:23:03
The artillery starts at 05 15.
:23:06
The 1st Battalion will move out at 0530.
:23:10
When the leading elements have cleared
the German wires, the second wave -
:23:14
the 2nd and 3rd Battalions minus
two companies in reserve - will move out,
:23:18
in no case later than 0540.
:23:22
That's it, gentlemen.
Are there any questions?
:23:25
Sir, is 15 minutes of artillery
preparation all that we can expect?
:23:30
The feeling is that any more than that will
give them too much time to get organised.
:23:34
What's weather supposed
to be like tomorrow, sir?
:23:37
- Too good.
- No chance of rain or fog?
:23:42
The forecast is for sun all day.
:23:45
lf... Perhaps I should say
when we take the Ant Hill,
:23:49
how long do we have to hold it
before we can expect any support?
:23:52
General Mireau, who will be
personally observing the attack,
:23:56
has promised support from
the 72nd by sundown tomorrow,
:23:59
which means, of course,
that we'll have to hold all day.
:24:04
Are there any more questions?
:24:09
Well, gentlemen, good luck. I'm sure
you'll come through as you always do.
:24:13
Let's get some sleep.
:24:16
I'm not afraid of dying,
only of getting killed.
:24:19
- That's as clear as mud.
- Which would you rather be done in by?
:24:22
- A bayonet or a machine gun?
- A machine gun.
:24:25
That's just my point. They're both
pieces of steel ripping into you,
:24:28
only the machine gun is quicker,
cleaner and less painful.
:24:32
- So?
- Most of us are more afraid
:24:34
of getting hurt than of getting killed.
:24:36
Look at Bernard. He panics when it comes
to gas. Gas doesn't bother me a bit.
:24:40
He's seen photos of gas cases -
doesn't mean anything to me.
:24:44
But I'll tell you something.
I'd hate to be without my tin hat.
:24:47
But I don't mind
not having a tin hat for my tail.
:24:50
Why? Because I know a wound in the
head would hurt more than one in the tail.
:24:55
The tail is just meat.
But the head is all bone.
:24:58
- Speak for yourself.
- Tell me this.