The Divine Mr. M

This is a drawing of Lt. Lilya Litvak's's YaK-1B (or 2nd series) flying over Stalingrad in early 1943.

"The 586th Fighter Aviation Regiment served from April 1942 through May 1945 as part of Fighter Aviation of the Air Defense Forces of the Soviet Union (IA/PVO). Flying modern Yak-series fighter aircraft, the unit completed more than 9,000 flights, of which 4,419 were combat sorties; 38 enemy aircraft were destroyed and 42 damaged in 125 air engagements. The 586th Fighter Aviation Regiment was assigned to protect fixed targets like airfields, cities, and transportation nodes from enemy attacks. The regiment supported the Battle of Stalingrad (sending some of its pilots to augment all-male fighter regiments), and performed air defense duties at Voronezh, Kursk, Kiev, Debrecen, Budapest, and Vienna.(4) The regiment was most active during the middle period of the war, especially while based near Voronezh and Kursk. During the first and last months of its existence, the 586th was based in areas where enemy activity was relatively light.(5) By 1944, the Luftwaffe had increasing difficulty mustering forces to attack the fixed targets defended by PVO regiments.(6) Although the 586th began the war with all female pilots, it later included male pilots as well: women and men flew and fought side by side in the 586th."

~I finished the first draft of Red Angels over twelve years ago after a year of hammering at the thing. I've done some rewriting in the interim. It got good coverage up at ICM. Nothing happened. I submitted it to The Gersh Agency on a 'personal recommendation'. Nothing happened.

But there have been other Soviet Female Pilots in World War Two projects floated around town and by folks with a lot more juice than Yours Truly and they never got anywhere either, so I don't take it personally. I did get to read one of them and it Sucked So Hard it embarrassed me.

I've been thinking of doing as a graphic novel for a few years now. I have even drawn up a list of illustrators whose work I like. I'm posting this because I'm seriously thinking of looking for an illustration partner on 2xcreative

Anyway, the below is roughly the first one fifth of the thing. [It's registered with the WGA btw.] It's in an old screenplay format and has a lot of typos, but is quite readable.

FADE IN

ext. sky/above the don river basin - day

EXTREME C/U the NOSE of a WWII FIGHTER AIRCRAFT: The Nose Cannon ROARS, a Bright Tongue of Flame spitting from the Propeller Hub.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL: a YAKOVLEV YAK-1, (similar to British Hurricane) decked out in a Black and Green camouflage pattern with BIG RED STARS on the Rudder and Fuselage, and a 'slogan' in LARGE RED and WHITE CYRILLIC LETTERS painted on its side: "3a CCCP!"

The Yak-1, guns blazing, is boring in on a NAZI FIGHTER PLANE: a MESSERSCHMIDT ME-109 (bulbous nosed, shark-like). Pieces tear off the Me-109 as it twists and turns, trying to escape.

The Me-109 starts trailing smoke, then begins to burn. The Yak-1 stops firing, peels off.

The sky is filled with DOZENS of YAK-1's and ME-109's. They swarm angrily around each other in several clusters, small 'dog fights' within the larger aerial battle. Some Aircraft trail smoke, some Aircraft trail flames.

A YAK-1 is being closely pursued by an Me-109, its guns blazing. The "3a CCCP!" Yak-1 gets on that Me-109's tail, starts hammering away at the Nazi Fighter.

Suddenly, another ME-109 jumps on "3a CCCP!", shoots up its cockpit. "3aCCCP!" trails smoke and spins out.

ext. Russian countryside - day

It's a wide open, rolling landscape in mid-summer. SOUND of ARTILLERY THUMPING in the DISTANCE. SOUND of "SPUTTERING" AIRCRAFT ENGINE.

"3a CCCP!", trailing smoke and small spurts of flame, is coming in 'on the deck'. It catches its propeller tip on a rise, pirouettes on its nose, smashes sideways into the ground in a cloud of dust. The Aircraft is broken in half and beginning to burn.

INT. "3a CCCP!" COCKPIT - DAY

The PILOT is motionless, leather helmeted head twisted sideways at an unnatural angle, Uniform Tunic ripped open to reveal the gentle curve of a YOUNG WOMAN'S BREAST, pale and flawless. A SMALL RIVULET of BLOOD slowly runs down her smooth, fair skin. Then, Smoke and Flames envelop her, filling the ENTIRE SCREEN.

dissolve to:

ext. sky - day

The CAMERA moves through tall, columnar clouds, vast shining white towers floating in the sky. In the distance, the edges of the clouds begin to darken. The faint flash of lightning is seen. SOUND of THUNDER RUMBLING SOFTLY.

The CAMERA continues on, the clouds get darker and darker, shades of gray, purple, black. Flashes of lightning become more frequent and violent. SOUND of THUNDER increases from RUMBLING to CRASHING.

ext. contemporary Russian cityscape - day

Rain pours from the darkened sky. The CAMERA moves DOWN towards an APARTMENT BUILDING. Lighting illuminates its massive, ugly Soviet style architecture. The CAMERA ZOOMS up to, and through an APARTMENT WINDOW.

int. apartment - day

It's quite cozy in a very 19th Century way. The T.V. Has a shawl thrown over it. There are a lot of framed photos, a number of them 'formal portraits' of MEN and WOMEN in Soviet military uniforms. SOUND of RAIN on the WINDOW. SOUND of a GRANDFATHER CLOCK TICKING.

C/U of an OLD WOMAN'S HANDS as she embroiders a floral pattern on the cuff of a white blouse. Her movements are strong and steady. SOUND of the GRANDFATHER CLOCK CHIMING: a resonant "BONG-BONG-BONG".

int. car - day

It is a late model Soviet compact: primitive, but well maintained. The SOUND of its WINDSHIELD WIPERS counter points the SOUND of the CLOCK CHIMING, which continues on to ELEVEN STROKES.

C/U of Old Woman's hands fingering the embroidery on the cuff of the blouse. (Someone else is driving) A few beats after the SOUND of CHIMING stops, the wipers stop.

ext. blacktop road - day

OVERHEAD SHOT of the CAR proceeding up a ROUGH ROAD which winds through an OPEN FIELD of GRASS.

cut to:

The car pulls to the side of the road and stops. An OLD WOMAN, mid-80's, wearing a trench coat, exits the car. Though old, she has an 'iron spirit'. She looks at the clearing sky, takes off the trench coat. Underneath, she wears a simple gray suit, a Russian tricolor flag pin on the lapel, and several Soviet medals pinned to the breast.

ext. grassy field - day

The Old Woman walks purposefully through the grass, pausing intermittently to pick one of the wildflowers that dot the field.

Woman's Voice(v.o.)
More than a lifetime has passed since we
gathered at this place. The Fascists were
overrunning Mother Russia, smashing one
Soviet army after another, and would soon
be at the gates of Moscow.

She walks up to the edge of a DERELICT RUNWAY made of hexagonally shaped asphalt blocks, stops.

Woman's Voice(v.o.)
They were desperate times. And they
required desperate measures.

From her pocket, she takes out an OLD B&W PHOTO in a SILVER FRAME. It shows: FIVE YOUNG WOMEN, arm in arm, standing in an OPEN FIELD, smiling. FOUR of them wear canvas flight suits. The WOMAN in the middle (slightly older) wears a Soviet officer's uniform. Behind them, WWII AIRCRAFT are partially visible.

Woman's Voice(v.o.)
My God, we were all so young.

Emotions flicker across her face, as the wind picks up. She looks up and out across the runway, as if seeing a thousand miles distant. The wind is becoming violent. The RISING SOUND of AIRCRAFT ENGINES. Gale force winds buffet the Old Woman, but she stands her ground, her expression beatific.

The CAMERA PANS out across the Runway, revealing THREE YAK-1 FIGHTER'S.

The THREE PILOTS (all FEMALE OFFICERS) approach the Yaks: COLONEL MARINA RASKOVA, 31, a determined visionary, MAJOR NATALYA SAVITSKAYA, 24, intense, dedicated, and LIEUTENANT RIA TIKOMAROVA, 19, sharp,witty. All three of them we recognize from the PHOTO:.

The PILOTS mount their AIRCRAFT, rev their engines. They each signal the GROUND CREW, who then pull the wheel chocks. ALL the GROUND CREW are WOMEN.

TITLE CARD

AUTUMN, 1941
The Three Yak-1 fighters begin to taxi down the runway.

cut to:

The Three Yak-1 fighters take off all together.

ext. blacktop road - day

The blacktop is brand new. Traveling along it, a PAIR of 2&1/2 TON MILITARY TRUCKS. (American made with Soviet markings) The back of the LEAD TRUCK is uncovered.

int. back of lead truck - day

Its passengers, about a dozen FEMALE JUNIOR LIEUTENANTS, 18/20, all possessing the beauty of youth. They chatter and look about with excitement.

Among them, the other TWO WOMEN from the PHOTO: LILYA LITVYAK, 18, quiet, steady, observant, and KATYA FEDOTOVA, 18, sweet and outgoing. Katya chats with TANYA KARPOVA, 18, petite, high strung. Lilya watches. Suddenly, she looks up.

