WEBVTT 1 00:00:02.120 --> 00:00:05.639 Suspense, which is usually heard at this hour on Thursday nights, 2 00:00:05.759 --> 00:00:09.400 is taking its customary summer holiday. Suspense returns to the 3 00:00:09.400 --> 00:00:18.559 air seven weeks from tonight. On Thursday September one. 4 00:00:26.519 --> 00:00:29.320 You are deep in the remote hill country of Afghan 5 00:00:30.079 --> 00:00:34.240 face to face with the fierce Batan warriors. Trapped into 6 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:39.520 a hopeless fight from which there seems no escape. 7 00:00:48.359 --> 00:00:51.560 We offer you escape designed to free you from the 8 00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:55.359 four walls of today, for a half hour of high adventure. 9 00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:03.920 To night we escaped to the north of India and 10 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:07.680 to a battle long remembered. As Rudyard Kipling described it 11 00:01:07.719 --> 00:01:19.560 in his famous story The Drums of the Fore and Aft. 12 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:25.560 When I came out from England to serve as a 13 00:01:25.599 --> 00:01:28.760 news correspondent with the British troops on the northwest frontier 14 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:31.799 of India, I was attached to a regiment known as 15 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:36.040 the fore and Fit, Princess hohenz Allen's own Royal light 16 00:01:36.079 --> 00:01:41.120 infantry fore and Fit, but now behind their backs men 17 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:45.000 call them the poor and Aft. When certain words are 18 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:47.879 shouted in front of other barracks, the troops may come 19 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:50.959 out with belts and fists, but the mere whisper of 20 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:53.799 fore and Aft brings out the men of this regiment 21 00:01:54.040 --> 00:01:56.799 with rifles in their hands and murder in their eyes. 22 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:07.000 I think perhaps the story of how the Fore and 23 00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:10.240 Aft got its name may be really more the story 24 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:14.120 of Jakin and piggy Loo, two of the toughest and 25 00:02:14.159 --> 00:02:17.280 most lovable little monsters who ever banged a drum or 26 00:02:17.400 --> 00:02:20.680 tooted a fife in a military band. They were both 27 00:02:20.680 --> 00:02:24.000 about the same age, with curly hair and the faces 28 00:02:24.039 --> 00:02:28.280 of cherubs, and inside were two souls that should have 29 00:02:28.319 --> 00:02:32.000 belonged to a pair of devils. I must have seen 30 00:02:32.039 --> 00:02:34.840 them before, of course, But the first occasion I can 31 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:38.199 recall was at an informal court the Colonel was holding 32 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:41.879 in the orderly room one morning. Piggy and Jakin were there, 33 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:45.080 and they were in trouble as usual. 34 00:02:45.080 --> 00:02:47.759 All right, Sergeant read the charges, Yes, sir. 35 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:51.800 The charge is made by one Smithers, a civilian, that, 36 00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:54.960 while walking back of the bazaar at six pm last evening, 37 00:02:55.319 --> 00:02:59.199 he was set upon without provocation by two drummers from 38 00:02:59.240 --> 00:03:03.479 the regimental band, known as Jakin and Piggylo, and by 39 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:06.560 them was beaten into near insensibility. 40 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:09.039 Well go on, Sargon. 41 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:13.000 Mister Smithers states further that he was struck down for 42 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:16.039 the two defendants, and while lying on the ground, was 43 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:19.879 kicked repeatedly in the face and ribs, escaping with his 44 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:23.199 life only through the timely arrival of a detachment of 45 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:23.560 the guard. 46 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:27.919 That's also, well, what about it, jakin, Piggey? 47 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:29.360 Is this the truth? How? 48 00:03:29.479 --> 00:03:31.400 Yes, sir, we gave him what for? All right? 49 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:35.400 That will do, Piggy, Yes, sir? All right, sergeant, turn 50 00:03:35.439 --> 00:03:39.199 them over to the bandmaster and have him tan their hides, Yes, sir, 51 00:03:39.479 --> 00:03:42.199 come on you begging. 52 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:45.199 Your pardon, sir? But can't we say nothing in our 53 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:45.919 own defense? 54 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:48.080 Or what if a bluem and civilian said he'd report 55 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:50.120 you for having a bit of a barney with a friend. 56 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:52.719 Suppose he tried to get money out of you, sir, And. 57 00:03:52.680 --> 00:03:56.520 Then that will do Piggy? You were fighting? 58 00:03:56.719 --> 00:03:59.000 Well, only between ourselves, sir. 59 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:03.400 We can't have no blink and civilians interfering with the 60 00:04:03.400 --> 00:04:05.159 business of our Majesty's regimen. 61 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:08.919 All right, we forget the birching, But you're both can 62 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:12.560 find a quarters for three days? But all right, dismissed 63 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:15.439 and throw away that pipe and you got outside, Piggie 64 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:16.480 or too young to be smoking? 65 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:18.720 Yes, sir, come on, come on. 66 00:04:22.240 --> 00:04:24.519 And founded, Kipling. I don't know what to do with 67 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:27.120 the lads. They're not really bad at heart, and they've 68 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:28.600 never known any home of the army. 69 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:30.079 Where did they come from? 70 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:33.000 Colonel Jacin is from some back street in London, and 71 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:36.560 Piggy lewis straight off the Calcutta dark and in both 72 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:38.519 cases ancestry unknown. 