Black Panthers of WWII (2025)

[bunniefuu]

[crows caw]

Sergeant Rivers, did you see?

I saw. Don't worry.

I got some for 'em in response.

Going after that weak spot,

remember? From Bastogne.

One hit right there,

then it's all she wrote

for them Tiger tanks.

It's too hard of a shot, Rube.

One in a hundred million

can get that shot.

Watch and learn.

Hey, Shel, one degree down.

I'm keeping this tank directly

in front of that Tiger.

One degree down.

You're too far.

It'll just bounce off.

Nah, not for this shot.

Impossible shot.

More German tanks coming in!

Prepare to fire on my command.

Yes, sir.

Loaded.

Not yet.

Watch this.

No, no!

Rivers!

Rivers, what are you doing?

Come back!

Rivers, get out of there!

All tanks!

Fire all g*ns!

Rivers!

Rivers!

Did Rivers make it out, Will?

Will, did he make it out?

I don't know, Ted.

There's German

reinforcements everywhere.

Guess you're in charge now.

Will, we need

to see about Rivers.

I know, I know.

764s, come in.

This is Captain Hargrove.

764s, come in.

Captain Hargrove.

Sergeant McBurney,

Black Panthers.

Reading you loud and clear,

Sergeant McBurney.

New orders.

Top priority.

You and what's left of

the 761st Tank Division

are to report to the 87th

in the town of Tillett

by 1100 tomorrow.

They've lost all their tanks

and you're the only

division available.

The 87th is guarding Tillett.

Tillet?

Our last stronghold

in the area.

They're under attack

by Hitler's

top tank Commander

General Adolf Heinrich.

If Heinrich takes Tillett,

the w*r is lost.

Copy that, sir.

Tillet by 1100?

That's almost 100 miles away.

That gives us no time to

refuel or to make repairs.

Top priority, Sergeant.

These orders come direct from

Patton, do you understand?

Yes, sir.

Copy that, sir.

We're not going back

for River's body, Will?

We can't, Ted.

Besides, we just got new orders.

I understand that,

but Rivers...

I know who he was!

I feel it just like you do.

Will...

I'm pulling us out of here, Ted.

Retreat!

Yes, sir.

Sherman's out to range, sir.

Break off pursuit.

See about casualties and

salvageable assets immediately.

Yes, Commandant.

Yeah, we should be

out of range now.

Do you know what's

going on in Tillett?

Something far worse

than this, I gather.

Something worse than this.

[yawns]

You all right?

Tired ain't the word

for how I'm feeling.

Neither of us have gotten

any sleep, Will.

It's crazy.

And we still have to

lead the other tanks.

It's nothing we

can't handle, though.

Lord knows we've

been through worse.

We have.

Don't worry.

We'll get some rest

in Tillet.

Stay focused as best you can.

I can't believe Rivers

is gone, Will.

I thought that

brother'd last forever.

Me, too, Ted.

He was something

special, wasn't he?

One of the best natural

warriors I've ever seen.

He was an amazing man, Ted.

Don't got no room

for nobody else, huh?

My wife's gone, Ted.

Four years now.

Watched her die giving birth

to my little Corinna.

You deployed right after that.

I remember.

Just want to make that

little girl proud.

And come back in one

piece to a nation that

hopefully still speaks

English when I get there.

We're alive.

Can't forget to live.

Life is a gift not promised.

I hear you.

I hear you.

You think they're going to

treat us right when we get home?

You know, since we've been

showing them what us Panthers

can really do out here.

Can't speak on what

they're going to do, Ted.

But I'm damn sure going to make

them know that they owe us.

Patton himself asked for us.

So all eyes, including hers,

they're watching us now.

No mistakes.

Come out fighting?

Come out fighting, brother.

[g*nf*re]

What direction?

We still in range?

The other tanks are.

You and I are the last tank,

so we're fighting.

We'll engage with the

German Tiger Tanks,

and then retreat quickly

while the other tanks

make it to 87 safely.

Yes, sir.

All tanks proceed on course.

Full speed.

Do not follow me. Repeat.

Do not follow me.

Are we pursuing them, sir?

No. It would appear

that they are

interested in taking

the fight to us.

Hold positions.

Prepare to fire on my command.

Sarge, them Tigers

mean business.

Can't flank them or

get close to them.

They'll destroy us.

Remember that maneuver we

did training in Kentucky?

That S-Formation maneuver?

You and Rivers invented that.

It could work.

You didn't get hit.

We're doing it right now.

It's the only way I see

us making out alive.

Here. Take the wheel.

Okay. All right.

15 seconds out.

Evasive maneuvers!

Fire!

Just missed us.

Reload!

Fire again!

Loading.

Will!

The other tanks should be

well out of range by now.

We need to retreat.

We're still in range.

We're not going to make it.

Full speed ahead, Ted.

Watch this.

What are you doing?

Buying us time.

They're still in range, sir.

Fire again?

Fire again.

Destroy that tank!

Blow those--

Sir, they are moving

towards that ravine.

We can't follow them there.

We'll never get out.