Three Yak-1 fighters, coming in 'on the deck' in a row, roar over the truck, one after another. All the women jump up, point, and shout.

TANYA
What the Devil were those?

Katya
Yakovlev Yak Ones.

TANYA
Do you think we'll get to fly them?

Katya
Why else are we here?

Lilya
(flat)
To be ferry pilots.

Katya
Really, Lilya. You can't believe that.

Lilya
Katya, do you honestly think they'll let
us fight?

Katya can't answer that.

ext. 586th base entrance/Gorky - day

The trucks roll past a neat HAND LETTERED SIGN by the side of the road. The CAMERA holds on the sign. Its Cyrillic writing 'dissolves' into English. It reads: "H.Q. 586th FIGHTER REGIMENT-GORKI DISTRICT-RUSSIAN SOVIET SOCIALIST FEDERATED REPUBLIC"

The trucks stop at a WOODEN KIOSK with a GATE POST. A FEMALE SENTRY, 22, heavyset, tough, with a sub-machine gun, takes the travel orders from the first DRIVER(MALE). He smiles at her, she scowls, he swallows nervously.

The Sentry lifts the gate post. The trucks proceed. The Sentry smiles brightly at the women in the truck.

ext. 586th h.q. building/Gorky - day

It's a small HUNTING LODGE with a porch and a camouflage pattern on the roof. As the trucks pass in front, COMMISSAR VERA POPKOVA, 32, solid, cheerful, stands on the porch watching the trucks arrive. Then she sees MARINA, NATALYA, and RIA approaching.

Natalya looks at the young women in the truck. The women look back at her. Some smile shyly.

Natalya
They're all such babies.

VERA comes up next to Natalya.

Vera
(smiling proudly)
Most of those 'babies' are qualified
Komsomol pilots, Comrade Major. You can
put them straight into fighter training.

Marina
(small grin)
Things are seldom what they appear, are
they, Comrade Commissar?

Vera
(laughs heartily)
Very true, Comrade Colonel, very true,
indeed.

Vera looks Natalya up and down. Natalya is uncomfortable with this.

Vera
When you are finished putting them through
their paces, Comrade Colonel, would you
please send them to me for indoctrination.

Marina
Certainly, Comrade Commissar.

They all salute each other. Vera exits. Marina and Natalya begin walking. Ria stays a few paces back.

Natalya
I hate when she does that.

Marina
Does what?

Natalya
Comrade Colonel, you know perfectly well
what I'm talking about.

Marina
(grins broadly)
Comrade Popkova has her little eccentri-
cities, but she lets me run this regiment
with a minimum of political interference.
Besides, she knows engines backwards and
forwards.

Natalya
But she's..she's..

Marina
Perverted?

Natalya
That's a strong word, Marina Nicolaivna.

Marina
Yes, it is, Natalya Andreivna. And there
are those who believe that female fighter
pilots are a perversion. Whether they share
Comrade Popkova's eccentricities or not.

Natalya
(rueful)
Yes, Comrade Colonel.

Marina
(smiles gently, pats Natalya's arm)
Come, Natalya Andreivna. Let's start turning
our little chicks into hawks.

ext. 586th 'assemble area'/Gorky - day

At the trucks, the young women are off loading their duffel bags with the help of some FEMALE ENLISTED PERSONNEL. Marina, Natalya, and Ria approach. Katya tugs Lilya's sleeve, nods her head at them.

Katya
Look, that's Marina Raskova.

Several of the women look.

Tanya
Who's Marina Raskova?

Katya and Lilya give her a 'don't you know anything' look.

Lilya
She's the first woman to fly the length
of Russia. Comrade Stalin made her Hero
of the Soviet Union.

Katya
She is the greatest female pilot in the world.

Tanya
What about Amelia Earhart?

Lilya
(quiet)
She got lost and died.

Marina and Natalya come up, halt. Ria stands behind them.

Natalya
Attention!

The women quickly line up, come to attention.

Marina
Comrade Pilots, welcome to the Five Hundred
Eighty Sixth Fighter Regiment. I am Colonel
Marina Raskova, Officer Commanding. I have
been informed that you are all ready for
fighter training. This is good. I also know
that there is no precedent for what we are
doing here. At least not in recent history.

The women smile.

Marina
So, you may find yourselves under psycho-
logical and emotional pressures that you,
as women, have never been subjected to
before. If any of you, at any time, feel
that you cannot cope, my door will always
be open. You may think of me as the 'mother
of the regiment'. Do you all understand me?

They all nod in agreement.

Marina
Good. I will now turn you over to Major
Savitskaya. You may think of her as a big
sister.
(smiles)
The one who does everything better than
you and never lets you forget that.

A few women laugh nervously. Marina turns to Natalya. They salute. Marina exits. Natalya looks at the women, her face a 'stone mask'.

Natalya
(snarls)
Shut up and pay attention!!

Natalya stalks up and down in front of them. Behind her, Ria smirks briefly.

Natalya
Colonel Raskova is a kind and generous
woman. She sees you as her daughters.
But all I see is a gaggle of Komsomol
princesses who think they fart perfume!
Well, you had better forget that right
now! Forget what you think you know!
Forget about love! Forget about tender-
ness! Forget about your mothers! We are
fighting a war to the death! All that
matters is the Motherland and your duty!
('fish-eyes' them)
And your duty is to kill Fascists! Do you
understand me?!

All
Yes, Comrade Major!

Natalya
What is your duty?!

All
To kill Fascists, Comrade Major!

Natalya
(nasty smile)
Now we will see what you're made of.
(turns)
Comrade Tikomarova!

RIA
(steps up smartly)
Yes, Comrade Major.

NATALYA
(looks at her watch)
It's Zero-Eight-Seventeen Hours. Show
these...'ladies' to their quarter's.
Then I want them on the flight line,
ready to go, by Zero-Eight-Thirty.

RIA
Yes, Comrade Major.

They salute.

int. 586TH PILOT'S barracks/Gorky - day

The place is simple, almost crude. The room long, narrow. The 'beds' are WOODEN PLATFORMS. The women pull flight suits from their duffel bags, are struggling into them. Ria looks at her watch with attitude.

Ria
Two minutes. Come on, ladies, let's get
the finger out.

Some of the women glare at her.

Ria
(smirks, looks at watch again)
A minute thirty.

ext. 586th flight line/Gorky - day

At the edge of the runway, a HALF DOZEN YAK-1's are parked about in a helter-skelter fashion. Natalya, wearing a flight suit, stands in front of a parked YAK-1. Before her, several of the women, in flight suits, in line, at attention. Some breathe heavy, are sweaty. Lilya and Katya are 'cool and calm'. Natalya checks her watch, as Tanya runs up, gets in line, Ria 'on her tail'. Natalya holds up a clip board.

Natalya
When I call your name, step forward.
Andryushchenkova. Antipova. Fedotova.
Karpova. Litvyak. Moninova. Pakirdjian.
Palchikova. Rudnitskaya. Zharinova.

Most have stepped forward.

Natalya
If I have called your name, stay here.
The rest of you will go with Lieutenant
Tikomarova to put in more two-seater
flight time.

cut to:

The women gather around Natalya, close to the nose of the Yak-1. Natalya speaks rapidly, punctuates her words by TAPPING a POINTER LOUDLY against the aircraft.

Natalya
This is a Yakovlev Yak One, First Series.
(TAP!)
It is powered by a Klimov VK One Oh Five
P, liquid cooled Vee twelve.
(TAP!)
The Klimov is rated at eleven hundred horse
power at sixty five hundred feet.
(TAP!)
The Yak One has a maximum speed of three
hundred forty miles per hour.
(TAP!)
A stalling speed of eighty five miles per
hour.
(TAP!)
A range of four hundred and fifty miles.
(TAP!)
And a service ceiling of thirty four
thousand feet.
(TAP!)
The Messerschmidt One Oh Nine is faster,
but the Yak One can turn much tighter.
When you get a Fascist on your tail, do
not try to out run him. Bank and roll.

She makes a 'bank and roll' gesture with her hand, smiles slightly.

Natalya
Remember that. Bank and roll. The Yak One
is a strong and agile fighter. However, it
is quite nasty to handle at low speeds and
the tail tends to swing wildly on takeoffs.
These aircraft are also hard to acquire, so
if you crash..
(looks around)
..don't survive. Any questions?

There are none.

Natalya
(wicked grin)
We have come to my favorite part.
(points her pointer at Tanya)
You! You're first.

Tanya goes pale.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

TWO YAK-1's fly side by side.

int. Tanya's cockpit - day

Tanya wears a LEATHER FLIGHT HELMET. She is nervous.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Remember, never fly straight and level in
the combat zone for more than four seconds.

Tanya looks over at the other aircraft, nods.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya, also in a leather helmet, keys her throat mike.

Natalya
Now, prepare to defend yourself.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Natalya's Yak peels off and dives away.

int. Tanya's cockpit - day

Tanya glances around in fear, then 'realizes' something.

