Ernest Borgnine credited as playing...
General Worden
- Maj. Gen. Worden: This war was *not* started for your private gratification, and you can be damned sure it's not being run for your personal convenience, either!
- Gen. Denton: Major Reisman is heading toward a court martial of his own. He's the most ill-mannered, ill-disciplined officer that it's ever been my displeasure to meet.
- Maj. Gen. Worden: You think so, Denton? You may be right. But he's sure right about one thing. Somebody up there must be a raving lunatic.
- [after being given his mission]
- Maj. Gen. Worden: What do you say, Major?
- Major John Reisman: lt confirms a suspicion l've had for some time now, sir.
- Maj. Gen. Worden: Think we might share that suspicion? l think you should.
- Major John Reisman: Since we are over here to try to win the war, it shouldn't be advertised that someone we work for is a raving lunatic.
- Maj. Gen. Worden: Either ask relevant questions or shut up!
- Major John Reisman: Would it be relevant to ask why I'm being offered this mission?
- Maj. Gen. Worden: It's not, as you say, being "offered".
- Major John Reisman: I'm volunteering?
- Maj. Gen. Worden: Exactly, major! You know, I'm glad you look at these things so realistically.
- Maj. Gen. Worden: I don't go for this behind-the-lines nonsense. As far as I'm concerned, a soldier's job is to wear his uniform and kill the enemy.
- Major John Reisman: I don't mean to appear unduly cautious; but, if my personal survival is going to depend upon the performance of 12 deadheads, it might be helpful to know exactly what I am to train them for.
- Maj. Gen. Worden: Now, that's a very good question, Major. Armbruster, let's have the basic outline.
- Major Max Armbruster: Yes, sir. The Germans are using a large chateau near Rennes in Brittany as a rest center and a conference place for general staff officers. The target has no real military value in itself but what with these conferences, discussion groups, and the like going on all the time, there's hardly a day when there aren't a considerable number of important general officers in residence. Usually with the benefit of female companionship. Eliminating a sufficient number of senior officers couldn't help but have the effect of disrupting their chain of command. So, the idea is simply that our men are dropped by parachute. They enter the chateau and kill as many senior officers as is possible in the time available. Naturally, the place is fortified and - heavily guarded.
- Major John Reisman: Naturally.