Colin Friedlos

What a terrible war film. Every 10 seconds I breathe 'as if' .... Historical inaccuracy and incorrect military ettiquette is abound. As if a lance corporal would constantly address a sergeant as 'sarge'. Although JNCO's were used as runners behind the lines, as if mere lance corporal's would be aware of the contents of messages/orders that they are carrying! As if a General would refer to them as 'gentlemen' As if they would salute each other when 'in the field' and the General was not even wearing headwear? As if they would have to cross over, into and behind enemy lines to convey a message to their own lines? Their weapon handling skills were appalling, as if they would be swing their rifles around like that with bayonet affixed? As if they would proceed into no mans land in broad daylight, they would have been picked off by snipers within 5 yards! As if the enemy lines would be deserted with hot coals still burning with no reason as there was no major attack? Once underground, the billet bunks of the Germans looked like they had been been rusting away for years! As if an underground explosion occurs and they have no serious injuries, an underground explosion is ten times more powerful than an air burst, the very least they would have had bleeding ear drums and total disorientation lasting days! As if a soldier would fill his water bottle with anything other than water, especially not milk, it would be minging in hours as well as a chargeable offence! As if after bravely rescuing the German pilot he would attack and try to kill the men who saved him? (I don't believe that) As if there would be Indian uniformed soldiers mixed with the regular British Regiments? And what were they doing so far behind enemy lines? As if there would be so many Afro-Caribbean troops mixed with the regular troops (true there were some black soldiers but very few per regiment was more probable). As if a soldier would make ready with his rifle and a spent cartridge is ejected from the chamber? As if after falling into a raging torrent he would emerge in exactly the right place with troops mustering to go forward to the front line? Surely the messenger should present and identify himself to the senior officer in command, instead he just mingles in with the troops and goes towards the forward line, what a joke. As if these important orders would be in a paper envelope tucked into a side pocket, orders would be in a secure and sealed leather attache case firmly strapped to his body. As if an improperly dressed rank and file soldier (ie no helmet, no personal weapon, no webbing etc) would gain access the the forward command post to address the senior officer towards the end of the film? He surely would have been detained or even shot on the spot as a mutineer or madman. As if it would be possible for the troops, who were already charging into a surprisingly green 'no man land', could be ordered to turn back and the remainder of the forces halted in their tracks? laughable. This film is about as sad as a war film classed as 'realistic and accurate' can possibly be, to anyone with some basic military knowledge, there is so much more wrong with this dollop of nonsense that I've watched it again just for its comedy value!