Tanya
(muttering)
Never fly straight and level for more than
four seconds.

She pushes her control stick forward.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Tanya's Yak goes into a shallow dive.

int. Tanya's cockpit - day

Tanya is relaxing a little, but keeps looking around. Suddenly, a 'shadow' appears above and behind.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka!
Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka!

Tanya panics, jerks her control stick over.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Tanya's Yak banks and rolls violently. Natalya's Yak is locked on her tail.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya calmly lines up Tanya's aircraft in the Yak's simple gun sight.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Tanya's Yak turns and twists, but it can't shake its pursuer.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka!

int. Tanya's cockpit - day

Tanya is almost in tears, but keeps maneuvering.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka!

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Natalya breaks off.

int. Tanya's cockpit - day

Tanya looks around, half panicked, half relieved.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Lieutenant Karpova, return to the field...

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

NATALYA
(not happy)
...You're dead.

ext. 586th flight line/Gorky - day

Tanya staggers from her aircraft, drops to her knees, and vomits.

Natalya(o.s.)
Andryushchenkova!

C/U LUDMILA ANDRYUSCHENKOVA, 18, pretty, very Slavic. Her eyes widen, she 'gulps'.

int. Ludmilla's cockpit - day

Ludmilla is 'banking and rolling'.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka!

She looks miserable.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Two Yaks fly side by side.

int. Katya's cockpit - day

Katya looks determined.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Now, prepare to defend yourself.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Both aircraft peel off, going in opposite directions.

int. Katya's cockpit - day

Katya concentrates on her maneuver, but still glances around. The sky seems clear. She smiles. Then, a 'shadow' appears.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka!

Katya
(frowning)
Damn!

ext. 585th flight line/Gorky - day

Natalya watches a GROUND CREWWOMAN, 17, Asiatic, finish refueling her aircraft, looks around, notices something. By the other Yak, Katya and Lilya speak closely.

NATALYA
(smirks)
Litvyak!

Lilya puts on her flight helmet. Katya pats her back.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Two Yaks fly side by side.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Now, prepare to-

Lilya's Yak dives steeply. Natalya peels off a second later.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya is banking sharply, looking around. A 'shadow' appears.

Lilya(o.s./radio)
Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka!

Natalya can't believe this.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya has a 'Mona Lisa' smile.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

A MONTAGE of both aircraft diving, looping, and rolling as Natalya tries unsuccessfully to shake Lilya.

Lilya(o.s./radio)
Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka!

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya brings her aircraft to level flight.

Natalya
(keys throat mike)
Break off, Comrade Litvyak, and return
to the field.

ext. 586th flight line/Gorky - day

Natalya, stone faced, walks from her aircraft. Lilya approaches, has a slightly expectant look.

Natalya
Yes, Lieutenant?

Lilya
I was wondering...

Natalya
(flat)
I think you'll do, Comrade Litvyak.

Lilya
Thank you, Comrade Major.

They salute. Lilya turns, walks away. Natalya watches her, smiles very briefly, looks at the other women, puts on her stone face.

Natalya
Moninova!

int. marina's office/Gorky - day

Marina does paperwork at her desk. A cigarette burns in an ashtray, next to a vase full of wildflowers and a photo of a HANDSOME MAN,20's, in flight suit. The cuffs of her tunic are embroidered with a tangled vine pattern.

The room is crude, but shows a 'woman's touch'; curtains on the windows, framed watercolors of aircraft and photo portraits on the walls, including a large PORTRAIT of STALIN, more flowers, etc.

To one side, a table with a samovar, mugs, and a plate of bread and jam. Above this, a large MAP of WESTERN RUSSIA, full of BLACK and RED 'unit flag pins'. Natalya enters, gets tea, lights a cigarette.

Marina
(not looking up)
Did we get any hawks?

Natalya
(sitting down)
A few. And at least one eagle.

Marina looks at her.

Natalya
Litvyak. She dropped down and under me...
(shakes her head)
Let's just say, if she was a German, you
would be writing my family.

Marina smiles. Ria enters, salutes.

Natalya
How is the rest of our flock?

Ria
Quite competent, Comrade Major.

Natalya
Well, we might win this war yet.

Ria flinches slightly, glances at the portrait of Stalin.

Marina
(smiles)
Ria Illyavna, the probability that any of
us will survive this war are slim and none.
So relax and have some tea.

Ria
(grins)
Thank you, Comrade Colonel.

NATALYA
(hands Ria a cigarette)
I'll terrorize that last bunch in the
morning.
(to Marina)
I think I can promise you a fully operational
unit within three weeks.

Marina
Devil knows, we're needed.

Natalya
Any positive words from Comrade General
Cherkovsky?

Marina
He has hinted at the slight possibility
that we might get assigned to rear area
patrol. Someday. Eventually. Maybe.

Natalya just grunts. Ria sits down, sips her tea.

Ria
Comrade Colonel, may I ask a question?

Marina
Of course.

Ria
I was wondering, we are such a well equipped
unit, why give us all that and not let us
fight?

Marina
I'll let the Major answer that one.

Natalya
May I be candid, Comrade Colonel?

Marina
(laughs)
As if I could stop you.

Natalya
Comrade Tikomarova, your question has two
parts. We are well equipped because, bet-
ween our good Colonel here and the ebullient
Commissar Popkova are a wide network of power-
ful friends, supporters, and owed favors. Our
operational status, however, is affected by
the lack of the one piece of equipment that
even these two formidable women..
(winks at Marina)
..are unable to acquire.

Ria
What is that, Comrade Major?

Natalya
What you won't find if you look down the
front of your pants.

Ria blushes brightly.

Natalya
(smiles)
Have I shocked you, Ria Illyavna?

Ria
No, Comrade Major. Not shock, anger.

Natalya
Good. Because we will get to fight.

Marina holds up a pair of scissors, 'snips' them closed.

Marina
No matter what we have to do, Comrades.

They all laugh.

int. 586th pilot's barracks/Gorky - night

Lilya and Katya make their beds. The rest of the women are settling in to the barracks. Ria enters, flops on a bed at the end of the room, reaches under it, pulls out a small, cheap ACCORDION, starts 'practicing'. She is only moderately awful. Katya looks at Lilya in dismay. Lilya shrugs. Ria notices, stops.

Ria
I am getting better.
(grins)
Honest.

Katya goes over to her.

Katya
May I see it?

Ria
(suspicious)
Do you play?

Katya
Accordion? No.

Ria is not sure about this.

Katya
I won't hurt it.

Ria hands it over. Katya examines it carefully, works the buttons, then does a very competent set of 'scales'. Ria looks impressed.

Ria
You said you couldn't play.

Katya
Not accordions. Violin and piano.

Katya does another set of 'scales', smiles.

Katya
I think I've got it.

She starts to play "Meadowland" quite well. Ria is astounded, then smiles happily.

Ria
You must teach me. Please.

Lilya
Yes. You must.

Katya looks at her. Several other women are nodding and making other signs of agreement - emphatically.

Katya
(laughs)
I guess I've been conscripted.

She sits down next to Ria, hands her the accordion.

Katya
We'll start with scales.

Ludmilla comes up to Lilya.

Ludmilla
I think we just escaped a fate worse than
Savitskaya's training sessions.

SOUND of truly horrendous ACCORDION SCALES. They both flinch.

Lilya
I believe you may have spoken too soon,
Comrade.

ext. 586th flight line/Gorky - day

Natalya's 'classroom' is set up: a large OPEN SIDED TENT, ROWS of crude BENCHES. The women sit on the benches. Natalya, with pointer, stands before them with a big FLIP CHART on an EASEL. It depicts SOLID BLACK SILHOUETTES of an AIRCRAFT: TOP, SIDE and FRONT VIEWS.

Natalya
So?

Lilya raises her hand.

Lilya
Heinkel HE One Eleven.

Natalya
(smiles)
Good.

She flips to the next silhouette.

Natalya
Next one.

int. yak cockpit - day

AGNEEVA ZHARINOVA, 18, cute, terrified, is pulling her aircraft into a steep turn.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka!

ext. 586th flight line/Gorky - day

Vera Popkova, wearing coveralls, stands before a YAK, its cowling open to reveal the engine. She happily addresses several women.

Vera
Today, I am going to teach you basic
survival mechanics.

ext. 586th "gunnery range"/Gorky - day

A YAK has its tail propped up so that its fuselage is parallel with the ground. About a hundred yards beyond it, a ROW of LOGS stick out of the ground in front of a MOUND of EARTH. Natalya stands on the Yak's wing. Lilya sits in its cockpit. Several women stand behind the wing.

Natalya
The Yak One, First Series, is armed with
a twenty millimeter Shpital'ny Vladimirov
automatic cannon firing through the propeller
hub. It has a one hundred and twenty round
magazine and a cyclic rate of seven hundred
rounds per minute. There are also a pair of
seven point six two millimeter Shpital'ny
Komaritsky machine guns mounted in the upper
nose deck. That is a bit underarmed in my
opinion, but the Second Series is supposed
to have a pair of twelve point seven's. For
now, you will simply need to be accurate.
In that regard, I shall also be instructing
you in the fine art of aerial ramming.
(lets that sink in, turns to Lilya)
Comrade Litvyak, would you be so good as
to squeeze off a short burst?