He is a Black man.

They are out of range, sir.

Pursuit?

They were clever.

By the time we followed

them around to the ravine,

they would have escaped.

Sir?

The 87th.

The reinforcements in Tillet

are just around the corner.

No doubt they have

anti-tank g*n's ready.

These are those Black men of the

761st I've been hearing about.

Notorious for their

victories in the b*ttlefield.

Whether they be lucky

or highly skilled,

we will see these men again.

Of this I am certain.

How many times do you think the

"never seen a Black soldier

in a tank" trick is

going to save us, Sarge?

It's up to them, sir.

It's psychological warfare.

They hate Black skin,

use it against them.

Tillet's just up the road.

We made it.

Regroup with our men.

Already on it.

We'll be in Tillet soon.

It makes me smile that

General Patton

ordered us specifically here.

The 87th lost their tanks and

he ordered us to replace them.

[cheering]

They're cheering now.

I wonder what they're going to

say when we come out the tanks.

These guy seen

some serious fighting.

Halt!

Let's check in with HQ.

Well, take a look at that.

[whistling]

Can I help you with

that, beautiful?

I'm fine. Thank you.

You're more than fine.

Come on.

Leave me alone.

Hey.

Here. Let me help you

with that, ma'am.

Okay, that should do it.

If you hold it

tight right there.

Thank you.

What's going on here?

Aren't you supposed to be

up in that tank, boy?

He's helping me with my things.

What's the matter with that?

I asked you a question, boy.

That's Sergeant, sir.

Sergeant McBurney.

Is there a problem here, Sarge?

Sergeant Ernie Roberts,

Sergeant McBurney

of the 761st Tank Division

reporting for duty.

Is this the 87th?

May I speak with you

privately, sir?

I have some papers regarding

our orders from General Patton.

Come on.

I...

I say again,

thank you for your help.

No problem.

Esther.

Esther.

My name's Will.

-Excuse us.

-Oh, sorry.

If you're finished trying

to get us k*lled,

we're just in time for

the general briefing.

Are you coming?

Let's go.

Men, I'm not going to mince

words, we're in trouble.

Hitler needs Tillet

or he'll lose the w*r.

He knows it and we know it.

As we speak, he's sending

his best man,

General Adolf Heinrich, our way.

Heinrich's reinforcements

said to outgun

and outnumber us by a

country mile,

are already

here and more are coming.

Patton's holding the West,

but he's pulling every stop

to send us what he

can and who he can.

Look at those guys.

This is what he's sent us?

Settle down, settle down, men,

They're here to help.

Now the arrival of

the 761st we see here,

our clear indication

of Patton's commitment

to victory at any cost.

But no offense, boys,

it may not be enough.

Some are calling this the

battle for Tillet

or the Big Thaw,

but we know it as

the Devil's Icebox,

because nobody warned

us about the cold.

But whenever they end up

calling it, men,

this is a battle we cannot,

I repeat, we cannot lose.

[g*nf*re]

[coughing]

They're attacking

us from the south!

Take cover!

Everyone outside!

This way!

Panthers!

Panthers, come on!

-Move out!

-Coming out fighting, sir!

They're near Rogers!

-Hurry up! Go!

-You all right?

Come on, get up!

Take him outside.

Where is...

You all right.

Yeah, what are we doing?

Get these men out

of the strike zone. Come on, go!

-Yes, sir!

-Get him up!

Sir, General Cullin.

Here.

Here, sir.

All right, boy. You don't have

to get your hands all over him.

I'll take it from here.

We're all safe and accounted

for outside, Sarge.

Shall we get the tanks?

They're gone.

Two Germans and a bazooka.

Good.

You all right?

A little pissed off

and ready for a fight.

Other than that, fine.

You?

Same.

I wish these boys were a little

bit more welcoming, though.

Maybe after this...

I don't care what they

think about us, Ted.

As long as they understand,

Hitler means to

k*ll the uniform,

not the skin color.

The General didn't give

a plan of action yet.

As far as you can see,

Hitler means business.

I'd feel a damn sight better

if I was in my tank

right now, Sarge.

The bazookas did some damage.

We need to do repairs.

Let's go.

Hey, Will, these guys

really with us?

Seems so.

What you think of

Cullin's new spy orders?

Extra guards checking

everybody's papers.

The spy stuff's getting serious.

They're everywhere right now.

They caught two of

them this morning.

Trying to sabotage

their communications.

Executing them boys

this morning.

Off site.

-Nobody out here.

-Serious game.

You know that means that Esther

girl is off limits, right?

Hey, hey, sweetheart.

Please, leave me alone, sir.

Pretty Belgian woman who

speaks English fluently.

That is useful in many ways.

Please.

I don't want any trouble, sir.

Stop worrying about that.

-Hold on, I'll be back.

-Trouble is all we have.

Some of us have learned to

make the best of it, however.

Captain Walker.

Leave her alone.

You okay?

Yes.

Sergeant.

I don't remember giving

you any orders

to come over here and

disrupt my conversation.

You're dismissed.

As I was saying, pretty one.

