1959 U.S. ARMY TRAINING FILM
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Format: 16mm
Description: One of a series of training films made by the U.S. Army about the Code of Conduct, this film focuses on the "never surrender" concept, presenting a scenario which trainees could discuss. It depicts a squadron in desperate combat, running out of ammunition, and what they do afterwards. This particular segment shows the precept of ‘standing firm’. The film begins with a portion of the Code of Conduct being read over a photograph of a solider holding a rifle and pointing it outwards (:42). Characters are introduced; one is a young soldier who is down trodden and fearful of the proposition that the squad is about to run out of ammunition (1:03). The other, standing just near him is a veteran soldier seen chewing on a cigar butt (1:21) and the final man who joins them is the Sergeant. The Sergeant and the seasoned soldier demonstrate boosting of one another’s morale as they ensure the young soldier they will not get captured (1:32). As they go over remaining weaponry, the Sergeant pulls out his own ammunition and leaves it with the other two men (1:42). Soldiers wait in trenches with machine gun barrels poking out (2:08). The enemy forces attack and explosions erupt all around the trenches (2:17) as the friendly forces fire back (2:24). Rounds are loaded into mortars (2:54) and the Captain is radioed as they load the final round (3:18). The radio man and the Captain are seen taking the call (3:24). The Captain directs the two squadrons to move towards the Third Platoon to provide them with support (3:29). The young soldier is seen firing the last of his ammunition (3:53) and the seasoned soldier also runs out (3:58). As enemy fire continues, the men sit down within the trenches for cover (4:16). An order is given for the men to fall back (4:33) and a few are seen running towards the woods (4:44). Some of the men were forced to cross a treacherous river as it stood between them and the reserves to the south (5:15). The veteran soldier ditches his rifle and hides his supplies so enemy forces cannot use them to their own advantage (5:32) and heads towards the river the cross. The Sergeant is seen wading through the waters holding onto a log (5:45). The young soldier runs through the woods (6:00). As the three are nearly united, the Sergeant orders the young and the seasoned soldier to take off. A dirt road lay between the three of them and the enemy forces were heading their way (6:56). Soldiers sprint across an open field and one of them is hit in the leg (7:21). The experienced soldier collapses in the woods from exhaustion (7:47) though he begins to crawl forward on his stomach from here. The young soldier does the same (8:32) and as he spots enemy movement, he grabs a pointed stick to use as a weapon (9:17) and the image of the soldier from the beginning reappears as the Code of Conduct is read again (9:48).
Complete Record:
Transcription
[Music] [Applause] [Music] I will never surrender of my own free will if in command I will never surrender my men while they still have a means to resist [Music] I just know we're never gonna get out of this alive what kind of crazy talk is that you're fluffing your letter something kid when we stall out of ammo well we gonna do play attack again we're gonna get captured for sure captured hell and nobody in this whole gonna get captured if we run out of ammo we'll fight thought spreads with our rifle butts you can say that again the Browse key nobody in this whole company is gonna be catchy tune don't worry the old man knows what he's doing we're gonna get out of this all right what'd I tell you a kid you got much ammo left we got 9 clips between us how about grenades we're fresh out it's all I can let you have make them calm don't worry we will won't we kidding damn right we will does every man understand he's to hold his fire until I give the signal yes sir [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] last one dust I'll find out hang on I'll let you know captain two of the 81 seven ish tell McCluskey to get those two squads over to the thirst of to marry for two lieutenant Hillier he can use some help last belty what do we do with this what do we do after this what you are about to see concerns the men of the 3rd platoon and what they did in their moment of truth [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] they'll be coming at us as soon as they lift this heavy stuff well I got an oddly weight [Music] [Music] [Applause] the lieutenant says pull back let's go [Music] [Music] [Applause] fall back and regroup is the order [Music] [Applause] but the some members of the third Platoon the going is tougher between them and the reserves to the South flows a slow-moving but treacherous River a soldier hates the idea of parting company from his weapon for without his rifle he is nothing but now the big thing is to stay alive to fight again and he makes sure to hide his gears who won't do the enemy any good each man is on his own each man making his way to the reserves as best he can was sergeant the old pro of a soldier who knows he's going to make it and the youngster was forgotten his fear by now [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] and I can't take all of you guys [Music] ah go on I'm okay good luck [Applause] [Music] not far away just a little longer hold on a little more [Music] but on his mind even as he reaches the lines is the question how about his young friend did he measure up was he going to make it to Oh who's there move there [Music] going going hour after hour [Music] [Music] what comes sliding into your mind at a time like this a siren call surrender give up live it out in an enemy prison camp [Music] [Applause] [Music] but the approaching steps of the anime play a tune that washes over that call a tune with a heartbeat that stirs and fires the blood of the American soldier a heartbeat that lays it on the line I will never surrender of my own free will if in command I will never surrender my men while they still have a means to resist [Music]
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