUR: Bloody hell, here they come.
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We were right on the spot
that we were told to get to
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and they all came and passed us.
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NARRATOR: The first DD swimming tanks pass
the mini-sub and land at Sword Beach.
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29,000 British troops follow the tanks in.
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After a marathon 81-hour mission,
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George Honour and his crew have done it.
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D-Day has begun.
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Over 132,000 troops
are now approaching Normandy.
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54,000 British at Sword and Gold.
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21,000 Canadians at Juno.
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57,000 Americans at Utah and Omaha.
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These original images
show men of the 4th Infantry Division.
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They face a dangerous 11-mile journey
across rough waters
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in one of 65 landing craft
bound for Utah Beach.
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Some of these soldiers
will not survive the day.
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Utah is the most westerly invasion beach.
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In just a few minutes,
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the first of over 23,000 American troops
will land there.
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But ahead of them
lie deadly fortifications...
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(tense music)
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Roaring over the English Channel
in the nose of a B26 Marauder,
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00:13:04,036 --> 00:13:08,088
is 26-year-old bombardier
2nd Lieutenant George Eldridge.
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00:13:08,096 --> 00:13:11,064
Switches in bombardier compartment,
checked.
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All bombsight switches, on.
196
00:13:15,032 --> 00:13:17,060
Switches in power compartment checked.
197
00:13:18,012 --> 00:13:22,032
NARRATOR: A total of 341 bombers
are heading to Utah.
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Eldridge is in the lead group.
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00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:26,048
Looks like every plane we've got
is up here.
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00:13:26,056 --> 00:13:27,072
MAN (over radio): Copy that.
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00:13:28,052 --> 00:13:33,004
NARRATOR: Their mission is to fly directly
through German anti-aircraft fire...
202
00:13:33,012 --> 00:13:37,084
And destroy the heavily fortified bunkers
defending Utah Beach.
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00:13:42,096 --> 00:13:45,044
CAPTAIN (over radio): Better keep
your eyes peeled, George.
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00:13:45,052 --> 00:13:47,056
There's a lot of people
counting on us today.
205
00:13:49,064 --> 00:13:54,012
NARRATOR: American ground troops will land
minutes after the last bombs drop.
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00:13:54,092 --> 00:13:59,036
So the B26s will get one shot
at their targets.
207
00:13:59,084 --> 00:14:03,064
If they miss, the soldiers below
will be slaughtered.
208
00:14:06,052 --> 00:14:08,096
There are no second chances.
209
00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:11,064
CAPTAIN (over radio):
How are you doing, George?
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00:14:11,072 --> 00:14:13,004
Cold, sir.
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00:14:13,012 --> 00:14:15,068
Guess it's better than
being down there though.
212
00:14:16,060 --> 00:14:20,016
You could see the boats,
the landing craft in the water, en-route.
213
00:14:20,024 --> 00:14:24,084
Some of the people I went to school with
were in that initial assault on the beach.
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00:14:28,028 --> 00:14:31,084
NARRATOR: But the entire mission
is now threatened by low cloud.
215
00:14:33,020 --> 00:14:35,004
To target the German defenses,
216
00:14:35,012 --> 00:14:38,024
the bombers will have to fly
beneath the cloud layer,
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00:14:38,032 --> 00:14:40,012
far lower than planned.
218
00:14:41,036 --> 00:14:46,048
13 months ago, a squadron of B26s
flew a mission this low.
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00:14:46,056 --> 00:14:50,020
Every plane that reached the target
was shot down.
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00:14:54,004 --> 00:14:56,060
ELDRIDGE: We were told there
were no conditions for abort!
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00:14:56,068 --> 00:14:58,076
That's what the old man said,
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00:14:58,084 --> 00:15:00,096
"You're in it, it's time."
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00:15:09,036 --> 00:15:10,076
NARRATOR: Off Utah Beach,
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00:15:10,084 --> 00:15:14,056
Allied ships are now pounding
German positions inland.
225
00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:21,028
To avoid friendly fire and have
the best chance of hitting their targets,
226
00:15:21,036 --> 00:15:24,016
the B26s hug the coastline.
227
00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:32,008
But it puts them in the crosshairs of
every anti-aircraft gun along the coast.
228
00:15:32,016 --> 00:15:33,060
(explosions)
229
00:15:33,068 --> 00:15:38,036
(gunfire)
230
00:15:42,008 --> 00:15:47,020
ELDRIDGE: They were using 88s
and small stuff, 50 calibers, 37 mill.
231
00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,052
And we were low enough
that they could reach us.
232
00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:55,004
(explosion)
233
00:15:56,056 --> 00:16:01,004
NARRATOR: In the lead aircraft, is
46-year-old news reporter Ivan Peterman.
234
00:16:02,028 --> 00:16:05,060
PETERMAN: I see bright flashes
and then my neck begins to prickle.