73 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:41.600 Well, they seem loyal enough to the regiment at any rate. 74 00:04:42.000 --> 00:04:44.279 They are unloyal to each other in their own way. 75 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:47.920 I'm inclined to think sometimes they've got more rail spirit 76 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:50.120 and all these new regulars put together. 77 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:54.199 Aren't you a bit overloaded with Green troops? 78 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:58.240 Colonel overloaded, my dear fellow. Ninety percent of the regiment 79 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:01.279 were in Manchester factories or lack of farm six months ago. 80 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:04.439 Can't make a soldier that length of time. Any chance 81 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:08.720 of action very soon between ourselves, Kipling, we'll probably moved 82 00:05:08.759 --> 00:05:11.240 north in about ten days or not, to the front. 83 00:05:11.279 --> 00:05:12.720 Of course, we will give them a few months to 84 00:05:12.759 --> 00:05:14.040 shake down before they go into action. 85 00:05:14.079 --> 00:05:15.240 H it's a good idea. 86 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:18.800 It's the only thing to do. There's one thing certain. 87 00:05:19.199 --> 00:05:23.079 This regiment is not ready for action yet. Only uh, 88 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:24.439 don't write that back to your. 89 00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:31.319 Paper, But the gods who govern armies seldom choose the 90 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:35.160 wisest plan. On the Afghan border, a large force of 91 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:38.720 Patan guerrillas began massing near the Kaiber Valley, being held 92 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:41.600 in Czech temporarily by a regiment of Highlanders and a 93 00:05:41.639 --> 00:05:46.079 regiment of native Gurkhas. A week later, the fore and Fit, 94 00:05:46.639 --> 00:05:50.680 a regiment totally unprepared for action, was ordered to march north, 95 00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:54.120 contact the two regiments and carry out a joint action 96 00:05:54.279 --> 00:06:03.519 to disperse the enemy. Parade ground and barracks began to 97 00:06:03.600 --> 00:06:06.879 hum with preparations for the coming campaign. Privates walked with 98 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:09.639 a new swiper and the young officers nearly shot one 99 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:13.240 another at pistol practice. But to Piggy and Jakie the 100 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:16.720 excitement was like salt in an open would for the 101 00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:20.519 band was reduced to twenty men and the drummer boys 102 00:06:20.600 --> 00:06:23.920 who are being left behind. 103 00:06:27.480 --> 00:06:29.600 Blindie, I won't let him do it to me, Jake 104 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:32.079 and me, what's gonna have a career in the army 105 00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:34.079 being left behind like an old boot? 106 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:35.920 Oh why should you worry? 107 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:38.439 Now you can stay here with that blooming. 108 00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:38.639 Girl of you. 109 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:42.199 Oh what's a girl? When the regiments go into the front. 110 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:45.079 And besides, how am I to explain to her about 111 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:46.839 being left behind with the women? 112 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:49.680 What you have to explain anything to her? For she's 113 00:06:49.720 --> 00:06:50.560 only thirteen. 114 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:53.040 I've been telling her I'll get myself a medal when 115 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:55.439 the first campaign came along. And how am I to 116 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:55.759 do it? 117 00:06:55.839 --> 00:06:56.160 Now? 118 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:58.639 I heard in the barracks they're going to take Tom 119 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:00.839 Kidd along to be the bugler. 120 00:07:01.399 --> 00:07:02.920 Course he's eighteen. 121 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:06.399 Though he may be eighteen, but I can cluster the 122 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:08.920 wall with him any day, and with one hand behind 123 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:09.639 my back. 124 00:07:09.720 --> 00:07:12.600 Perhaps we could bash him round a bit, or just 125 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:15.560 enough so as he can't bugle no more. You could 126 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:17.720 hold his hands piggy, and then I'll kick him in. 127 00:07:18.040 --> 00:07:23.920 No, no, no, he still wouldn't take us. Our reputations 128 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:25.439 ain't what they might be, you know. 129 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:29.920 Oh well for myself, I just as Leaves stay here 130 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.279 and do a bit of loafing with our. 131 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:35.160 Own regiment going into action. Why does leaf have no loo? 132 00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:39.040 Who's coming? It's the blooming colonel itself, and so. 133 00:07:39.240 --> 00:07:43.079 It is all alone, you know, check him, my boy. 134 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:45.480 I think I'll go and have a little talk with 135 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:46.720 the colonel. You wait here? 136 00:07:46.800 --> 00:07:47.319 Have you come? 137 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:49.279 Darf with eavey catch my pipe. 138 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:50.079 BlimE me. 139 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:51.439 Now we're in for it. 140 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:57.399 Again, begging the colonel's pardon, sir. 141 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:04.279 Well, Piggy the drums in revolt. 