War

World War II drama where the action centers around a single maneuver by a squad of GIs in retaliation against the force of the German Siegfried line. Reese joins a group of weary GIs unexpectedly ordered back into the line when on their way to a rest area. While most of the men withdraw from their positions facing a German pillbox at the far side of a mine-field, half a dozen men are left to protect a wide front. By various ruses, they manage to convince the Germans that a large force is still holding the position. Then Reese leads two of the men in an unauthorized and unsuccessful attack on the pillbox, in which the other two are killed; and when the main platoon returns, he is threatened with court-martial. Rather that face the disgrace, and in an attempt to show he was right, he makes a one-man attack on the pillbox.

"The brutal realities that faced every G.I. during World War II"

Credits

Steve McQueenPvt. John Reese

Bobby DarinPvt. Dave 'J.J.' Corby

Fess ParkerSgt. Bill Pike

Harry GuardinoSgt. Jim Larkin

James CoburnCpl. Frank Henshaw