235
00:16:06,072 --> 00:16:09,028
Red tracers go shooting past our plane.
236
00:16:10,076 --> 00:16:13,012
One puts an incendiary into a bomber.
237
00:16:18,068 --> 00:16:20,076
Come on, bail out, bail out.
238
00:16:24,048 --> 00:16:25,068
Do we see any chutes?
239
00:16:25,076 --> 00:16:27,092
CAPTAIN (over radio): I see three...
That's all.
240
00:16:29,056 --> 00:16:32,028
NARRATOR: George is just seconds
from his target.
241
00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:37,056
The lives of the men below
are in his hands.
242
00:16:39,032 --> 00:16:41,024
CAPTAIN (over radio):
All on you now, George.
243
00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:52,072
NARRATOR: George Eldridge is in the lead
group of 341 B26 Marauders
244
00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:57,008
on their final approach to bomb
German defenses at Utah Beach.
245
00:16:58,064 --> 00:17:02,032
But they're flying at a low altitude
they haven't trained for.
246
00:17:02,068 --> 00:17:05,092
Captain Albert Hill
is in one of the other bombers.
247
00:17:07,064 --> 00:17:11,020
HILL: At 5,000 feet,
you don't have any time at all.
248
00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:14,012
When you drop to that elevation,
249
00:17:14,020 --> 00:17:18,000
everything is moving a lot faster
than you realize.
250
00:17:18,096 --> 00:17:22,008
By the time you see the target,
it's behind you.
251
00:17:24,008 --> 00:17:28,052
NARRATOR: The success of the Utah Beach
landings hang in the balance.
252
00:17:30,028 --> 00:17:32,000
Bomb bay doors open.
253
00:17:32,008 --> 00:17:34,004
Bombsight stabilizers on.
254
00:17:39,048 --> 00:17:41,056
Dammit! Keep her steady.
255
00:17:44,076 --> 00:17:47,056
PETERMAN: We were approaching
a battery of Nazi guns.
256
00:17:47,064 --> 00:17:50,024
They look like a series of golf bunkers,
257
00:17:50,032 --> 00:17:53,044
neatly arranged like some sandy folly
on the beach.
258
00:17:55,088 --> 00:17:56,084
Come on, baby.
259
00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:02,004
Bombs away.
260
00:18:10,028 --> 00:18:15,076
NARRATOR: The squadrons of B26s drop
more than 500 tons of explosives.
261
00:18:19,012 --> 00:18:22,016
PETERMAN: An awesome spectacle
is spreading below.
262
00:18:25,008 --> 00:18:27,064
There are spouts of flame
and belching smoke
263
00:18:27,072 --> 00:18:31,024
which seems to leap at us
like some angry monster.
264
00:18:33,096 --> 00:18:36,088
NARRATOR: The bombing run
devastates German fortifications
265
00:18:36,096 --> 00:18:39,024
the whole length of Utah Beach.
266
00:18:51,072 --> 00:18:54,060
Just six minutes later, right on cue,
267
00:18:54,068 --> 00:18:57,064
the first of 23,000 American troops,
268
00:18:57,072 --> 00:19:01,052
including men from the 4th infantry,
begin hitting the shore.
269
00:19:02,064 --> 00:19:07,024
George Eldridge and the crews of the B26
Marauders are so effective,
270
00:19:07,032 --> 00:19:12,004
the ground troops at Utah suffer fewer
than 300 casualties.
271
00:19:13,004 --> 00:19:14,044
Godspeed, guys.
272
00:19:21,056 --> 00:19:24,080
NARRATOR: 20 miles to the east,
on Omaha Beach,
273
00:19:24,088 --> 00:19:28,028
the same plan goes disastrously wrong.
274
00:20:01,076 --> 00:20:04,040
Omaha Beach is a bloodbath.
275
00:20:04,048 --> 00:20:06,088
(gunfire)
276
00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:12,052
But between two of the largest bunkers
is a weaker area in the German defenses.
277
00:20:13,008 --> 00:20:15,036
The few landing craft
that come ashore here,
278
00:20:15,044 --> 00:20:17,040
avoid the worst of the slaughter.
279
00:20:18,004 --> 00:20:22,028
Among them are Easy Company,
16th Regiment, 1st Division.
280
00:20:23,032 --> 00:20:28,040
This photograph called "Into the Jaws of
Death," shows the moment they wade ashore.
281
00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:37,072
Around the same time the photo was taken,
1st platoon of Easy Company
282
00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:39,092
storm out of their landing craft.
283
00:20:40,076 --> 00:20:43,048
They make it up the beach unscathed.
284
00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:48,092
Second Lt John Spalding is in command.
285
00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:51,048
It's his first time in combat.
286
00:20:52,020 --> 00:20:54,016
We went as fast as we could.
