An early draft of the script had Fleming become so exasperated with Saunders' defense of Kalb ("Who's he, your cousin?" Fleming finally sneers) that he rushes outside - unarmed and without a radio, so that he can't be shot by his own squad as a deserter - to look for the German soldier whom Kalb described (and was supposedly wounded by). There is no trace of Kalb's bespectacled nemesis; instead Fleming discovers Adelquist, a second American soldier, whom Kalb was paired with during their taking of the town...and whom Kalb reported dead. The mortally-wounded Adelquist expires before he can tell Fleming anything. Then Dodd, a third American soldier, unwisely calls for Fleming to return; this alerts more German soldiers in the area to their presence. They open fire, killing Dodd and pinning down the remaining Americans. Instead of taking the opportunity to rejoin his own squad, Fleming doubles around to get behind the Germans.
Meanwhile, Doc informs Saunders that Kalb's wound is far more serious than it appeared at first: the bullet has completely shattered Kalb's thighbone and severed the main artery, which means his leg will have to be amputated...and promptly, or he'll hemorrhage to death long before they can get him home. Moreover, the bullet Doc removed from Kalb's leg turns out to be from his own rifle - and then Kirby mentions that Fleming is alone in the rear of the Germans, who've cut off any escape route. Kalb admits that Fleming won't find any German soldiers near Adelquist. The truth comes out at last: the German in question wasn't even wounded, but succeeded in killing Adelquist; Kalb, while running to help Adelquist, tripped and dropped his own rifle...which went off and hit himself in the leg. Kalb admits he made up the rest of that story because, in his own words, "How could I ask anybody to believe a story I wouldn't have believed myself?" And so it turns out that both Saunders and Fleming were only partly correct.
As Fleming launches a counter-offensive of his own from behind the German position, Saunders and the rest of his men take advantage of the diversion and overcome the Germans - except for one bespectacled enemy soldier who perfectly matches Kalb's description, and whom Fleming unwisely takes prisoner. As Fleming drags his captive before Doc and Kalb, the German suddenly whips out a stick-grenade and throws it into the Americans' midst. Kalb, using his good leg, catapults himself onto the grenade just before it explodes...saving the squad at the cost of his own life. Then Saunders threatens to court-martial Fleming for Desertion in the Face of the Enemy. Fleming, however, doesn't give him the satisfaction; he pulls a pistol taken from the captured German and commits suicide before anybody can stop him.
Later, as the Americans prepare to move out, Saunders calls Kirby aside for a chat...
SAUNDERS: Kirby, I'm not going to try telling you that scuttlebutt is all wrong all the time; we've both seen otherwise. What I will tell you is that two men of note died under this roof. Both were American; one was a traitor, the other was a hero. Both died by their own hands, more or less; one helped nobody in the process, the other saved most of this squad - including you and me. Now, here's what I want to know from you...Can you tell me which one was which?
KIRBY: You mean the biggest difference between the two? (Saunders nods) Yeah, I sure can...The traitor's the one who saw and heard only what he believed, when it should've been the other way around. (Saunders cracks a grim-but-approving smile)
SAUNDERS: That's good enough for me, Kirby...All right, let's move out; come on.
Meanwhile, Doc informs Saunders that Kalb's wound is far more serious than it appeared at first: the bullet has completely shattered Kalb's thighbone and severed the main artery, which means his leg will have to be amputated...and promptly, or he'll hemorrhage to death long before they can get him home. Moreover, the bullet Doc removed from Kalb's leg turns out to be from his own rifle - and then Kirby mentions that Fleming is alone in the rear of the Germans, who've cut off any escape route. Kalb admits that Fleming won't find any German soldiers near Adelquist. The truth comes out at last: the German in question wasn't even wounded, but succeeded in killing Adelquist; Kalb, while running to help Adelquist, tripped and dropped his own rifle...which went off and hit himself in the leg. Kalb admits he made up the rest of that story because, in his own words, "How could I ask anybody to believe a story I wouldn't have believed myself?" And so it turns out that both Saunders and Fleming were only partly correct.
As Fleming launches a counter-offensive of his own from behind the German position, Saunders and the rest of his men take advantage of the diversion and overcome the Germans - except for one bespectacled enemy soldier who perfectly matches Kalb's description, and whom Fleming unwisely takes prisoner. As Fleming drags his captive before Doc and Kalb, the German suddenly whips out a stick-grenade and throws it into the Americans' midst. Kalb, using his good leg, catapults himself onto the grenade just before it explodes...saving the squad at the cost of his own life. Then Saunders threatens to court-martial Fleming for Desertion in the Face of the Enemy. Fleming, however, doesn't give him the satisfaction; he pulls a pistol taken from the captured German and commits suicide before anybody can stop him.
Later, as the Americans prepare to move out, Saunders calls Kirby aside for a chat...
SAUNDERS: Kirby, I'm not going to try telling you that scuttlebutt is all wrong all the time; we've both seen otherwise. What I will tell you is that two men of note died under this roof. Both were American; one was a traitor, the other was a hero. Both died by their own hands, more or less; one helped nobody in the process, the other saved most of this squad - including you and me. Now, here's what I want to know from you...Can you tell me which one was which?
KIRBY: You mean the biggest difference between the two? (Saunders nods) Yeah, I sure can...The traitor's the one who saw and heard only what he believed, when it should've been the other way around. (Saunders cracks a grim-but-approving smile)
SAUNDERS: That's good enough for me, Kirby...All right, let's move out; come on.
As the squad enters the French village close ups of Sanders clearly show him wearing a jacket even though it is obvious that no jackets are worn by any of them here.