A Bridge Too Far Page #3

Perhaps because no one

in Intelligence does.

I just want to be sure

our airborne carpet...

consists of live troops,

not dead ones.

I know everybody thinks

I'm overanxious, sir...

but I would like to order another

low-level reconnaissance of the area.

If that's all right

with you, sir.

Very well.

All right, Wilson.

Very well.

I wouldn't be too concerned

about what people think of you.

You happen to be somewhat

brighter than most of us.

Tends to make us nervous.

Naturally we'll do our utmost

to meet your tactical requirements, sir.

But please keep in mind...

the one factor which is

crippling all our plans.

It may seem improbable to you...

but we are desperately short

of transport aircraft.

I am aware of that.

I was surprised that nobody mentioned it

to Monty when he dreamed up this plan.

I need drop zones as close

as possible to the bridge.

This area's no use at all.

Can't have my chaps landing on chimney

tops, but this looks inviting here.

- What's the terrain like?

- Sorry, sir.

Our reports indicate that this terrain

is too soft for glider landings.

The nose digs in first on touchdown,

the thing goes ass over tip.

Total write-off.

All right.

- What about there?

- Afraid not, sir.

You see, after the drop,

when we bank for our return...

we run into

a whole lot of flak...

from this Jerry airfield

up here at Deelen.

Presumably you're intending

to let us land somewhere?

Oh, yes.

Hopefully, sir.

But as I was saying, we cannot afford

to lose a single aircraft.

That is the problem.

My problem is,

I don't just need drop zones.

I need drop zones

I can hold and defend.

The rest of my division arrives

with the second drop...

and General Sosabowski's

Polish Brigade with the third.

I understand, sir, but we really

think we've found the right place.

It's large enough for your needs,

it's flat and firm.

- It's also easily defended.

- Where the hell is it?

Well, it's not actually

on this photograph.

It should be...

Excuse me, sir...

It would be about here,

I think.

That could be

ten miles from the bridge.

It's just under eight actually, sir,

if you'd like to have a look at this.

You see, the terrain

is easy to traverse.

All our information

substantiates that.

Yes, sir?

Just making sure

whose side you're on.

Now, a drop zone

eight miles from Arnhem Bridge...

might be thought by some

to present problems.

My God, he can't mean it.

I'm afraid he does.

Must know what he's doing.

That's more than I know. Why should

he have a corner on the market?

...cannot under any stretch

of the imagination be considered ideal.

But the gliders will be bringing in

a reconnaissance squadron of jeeps...

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