287
00:20:54,088 --> 00:20:57,076
We moved on across the shale
straight inland.
288
00:20:57,084 --> 00:21:00,068
The first place we stopped
was at a demolished building.
289
00:21:02,016 --> 00:21:04,032
NARRATOR: His sergeant is Philip Strecyzk,
290
00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:07,052
a decorated veteran
of two previous campaigns.
291
00:21:08,032 --> 00:21:10,000
Check your weapons are dry.
292
00:21:11,016 --> 00:21:12,060
Something funny, Ramundo?
293
00:21:12,068 --> 00:21:13,080
No, sir!
294
00:21:13,088 --> 00:21:15,012
(groans)
295
00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:21,060
NARRATOR: Either side of them, thousands
of troops are still arriving on the beach.
296
00:21:22,036 --> 00:21:25,032
They're being cut to ribbons
by machine gunfire.
297
00:21:26,052 --> 00:21:31,008
Every passing minute means more dead
and injured Americans.
298
00:21:31,016 --> 00:21:32,028
(grunts)
299
00:21:32,092 --> 00:21:34,068
Copper One to Copper Six.
300
00:21:35,008 --> 00:21:37,080
Copper One to Copper Six. This is One!
301
00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:40,096
NARRATOR: The radio is dead.
302
00:21:41,004 --> 00:21:42,036
They're on their own.
303
00:21:42,044 --> 00:21:43,080
(gunfire)
304
00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:47,080
The platoon is hemmed in
on both sides by enemy fire.
305
00:21:48,048 --> 00:21:51,048
Their only possible route out
is directly inland
306
00:21:51,056 --> 00:21:54,016
between the two largest German bunkers,
307
00:21:54,024 --> 00:21:57,052
WN62 and WN64.
308
00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:01,040
This route gives them
an extraordinary opportunity
309
00:22:01,048 --> 00:22:03,076
to change the outcome of D-Day.
310
00:22:03,084 --> 00:22:07,064
If they can make it,
they will end up behind enemy lines.
311
00:22:07,072 --> 00:22:08,096
Sir, what are your orders?
312
00:22:09,004 --> 00:22:10,076
The beach is out of the question.
313
00:22:10,084 --> 00:22:12,076
What do you think, Sergeant?
314
00:22:12,084 --> 00:22:16,084
We're going to get slaughtered if we
go out towards those bunkers head-on.
315
00:22:17,068 --> 00:22:19,040
Could be there's a way up through here.
316
00:22:19,088 --> 00:22:22,004
NARRATOR: The route is
extremely dangerous.
317
00:22:22,012 --> 00:22:27,012
It's protected by barbed wire, minefields,
snipers and machine-gun nests.
318
00:22:28,048 --> 00:22:29,076
Let me go first.
319
00:22:35,064 --> 00:22:38,024
We were getting heavy small arms fire.
320
00:22:38,088 --> 00:22:42,028
One burst left a series of dots
along the wall in front of us.
321
00:22:49,008 --> 00:22:50,084
Ramundo was killed.
322
00:22:54,004 --> 00:22:59,052
NARRATOR: Louis Ramundo is just one
of over 2,400 American casualties
323
00:22:59,060 --> 00:23:01,092
at Omaha Beach that day.
324
00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:05,000
(inaudible)
325
00:23:07,004 --> 00:23:09,028
(gunfire)
326
00:23:11,056 --> 00:23:13,056
(explosion)
327
00:23:20,032 --> 00:23:21,080
Sergeant?
328
00:23:21,088 --> 00:23:23,060
Minefield, sir.
329
00:23:23,068 --> 00:23:26,092
NARRATOR: Spalding's platoon is trapped.
330
00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,088
NARRATOR: On Omaha Beach,
1st Platoon of Easy Company
331
00:23:32,096 --> 00:23:35,040
is trying to get behind enemy lines.
332
00:23:35,048 --> 00:23:37,072
But they've run into a minefield.
333
00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:38,096
Dammit.
334
00:23:39,004 --> 00:23:41,004
You see a way around it?
335
00:23:41,012 --> 00:23:43,056
Stick to the areas with grass
and we should be okay.
336
00:23:44,024 --> 00:23:45,052
Here's hoping.
337
00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:50,004
(explosion)
338
00:23:50,012 --> 00:23:51,032
Sergeant?
339
00:23:56,092 --> 00:23:58,004
I'm okay, sir.
340
00:23:59,052 --> 00:24:01,016
Okay, men, move out.
341
00:24:01,024 --> 00:24:02,036
Heads down.
342
00:24:02,044 --> 00:24:04,084
Stay on the grass. Go!
343
00:24:07,092 --> 00:24:12,040
Sgt. Bisco kept saying, "Lieutenant,
watch out for the damn mines."