Hey, look here, young lady.

Don't mind this man.

Go on and get out of here.

Hey.

Where are you going?

Captain Walker.

May I have a word, please, sir?

You just ruined

my evening, Sergeant.

Now I'm going to ruin yours.

Do you know what

happens to all of us

if you hit this man first, Will?

Stockade or worse.

Yeah, I know.

Woo! The Black tanker men

are about to learn

about w*r from outside

their little huts of iron.

Citywide champ

in the Bronx back home.

Ooh.

You all just asked for

the wrong kind of problems.

[laughing]

Oh, yeah?

Sergeant.

It's okay.

We don't want no

problem, Walker.

Too late for that now, son.

Problems want you.

Woo!

Woo!

You can take a punch.

I can take all you got.

Maybe even a little more.

That's good to know.

[grunts]

Will!

Nice work.

I knew it, he ain't so tough.

You can still walk away, Walker.

Minimal damage control.

Walk away?

I think I prefer to see you

on all fours, my friend.

Oh, boy.

I guess we're doing this.

Show him, Will.

Let's go.

Very impressive.

Sir, are you all right?

What are you waiting on?

-Yes, sir.

-Let's go.

Stop!

Ted and I got this.

Sarge. You sure?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Sarge, we can handle this.

-Back up.

-Sarge, let me just...

-Back up.

-Come on, man.

Bronx ain't got nothing on

Harlem, private.

Bantamweight Champion, 1939.

Ted.

Don't let him get

away with that.

Boy, you ain't the

champion of nothing.

[grunts]

-Sarge!

-Come on!

[chattering]

[g*nsh*t]

A fight, Captain Walker?

How could you allow this?

My office. Now!

At least they let us sleep

in here for a couple of hours.

You were the only

one sleeping, Ted.

We in trouble, Sarge?

When aren't we in trouble?

Black Panthers.

General Cullin, sir.

I don't think I have to

tell you how much Walker

and damn near every man in

the 87th

want to see you two

court martialed

for what happened

this afternoon.

No, sir.

Damn it. From what Walker told

me, any other time but this,

immediate dismissal

with the maximum

incarceration time allowed

would seem to be the

most fitting punishment.

But these aren't those times.

At ease.

And frankly, judging by

your relatively heroic behavior

in the church earlier today,

I'm inclined to dismiss some

of Walker's renditions

as maybe a little

bit hyperbolic.

You men have been briefed.

You know we've lost

our tank division.

Yes, sir.

We thought we'd be fine

against these Tigers

with our air strikes,

but Patton won't order any.

Bombers can't fly when the

cloud cover's this thick.

And the fog's been thick

like this for weeks now,

with no end in sight.

So with no air support, we need

the best tanks in the business.

You are who Patton

said could do the job.

-Yes, sir.

-Yes, sir.

Hitler's limping, but he's still

got us by the short and curlies.

And we're sitting ducks next

to his iron-side Tigers.

But Patton says you are

just what the doctor ordered.

But we're not what

we used to be, sir.

We're down on tanks with

barely two men to operate.

From what I hear,

three of your tanks

in fighting form are

worth 10 of anybody else's.

I mean, that's

just what I heard.

We're Panthers, sir.

We come out fighting every time.

Negros fighting

alongside whites.

Thought I'd seen everything.

Look, my men are

not gonna like you boys.

But if you fight hard,

they'll have no choice

but to fight right

alongside you.

That much, I guarantee.

As long as they

don't get in our way.

Tillet's rumored to be

Hitler's last stand, ours too.

The fight outside

Bastogne nearly crushed us.

20,000 men dead so far.

We're tired.

If Hitler's man Heinrich

takes Tillet,

he'll push through the channel.

He'll have the water.

From there,

Germans have won the w*r.

This Heinrich, he any good?

He specializes in tank

warfare in this terrain.

He's the best at what

he does and he's ruthless.

That might be who we met

on the way here.

So you've already engaged

with this enemy.

I need you to do what

Patton believes you can do

with those tanks and lead us

into battle to stop him.

That's what we're here for, sir.

Good.

I was hoping it wasn't

just to meet up

with pretty Belgian women.

Be careful with fraternizing

with the locals, Sergeant.

Been having an issue with spies

and folks dressed up as

friends of the U.S. Army.

Yes, sir.

We're at w*r.

Don't forget that.

Counterattack launches at

0400 tomorrow morning.

Surprise attack on their

base from the high ground

east of Tillett.

Your tanks are leading the way.

Do we understand

each other, sergeant?

Yes, sir.

Sir.

[door opens, closes]

I guess we're officially

invited to the party.

Oh Lord, out the pan

back into the fire.

Go on ahead.

I'll be all right.

-Will...

-Just go.

William.

Esther.

Thank God you're okay.

I'm so sorry to have caused

you all this trouble.

Are you thirsty?

Do you need food?

I'm fine.

And you didn't cause

anything, Esther.

Sometimes soldiers get crazy.

It happens.

What are you still doing here?

I was waiting to see

if you were all right.

You waited out here this

whole time I was inside?