Lilya
My pleasure, Comrade Major.

The nose guns roar with tongues of flame, tracers lance out and the fuselage shudders. The row of logs explode and splinter with tremendous violence. The women look impressed.

Natalya
(smiles)
Ahh, that was lovely.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

A little 'string bag' BIPLANE putters along towing a gunnery target, a large canvas rectangle. A YAK closes in on the target.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya lines up the target in her gun sight

ext. sky/Gorky - day

The Yak's nose guns roar. Tracers lance out towards the target. C/U the target: It snaps and jumps as the rounds stitch holes across it. Natalya's Yak peels off.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

NATALYA
(keys throat mike)
That's the way it's done, girls.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

A DOZEN YAKS fly in formation.

Natalya(o.s./radio)
Comrade Litvyak?

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

LILYA
(keys throat mike)
Yes, Comrade Major?

Natalya(o.s./radio)
You're first.

Lilya
(smiles)
Yes, Comrade Major.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Lilya's Yak peels off from the formation.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya lines up the target in her gun sight, smiles her 'Mona Lisa' smile.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Lilya's Yak rapidly approaches the target.

int. biplane cockpit - day

The PILOT, MALE, 30s, looks at the approaching aircraft with apprehension, 'crosses' himself.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya silently mouths: "Shoot. Shoot."

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya is almost on top of the target. She fires a medium length burst.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Lilya's Yak turns sharply away from the target.

C/U the target: A neat line of holes has been stitched from top to bottom about a quarter of the way from the tail end After a beat, this section tears loose and flutters away.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya smiles incredulously, shakes her head.

NATALYA
(keys throat mike.)
Comrade Litvyak, return to the field
immediately. Comrade Tikomarova, take
command until I return.

ext. 586th flight line/Gorky - day

Natalya and Lilya walk towards each other, stop, salute, Lilya at attention.

Natalya
(calm)
What was that performance about?

Lilya
May I be completely honest, Comrade Major?

Natalya
I require nothing less.

Lilya
No disrespect to you, or to Comrade Raskova,
but I believe this unit is a sham. Maybe
we'll get to fight in some desperate rear-
guard action if Moscow falls and the Soviet
Union is collapsing. But, anything less...
Well, I think we're all destined to be ferry
pilots and that piece of canvas up there is
the only thing I'll get to shoot at.

Natalya is thoughtful.

Natalya
(quiet)
You are grounded for the rest of the day,
Comrade Litvyak. Go see Comrade Popkova
and tell her what you told me.

Lilya looks a little nervous.

Natalya
(smiles)
Not to worry, Comrade Lieutenant. The
Comrade Commissar half way agrees with you.

Lilya
(relaxes)
Yes, Comrade Major.

They salute, Lilya exits.

int. marina's office/Gorky - day

Marina is at her desk. Natalya enters.

Natalya
A moment, Marina Nicolaivna?

ext. 586th flight line/Gorky - day

Natalya has her 'classroom' tent set up. A MAP of EASTERN EUROPE and the USSR stands on the easel.(The USSR is RED, occupies most of the right side of the map) The Pilots and several GROUND CREWWOMEN sit on the benches, talk softly with each other. It is a bit windy. Marina, Vera, and Lilya approach.

Natalya
Attention!

All stand at attention. Marina, Vera, and Lilya stand next to Natalya. Marina nods to Natalya.

Natalya
(to all)
Comrade Litvyak is an excellent pilot and
gunner. Probably better than me. And today
she was showboating. I grounded her as the
quickest way to discourage the rest of you
from trying to emulate her, which would
most likely have got you killed.
(to Lilya)
No more stunt flying, Comrade Litvyak.

Lilya
Yes, Comrade Major.

Natalya
Good. Comrade Colonel?

Marina
(steps forward)
I have heard doubts the Five Eighty Sixth
will ever see combat. Let me address those
doubts.

She goes to the easel, indicates left side of map.

Marina
This was the frontier as of June Twenty
First of this year.

She pulls a CLEAR PLASTIC SHEET over the map. It is marked on the left with a large BLACK SWASTIKA from which flow BLACK ARROWS that denote military movements that cover more than half of the USSR. Several women gasp.

Marina
This is the present situation as best as
Vera Semyonova and I can discern.
(looks at map intensely)
All this in less than five months.
(looks at the women)
As you see, the Motherland is in desperate
straits. There is even doubt that Moscow
can be held. So, the Red Air Force has to
commit us to combat. And yes, some of our
'differently' equipped comrades resist
this, but they really have no choice.
And I promise you this: If this resistance
continues, I shall personally go see Comrade
Stalin.

The whole group jumps a little.

Marina
He understands that the Socialist Dialectic
demands absolute equality for women in the
Worker's State.
(grins wolfishly at Vera)
Is that not true, Comrade Commissar?

Vera
(grins)
It is as certain as the sun rising in the
East, Comrade Colonel.

Marina
So, do you understand me, Comrades?

All
Yes, Comrade Colonel!

Marina
Good. Comrade Savitskaya?

Natalya
Thank you, Comrade Colonel.
(to all)
I will see you all here tomorrow morning at
Zero-Six-Hundred Hours, sharp. Dismissed!

ext. 586th flight line/Gorky - dawn

A DOZEN YAKS are lined up, revving their engines. Some begin to taxi towards the runway.

ext. 586th runway/Gorky - dawn

The Yaks start taking off. Suddenly, one begins to 'fishtail'.

int. Tanya's cockpit - dawn

Tanya tries to control the swinging, can't, is starting to panic.

ext. 586th runway/Gorky - dawn

Tanya's Yak fishtails violently, spins out, starts to tumble. The other aircraft try to get out of its way.

int. Tanya's cockpit - dawn

Tanya screams in terror, covers her face.

ext. 586th runway/Gorky - dawn

Tanya's Yak cartwheels, explodes into a huge fireball that barrels down the runway.

int. Katya's cockpit - dawn

Katya maneuvers to get away from the fireball. Her cockpit is illuminated by the flames.

ext. 586th runway/Gorky - dawn

The fireball crashes into a heap, stops rolling. The other aircraft take off safely.

int. Katya's cockpit - dawn

Katya breathes a deep sigh.

int. Natalya's cockpit - dawn

NATALYA
(grim faced, keys throat mike)
This is Savitskaya. All aircraft return
to the field.

She looks down at the runway.

ext. 586th runway/Gorky - dawn

OVERHEAD SHOT of the burning wreckage as a column of thick black smoke climbs skyward.

cut to:

C/U WRECKAGE: It's smoldering, but the fire is out. GROUND CREWWOMEN, wearing heavy gloves and gas masks, try to pull something from the wreckage. Natalya and Ria stand nearby, watching in silence. SOUND of VEHICLE approaching. Natalya looks to see Marina driving up in a JEEP. Marina stops close to them, looks at the wreckage, her expression bleak.

The Ground Crewwomen pull Tanya's charred corpse out of the wreckage and gently place it on a canvas sheet. The Corpse is blackened, shriveled, the hands and feet burnt off.

Marina
(grim)
Who?

Natalya
Karpova, first initial T.

Marina nods curtly, puts the Jeep in gear.

Natalya
Permission to resume gunnery practice,
Comrade Colonel?

Marina
Permission granted.

Marina drives off. The Ground Crewwomen wrap the corpse in the canvas sheet, then pull off their gas masks. One of them kneels by the corpse, 'crosses' herself, begins to pray. Natalya and Ria both look around, then 'cross' themselves.

Natalya
(ironic)
She did obey orders.

Ria
How so?

Natalya
She didn't survive the crash.

Ria grunts like she was kicked in the stomach.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

A DOZEN YAKS fly in formation. One of them peels off.

int. Ludmilla's cockpit - day

Ludmilla, fighting back tears, lines the target up in her gun sight.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Ludmilla's Yak zooms in on the target, fires, banks away.

int. Katya's cockpit - day

Katya, crying freely, lines up the target in her gun sight She is getting almost as close as Lilya did.

ext. sky/Gorky - day

Katya's Yak opens fire on top of the target, banks sharply.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya starts to key her throat mike, stops, sighs, looks up at the sky. It is overcast.

ext. Tanya's grave site/Gorky - DAWN

Under a leaden sky, a PAINTED WOODEN GRAVE MARKER stands before an open grave. It has a RED STAR with WINGS above an inscription that reads: JR. LT. TANYA LEONIDOVA KARPOVA/SEPT. 16TH 1923 - NOV. 10TH 1941/ 'COMRADE AND SISTER'. Next to the grave, a PLAIN WOOD COFFIN with a SOVIET FLAG draped over it.

Marina, Natalya, Vera, Ria, Lilya, and the rest of the Pilots stand grim faced by the coffin, wearing greatcoats. We can see their breath. A few paces away, SEVEN RIFLEWOMEN stand 'at ease'. Marina steps forward.