344
00:24:14,028 --> 00:24:18,048
They were a little box type mine,
and the place was infested with them.
345
00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:31,080
The Lord was with us and we had an angel
on each shoulder on that trip up the hill.
346
00:24:32,064 --> 00:24:33,084
We lost no men.
347
00:24:39,064 --> 00:24:42,048
NARRATOR: Spalding and his men
reach the top of the hill.
348
00:24:42,056 --> 00:24:46,028
They're the first of the 16th Infantry
to make it this far.
349
00:24:47,032 --> 00:24:51,020
Down on the beach, there's no let-up
in the slaughter.
350
00:24:52,044 --> 00:24:55,032
SPALDING: We didn't know what had become
of the rest of Easy Company.
351
00:24:56,016 --> 00:24:59,028
Back in the water, boats were in flames.
352
00:25:00,048 --> 00:25:02,088
We decided we wouldn't look back anymore.
353
00:25:06,012 --> 00:25:09,056
NARRATOR: All the platoon can do
is push on inland.
354
00:25:10,060 --> 00:25:13,044
(gunfire)
355
00:25:13,052 --> 00:25:18,028
But their way forward is blocked
by deadly machine-gun nests.
356
00:25:20,052 --> 00:25:25,032
(gunfire)
357
00:25:34,052 --> 00:25:36,080
(indistinct)
358
00:25:52,016 --> 00:25:57,004
NARRATOR: Sargent Strecyzk takes out the
machine guns without losing a single man.
359
00:25:59,020 --> 00:26:02,020
The platoon is now behind enemy lines.
360
00:26:02,076 --> 00:26:05,080
For the first time,
they can take the offensive.
361
00:26:06,036 --> 00:26:09,048
Spalding and Streczyk
have one target in mind;
362
00:26:09,056 --> 00:26:13,076
the deadly bunker complex known as WN64.
363
00:26:14,068 --> 00:26:17,008
It's one of the largest enemy strongholds
364
00:26:17,016 --> 00:26:20,052
and is still raining down
murderous fire on Omaha.
365
00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:26,036
It has four separate gun positions, joined
by concealed trenches and tunnels,
366
00:26:26,044 --> 00:26:29,028
and manned by at least 30 soldiers.
367
00:26:31,024 --> 00:26:33,068
1st platoon are massively outgunned.
368
00:26:34,004 --> 00:26:36,032
But they have one advantage.
369
00:26:36,096 --> 00:26:40,044
The enemy has no idea they are there.
370
00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:47,000
How many do you think are in there?
371
00:26:48,048 --> 00:26:50,072
NARRATOR: They only have 22 men.
372
00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:53,024
They cannot risk a pitched battle.
373
00:27:00,012 --> 00:27:02,084
Streczyk goes in alone.
374
00:27:04,040 --> 00:27:07,020
(gunfire)
375
00:27:11,044 --> 00:27:15,076
(gunfire)
376
00:27:16,060 --> 00:27:20,004
(gunfire)
377
00:27:29,076 --> 00:27:32,028
SPALDING: Streczyk fired shots
into the dugout.
378
00:27:32,036 --> 00:27:33,092
Come out, hands up.
379
00:27:35,064 --> 00:27:38,068
Then he yelled in Polish and German
for them to come out.
380
00:27:38,076 --> 00:27:40,080
You've got 10 seconds.
381
00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:49,092
Four men, disarmed, came up.
382
00:27:52,068 --> 00:27:55,012
They brought 2 or 3 wounded with them.
383
00:27:58,036 --> 00:28:00,080
NARRATOR: Streczyk's bold move works.
384
00:28:04,012 --> 00:28:08,072
Led by Streczyk, the platoon fight their
way through the entire bunker complex.
385
00:28:09,004 --> 00:28:10,024
Down!
386
00:28:10,032 --> 00:28:12,020
(explosion)
387
00:28:13,092 --> 00:28:16,008
(gunfire)
388
00:28:17,068 --> 00:28:19,032
(panting)
389
00:28:27,028 --> 00:28:28,092
Just an hour later,
390
00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:32,092
the deadly guns of WN64,
finally fall silent.
391
00:28:34,064 --> 00:28:38,056
The weight of fire onto Omaha Beach
is drastically reduced.
392
00:28:38,064 --> 00:28:41,048
The tide of battle begins to turn.
393
00:28:43,064 --> 00:28:46,000
By taking out WN64,
394
00:28:46,008 --> 00:28:49,012
1st Platoon have opened a route
away from the slaughter
395
00:28:49,020 --> 00:28:51,084
for the exhausted troops on the beach.
396
00:28:53,008 --> 00:28:57,068
One American newspaper describes Streczyk
as "The One Man Invasion."
397
00:28:58,048 --> 00:29:02,092
His actions are pivotal in the success
of the assault on Omaha.