142 00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:07.639 No, sir, I'd like the pleasure of a. 143 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:08.560 Word with you, sir. 144 00:08:08.720 --> 00:08:11.680 All right, go ahead and have it, sir. 145 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:14.759 If you thought the world and all of your regiment 146 00:08:14.920 --> 00:08:17.319 and it was going off to active service without you, sir, 147 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:18.839 then how'd you feel? 148 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:23.480 I uh hm, I I'm afraid I feel a bit 149 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:24.399 left out of things. 150 00:08:24.600 --> 00:08:26.720 That's how Jaykin and May feels about it, sir. 151 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:30.199 No idea what a campaign can be? Like, Piggy, Why 152 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:31.959 you'd flop in your face in the first twenty. 153 00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:35.080 Minds No, we wouldn't, sir. We're good at marching. I'll 154 00:08:35.080 --> 00:08:36.960 have tell my girl I'd bring a back a metal 155 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:38.080 I've just got to go. 156 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:43.639 I see, huh. Think you could pass a physical. 157 00:08:44.200 --> 00:08:46.600 Not the slightest doubt of it, sir. We're both of 158 00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:48.159 us very healthy for our age. 159 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:51.600 All right. I suppose it's unheard of for a regiment 160 00:08:51.639 --> 00:08:54.000 on the border to take drummers along on active service. 161 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:59.159 But if you can pass the medical officer, you can 162 00:08:59.240 --> 00:08:59.960 both go alive. 163 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:06.519 BlimE me, we're going to the fan I mean thank you, sir, 164 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:10.399 I mean Jacin Jakin Jakin. 165 00:09:24.799 --> 00:09:27.120 The regiment marched out of the station two days later, 166 00:09:27.639 --> 00:09:30.000 and all those left behind lined the road that led 167 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:32.960 past the parade ground. The band stood by and played 168 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:35.000 them out, waiting to fall in at the rear of 169 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:38.120 the column. And although Jakin perspired and beat on his 170 00:09:38.200 --> 00:09:40.879 drum manfully to cover up, it was quite evident that 171 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:45.000 Piggy Loo was not with the band. Jakin kept glancing 172 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:47.440 at the cedar hedge behind him, and I had a 173 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:50.519 pretty good idea why Piggy was being detained. 174 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:54.480 It just got to be awful, careful and take real 175 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:59.120 good care of yourself, Peggy, yourself, Venturesome. I'd worry all 176 00:09:59.159 --> 00:09:59.639 the time. 177 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:03.879 It's hard, Chris, I'll grant you it's hard. But what's 178 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:06.600 the men to do when his regiment's called on active service? 179 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:06.919 Now? 180 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:16.960 Yeah, give us another kiss? Oh Piggy, it's more like you. 181 00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:21.000 If you'd just idea like you'd ought to, you could 182 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:22.320 have had as many as you want. 183 00:10:22.399 --> 00:10:24.759 And if I'd done that, Chris, you wouldn't think anything 184 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:25.919 of me like. 185 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:28.440 As not, but will at least I'd have aired you 186 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:31.559 with me, Piggy, and all the thinking in the world. 187 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:32.759 Ain't like kissing, and. 188 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:34.919 All the kissing in the world. I ain't like having 189 00:10:34.919 --> 00:10:36.759 a medal to wear on the front of your coat. 190 00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:41.399 Cares about a medal. Just stay with me, Piggy darling, 191 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:43.600 and I love you true forever. 192 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:46.720 Aren't you going to do that anyhow? Chris? 193 00:10:47.080 --> 00:10:47.919 You said you was. 194 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:51.200 Of course I am, but it had been not more 195 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:52.720 comfortable of this idea. 196 00:10:53.320 --> 00:10:56.360 Don't take on about it, Chris. I'll be coming back 197 00:10:56.919 --> 00:11:00.399 and I'll marry you some day, tin. I promise win 198 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:02.320 years and years. 199 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:06.320 Perhaps you'll be careful wa to Piggy. 200 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:10.120 Man has to take his chances in the army, Chris. 201 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:14.759 But if it happens, I'll be thinking, are you right. 202 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:15.200 To the last? 203 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:21.320 Don't talk like them. Now, give us a kiss. 204 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:24.720 Piggy, Come on over here, we're about to fall in. 205 00:11:24.919 --> 00:11:27.240 I got to go now, Chris, my love. Don't you 206 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:28.559 be forgetting me? Oh? 207 00:11:28.600 --> 00:11:33.000 I won't ever, Piggy. Yeah, I made something for you 208 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:33.799 to take with you. 209 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:36.039 What is it? 210 00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:39.320 It's a button bag. All the regular soldiers carry them. 211 00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:41.399 I put some of my air in it. 212 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:45.200 No, it's awful kind of you, Chris. 