7بخش

Move!

Let me by!

Let me through!

Where’s your commanding officer?

He’s in the holding pen.

B Company, stand to! Now listen, and listen well!

On the first mark, A Company will advance! B Company will then move to the front line!

Sir, I have a message from General Erinmore!

Who the fuck are you?

The attack has been called off. General Erinmore has called off the attack.

Balls, man. We’re about to go over. We’ve got them on the run.

You don’t! Please. Don’t send your men over.

Get out of the way, Corporal!

These are direct orders from Army command! Where is the Colonel MacKenzie?

Jesus Christ, man! Go and see the Captain!

Now I want us up there quickly, you understand? Do you understand!

Yes, Sir!

Sections 9 and 10 at the ready!

We will advance on the first whistle blast!

You must not slow down! If the man next to you falls, keep moving!

Your orders are to break the lines.

Where is the Captain? He’s over there.

Sir? Sir!

Captain, I have a message. This attack is called off.

You have to stop, you have to stop.

Where is Colonel MacKenzie? Where is MacKenzie?!

Get back! Return to your sectors. Get back! Back! Hold fast!

7 Platoon! One Minute!

Sir, I have orders to stop this attack.

What? Where is Colonel MacKenzie?

He’s further up the line.

How far?

300 yards. He’s in a cut and cover.

You’ll have to wait until the first wave goes over.

No! No, I can’t!

7 Platoon! 30 seconds!

You can’t possibly make it that way man, are you bloody insane?

What the hell are you doing, Lance Corporal?

No! No!

Colonel MacKenzie? He’s in there.

B Company two minutes!

Let me through!

Let me through!

What the hell do you think you’re doing?

I have to see Colonel MacKenzie!

What are you doing?! I have to stop this attack.

Colonel, we’ve seen flares, the men on the left flank

have made it to the German Line.

Colonel! Hold him!

Colonel!

Listen to me, listen to me! I have a letter!

I need to see Colonel MacKenzie!

There’s no bloody way you’re getting in there, mate!

Sergeant! Send the next wave! No!

Colonel MacKenzie!

This attack is not to go ahead! You’ve been ordered to stop.

You have to stop. Who the hell are you?

Lance Corporal Schofield, Sir. 8th.

I have orders from General Erinmore to call off this attack.

You’re too late, Lance Corporal.

Sir, these orders are from Army Command. You have to read them.

Shall we hold back the second wave, Sir?

No, Major. Hesitate now and we lose. Victory is only 500 yards away.

Sir! Please read the letter. I have heard it all before.

I’m not going to wait until dusk, or for fog.

I’m not calling back my men, only to send them out there again tomorrow.

Not when we’ve got the bastards on the run. This is their last stand.

The German’s planned this, Sir.

They’ve been planning it for months. They want you to attack.

Read the letter.

Major. Yes, Sir.

Stand them down. Yes, Sir.

Call up the orderlies. Tend the wounded.

Hold the line in case they counter. Yes, Sir.

Stand down! Stand down!

I hoped today might be a good day.

Hope is a dangerous thing.

That’s it for now, then next week, Command will send a different message.

Attack at dawn.

There is only one way this war ends.

Last man standing.

Have someone see to your wounds.

Now fuck off, Lance Corporal.

Well done, lad.

Thank you, Sir.

Do you know where Lieutenant Blake is, Sir?

Blake?

There were two of us. I was sent here with his brother.

Well, knowing Lieutenant Blake he would’ve gone over with his men.

He was in the first wave.

How could I find him, Sir?

You can try the casualty clearing station, behind the line.

Otherwise…

Thank you, Sir.

Sergeant, I have to find Lieutenant Blake. Do you know where he is?

No.

Sir, is Lieutenant Blake here? No idea.

Move along Corporal.

If you can walk, move to the triage area.

Lieutenant Blake!

Blake?!

Has anyone seen Lieutenant Blake?

Now come on boys. He’s taken one in the leg.

He’s lost a lot of blood.

Lieutenant Blake? Yes.

Do you need medical assistance?

No, Sir. I’m from the 8th.

What the hell are you doing here?

I was sent here to deliver a message.

The 8th? You must know my brother.

I was sent here with him. Tom’s here? Where is he?

It was very quick. I’m sorry.

What’s your name?

Schofield, Sir.

I’m sorry, what?

It’s Schofield, Sir; William Schofield. Will.

Well, you need some food. Get yourself to the mess tent.

If I may, I’d like to write to your mother.

Tell her that Tom wasn’t alone.

Of course.

He was…

He was a good man.

Always telling funny stories.

He saved my life.

Well, I am glad you were with him.

Thank you, Will.