398
00:29:08,084 --> 00:29:13,064
Across every Normandy beach, Allied troops
are now fighting their way ashore.
399
00:29:14,024 --> 00:29:19,072
But for 18,000 soldiers, D-Day began
long before the first beach landings.
400
00:29:20,004 --> 00:29:23,064
They were dropped behind enemy
lines just after midnight.
401
00:29:24,028 --> 00:29:28,008
This reconnaissance photograph
shows discarded parachutes
402
00:29:28,016 --> 00:29:30,004
and abandoned gliders.
403
00:29:30,056 --> 00:29:33,064
These were used
by US and British Paratroopers
404
00:29:33,072 --> 00:29:38,004
and glider troops in one of the largest
airborne landings of the war.
405
00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:42,024
(gunfire)
406
00:29:52,008 --> 00:29:54,064
(gunfire)
407
00:29:54,072 --> 00:29:56,080
Just outside the village of Benouville,
408
00:29:56,088 --> 00:29:59,048
soldiers from the 7th
battalion Parachute Regiment
409
00:29:59,056 --> 00:30:02,088
and the Ox and Bucks light infantry
have dug in.
410
00:30:08,056 --> 00:30:11,012
Benouville sits at a key junction.
411
00:30:11,072 --> 00:30:16,048
Roads come from the south and the east
over the River Orne and the Caen canal.
412
00:30:17,036 --> 00:30:21,064
These would give German tanks direct
access to the invasion beaches.
413
00:30:23,036 --> 00:30:28,048
To prevent that, this tiny band of British
soldiers must hold the town.
414
00:30:30,016 --> 00:30:33,080
NARRATOR: So far no heavy armor has tried
to break through their lines.
415
00:30:35,068 --> 00:30:40,052
Even so, after hours of fighting,
the troops are barely clinging on.
416
00:30:41,068 --> 00:30:44,088
Major John Nigel Taylor
is in charge of A Company.
417
00:30:49,076 --> 00:30:52,012
We were getting casualties
the whole damn time.
418
00:30:53,056 --> 00:30:54,064
You couldn't stop it.
419
00:30:56,080 --> 00:30:59,024
We were really very thin on the ground.
420
00:31:02,048 --> 00:31:03,084
We were down to about...
421
00:31:05,044 --> 00:31:07,028
it couldn't have been more than 30.
422
00:31:09,008 --> 00:31:10,048
What's your name, private?
423
00:31:10,056 --> 00:31:12,040
McGee, sir.
424
00:31:12,048 --> 00:31:14,040
How are you holding up, McGee?
425
00:31:14,048 --> 00:31:16,092
Hoping Jerry gets bored
and buggers off home.
426
00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:19,044
Sir? Bastards!
427
00:31:20,060 --> 00:31:23,072
NARRATOR: Private Michael McGee
is just 20 years old.
428
00:31:23,080 --> 00:31:25,052
(explosion)
429
00:31:25,060 --> 00:31:27,028
MCGEE: Ammunition!
430
00:31:27,036 --> 00:31:31,040
NARRATOR: They're running out of men
and running out of bullets.
431
00:31:32,080 --> 00:31:35,076
Sir, armor coming up the road.
432
00:31:47,096 --> 00:31:52,016
(ringing)
433
00:31:52,024 --> 00:31:53,088
Tight! Argh!
434
00:31:53,096 --> 00:31:56,040
NARRATOR: British soldiers
dropped behind lines
435
00:31:56,048 --> 00:32:00,020
have been under attack for nine hours
in the village of Benouville.
436
00:32:00,096 --> 00:32:05,084
Now German heavy armor is trying to
break through their paper-thin lines.
437
00:32:05,092 --> 00:32:10,080
Major Taylor, one of the last surviving
officers, is wounded by shrapnel.
438
00:32:13,028 --> 00:32:16,072
Keep that fire going.
We cannot let them get behind us.
439
00:32:17,092 --> 00:32:21,056
NARRATOR: Lance Corporal Eddie Gurney
is fighting alongside them.
440
00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:26,056
GURNEY: At about 1000 hours, three large
tanks came down the main road
441
00:32:26,064 --> 00:32:28,024
from the direction of Caen.
442
00:32:30,052 --> 00:32:32,060
Alright, Jones. You're up.
443
00:32:33,004 --> 00:32:35,016
Grab the Piat and make ready.
444
00:32:35,024 --> 00:32:36,020
(winces)
445
00:32:39,044 --> 00:32:42,064
NARRATOR: The Piat is a lightweight
anti-tank weapon.
446
00:32:42,072 --> 00:32:46,036
It uses a powerful spring to launch
an explosive charge
447
00:32:46,044 --> 00:32:49,052
that can pierce armor
up to four inches thick.
448
00:32:49,060 --> 00:32:52,044
But it's only effective at close range.