Marina
(ashen)
I have asked Comrade Popkova to perform
the eulogy.

cut to:

VERA
(stands before coffin)
We knew Tanya Leonidova for only a little
while. Some of us may never have even spoken
to her, but I know her loss pains us all,
for she was our Sister and Comrade, and she
is the first among us to die. And we all
know she will not be the last. It doesn't
matter that she was killed in a training
accident. The specifics of her death are
not important. She is still a hero. She
sacrificed her life for Mother Russia,
and nothing is more important than that,
for her sacrifice is another brick in the
road to Victory over the Fascists. Remember
this day, my Sisters, and when this war is
won and we have burned and blasted all the
Fascist invaders from every square inch of
Mother Russia, those of you who survive,
take your daughters to the Monuments of
our Fallen Comrades and point out the name
of Tanya Leonidova Karpova and say: "She
was my Sister and she died so that you
might live".

cut to:

The coffin is lowered into the grave.

The Riflewomen smartly raise their weapons and fire a volley. SOUND of a BUGLE playing the "Russian version of Taps". The women file past the open grave, most crying, each throwing a handful of dirt on the coffin.

cut to:

Marina, Natalya, and Vera watch as TWO ENLISTED WOMEN shovel dirt into the grave. Then, slowly, a few snowflakes drift down. Natalya is first to notice.

Natalya
(grim smile)
General Winter has arrived.

Vera takes out a metal flask, raises it towards the grave.

Vera
Death to the Fascists.

She takes swig, smiles, offers it to Marina. After a beat, Marina takes it, raises it towards the grave.

Marina
(soft)
Death to the Fascists.

She takes a swig, smiles, hands it to Natalya, who takes a big swig.

Natalya
(shouts)
Death to the Fascists!

They all laugh ruefully. Snow gently gathers on the grave.

dissolve to:

ext. Tanya's grave site/Gorky - night

It is snowing very hard. The grave maker is half buried, only the red star with wings visible above the snow.

int. 568th pilot's barracks/Gorky - night

SOUND of CLASSICAL MUSIC coming from a RADIO.

The women are all engaged in some type of sewing: tailoring their uniforms, embroidering different patterns on the cuffs and collars of flight suits and shirts. SOUND of CLASSICAL MUSIC stops abruptly. All the women stop and look at the radio. SOUND of MARTIAL MUSIC blares from the radio. After a beat, the MUSIC FADES to 'background'.

Announcer(o.s.)
Comrade Workers and Peasants! This is Radio
Moscow with a special announcement from the
High Command. Since just before dawn yester-
day morning, the ground and air forces of
the Soviet Union have been smashing the
Fascist invaders back from the gates of
Moscow...

The women start CHEERING loudly, drowning out the radio. They jump up and down, laugh, hug, etc. C/U Ria. She looks serious.

Ria
Shhhh! Listen!

They all quiet down.

announcer(o.s.)
...the American Pacific Fleet at its base
at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands.
Details are still unclear, but it is believed
that several American battleships have been
sunk in this treacherous attack. There has
been, as yet, no Japanese military action
against Soviet territory.

The women seem stunned. Ludmilla whistles.

Ria
You know what this means?

Lilya
The Americans are in the war.

int. marina's office/Gorky - night

Marina is on the phone. Natalya bursts into the office.

Natalya
(excited)
Have you heard the-

Marina holds up her hand.

Marina
(into phone)
Yes, sir.
(pause)
Immediately, sir. Thank you, Comrade
General.
(hangs up.)

Natalya
Cherkovsky?

Marina
(grins)
Yes. We have orders.

Marina gets up, goes to the map, looks at it closely, points to a spot.

Marina
There. Rasskazovo.

Natalya
(looks, seems disappointed)
It's still..what..nearly two hundred
miles behind the front?

Marina
True. But that's over one hundred miles
closer than we are now. And we will be
defending a strategic target. The railway
and traffic bridges over the River Tsna at
Tambov. Also, Natalya Andreivna, don't
underestimate the Germans, whatever Radio
Moscow might say. I'm sure there's still
plenty of fight left in the Wehrmacht. And
that includes the Luftwaffe.

Natalya
(sober)
Yes, there is that.

Marina
So. We have ten days to relocate. First
order of business: Issue the pilots their
sidearms.

Natalya
(smiles)
Yes, Comrade Colonel. I'll put Tikomarova
on that tonight.

Marina
Good.
(looks at Natalya intensely)
We are on our way, Natalya Andreivna.

They hug each other tightly, then break, 'all business'.

Marina
You know what needs to be done, Comrade
Major!

Natalya
(comes to attention)
Yes, Comrade Colonel!

They salute. Natalya exits. Marina looks at the map, her expression determined.

dissolve to:

ext. 586th runway/Rasskazovo - day

It is a long, open stretch of snow covered ground in the middle of a PINE FOREST. No buildings or humans are visible. It is SILENT.

ext. sky/Rasskazovo - day

TWO YAKS fly side by side. Whitewash partially covers their black and green camouflage.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

NATALYA
(keys throat mike)
Mother Hen, this is Rooster Six, on approach.

ext. 586th runway/Rasskazovo - day

On either side of the open stretch, bulky WHITE CLAD FIGURES step out from the tree line, each holding an ALDIS LAMP. (A flashing signal lamp) They all look skyward. It is SILENT. After a beat, the FAINT SOUND of AIRCRAFT ENGINES. The Figures raise their Aldis lamps skyward, begin flashing.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya looks down at the forest, sees the pinpoints of light flashing, looks over at the other Yak.

ext. sky/Rasskazovo - day

Ria pilots the other Yak. She looks over at Natalya. Natalya points down. Ria nods, gives a 'thumbs up'. The Two Yaks turn, begin to descend.

ext. 586th runway/Rasskazovo - day

The White Figures continue to signal. The SOUND of ENGINES gets LOUDER. After a beat, the Two Yaks appear over the open stretch, descend towards it.

cut to:

The Two Yaks land, roar down the runway, their prop wash sending up billowing clouds of snow.

cut to:

As the Two Yaks slow down, DOZENS of WHITE FIGURES emerge from the forest with brooms and tree branches. They begin to sweep the tire tracks and footprints off the runway. The Yaks turn and taxi toward the tree line. Between the trees, WHITE CAMOUFLAGE NETTING is raised. The Yaks taxi into the forest, the netting drops behind them. Out on the runway, the last few Sweepers sweep away their own footprints, backing into the tree line.

cut to:

On the open stretch, no trace of tire tracks or footprints remain. It is SILENT.

ext. 586th flight line/Rasskazovo - day

C/U of an ARCWELDER: a shower of sparks, the SOUND of its RASPING HISS. PULL BACK TO REVEAL a MECHANIC welding the metal tubing of a YAK FUSELAGE stripped of its canvas. Natalya, in a heavy flight suit, strides through the bustling flight line: YAKS being serviced, repaired, rearmed, etc.

Each aircraft is in its own revetment: an area with high sandbag walls on three sides. Wooden planks are laid out as walkways. Overhead, a canopy of white camouflage netting hangs between the trees. In one revetment, Vera works on a YAK'S CANOPY. Assisting her is SERGEANT VALYA SHERBIKOVA, 22, Asiatic, attractive. The canopy is a 'bubble type', different from the others. Natalya, passing by, stops.

Natalya
Field modification?

Vera
A Major Shinkarenkov designed this canopy
for better all around vision. I managed
to..ah..
(smiles)
..procure ten of them. I've done two air-
craft already. Would you like a conversion?

Natalya
(approaches, looks at it)
Yes, I think I would. Thank you, Comrade
Popkova.

Vera
You're welcome, Comrade Savitskaya.

Natalya
(goes to exit, stops)
Would you also convert Lieutenant
Tikomarova's as well?

Vera
Certainly.

Natalya walks on. Vera watches her.

Valya
She is a stunner.

Vera gives her a 'warning' look.

Valya
(smiles)
You know, Comrade Popkova, I have been
worried about my ideological comprehension.
I might need some personal instruction.

Vera
(grins)
Anything is possible, Comrade Sherbikova.

ext. sky/above the Tsna river - day

A pair of GERMAN BOMBERS fly side by side.(JUNKERS JU-88's, twin engines, large 'greenhouse' cockpit-with a single machine gun mounted front and back-at the forward end of the fuselage) They have whitewash over their summer camouflage.

int. Ju-88 cockpit - day

In the tight space, the FOUR MAN CREW sit practically on top of each other. The PILOT, 30, tough, weathered, the others, early 20's, semi-boyish. The BOMBARDIER is very handsome.

Pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
Remember, this is just a nuisance raid.
One run. In, out, no nonsense. I want to
sleep in my own bed tonight.
(to Bombardier)
Hasso, you know what to do?

Bombardier
(in German/sub-titles)
Aim for the center piling of the railroad
bridge. Ignore the traffic bridge.

Pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
Perfect.
(to Navigator)
Manfried?

The NAVIGATOR points forward.