213 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:48.600 How it? I made so well? But I didn't want 214 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:51.039 nobody else to help me, not even ma'am. 215 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:55.480 I'll carry it right over my heart so long as 216 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:56.159 I'm alive. 217 00:11:56.639 --> 00:11:58.559 Oh, don't say things like that. 218 00:11:58.919 --> 00:12:08.039 Piggy, give us one more kiss now, can't stay no longer. Oh, Biggie, goodbye, Chris, 219 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:09.879 take care of yourself. 220 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:14.600 Goodbye, Piggy. Be careful, I'll be careful. 221 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:17.559 I'll be coming round to see a Christma love when 222 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:18.919 I get back from the war. 223 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:24.639 Bige, Well, it's about time, and lucky we are not 224 00:12:24.720 --> 00:12:28.440 both in trouble here. Stick this blinking fife in your 225 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:32.159 ugly mouth and blow on it. Petty coat chaser. 226 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:35.159 Just bait a drum soldier before I decide to beat 227 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:38.919 on your ruddy head a bit Tella Kenly can shove off. 228 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:55.360 Now a great hour on CBS Friday Night is This 229 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:59.120 is Broadway. Rising Stars bring you their top acts and 230 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:02.519 their problems for the future to Clifton Fatomen, Abe Burroughs 231 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:06.200 and George S. Kaufman, three show business experts ready with advice. 232 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:09.320 Be sure to hear This is Broadway tomorrow night and 233 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:13.360 every Friday night on most of these same CBS stations. 234 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:16.759 And now we returned to the second act of escape 235 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:20.240 and to Night's story drums of the fore and Aft. 236 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:31.279 And so the fore and Fit went north to the wars, 237 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:35.360 first by troop train and then on foot when the 238 00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:37.799 last rail had left them with a seven day route 239 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:41.559 march before they'd reached the front up ahead. And during 240 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:46.600 those seven weary days the regiment began to crack. The 241 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:49.840 men went hardened to the long miles of marching, and 242 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:52.720 they found themselves dead tired before noon. 243 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:56.480 Of each day. The food was bad and the water 244 00:13:56.840 --> 00:14:02.039 was worse, And on the second day the snipers started in. 245 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:04.639 They would hide in the tumble rocks of the low 246 00:14:04.639 --> 00:14:06.879 brown hills beside the road and wait for the column 247 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:09.320 to pass. The first sign of one would be a 248 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:11.799 flash and a pop of smoke, and some men on 249 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:14.919 the long line of march would die without ever seeing 250 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:19.480 the enemy would kill him. And even at night, the 251 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:23.840 tired and nerve shattered men could find no rest. If anything, 252 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:26.360 the night hours in the dark tents were a good 253 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:29.679 deal worse than the daylight hours on the dusty road. 254 00:14:35.159 --> 00:14:40.000 Oh, shatter, piggy, I've got to get myself some sleep, as. 255 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:42.159 If I ain't much just as far as you have. 256 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:47.000 Oh my feet's fair killing. 257 00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:50.120 Me your It serves your bloody well right for getting 258 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:53.519 us into this. We could be back in the barracks now, 259 00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:56.399 living on the fat of the lane and half. 260 00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:58.519 Way to becoming musicians like us, not. 261 00:14:58.679 --> 00:15:01.279 In which case are be sleeping in a regular bed 262 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.440 and having some decent. 263 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:04.480 Grub to me for once. 264 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:07.320 I'm afraid you're not the army type, Jake, And perhaps 265 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:09.399 I shouldn't have talked my friend the colonel into letting 266 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:15.200 you come, come in and take a belt to you, Yes, sir. 267 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:20.120 Yeah, don't have to go calling a blinking sergeant. 268 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:29.320 Sir, there ain't no arm in it. That's another one 269 00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:32.279 of our centuries. Got yourself killed out there. And button 270 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:35.039 bakers can sneak up in the dark without making a sound, 271 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:38.720 and they take their bloody long knives and sloss some 272 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:45.039 opening at I wonder. 