449
00:32:53,076 --> 00:32:57,060
Just a handful of the paratrooper's Piats
survived the drop.
450
00:32:57,068 --> 00:32:59,044
It's coming toward us...
451
00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:04,008
Alright, Jones.
Hold your fire until I say.
452
00:33:04,072 --> 00:33:05,084
20 feet...
453
00:33:05,092 --> 00:33:07,020
TAYLOR: Wait.
454
00:33:08,036 --> 00:33:09,024
10 feet...
455
00:33:09,032 --> 00:33:10,068
TAYLOR: Wait.
456
00:33:12,004 --> 00:33:13,044
Anytime you like, sir.
457
00:33:13,084 --> 00:33:14,072
Go.
458
00:33:17,036 --> 00:33:19,004
And he pulled the trigger...
459
00:33:19,012 --> 00:33:20,016
Fire!
460
00:33:21,000 --> 00:33:22,008
(click)
461
00:33:22,016 --> 00:33:23,072
And there was just a click.
462
00:33:24,024 --> 00:33:25,080
TAYLOR: Bloody Piat.
463
00:33:26,060 --> 00:33:28,080
Don't just sit there, get in.
464
00:33:35,088 --> 00:33:38,052
NARRATOR: Just three soldiers
and one machine gun
465
00:33:38,060 --> 00:33:40,068
now stand between the German armor...
466
00:33:40,076 --> 00:33:43,032
and the British troops on Sword Beach.
467
00:33:44,016 --> 00:33:47,004
Looks like this is on us then.
Gammon bombs you got them.
468
00:33:47,012 --> 00:33:49,048
We have things called gammon bombs.
469
00:33:49,096 --> 00:33:52,052
We all carried this plastic explosive
470
00:33:52,060 --> 00:33:54,068
in the inside pockets of our battle dress,
471
00:33:55,056 --> 00:33:57,072
and mechanisms to set it off.
472
00:33:57,080 --> 00:33:59,000
I'm gonna lay down covering fire.
473
00:33:59,008 --> 00:34:01,052
You get to that building there,
wait for the tank to stop.
474
00:34:01,060 --> 00:34:04,072
- Why will it stop?
- Because I'm going to make it.
475
00:34:04,080 --> 00:34:06,064
Just make sure you're ready yeah?
476
00:34:11,012 --> 00:34:14,012
TAYLOR: Damn tank came right through into
the middle of us,
477
00:34:15,012 --> 00:34:16,068
From where I was it was...
478
00:34:17,068 --> 00:34:18,084
four yards away.
479
00:34:23,048 --> 00:34:26,068
Okay, this is it. Go. Go. Go.
480
00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:32,076
GURNEY: Private McGee started to walk up
the middle of the road towards the tanks.
481
00:34:36,060 --> 00:34:40,020
We could hear the bullets
ricocheting off the tank's armor plating.
482
00:34:40,096 --> 00:34:43,008
The drivers closed down their visors,
483
00:34:43,016 --> 00:34:45,024
making them blind
as to what was happening.
484
00:34:45,088 --> 00:34:50,052
NARRATOR: McGee's Bren gun is as much use
as a pea shooter against heavy armor.
485
00:34:54,004 --> 00:34:55,048
But in shut down position,
486
00:34:55,056 --> 00:35:00,032
the Germans can't see what's going on
right under their noses.
487
00:35:01,008 --> 00:35:02,028
Now!
488
00:35:03,080 --> 00:35:06,052
GURNEY: Corporal Kilean ran up
the side of the road.
489
00:35:09,048 --> 00:35:12,032
He threw the first bomb
which hit the leading tank.
490
00:35:19,068 --> 00:35:22,088
The crew bailed out
and attempted to escape.
491
00:35:26,072 --> 00:35:28,080
They were shot by McGee.
492
00:35:34,056 --> 00:35:36,024
NARRATOR: Not long afterwards,
493
00:35:36,032 --> 00:35:39,032
McGee destroys a second piece
of German heavy armor.
494
00:35:40,040 --> 00:35:42,072
The wrecked vehicles block the road.
495
00:35:43,076 --> 00:35:48,060
Not a single piece of enemy armor
breaks through this village on D-Day.
496
00:35:49,048 --> 00:35:52,064
Because of Michael McGee's
quick-thinking actions,
497
00:35:52,072 --> 00:35:56,032
the ragged Allied line
at Benouville holds.
498
00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:04,040
It's nearly six hours since
the first troops came ashore.
499
00:36:04,048 --> 00:36:07,052
All five beaches are now
under allied control.
500
00:36:07,060 --> 00:36:10,060
Men and machines are pouring ashore.
501
00:36:10,068 --> 00:36:13,076
But that success is causing problems.
502
00:36:13,084 --> 00:36:16,036
This reconnaissance photo of Sword Beach
503
00:36:16,044 --> 00:36:19,044
shows a mass of tanks and trucks
on the shore.