Twice, you have

been very kind to me. Twice.

I wanted to...

You didn't have

to do that, Esther.

In fact, you shouldn't have.

If people see you giving

a U.S. soldier attention

like this, it looks suspicious.

It is suspicious.

You think I'm one of those

spies they talk about?

I have to go, Esther.

You think I'm a spy

but you talk to me anyway?

I have to go.

You are a brave man, William.

William.

Your heart is in your eyes.

Stay out of the streets, Esther.

It's dangerous.

Engine sounding real

good, brother.

Coming out fighting, sir.

You sure we're undetected?

It's fresh snow.

No German tracks on these roads.

Keep an eye out.

General Cullin.

We need a platoon here.

-Reinforcing...

-General Cullin.

We're approaching

the hilltop shortly.

We'll have a clear view

on German positions.

Excellent.

Approach as planned.

We're expecting to

see approximately

22 tanks in Infantry Park.

Tanks are likely unmanned.

You strike from high ground

and can disable and damage

at least half of them.

Yes, sir.

-Will.

-What?

You getting the same bad

feelings I'm getting?

You mean like everything's

about to go crazy?

Yeah.

I'm opening up the hatch.

Take the wheel.

Slow to five.

Yes, sir.

Halt!

Halt!

General Cullin, sir.

The reinforcements aren't

on their way. They're here.

What are you talking

about, Sergeant?

The count of German tanks

is about 50, sir.

With more

soldiers than expected.

50 according to who?

My own eyes, sir.

You have the high ground.

How many can you take out?

I'll tell you

when we're finished.

sh*t.

Tiger tanks.

Captain Walker,

we have Cullin give the okay

to ambush the tanks.

Most of the regular Panzers

we can destroy easy,

but I spot some Tiger tanks.

Tiger tanks?

How many?

By my count five so far, sir.

Leave the Tigers.

Their armor's too

strong in battle

or even just sitting there.

Don't fire on them.

You'll only waste your shells.

They're just

about indestructible.

-Sir.

-Get them over.

There's a weakness just

below the Tiger tank's hatch.

If hit directly, it can destroy

the entire tank.

Plains are the only precision

firepower we have

to hit a mark

like that, Sergeant.

It's too hard for another

tank to hit that.

But we've done it, sir.

It's a difficult shot, but...

We don't have time, Sergeant.

Just do as I said.

Take out as many Panzers as you

can, but leave the Tigers alone.

-Sir, if I can show you...

-That's an order, Sergeant.

Wouldn't even listen.

What'd you expect?

Straighten your helmet,

Private Heinz.

And your shirt!

[shell whistling]

Come on! Destroy as many tanks

as possible!

Here we go.

It's like sh**ting fish

in the barrel!

Come on, Private!

Don't want them

sneaking up on us!

Sarge, we've got Tiger tanks

right behind us!

Tiger tanks at 6:00!

Evasive maneuvers immediately!

Left, right, center,

men, go, go!

Ambush!

Return fire, men!

[g*nf*re]

Take cover!

They're ambushing us

from all sides!

Come on!

Those damn Tiger

hulls won't give!

Rivers knew what to

do with them.

Rivers is one

of those people

who can hit a

bull's-eye from a mile away.

Get ready!

Going hot again!

They want to be nasty?

We'll show them nasty!

Hard left!

Hopping on g*n.

-[g*nf*re]

-Fire!

Damn Tiger tanks!

That's right, Krauts!

Run! Run if you can!

You mess with

one of us Panthers,

you mess with

all of us, Kraut!

Firing again!

Deflected again!

Tilting 30 degrees.

What are you doing?

The impossible.

You doing

Sergeant River's shot?

Doing the shot

only planes can hit.

Firing!

What are these guys doing?

They're useless!

I don't know, sir,

but they're the only ones

who can return fire right now!

Tilting 5 degrees down?

Firing!

Will!

Almost there.

The shells are deflecting

off the Tigers.

These guys don't know

what they're doing!

We're getting destroyed!

Can't we do something, sir?

What are your orders?

Orders?

We need to retreat!

Tilting 18 degrees.

Firing!

It's called an impossible

shot for a reason!

Reloading!

Almost there.

Firing!

Yes!

[laughing]

Sir, they did it!

They actually did it!

Woo! Yeah, boys!

Woo!

Can't believe you hit that.

Got more to go.

We need to retreat.

Yeah, that's a good copy.

Sir, General Cullins

ordering a retreat!

That's it!

General retreat, everyone!

General retreat!

General retreat, Sergeant!

General retreat!

I can get more, sir!

General retreat, Sergeant!

That's an order!

Retreat, Ted!

[b*llet ricochets]

Use the prisoners for cover!

[g*nf*re]

Hold your fire!

We're sh**ting at our own!

Black men in tanks

must be destroyed!

The Germans have three times

the expected tank count.

This is terrible.

If we had

a real tank battalion...

Sergeant, at ease.

I say we radio Patton

to send more, if not better,

tanks with real tank

commanders this time.

We call for help, then sit

tight until they get here.

You're suggesting we do

nothing for weeks, Captain?