273 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:48.679 What they look like, Piggy, these are what's. 274 00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:52.120 It, matty? When we can't even carry rafis I skin out, 275 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:54.559 jac And look at this in my hand? How some 276 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:57.159 man to get itself a medal when all he's got 277 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:58.759 for a weapon is a bloom In. 278 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:14.080 Five, late afternoon of the seventh day, weary, savage and sick, 279 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:18.919 their uniforms dulled and unclean, the foreign fit rendezvous with 280 00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.720 the Highland Regiment. 281 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:25.279 Lads, here comes the new regiment, the foreign fit, the 282 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:28.399 foreign fit, eh, and may I ask you what is 283 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:29.120 it their fit? 284 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:34.000 For some of the men bore wounds and some with 285 00:16:34.159 --> 00:16:37.759 stretcher cases, but the real casualty was the regimental morale. 286 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:41.279 These roar recruits had marched out of their station in 287 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:44.200 the south of the band play, and somehow they'd imagined 288 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:47.000 they might march gloriously into battle the same way. But 289 00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:50.200 no band played when they slugged a stop at the 290 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:51.279 brigade encampment. 291 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:58.559 M blimey, look at them chips over there, wearing petticoat. 292 00:16:58.679 --> 00:17:02.519 I'll lotch you now their islanders me, lad am I 293 00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:05.319 the de man at best take no liberties with him. 294 00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:09.160 Oh well, picky, do you think we found the ruddy 295 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:09.839 wall at last? 296 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:12.559 What else? Ain't that a full blown general over there 297 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.240 talking to our. 298 00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:20.119 Colonel had a bit of a rough time of it 299 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:22.079 coming down, sir. My men have been rather more than 300 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:24.319 no chance for fair return. They only want to go 301 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:26.079 someplace where they can see what's before. 302 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:29.079 I understand, Colonel. I wish I could let you have 303 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:31.880 a few days to recover but I simply can't spare 304 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:32.480 just now. 305 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:34.799 Oh, there'll be no need of it served, or we're 306 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.480 wanting is one good night rest? 307 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:39.400 I see, well, you can pitch your camp next to 308 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:42.720 the islander's colonel, and I suggest you call a general 309 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:46.160 inspection before dark. We plan to attack the enemy position 310 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:47.799 at dawn, very good time. 311 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:58.680 So it's active service you wanted, Piggy. 312 00:17:58.759 --> 00:18:01.240 I how much longer do you think they're going to 313 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:03.960 keep us standing here with a bloody daylight barely coming 314 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.799 over the hills. 315 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:07.640 Just take a look at them. For tarans out there 316 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.720 on the plane. 317 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:10.880 Must be eight of them to one of us right 318 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.839 down the line. 319 00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:14.079 It makes it that much easier to get a medal. 320 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:17.319 Now, how do you hope to get a medal? Maybe 321 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:19.799 you're going to blow their bloody ear drums in with 322 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:21.440 your little five more. 323 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:23.440 Like it will not even have a chance to see 324 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:26.519 how the baggers look. The bend, as you might have heard, 325 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:28.759 is going to wheel and retire when we reach them 326 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:31.720 rocks out there, while the regular soldiers go in and 327 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.960 attack the enemy. 328 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:35.680 Which I might say is exactly the way I'd plan 329 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:38.839 it myself. I got no fondness for being sliced up 330 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:41.000 like a leg of lamb. Now you got no spirit 331 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:46.720 jiking them as one spirit can have it as for me, I, oh, 332 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.079 here we. 333 00:18:47.920 --> 00:19:07.240 Go, piggy chiking. Ready, now all right, watch yourself now 334 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:10.440 jackin and step lively. Just keep your eye on me, 335 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:12.920 and I'll make a bloody hero out of you. 336 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:20.119 Only someone had blundered somewhat, had misread an order, and 337 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:22.359 the fore and Fit