Command Decision Series 1 Episode 3

We present arthur, though john lemisula and clive dunn in dad's army episode, three command decision featuring john laurie and james beck with this week's guest jeffrey lumsdon.

There is the latest news, and this is john snag. Reading it with hitler's panzer divisions, pushing the allied armies ever closer towards the beaches On the northern coast of france. The skies over southern england are filled with the screech and wine of diving fighter planes locked in mortal combat.

But let us not forget to those gallon citizens on the ground who, returning home after a hard day's work, go straight out again to parade as local defense volunteers at the church hall in wilmington on sea members of the local platoon assemble for the evening parade. Hey! Hey johnson, are they here yet hello, mr fraser? I want here yet not rifles. Well, what do you think all we get is promises see we're becoming a laughingstock man marching about the old knives and forks to I don't who gets a stick? Our kids run after me just now shooting can I borrow your toast and fork mister.

I know I know you know one of them offered to lend me his cap pistol. I hope he sent a bucket. No.

I took it oh good evening, mr man, red evening. Mr Wilson, david jones, any use of the rifles, mr man. No, but it's only question of time.

Jones i've sent another letter to ghq couched in the strongest terms, they're bound to exceed to a request from front blind troops like ourselves very good shot. Other men ready for parade, yes, yep right for the carry on then wilson. I said all right: everybody would you mind falling in.

Please I've got attention, i'm sorry, mr wilson, yeah! Well, you better! Try that again! Chelsea! I think yes, i'll get the hang of it. In a minute, all right, but stand at ease. Sorry, sorry all right attention jones! Yes, mr wilson, do try and keep up with the others.

Yes they're, very good, mr [ __ ]. All right squad stand out eat. I'm sorry about that.

Mr wilshere. All right! Once again start attending trump. Yes, no, it's murdering! I.

I think it would save time if we settled for that. Yes go on to the next bit. Oh yes right! The squad, president corrector and ready for your inspection.

Thank you sergeant, right, hey will we be having the rifles soon very Soon, I hope fraser and god for that wilson come here? Yes, sir, can I detect an undercurrent of dissatisfaction from the men? Well, yes, it's probably because they haven't got new rifles. They don't really feel, like you know, proper soldiers. No, I understand that i'll have a word with them boost their flagging spirit, house man.

I know that you're worried about the Rifles not easy being a frontline fighting force armed only with picks and slaves, but rest assured, I shall not cease from mental strife until those rifles are in your hands. I promise you, you will have them before the week is out no, mr mandarin. What would we do without you you're our inspiration? Sir.

Oh come now jones one just tries to do one's best, [ Music ] Come in! Oh listen! Yes, sir! Any news from jhq ruin other things. I know I i think you were a little hasty last night, sir, when you promised the men, you would get them rifles before the week was out. Well, I had to say something must keep the morale up somehow yeah, there's a colonel square to see you, mr mentoring, girl square.

Did he say what he wants? He just said he Must see you on the most urgent military matter. Ah wilson, he must be from ghq with news about rifles. Send him in straight away.

Do you really think he's coming about the rifles? Oh yes, now you can see how important it is wilson to have a commanding officer like me, who carries some weight to the top brass. Well, no one would dispute that you carry weight, sir. What do you mean by that? Well, especially With the men? Yes, exactly, I promise there's a promise and I never break my word.

Ah i'm colonel square. You must be main-wearing, oh, how to do colonel. Actually, it's pronounced mannering.

Then why the hell do you spell it? Meanwhile, a lot of nonsense sit down colonel. Ah. Thank you.

Thank you Now. What exactly is the situation? Well, i'll, come straight to the point. The warehouse haven't found a job for me.

Yet though, heaven knows it shouldn't be difficult for the man of my experience. Four years in the desert, fighting johnny turk, you know 1915 to 1918 you've heard of elohs hello, ross man eros. Now what you see in your mind's eye when I say that word is, I really don't know? I mean anything to you, wilson! Well, uh he's not the chiropodist; you know he used to have the shop in the high street.

Didn't he? No, you full! I'm talking about arabia. I served with him. That's what the arabs used to call him.

Sometimes they called him pasha. That means great chief. You know they used to call me pasha as well.