What other option

is there, General?

All due respect, General,

those Germans aren't going

to allow us to sit anywhere

for any weeks.

They're ready

to strike right now.

You can't say that with

any certainty, soldier.

They attacked y'all yesterday.

Two men, they were

just testing us.

General, let's

just wait and see.

And just now

on the hill, General?

I see a way to victory, sir.

Sir.

Sergeant.

Tiger tanks have a vulnerability

on top of their turrets,

just above the 75-millimeter.

Common knowledge.

Only tank buster planes

have access to that weakness.

It's a one-in-a-million-shot

tank to tank.

Sir, we just got that shot.

My man, Roberts here

can get that shot.

Walker saw it.

Walker?

I don't know, sir.

Might have been some

luck involved.

Sir, with given time,

all Black Panthers

can get that shot.

I know you men

have trained a lot.

Wouldn't let the

Black Man fight.

Hell, yeah, we're prepared.

What's your success ratio?

It's one out of four, sir.

As seen on the field just now.

It took four shots

to get a successful hit.

All due respect, General,

I can't leave the fate

of the Allied Army

to some g*ng of

one out of five backwoods

over-practiced amateurs.

Over-practiced?

Sir, the Germans think that

Tiger tanks are invincible.

I say we make them

think differently,

might weaken

the resolve to attack.

That's a stupid idea, General.

The thought that

battle-hardened Germans

would hesitate an attack

because of these--

Will, I had enough

of this dude!

Sergeant McBurney, are you

gonna control your soldier,

or do I have to?

That's enough.

It's good.

The Black Panthers

can do it, sir.

I have to say no

to the idea, Sergeant.

By Walker's account today,

you had such an opportunity

and landed

what he calls a lucky shot.

One out of four just isn't

get enough ratio, son.

Woo, yes!

[chattering]

Smoke?

And on top of everything else,

temperatures dropping hard.

I did not know

Belgium was this cold, man.

-Yeah.

-Y'all didn't get blankets?

Not enough, Sarge.

-What?

-Not enough.

They got plenty of blankets.

That's not what Walker and

his quartermaster are saying.

What are you talking about?

Walker says they're fresh out.

Fresh out of blankets.

How?

Sarge, we've been watching stuff

like this all night.

That's crazy.

Captain Walker.

May I have a word

with you, please, Sir?

How can I help you, Sergeant?

Sir, my men are out

here frostbitten,

while you're out here

openly sharing snow blankets

-with the enemy?

-Well, yeah.

I told a couple of

your men earlier.

We ran out of supplies

for you guys.

Big supply drops

in a couple of days.

We'll get you all

sorted out then.

Sir, with all due respect,

are you out of your mind?

You have German soldiers,

cozy with snow blankets,

while U.S. soldiers,

my U.S. soldiers,

are out here freezing to death,

and you say that's all right?

Detecting a bit of

a tone there, Sergeant.

Detecting a tone?

Look here, man.

Will.

You know what?

You're right.

You're absolutely

right, Sergeant.

Give your men my apologies.

I'll rectify the situation

post haste.

You'll fix this.

Absolutely.

We thought we were

out of supplies,

but turns out one of

my men found some more.

I'll take care of it.

Hey. We're all on

the same team, right?

[laughing]

All good?

Doesn't look like it, huh?

They ain't giving us

a damn thing, Will.

Hey, thanks, boss.

It's good, yeah.

I can't take any

more of this, man.

William.

William.

One sec.

Esther.

Shh...

Esther, what?

What, what?

I've been waiting

for the opportunity

to speak to you again.

I am very angry.

What is it? What?

How do you fight alongside...

Esth, shh...

How can you fight

alongside these men?

I see how they treat you.

They smile with Germans

rather than treat you as equal.

How do you do these things?

Esther, be quiet now.

They'll be over

here in a minute.

I see this, and I feel angry.

I know, I know,

but you are Belgian, okay?

Things are very

different in America.

Complicated.

No, no.

Evil and good are

simple things everywhere.

And what these

soldiers are doing?

Not all of them.

Look at you.

You defend them.

You are a powerful man, William.

The first time I see you,

I look into your eyes.

You are strong.

You are good.

These men should be behind you,

helping you help them.

But... they hate you.

You see a lot, don't you?

Well, I see you, William.

Some men are not so hard to see.

Much pain, but much desire

for the right things.

This w*r has taken

so much from me,

from the beginning, my husband.

And since then,

more than I can say.

I'm sorry, Esther.

I'm truly sorry.

I lost my wife beginning

of the w*r as well.

In childbirth.

My daughter's back at home.

I recognize this.

Pain such as this rips

away at false things.

Makes you forget how to lie.

Wow.

You speak English a lot

better than most people

speak their own entire life.

Why?

Why do you give so much

of yourself to these men?

You serve them

with such passion.

But why?

Because my daughter gives me

something to believe in.

The dream of my country gives me

something to believe in.

Just because some people

can't see my worth

doesn't mean

I won't keep standing up

for what I believe in.

William, will you tell me

more about your daughter?