Navigator
(in German/sub-titles)
Sir, that's the Tsna down there.

Through the glass nose of the aircraft they see: The sun reflecting golden band of the river winding through forest and snow covered fields.

Pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
Signal Luckner.

The Navigator takes an Aldis lamp and flashes the other BOMBER. After a beat, it flashes a return signal.

Navigator
(in German/sub-titles)
Acknowledged.

The Pilot puts his goggles on. The others follow suit.

Pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
Alright, everybody. Look sharp.

He pushes the steering column forward.

ext. sky/above the Tsna - day

The Bombers begin to descend.

ext. 586th h.q. bunker/Rasskazovo - day

From the outside, the bunker is a large, flat RECTANGULAR MOUND with several VENTILATION TUBES poking out of its top and a narrow entrance, with descending wooden steps, carved in its side. Natalya approaches, goes down the steps.

int. 586th h.q. bunker/Rasskazovo - day

Natalya pushes aside the blanket hung over the entrance as she enters. Inside, the bunker has a low ceiling of corrugated metal sheeting with wood cross beams and support columns. Shaded bulbs hang evenly spaced. In the center, a large table with maps and small unit markers. On one wall, a ROW of RADIO EQUIPMENT. A single OPERATOR, 20's, with a headset sits before a radio. The other sets are unattended.

On the opposite wall, a table with a samovar with mugs and a plate of bread and jam, next to some canvas cots. Ludmilla and ALEXANDRA MONINOVA, 18, slim, intense, lounge on the cots in their flight suits, smoking and reading. In the back, the door to Marina's office, flanked by filing cabinets.

int. marina's office/Rasskazovo - day

The office is a smaller version of the one in Gorky. Marina is at her desk doing paperwork. Natalya enters with two steaming mugs, places one on the desk. Marina picks it up, sips carefully.

Marina
Hmm. Thanks.

Natalya sits, unbuttons the front of her flight suit, lights a cigarette, starts to undo her boots.

Marina
Anything to report?

Natalya
The Russian countryside in winter is
starkly beautiful.

Marina
Thank you, Comrade Tolstoy.

Natalya
(pulling boot off)
Ahh, that's wonderful.

She pulls off the other, groans with pleasure.

Marina
(smiles)
Go ahead.

Natalya grins, puts her feet up on the edge of the desk, leans back, eyes closed, wiggles her toes.

Natalya
I believe I shall personally nominate you
for another Hero's award.

Marina goes back to her paperwork. Natalya sighs quite contentedly.

ext. sky/Tambov - day

TWO YAKS fly side by side.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya scans the sky, looks at Katya's aircraft, grins, continues looking around.

int. Katya's cockpit - day

Katya WHISTLES "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" as she flies along, also looking around.

ext. above the Tsna river - day

The Ju-88's fly low and fast, following the course of the river.

EXT. DIRT ROAD ALONG THE TSNA - DAY

A TRUCK CONVOY of a DOZEN mismatched VEHICLES moves lazily along the road. A few of the trucks mount heavy AA machine guns. Suddenly, over the river, the German Bombers zoom past. Too late, the machine guns open fire, tracers lancing out into empty space.


int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya's head turns quickly. In the distance, she sees the tracers, then the Bombers.

Lilya
(keys throat mike)
Mother Hen, Mother Hen. This is Snowflake
Two. Do you read me? Over.

Woman's Voice(o.s./radio)
Snowflake Two, this is Mother Hen. Over.

Lilya
Mother Hen, I have intruders approaching
from one-six-zero degrees. Over.

Woman's Voice(o.s./radio)
Snowflake Two, how many, what type? Over.

Lilya
Possible two, heavy. Will advise. Snowflake
Two out.

She gestures to Katya, an 'up and around' movement. Katya gives her a 'thumbs up'.

ext. sky/Tambov - day

Katya's and Lilya's aircraft climb and turn.

int. marina's office/Rasskazovo - day

The Radio Operator pokes her head in the door.

Operator
Snowflake Two reports intruders. I alerted
the other patrols.

Natalya sits up, starts pulling her boots back on.

Marina
Good. Scramble back up as well.

Operator
Yes, Comrade Colonel.

Natalya
It's about time we got some action.

int. 586th h.q. bunker/Rasskazovo - day

Ludmilla and Alexandra head out of the bunker. Ria sits on the edge of a cot rubbing her face. Natalya exits Marina's office, kicks Ria's cot as she passes.

Natalya

C'mon, lazybones. We've got company.

Ria
(groggy mumble)
Death to the Fascists.

int. Ju-88 cockpit - day

The Bombardier looks through his bomb sight

Bombardier
(in German/sub-titles)
Target in sight.

ext. above the Tsna river - day

The Bombers race down the river. In the distance, the BRIDGES at Tambov. Light Anti-Aircraft fire starts up, tracers lancing out towards the Bombers.

int. Ju-88 cockpit - day

The Pilot focuses on flying, ignoring the AA fire. The AA fire stops. A second later, the REAR GUNNER begins firing.

Rear Gunner
(in German/sub-titles)
Fighters, six o' clock!

SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING the aircraft. Suddenly, the glass of the cockpit shatters, the Gunner SHRIEKS, is flung backwards, blood spraying from the stump of his right arm.

Pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
God Damned Bolshevist Jew Son-of-a-Bitch
Bastard!!

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya smiles her 'Mona Lisa' smile. The Bomber looms in her windscreen. She moves the nose of her aircraft slightly back and forth, firing shorts bursts. Pieces of the Bomber explode off its wing and fuselage.

int. second Ju-88 cockpit - day

The SECOND PILOT watches Lilya shoot up the First Bomber with dismay, but holds his course. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING his aircraft.

Second Pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
The hell with this!

He hauls his steering column over.

ext. above the Tsna river - day

The Second Bomber turns sharply, up and away.

int. Katya's cockpit - day

Katya fires a parting burst at the fleeing Bomber, then turns back to follow Lilya.

int. first Ju-88 cockpit - day

SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING. The Pilot grits his teeth.

Pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
Hasso, abort the drop and hang on!

ext. above the Tsna river - day

The Bomber flies closer to the water, practically skimming the surface. Water spouts up where rounds hit the river.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya has a 'sorry, not good enough' expression, follows the Bomber down, fires another burst.

int Ju-88 cockpit - day

The RAILROAD BRIDGE looms ahead. The Bombardier closes his eyes, prays silently.

ext. the railroad bridge/Tambov - day

The Bomber zooms under the bridge and out the other side. Lilya, right on his tail, follows him under and out. A second later, Katya flies over the bridge.

int. Katya's cockpit - day

Katya
(laughing excitedly)
The Devil you say!

ext. above the Tsna river - day

The Bomber turns sharply towards the town of Tambov.

ext. main street/Tambov - day

Tambov is a fairly large town, its MAIN STREET throngs with both MILITARY and CIVILIAN TRAFFIC: TRUCKS, CARTS, PEDESTRIANS, etc. SOUND of an AIR RAID SIREN. Suddenly, the Bomber comes roaring over at rooftop level. People SCREAM, throw themselves flat, horses panic and rear up. The two Yaks come screaming over a second later.

int. Ju-88 cockpit - day

The Pilot looks desperate.

Pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
We're too heavy! Dump the bomb load!

Bombardier
(in German/sub-titles)
Yes, sir!

He pulls the bomb release lever.

ext. main street/Tambov - day

People scatter as the Bomber roars overhead. Then, several explosions. Bodies and parts of bodies fly everywhere. SOUND of SCREAMING.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya flies through the smoke. She looks grim, gets even closer, could almost land on the Bomber. She fires a long, steady burst. The Bomber's port engine begins to smoke, then flames pour out of it.

int. Ju-88 cockpit - day

The Pilot is hit. The cockpit fills with smoke.

Pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
I'll try to get some altitude-
(coughs blood)
Jump when I tell you!

ext. sky/above Tambov - day

The Bomber begins to climb. The port engine is burning furiously Below, the town is fading into countryside. A FIGURE falls from the Bomber. It's parachute opens, but doesn't deploy.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya watches the Figure 'Roman candle' into the forest, then bores in on the Bomber, fires a long burst, which smashes the 'greenhouse' cockpit to pieces. The Bomber spirals down.

ext. above the forest/Tambov - day

The Bomber goes down into the trees, explodes in a huge ball of fire.

Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya watches the column of black greasy smoke lift skyward. She looks satisfied.

ext. forest/tambov - day

It is late afternoon in the silent snow covered forest. The BODY hangs by its parachute harness, about five feet off the ground, swaying in the wind, the head at an unnatural angle. SOUND of JEEP ENGINE. Lilya drives a JEEP, Katya sits next to her with a sub-machine gun. Lilya sees the Body.

Lilya
There he is.

She pulls up and stops.

cut to:

Lilya sits on Katya's shoulders, cuts the harness. The Body falls to the ground. C/U the head: Lilya removes the flight helmet and goggles. It's the Bombardier, his expression one of surprise. Lilya and Katya look at him sadly.