moved out onto the plane to 338 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:28.519 attack the enemy force alone, foreign fits moving earth a 339 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:31.200 clumper rock, The band wheeled and halted and continued to play, 340 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:33.640 while the ranks opened to form a skirmish line and 341 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:36.720 moved slowly ahead. Old, steady lad is we. 342 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:39.359 Have any orders to move out, and therefore we'll stand 343 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.079 fast than loop. 344 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:42.839 If the fore and Fit wishes to fight like hogs, 345 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:45.720 then five hundred yards range from the enemy line, the 346 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:49.519 regiment began firing at will, at will and wildly. In 347 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:51.559 a few minutes they've thrown away half of their ammunition 348 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:54.599 and blinded themselves with their own smoke. And farther out 349 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:58.200 on the plane, the Afghan army stood quietly, firing occasional, 350 00:19:58.319 --> 00:20:02.000 well aimed bullets into the milling her green troops, English fools, 351 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:04.640 They're bunching like a herd sud limb the main body 352 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:07.279 of the Afghan troops. A small band of about fifty 353 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:10.480 Batan warriors charged forward and fell upon the started Englishman. 354 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:14.359 These were the Ghazis, the suicide squad, always thrown out 355 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:17.200 ahead of the Afghan army before any main test of strength. 356 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:20.960 Swinging their long, heavy knives, they struck the close packed 357 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:24.599 British line. Name of heaven, don't they extend into open order? 358 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:28.200 They'll make a fip waverard, wheeling away from the vicious 359 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:31.640 slashes of the murderous bonehandled knives. Rallied for an instant 360 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:36.160 and held, then broke, turned tail and ran. 361 00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:47.200 When you look at them ladders they turn in the run, 362 00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:49.599 I might say they make bitter speed to the rear 363 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.759 than they made to the poor. 364 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:55.000 They're anything but poor, and pick no more. 365 00:20:55.039 --> 00:21:00.599 Likely to call them the poor and af It'll. 366 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:02.759 Take him a long tangle of that one down at 367 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.960 the fallen half. 368 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:11.599 The regiment took no thought for the wounded, for the 369 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:15.039 men left behind, nor did they stop until they jammed 370 00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:17.640 in the past that led up to the hill, and 371 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:20.000 the band too was carried along with them in their 372 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:25.160 headlong flight. All the band except two men. 373 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:35.440 Piggy, you think them bloody petan beggars can see us 374 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.759 hiding here in the rocks. 375 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:41.720 Of course, not well, I hope you're right, blooming cowards 376 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:45.400 running away. And weren't that a fine way for a 377 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.640 British regiment. 378 00:21:46.319 --> 00:21:48.759 To wake and we done the same thing, we'd not 379 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:50.519 be left behind ere the way we are? 380 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:53.559 And what's got into you? You're comfortable, aren't you? 381 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:57.039 I may be comfortable, but I ain't easy in my mind. 382 00:21:57.400 --> 00:22:01.279 Put a sack in it. Hey, look, somebody's dropped the 383 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:03.440 canteen here. Maybe it's got rum in it? 384 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:06.920 Well, now, how can you hope to tell by shaking it? 385 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:10.240 Now? Keep your dirty hands all fit. I'll do the 386 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:10.960 trying it out. 387 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:14.240 Well is it, Piggy? 388 00:22:15.160 --> 00:22:15.519 Is it? 389 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.359 No? 390 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:21.680 It's water here? Have yourself a free drink on her, majesty, 391 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.799 drummer board. 392 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.640 Jakin. 393 00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:30.319 Look in pretent bakers is stopping back of their own lines. 394 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.400 They keep your head down. 395 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:35.319 Well, well, now, with the blooming enemy retiring, perhaps our 396 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.599 lads will come out and. 397 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:39.160 Rescue them, the bloody cowards. 398 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:42.480 Or don't they know the Bretons ain't chasing them no more. 399 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:47.519 They can't see nothing but their own precious skins. Fun. Oh, 400 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:50.480 maybe we ought to give them a little music, show 401 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:52.160