Yeah, tell us more about

your daughter, William.

And while you're at it,

why don't you share

some U.S. secrets

with the spy girl here?

German's damn near won

the w*r already.

Captain Walker, she's not a spy.

Save it, Sergeant.

We've both been ordered to

report the Cullin immediately.

That is, unless you want

me to tell him you're busy.

No. Let's go.

You okay?

Be right back.

Who hit the most

homeruns last year?

Babe Ruth, right?

Come in, boys.

Sir.

At ease.

Boys, I'm from the

south, north Florida.

You want to talk

racial problems?

Hell, I can insert a whole

bunch of my personal feelings

on the matter and we can

have a grand old time.

But I don't think that's

what Patton's expecting.

Walker.

I want all those

U.S. cold blankets

removed from

those prisoners of w*r

and every cigarette in

their mouth taken out

as soon as this meeting is done.

Do I make myself clear?

Yes, sir.

We're at w*r with these folks.

They ain't our friends.

Yes, sir.

Now listen, we just

received intelligence

that Hitler's planning

to attack Tillet

with everything

he's got in 24 hours.

24 hours?

He's bringing all

the reinforcements

you all reported seeing and

the remaining tank division

from the north.

Unless we stop him

by this time tomorrow,

he'll have taken Tillet and

moved on to the English Channel.

The good news is the Russians

have taken his

experienced tank commanders.

All save General Heinrich.

Yes, sir.

Tomorrow we will be up to

our eyeballs and fresh meat.

Teenagers and whatever

Hitler can find

from the elementary

schools of Berlin.

All willing and committed,

if not proficient,

at k*lling Allied soldiers.

Black and white.

Walker, this is

our tank commander.

You will command your men

to respect him

and follow him through hell

if that's what it takes.

Do you understand me?

-But, sir, I can't...

-Do you understand me?

Yes, sir.

And you sir,

take no comfort in this.

When I return home, if I get

to return to a home,

I'll be sitting on my

porch with my friends,

trusted friends that

I've known since childhood.

And we'll be discussing

one of two things

re: your

performance to come.

One, the medal I'll be asked

to pin upon your chest

after your success.

Or two, the g*dd*mn

I told you so

I'll be expressing

to Patton after your failure.

Do I make myself clear,

Sergeant?

Yes, sir.

The Germans are

attacking in 24 hours.

That means we're

attacking in four.

A surprise attack?

With the few tanks we have left,

we need the element of surprise

in a fast, if not minute,

pincer attack with the

infantry down the middle.

I'm not sure we're

ready for this, sir.

We're so outnumbered,

and I've heard German

General Heinrich is vicious.

A soldier should always

be ready to die, do or die.

There are no other options.

If the Germans

attack Tillet tomorrow

without us trying

to interfere, it's over.

Understood, sir.

You Panthers had better deliver.

Yes, sir.

Uh, sir, permission

to be dismissed.

Some interrogations

of captured Germans

require my immediate attention.

Permission granted.

Prepare your men for battle.

Yes, sir.

And Sergeant...

Until it is absolutely necessary

keep the timing

of our planned attack with only

your most trusted officers.

I don't need to remind you,

there are spies with

allied uniforms all around us.

Yes, sir.

Halt. Papers?

An attack in less than

four hours? Are you certain?

This is direct from

the horse's mouth,

as Americans say.

We outnumber them by more than

three to one. They are fools.

A surprise attack before

we are fully prepared?

We cannot wait a moment longer.

We attack immediately.

Immediately?

General...

Allow us two hours to make

absolutely certain.

I said immediately.

If they prepare a surprise for

us, we turn the favor in full.

Ready or not, by sheer

numbers we will decimate them.

Yes, sir.

One thing.

These Panther men.

You have been with

them up close, yes?

What are they like?

Their character.

The Blacks?

They are oafish, useless men.

More focused on the

women of the village

than on the precision of battle.

I have met them

on the battlefields.

They demonstrated more

cleverness than what you say.

I have spoken

to them several times,

face to face, Herr General.

They are simple men.

I assure you,

these Black panther men,

as they call themselves,

are nothing to the might

of the German army.

Good.

I will have the men

prepare an immediate attack.

The 761st will drive

out to distract them

while the 81st hits

them from the flank.

McBurney, what you're

proposing sounds

like a straight-up

suicide mission.

It might be, sir.

It might be.

The factual odds are

not in our favor.

But I promise you,

I don't do anything

unless I see victory

on the other side.

Fair enough.

All right, then.

Men, let us proceed with

the plan as orchestrated.

We are officially in

God's hands now.

You heard the plan.

This is do or die, gentlemen.

I don't know about you, but

I plan on kicking some a*s

and going home after this.

Who's with me?

[shouting]

All right, then.

What's the battle call

I hear you Black Panthers say?

Come out fighting, sir.

87, 761st.

You heard the man.

-Come out fighting!

-Come out fighting!

Let's go!

Come out fighting!

Come out fighting!

Soldier, radio high command.

Tell them I expect to be in

Tillet by the end of the day.

Yes, sir.