504
00:36:20,004 --> 00:36:24,004
Traffic is backed up on the tiny lanes
leading away from the beach.
505
00:36:25,004 --> 00:36:30,032
Paralyzed by the traffic jams, the tanks
are easy targets for a counter-attack.
506
00:36:31,048 --> 00:36:36,020
(tense music)
507
00:36:52,056 --> 00:36:55,084
The only defense against
the Panzers hitting Sword
508
00:36:55,092 --> 00:36:59,092
are 54 British Sherman tanks
of the Staffordshire Yeomanry.
509
00:37:00,052 --> 00:37:04,056
They've finally cleared the traffic
on the beach and are pushing inland
510
00:37:04,064 --> 00:37:08,000
towards the town of Caen
where the Panzers are based.
511
00:37:08,092 --> 00:37:12,052
The Shermans have been ordered
to intercept the German tanks.
512
00:37:13,080 --> 00:37:16,012
But this is enemy terrain.
513
00:37:16,020 --> 00:37:19,076
Hidden in it are minefields
and heavy artillery.
514
00:37:20,088 --> 00:37:24,056
Come on. Come on. Foot down, Mills.
515
00:37:25,056 --> 00:37:28,096
NARRATOR: For Sergeant Les Joyce,
the hunt is on.
516
00:37:30,040 --> 00:37:34,052
He will play a pivotal role
in the only tank battle of D-Day.
517
00:37:39,036 --> 00:37:41,088
In a head-on shooting match
with the Panzers,
518
00:37:41,096 --> 00:37:43,096
the Sherman' are outnumbered.
519
00:37:44,004 --> 00:37:46,080
If we get contact, we fire first.
520
00:37:48,028 --> 00:37:51,020
NARRATOR: They have to find
a tactical advantage.
521
00:37:52,052 --> 00:37:55,072
Joyce's orders are to race
for high ground.
522
00:37:56,024 --> 00:38:00,020
Get there before the Panzers
and ambush them.
523
00:38:03,008 --> 00:38:07,064
Joyce's best bet is a ridge
near the village of Periers-sur-le-Dan.
524
00:38:08,020 --> 00:38:12,060
It overlooks the shortest route for the
German tanks to get to the beaches.
525
00:38:22,052 --> 00:38:25,044
On your toes, everybody,
be ready for contact.
526
00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,052
NARRATOR: But up ahead, there's trouble.
527
00:38:32,052 --> 00:38:36,084
MAN (over radio): We're hit, we're hit.
Bailing out. Artillery in the trees.
528
00:38:36,092 --> 00:38:39,096
NARRATOR: A squadron of Shermans
have been ambushed.
529
00:38:43,092 --> 00:38:47,048
NARRATOR: Sergeant Les Joyce is pushing
inland through enemy territory.
530
00:38:48,032 --> 00:38:51,080
Ahead of him, five British
Sherman tanks have been hit.
531
00:38:53,008 --> 00:38:56,012
The Germans have hidden
powerful artillery in the woods.
532
00:38:57,016 --> 00:39:01,028
These 88-millimeter guns were designed
to shoot down aircraft.
533
00:39:02,032 --> 00:39:05,056
They can destroy a tank
from over a mile away.
534
00:39:06,076 --> 00:39:10,028
2nd Lt David Render
is another tank commander.
535
00:39:11,028 --> 00:39:14,048
RENDER: I still wince at the memory
of the ear-splitting crack
536
00:39:14,056 --> 00:39:16,028
of the high-velocity projectiles.
537
00:39:16,036 --> 00:39:20,008
They gouged lightning-quick furrows
in the ground around us.
538
00:39:23,012 --> 00:39:28,024
NARRATOR: Despite armor two inches thick,
Shermans have a notorious reputation...
539
00:39:29,008 --> 00:39:30,092
(explosion)
540
00:39:34,032 --> 00:39:37,000
Germans call them the "Tommy Cooker".
541
00:39:38,024 --> 00:39:42,052
Allies nickname it the "Ronson"
after the American lighter slogan,
542
00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:45,060
"Lights first time, every time."
543
00:39:47,056 --> 00:39:51,060
RENDER: All tank crews have a horror
of being burned alive in their vehicles.
544
00:39:55,056 --> 00:39:59,000
NARRATOR: Then comes the news the Allies
have feared all day.
545
00:39:59,008 --> 00:40:02,020
MAN (over radio): Panzers on the move.
Panzers on the move.
546
00:40:06,088 --> 00:40:11,000
NARRATOR: A British reconnaissance platoon
spots the Germans heading north.
547
00:40:15,052 --> 00:40:17,032
If they reach the ridge first,
548
00:40:17,040 --> 00:40:20,092
they will have a direct route
to the invasion beaches.
