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During the second-half of 1944, various Allied units stationed in Belgium attempt to smash their way through the tough German defenses at the Siegfried Line. If successful, the way to Germany is wide-open. One of these units is the American 3rd Armored Division. The films story concerns a particular five-tank platoon, commanded by Lt. Rawson, the best platoon in Captain Bob Horners Company C. During an ambush, the lead tank, California Jane, commanded by Master Sgt. Joe Davis, is seriously damaged by a German Panther tank. Davis is severely wounded and his driver is killed. Soon after, a replacement sergeant takes over Davis role. However, the new man, staff sergeant Francis Aloysius Sullivan is cocky, heartless and tactless. His behavior frustrates both his men and his superiors. Many suspect that Sullivan is a show-off, and eager for an aggressive combat style in order to receive promotions, medals and praises. Some of the other men in the platoon are Danny Kolowicz, Sgt. Lemchek, Pfc. George Ike Eisenhower, Sgt. Tucker, Pvt. Jerry Marconi Whitehouse, Heinrich Heinie Weinburger and Lt. Rawson himself. Sgt. Sullivan is mercilessly pushing his men to their limit, with little rest, praise or empathy. This leadership style attracts the enmity of his men and of the more humane platoon leader, Lt. Rawson. At a river fording, the inadequacy of the American Sherman tank, armed with the 75 mm gun, becomes evident. The lead tank is neutralized by a German 88 mm Flack gun. During one-on-one tank duels with the much heavier, better armored, superior gunned German tanks, the American Shermans fall pray to German shells, while the Shermans shells bounce-off the German armor. Some men bemoan the situation and dream of better American tanks to give the crews a better chance of survival during fire exchanges with the German monsters. Pfc. Eisenhower even begs a two-star general for better tanks and is promised newer tanks, armed with 90 mm guns and sporting thicker armor. They all take this promise as a joke, meant to humor the men, until, a few months later, the first Pershing tanks start arriving. After liberating a few Belgian towns, the division moves into position to assault the Siegfried Line. The German tank obstacles, including the deadly dragons teeth and heavy artillery await the American tank units. Sergeant Sullivans reckless bravery wins them successes but casualties too. Later-on, a major German infantry counter-attack is repulsed by Sullivans advance smart defensive preparations. The men dont know whether to admire or hate Sullivans guts. Once over the border, into Germany proper, the men open a bottle of champagne to celebrate the event. When they reach a major German town, Pfc. Heinrich Heinie Weinburger, a German-American, starts asking strange questions, in German, of the numerous German POWs being herded and processed by the American soldiers. When Weinburger wanders-off into the city, a suspicious Sullivan follows him around and discovers Weinburgers painful secret. Finally, a promotion to Lieutenant, arrives for Sullivan but it also means the mandatory re-assignment to another unit. Emotionally attached to his men and his platoon, Sullivan refuses the promotion, choosing to remain a sergeant with his outfit instead.
Steve Cochran
Francis Aloysius 'Sully' Sullivan
Philip Carey
Lt. Rawson
Mari Aldon
Patricia Kane
Paul Picerni
Danny Kolowicz
Harry Bellaver
Sgt. Lemchek
James Dobson
Pfc. George 'Ike' Eisenhower
George O'Hanlon
Sgt. Tucker
John McGuire
Col. Matthews
Eugene Baxter
Pvt. Jerry Marconi Whitehouse
Robert Boon
Heinrich 'Heinie' Weinburger
Tony Christian
Gen. Oberon von Kolber
Jeanne Crandell
Belgian Girl
Art Gilmore
Narrator
Lisa Golm
Heinie's Grandmother
Robert Horton
Capt. Bob Horner
Ray Hyke
Kemp
Gary Kettler
German Non-Com
Fay Lively
Belgian Girl
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