Also, General, I've

been advised to tell you

about a new weather report.

Weather report?

Look at the sky.

The weather is beautiful.

Radio high command immediately.

Tell them what I say.

Yes, sir.

Come on!

Get ready!

Move it, soldier!

Move it!

[shouting]

I'm telling you, Will,

that Esther girl is bad news.

Glad to see playtime's

over for you and her.

Because I was playing?

What are you talking about,

Will?

She's probably,

nah, most likely a spy

playing you for information.

She's just trying to stay alive.

Belgians are like the

Vichy French, damn near German.

Besides, what are

you going to do?

Take her home to

your daughter in Harlem?

You weren't thinking

about that, were you?

No, no.

Why would I?

[expl*si*n]

It's the Germans!

Come on!

Get your positions now!

Everyone, to your positions!

-Go, go!

-Esther!

-Go!

-This is a surprise attack.

I thought we had more time.

This wasn't supposed to be

happening for another 20 hours.

They're going for

the sitting tanks.

We have to get

them out of range.

Where's out of range?

What do we do, sir?

We have to head east, okay?

Head east on the road

to the main fork

in the road coming

into town, okay?

That will be our

rendezvous point.

Just drivers, no teams, okay?

Get as many as possible and

get out of range, okay?

-Yes, sir.

-Go, tell the Black Panthers.

Go!

-What are you going to do?

-I'll follow you.

My tank's behind that wall.

They're not going

to hit me, okay?

-But first...

-Not the woman.

Meet me at the

rendezvous point, okay?

That's an order, Sergeant.

Hey, Ted, someone once told me

life's the gift not promised.

I'll be there.

And the men still live?

Radio, order 10 tanks

to the western woods

there to destroy those men.

But, sir, we almost

have completed

a victory in the middle of town.

It's advised to shift our

focus so close to our...

My apologies, General.

Schwartze.

Prepare my tank.

I wish to be there myself

when these men die.

[shouting]

I don't know how we're going

to make it through this.

Esther. Come on, say

something, you idiot.

The last time you're

going to see her.

[grunting]

Ernie?

-You okay?

-Yeah.

-Good?

-Yeah.

Okay, just a little tighter.

You're good at this.

We're short a couple of medics.

Medic!

Yes, sir.

Come on.

You okay?

Before I forget, here you are.

You don't think I'm a spy?

I have to go.

Only one man per tank.

That's what we're down to.

Okay, come out fighting.

Fire on those tanks down there.

They are the Panthers.

They are out of range, sir.

Then send two Tigers down

there to destroy them now.

-Bill.

-Sarge.

Sarge, what's the plan?

We can't afford any mistakes.

It's only one of us

per tank right now.

It doesn't matter if

there's 50 of us per tank.

We need to get up that hill

and knock out that leader.

It's the only way

we win this thing.

That's a good idea.

But we might as

well save the fuel.

He'll be coming down

here in a minute.

How do you know that, Sarge?

Because he wants us.

And I mean us.

The last tank division,

all destroyed today.

We're the last defense

for the 87th.

That's why Patton sent us here.

So what are we doing, Sarge?

We're outnumbered.

Please tell me we're

going to cut our losses

and then head home so we can

go back up north to Patton.

The way I hear it,

there won't be no more

north, south, east or west if

we leave here in defeat today.

These guys got us

dead to rights, Will.

Took us completely

by surprise and wiped out

nearly half of

the machinery we had left.

But we're here with these tanks.

Our enemies are untested

17-year-old amateur tankers

following a desperate leader.

Our mission is defined.

Take the general.

Win the day.

Amateurs or not,

that's a lot of tanks.

Yeah, but we're panthers.

They're not.

That's true.

Come out fighting, I guess.

Come out fighting, brother.

[g*nf*re, explosions]

Get to your tanks!

Go! Let's go!

Not all gonna make it.

Jack!

Jack, what are you doing?

We're not gonna make

it unless I do this, Sarge.

I'll hold 'em off.

I'll hold 'em off as

long as I can.

Wilson, get clear!

That's an order!

Make it count, sir.

[growling]

Come out fighting!

[shouts]

[screams]

sh*t!

I'm sorry, Jack.

Everyone, what Wilson

just did for us,

we can't let it go for nothing.

Everyone, get out of range now!

I got the left flank.

And I'll take the right, Sarge.

We're gonna take these two out!

Ah! I got him, Ted!

I got his attention!

Here he comes, Ted!

I see the shot!

Yes!

[shouts]

Sergeant Windsor, are you okay?

I think so!

But my main g*n's useless now!

Where did that come--

Jackson! No!

Ted!

We're ridiculously outnumbered!

Even for us!

We can't keep losing our men!

Let's retreat and find

a place to regroup!

You and I both know

I'm surrounded, Will.

I think...

I think I've run out

of places to regroup to!

What are you talking about?

You've got a path to your left!

Just ride through!

Not anymore, I don't...

I'm trapped, Sarge!

No!

Get out of there, Ted!

We need you, brother!

What would Rivers do if he

was in my situation, Will?

He'd make a stand!