549
00:40:21,092 --> 00:40:25,076
(dramatic music)
550
00:40:35,032 --> 00:40:38,076
But the German Panzers
have left it too late...
551
00:40:40,016 --> 00:40:42,088
The British Shermans get there first.
552
00:40:46,004 --> 00:40:47,052
There you are.
553
00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:51,008
NARRATOR: Joyce is outnumbered
and outgunned.
554
00:40:51,016 --> 00:40:54,092
His one advantage
is that he has the high ground.
555
00:40:55,048 --> 00:40:57,032
Right five.
556
00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:01,060
NARRATOR: But it will only take
the Panzers seconds to target him.
557
00:41:02,004 --> 00:41:03,020
Keep turning.
558
00:41:03,028 --> 00:41:05,068
NARRATOR: Everything depends
on his first shot.
559
00:41:06,024 --> 00:41:07,052
Turn five.
560
00:41:09,004 --> 00:41:10,096
Steady, steady.
561
00:41:12,020 --> 00:41:13,060
Okay, 500.
562
00:41:17,084 --> 00:41:19,004
And fire!
563
00:41:23,064 --> 00:41:25,052
Direct hit. Reload.
564
00:41:25,060 --> 00:41:28,056
NARRATOR: He takes out the lead Panzer
with one shot.
565
00:41:28,064 --> 00:41:31,052
Now the tanks behind can't get through.
566
00:41:31,060 --> 00:41:34,044
Joyce is in control of the battle.
567
00:41:35,084 --> 00:41:37,052
Tank ahead 600.
568
00:41:38,060 --> 00:41:39,052
Fire!
569
00:41:42,044 --> 00:41:43,028
That's it!
570
00:41:45,056 --> 00:41:48,000
Steady, steady!
571
00:41:48,048 --> 00:41:49,048
Fire!
572
00:41:56,096 --> 00:41:59,096
NARRATOR: Sargent Reuben Welsh
sees it happen.
573
00:42:00,096 --> 00:42:04,048
WELSH: He knocked out the three leading
tanks with three shots.
574
00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:08,076
The rest panicked and veered north.
575
00:42:10,020 --> 00:42:12,052
I believe we saved the day.
576
00:42:15,000 --> 00:42:18,080
Our thin red line held
and they never came again...
577
00:42:20,084 --> 00:42:22,092
NARRATOR: Three shots. Three tanks.
578
00:42:27,072 --> 00:42:31,056
The 22nd Panzer regiment
lose 13 tanks that day.
579
00:42:31,064 --> 00:42:33,032
They're forced to retreat.
580
00:42:34,080 --> 00:42:39,024
One of the single greatest threats to
the D-Day invasion has been halted.
581
00:42:40,072 --> 00:42:46,016
Les Joyce is instrumental in stopping
the threat from the German tanks.
582
00:42:52,096 --> 00:42:58,080
By day's end, 156,000 Allied troops
are now on mainland France.
583
00:42:59,016 --> 00:43:04,016
This single day has witnessed
the largest invasion in the 20th century.
584
00:43:05,048 --> 00:43:08,072
D-Day was won by the actions
of ordinary men
585
00:43:08,080 --> 00:43:11,076
confronted by extraordinary circumstances.
586
00:43:12,008 --> 00:43:13,072
These men were just a handful
587
00:43:14,016 --> 00:43:17,040
among hundreds, perhaps thousands
of other soldiers,
588
00:43:17,048 --> 00:43:20,068
whose actions transformed
the outcome of the war.
589
00:43:22,028 --> 00:43:25,088
X23 commander George Honour
survived the war.
590
00:43:25,096 --> 00:43:29,000
He died in Dorset, England in 2002.
591
00:43:30,044 --> 00:43:34,076
Sergeant Philip Strecyzk logged 440 days
of frontline combat.
592
00:43:34,084 --> 00:43:39,020
He fought all the way to Germany
before returning safely to America.
593
00:43:39,092 --> 00:43:43,016
Sergeant Leslie Joyce
followed in his father's footsteps
594
00:43:43,024 --> 00:43:44,064
to become a gamekeeper.
595
00:43:46,024 --> 00:43:49,028
Private Michael McGee,
did not survive D-Day.
596
00:43:49,036 --> 00:43:54,000
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct
Medal for his actions at Benouville.
597
00:43:55,072 --> 00:43:58,008
Lt Jim Booth became a teacher.
598
00:43:58,048 --> 00:44:01,052
He's 97 and lives in Somerset, England.
599
00:44:02,044 --> 00:44:05,048
George Eldridge retired with
the rank of Colonel.
600
00:44:05,056 --> 00:44:08,016
He now lives in Idaho. He's 101 years old.
601
00:44:08,024 --> 00:44:09,072
Captioned by Visual Data Media Services