I'm gonna show these guys

what a free Black man's

willing to do for his country!

We can still get

out of this, Ted!

You can!

Live, Will!

Bring that white girl

home to your mama!

Kiss her full on the lips

in front of the Apollo!

See what everybody says!

Ted-- Ted?

[g*nf*re]

Ted!

[shouting]

Ted!

[shouting]

Ted!

Ah!

Panthers!

Where are you?

Sound off!

Panthers!

Where are you?

Sound off!

Panthers!

Where are you?

I'll make you proud, Ted.

I promise.

We gotta get back to base.

We gotta get back to base.

[grunts]

[explosions, g*nf*re]

-Walker!

-sh**t him!

[panting]

k*ll me and get

it over with, General.

My German brothers have

already claimed victory.

I'll take an honorable death

in exchange

for a total German

victory anytime.

You're not gonna

die an honorable death

for what you did, Walker.

You're gonna need

to feel this.

I'm listening.

Americans.

[grunts]

MPs!

Stand this man up

for immediate trial.

Sir, yes, sir.

General...

I find you guilty.

[grunting]

General, you okay?

Yeah, yeah, thanks to you.

How many tanks did

the 760 first lose?

It's just me, sir.

Sorry for

your losses, commander.

Heinrich still has many.

We need a new plan, sir.

That we do, soldier.

That we do.

McBurney...

I never should

have trusted that man.

Appreciate the admission, sir.

Maybe you can

trust me a bit, now.

What do you got in mind?

I want this operation

complete in less than an hour.

Am I clear?

Yes, sir.

We have high ground,

the element of surprise,

and we outnumber them.

They have no chance.

[engine revving]

Okay.

Stay in line and keep

that distance, McBurney.

They're going to

pop out any time.

Stay in line.

Are you sure they will

come this way, sir?

They will.

I am sure of it.

If you say so, sir.

I think I see them, sir.

Quickly, after them!

This is our chance!

Destroy them now.

Here we go.

I want this man

destroyed in minutes.

Damn it.

These guys are fast.

We're gaining on him, sir.

That's it.

Almost there.

Come on.

Faster, faster!

McBurney, get out of there.

We have no more heavy firepower.

No way to stop the Germans.

It's only a matter of time

before the Germans destroy us

and take over Tillet.

The w*r is theirs.

The Allies have lost.

What is he doing?

Committing suicide?

General, I'm going to distract

him and give you more time.

Firing!

Yes!

Firing!

Destroy that man!

All tanks, fire all g*ns now!

Fire now!

Fire! Fire!

Come out fighting! Ah!

McBurney!

McBurney, do you copy?

McBurney!

[g*nf*re]

God damn it!

McBurney!

Still alive.

Still alive!

But sir...

His tank is destroyed.

We've won.

We can return to Tillet.

I want that Black man

dead in the snow.

Do you understand me?

I will personally see the lot

of you shot if he escapes.

Sergeant Rohm, move now!

[distant g*nf*re, explosions]

We have him, sir.

He's cornered.

You two, get out

and capture him.

-Ja'wohl, herr commandant.

-Hand me your firearm. Now.

[distant g*nf*re, explosions]

[grunts]

[g*nf*re continues]

It's been a pleasure serving

with you, Sergeant McBurney.

'Til the better end, General.

'Til the bitter end.

[g*nf*re continues]

Halt!

[sighs]

Corinna.

Wanted to get home

to you, little girl.

Get home... and hug you.

Make sure you know that

your daddy loves you.

Make sure you know that you

weren't all alone in this world.

Still hoping

I can for some reason.

That's all up to God right now.

Either way, daddy loves you.

[birds chirping]

[distant g*nf*re, explosions]

General Cullin.

General Cullin!

McBurney, go ahead.

Weather report was correct, sir.

This plan just might work.

The skies are clearing up, sir.

Don't know if the skies

will clear in time.

Germans might just win this one.

Even with good weather.

We're in a really

bad way here.

Copy that, sir.

Not good enough, McBurney.

Not enough time.

Need to make time.

[b*llet ricochets]

sh*t!

Sir, the radio chatter

says he is surrendering.

What do we do?

Bring us closer.

Also, sir, we are getting

an urgent weather report.

Bring us closer!

Stop the tanks!

Wait for my orders!

I want to destroy

this man myself.

Now, Panther man.

I get the pleasure of

looking into your empty eyes.

Are you ready to die?

It's a beautiful day to die.

[aircraft approaching]

The plan worked, sir.

I don't know how

you did it, son,

but you just ex*cuted

one of the bravest plans

I think I've ever seen.

It all hinged on how much

hate that man had, sir.

It turns out he hated us more

than he wanted to win the w*r.

Tillet?

Tank bombers taking

out everything they got.

c*ck-sons of g*ns left

themselves so exposed,

we'll have all their

tanks either destroyed

or repurposed in 30 minutes.

Their game is over.

We've won, son.

We've won!

You've won.

Thank you, sir.

[traffic sounds]

[bell rings]

Hey, Grandma.

-Hi.

-Hi.