Katya
He's so handsome.

Lilya
No, he is not handsome. He's beautiful.
That is a face you could fall in love with.
(turns to Katya)
And he is a Fascist. He would have killed
us both just as easily as he killed those
people back in Tambov.
(looks at Body)
So we killed him first.
(wistful)
And he is beautiful.

SOUND of JEEP ENGINE. They both look up to see Natalya approaching in a JEEP. She pulls up and dismounts.

Natalya
(to Lilya)
You need to get back to HQ. General Volkov
is screaming about this.

Lilya
Why?

Natalya
I'm really not sure.
(looks at Body)
By the way, officially, he's yours.

LILYA squats by the Body, closes his eyes with her gloved hand.

Lilya
(soft)
Yes. He is mine.

Lilya 'shakes' herself, consults a folded map.

Lilya
The ferry field is coming up. Let's keep
our eyes peeled.

Katya(o.s./radio)
I think I see it. Starboard, about fifteen
degrees.

LILYA
(looks down, smiles)
Right on the nose, Snowflake Three. Let's
go visiting.

ext. ferry field/north of Stalingrad - day

The Two Yaks come in for a landing. The 'RUNWAY' is a grass field that has seen frequent landings, sitting in the middle the open countryside.

Cut to:

The aircraft taxi to a stop. Lilya slides back her canopy, looks around. She's not impressed. The 'field' is several TENTS, some beat up VEHICLES, and a lot of 'junk'.

cut to:

Lilya and Katya walk from their aircraft, pull off their flight helmets. A GROUP of GROUND CREW, 20's, male, scruffy, sit on boxes smoking and playing cards, studiously ignoring Lilya and Katya.

Lilya
Comrades, we need to be refueled.

crewman #1
(not looking up)
We don't have any gasoline.

Lilya and Katya look at each other. Lilya leans in, picks up a ration can. The Crewmen glance at her suspiciously. She pulls out her pistol. The Crewmen jump up in alarm.Lilya tosses the can into the air, fires at it: one-two-three-four-five! Each ROUND HITS, keeping the can airborne. Lilya reholsters her pistol, as the can falls to the ground: "CLUNK"!

crewman #1
Honestly, Lieu..Lieu.. Lieutenant! I..We
..There is no gasoline. Th..The fuel trucks
won't be here until morning.

Lilya
(to Katya)
I guess that means we're stuck here.

crewman #1
(scared)
I..I..I..

Lilya
(feral grin)
Relax, Comrade. I don't shoot people simply
for being fools.

He smiles uncertainly.

ext. ferry field/north of Stalingrad - night

All sit around a fire. Katya plays a "sad song" on her accordion. Lilya reloads her pistol magazine. The Crewmen watch them with fascination.

cut to:

Lilya and Katya, bundled up in blankets, lay on a tarp under Lilya's aircraft, looking at the horizon: Stalingrad GLOWS and FLASHES in the distance.

dissolve to:

ext. ferry field/north of Stalingrad - dawn

The Black Column rises in the distance. The Two Yaks take off in its direction.

dissolve to:

ext. 586th runway/Kalac' - day

A C-47 "DAKOTA" TRANSPORT PLANE with Soviet markings comes in for a landing.

ext. 586th h.q. bunker/Kalac' - day

Natalya and Vera stand and watch the C-47 as it taxis towards them. Behind them, the women begin getting up from the chairs. Most of them are 'puffy eyed'. Some just look
blank.

Natalya
It's about God damned time! This was the
worst thing possible. We should be up and
fighting, not sitting here in our misery.

Vera
Barkagan was very specific. All operations
suspended until he arrives.

Natalya
Well, he's here. The son of a bitch!

cut to:

Barkagan approaches with another officer, who limps and carries a cane. LT. COLONEL ALEXANDER "SASHA" KUKOV, 29, tall, tough, good looking.

Barkagan
(to Natalya & Vera)
Please have all the pilots assemble in
the mess hall.

Natalya
Yes, sir.

int. 586th 'mess hall'/Kalac' - day

All stand at attention in front of Barkagan and Sasha.

Barkagan
Comrade Raskova was a close personal friend
of mine and I feel her loss deeply, deeper
than you can know.
(deep breath)
Now, what I have to say does not reflect in
anyway upon Comrade Savitskaya.
(indicates Sasha)
This is Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Kukov.
I have decided to place him in command of
this regiment until further notice.

Everyone is stunned.

Barkagan
Colonel?

Sasha
(steps forward)
Comrades, I know I am coming in under
very distressing circumstances and that
you are used to things being run a certain
way. But, things change and I run things
differently. So, Order Number One: All
members of this unit will remove all
non-regulation ornamentation from their
uniforms. Order Number Two: All members
of this unit will comply with regulations
regarding the length of hair. Those not in
compliance will see the regimental barber
before Twelve-Hundred Hours tomorrow. In
addition, there will be a general inspection
of the entire regiment at Zero-Eight-Hundred
Hours tomorrow. That will be all. Dismissed.

Barkagan and Sasha exit. The women cluster around Natalya 'gesturing', TALKING rapidly, etc.

All
(simultaneously)
Who does he think he is?-Talk to the
General!-Talk to him!-What regimental
barber!?, etc.

Natalya
Enough! We have our orders! We are soldiers.
Our duty is to protect the Motherland, and
to do that we have to follow orders.
Understood?

The women get quiet, look at her with dismay, but no one disputes her. Natalya turns, exits.

Vera
Come on, girls. Let's get going. We've
got a mountain of work to do.

The women 'pull themselves together', begin to exit.

int. marina's office/Kalac' - day

Sasha stands looking sadly at the desk. There's an unfinished letter on the desk, along with the 'Winged Sisters' PHOTO. Sasha picks up the PHOTO, looks at it, then places
it face down on the desk, looks up to see Natalya enter. The "mask of command" comes back up over his face.

Natalya
May I be candid, Comrade Colonel?

Sasha
Comrade Major, you have a duty to be
candid.

Natalya
(hard edged)
There is no way I can say this without
sounding self serving, but I believe
your appointment a mistake, nothing
personal, Comrade Colonel. This is a
women's unit, and we deserve, we require
a woman to lead us. Colonel Raskova is,
was, one the best CO's in 'this man's air-
force' and I think your appointment will
devastate unit morale.

Sasha
(gentle)
You are right, Comrade Major. Colonel
Raskova did an excellent job with the
Five Eighty Sixth. And I am an intruder.
But, for better or worse, she was a mother
figure. And if this unit is allowed to
dwell on her death, it won't be able to
fight. Let them hate me for a while until
their grief passes. This is new territory
for all of us.

Natalya stands there, listening, watching his face.

Sasha
Comrade Major, will you take care of
Colonel Raskova's things?

Natalya
Certainly, Comrade Colonel.

Sasha
Thank you.

He is about to say something else, when Vera enters.

Sasha
If you'll excuse me, I need to unpack.

They all salute. Sasha exits limping.

NATALYA
It's all so damned unfair!

Vera
Barkagan did it to protect us.

Natalya
How is that?

Vera
In many ways, we are still a provisional
unit, still vulnerable to political inter-
ference, simply because we are women. But
Marina Nicolaivna had the strength of her
legend to shield us. Like the little party
we had the other night. If any other General
Officer walked in on that, the "Great Marina
Raskova" would have had the power to deflect
any problems. You, Natalya Andreivna, though
you will make an excellent commander when
your time comes, you don't have that kind
of political power. Not yet. Hence, Alexander Kukov.

Natalya
Then I suppose I owe Comrade Kukov an apology.

Vera
(sly smile)
No, you don't. And I did overhear what
you said to him. He knows this unit is
important to Barkagan, so he needs us
in some ways more than we need him. Let
him work for it.

Natalya
Yes, Comrade Commissar.
(sighs)
I sometimes wonder if this is all worth it.

Vera
Which?

Natalya
The Revolution. Socialism. I never doubt
Mother Russia, but...everything else?

Vera
I will tell you this and then you will forget
it, except possibly in your dreams. What
truly matters is the Women's Revolution.
Until women are free from male oppression,
or worse yet, male condescension, real
social justice is not even feasible. That
is our true goal. By the way, Comrade Kukov
is very attracted to you. Make him work for
that as well.

Natalya
(laughs)
You are a monster, Vera Semyonova.

Vera looks at Stalin's Portrait.

Vera
(soft)
I was trained by the best.

Natalya opens a LARGE LEATHER BOUND ALBUM on the desk. It is filled with PRESS CLIPPINGS and PHOTOS of Marina and the 'Winged Sisters'.

Natalya
(teary eyed)
I am going to miss her.

She looks up at Vera, who has started to cry. Natalya begins to cry as well. They hug each other, SOB softly.

ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day

The massive Column of Black Smoke towers into the sky, dominating the landscape. The Two Yaks fly around the edge of the Column. Below, the entire city seems to be
in flames.

int. Katya's cockpit - day

Katya looks down at the inferno, mesmerized, 'crosses' herself. Then she notices something, keys her throat mike.

ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day

In the distance, an AIR BATTLE is underway.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya is watching the air battle.

Katya(o.s./radio)
Snowflake Two, hostile activity at zero-
six-five degrees.

Lilya
(keys throat mike)
Acknowledged, Snowflake Three. We don't
have enough fuel to play.
(checks MAP)
Come to heading one-one-seven.

Katya(o.s./radio)
One-one-seven. Acknowledged.

Lilya looks at the Black Column and the air battle with her 'Mona Lisa' smile.

ext. 296th fighter Regt runway/East of Stalingrad - day

This is the STEPPE, flat, wide open land. The Runway swarms with HUNDREDS of CIVILIAN WORKERS, mostly WOMEN and OLD MEN. They fill in bomb craters and lay down hexagonal asphalt blocks. They work feverishly. To the side of the Runway, GROUND CREWS are scavenging the WRECKS of a HALF DOZEN YAKS. BUNKERS and AIRCRAFT REVETMENTS are dug deep and widely spaced. There are numerous AA-GUN EMPLACEMENTS. The Two Yaks come in for a landing. It appears to be 'snowing'.

cut to:

The Two Yaks taxi to a halt near the revetments, cut their engines. Even as Lilya and Katya slide back their canopies, GROUND CREWMEN are at the aircraft, pushing/ pulling them towards the revetments. B/G SOUND of Stalingrad: DISTANT RUMBLE of HUNDREDS of ARTILLERY PIECES, TENS of THOUSANDS of SMALL ARMS FIRING without pause. (We hear this non-stop at the 296th)

cut to:

Lilya and Katya walk from the revetments. Katya sniffs, makes a face, catches some of the drifting 'snow'.

Katya
It's ashes! What's...

She follows Lilya's ironic gaze towards the Black Column.

Lilya
What's burning? Offhand, I would say: everything.

int. 296th h.q. bunker - day

It's similar to the 586th's, but smaller and not as well laid out. Several MALE PILOTS are sleeping on cots by the wall. THREE MALE PILOTS sit quietly, smoke, drink hot tea. At the back, at a desk doing paperwork, is LT. COLONEL NICOLAI BARANOV, 28, gruff, prematurely aged.

As Lilya and Katya enter all eyes settle upon them. They proceed to Baranov's desk, come to attention. Baranov looks up, gives them a 'ragged' salute, which the Women return 'crisply'. Lilya hands him their orders.

Baranov
(distracted)
Thanks for the aircraft, Comrades.

He begins to read the orders, starts getting agitated, looks up at Lilya and Katya.

Baranov
Dismissed!

LILYA
(looks him in the eye)
We are not ferry pilots, Comrade Colonel.
We were transferred to this regiment by
General Barkagan as fighter pilots.

Baranov
The Comrade General is not in command here!

Lilya
I'm sure Comrade General Barkagan will find
that most interesting, Comrade Colonel...
Baranov, yes?

Baranov is positively sputtering with rage. Lilya watches him unflinchingly. One of the Male Pilots approaches. SR. LIEUTENANT ALEKSEI SALOMATEN, 22, a dashing 'man-boy'. He smiles charmingly.

Aleksei
(to Baranov)
Nicolai Sergeiavich, let me try her out.

Lilya gives him a sharp look. Aleksei puts his hands up, grins.

Aleksei
In an aircraft, Lieutenant! In an aircraft.

LILYA
(smiles 'Mona Lisa' smile)
Certainly, Comrade...?

Aleksei
Senior Lieutenant Aleksei Salomaten, at
your service.

Lilya
Lieutenant Lilya Litvyak.

They shake hands. There is 'energy' here. Baranov smirks, goes back to his paperwork.

Baranov
(mumbles)
Your funeral, Lieutenant.

ext. 296th flight line - day

Lilya and Aleksei walk towards the aircraft revetments.

Aleksei
Radio silence. Stick to me. I'm going to
run you through some maneuvers.

Lilya just smiles and nods.

ext. sky/east of Stalingrad - day

The Two Yaks fly side by side. After a beat, Aleksei peels off, closely followed by Lilya. Aleksei dives, turns, loops, and generally flies like a madman. Lilya sticks to
him through out it all.

ext. 296th h.q. bunker - day

Several Pilots stand outside watching the aerial display. One of them, BORIS ONISHCHENKO, 20, cheerful, good looking, also flirts with Katya, who only slightly pretends not to notice. Baranov exits the Bunker just in time to see: The Two Yaks come roaring in, right 'on the deck', zoom up into a steep climb, then turn and drop down, 'pop' their landing gear, and come in for a prefect touch down. Baranov shakes his head, smiles with resignation.

Baranov
(mumbles)
I should ground both those idiots.

Then he turns and goes back into the Bunker.

ext. 296th flight line - day

The Two Yaks taxi to a halt. Ground Crew rush over, begin to push/pull the aircraft. Aleksei slides back his canopy, looks over at Lilya with an excited grin.

cut to:

Aleksei and Lilya walk from the flight line.

Aleksei
Comrade Litvyak, I would like you to be
my wingman.

Lilya
(semi-coy)
Can you give me one good reason why I
should accept your offer, Comrade Salomaten?

Aleksei
No one else has ever kept up with me.

Lilya
Even your present wingman?

Aleksei
Not on a run like that.

Lilya
My 'wingman' has always kept up with me.

Aleksei
How about this then? Being my wingman will
get you around Comrade Baranov's stubbornness.

Lilya
Ah. Now that is a good reason. But that
leaves the problem of our present 'wingmen'.

ALEKSEI
(looks beyond her, smiles)
I think they may have solved that themselves.

Lilya looks to see Katya and Boris approaching, giving each other side long smiles like teenagers on a first date.

Aleksei
Comrade Litvyak, this is Lieutenant Boris
Onishchenko.

Lilya and Boris shake hands.

Aleksei
(looks at Katya)
Boris Maximovich seems to have made the
acquaintance of his new 'wingman'.

Boris and Katya both seem a bit nonplussed, then look at each other, grin broadly.

Aleksei
I think we shall all make a good team.

Boris
This is just like double dating.

Aleksei and Lilya roll their eyes, Katya blushes, Boris grins a little wider.

ext. 296th "little bunker" - day

It's a 'little bunker' a moderate distance from the Runway. Katya and Lilya, each carrying a duffel bag, walk towards it, lead by Aleksei, who carries two kerosene lamps.

Aleksei
This was going to be an ammunition bunker,
but I think it will serve well as the
'women's quarters'.

int. 296th "little bunker" - day

Aleksei enters with the lamps lit. Katya and Lilya follow. The interior is actually quite roomy. There is wooden planking on the floor.

Aleksei
You see, a couple of cots and it'll be
just like the Winter Palace.

Katya and Lilya look around.

Katya
(smiles)
It's not bad.

Lilya
For a bunker.

Katya
Well, of course.

All laugh lightly.

int. 296th "little bunker" - night

Lilya and Katya are under their blankets in their cots. They have settled in, i.e. put up photos, placed some wildflowers around, etc.

Katya
You pushed pretty hard with Baranov today.

Lilya
I got what I wanted. Besides, what I didn't
want was to make bad blood by going around
him to the Political Officer.

Katya
They have no Political Officer.

Lilya
How is that possible?

Katya
Boris told me they keep getting killed.
Two died in air attacks, and another was
killed in a transport crash. Now, no one
wants the assignment. It's 'bad luck'.

Lilya
That's a very bourgeois attitude.

Katya
Oh, well.

Lilya
(looks around, smiles)
I think this just might work out.

Katya
(grins)
I think Lieutenant Salomaten is cute.

Lilya
(rolls eyes)
I think you need some sleep.

She turns down the lamp. It goes BLACK.

Katya(o.s.)
And he likes you.

Lilya(o.s.)
Oh, shut up.

ext. 296th flight line - day

Aleksei, Lilya, Katya, and Boris walk towards the aircraft revetments.

Aleksei
The Two Hundred Ninety Sixth Fighter Regiment
is known as "The Free Hunters of Stalingrad"
because we are not assigned targets, but just
fly around the battlefield in small groups
of two to six aircraft looking for targets
of opportunity, usually transports, small
bomber formations, or stragglers.

Lilya
The complete opposite of standard Red Air
Force doctrine.

Aleksei
(grins)
Exactly.

Lilya and Katya give each other 'this is going to be fun' smiles.

Aleksei
Now, Comrade Litvyak-

Lilya
Please, it's Lilya.

Aleksei
(warm smile)
Lilya, you stick with me. Katya, you stick
with Boris.

Katya and Boris smile at each other.

Aleksei
(serious)
And everyone follow my lead.

int. Aleksei's cockpit - day

C/U Aleksei's face: an intensely focused expression. SOUND of his GUNS FIRING a short burst.

ALEKSEI'S POV: THREE TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT (JUNKERS JU-52's,
'boxy' corrugated metal tri-motor's) in loose formation. They scatter as his tracers hit one of them.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

One Pair of Yaks pursues a fleeing Ju-52, while the other Pair of Yaks goes after another fleeing Ju-52.

ext. 296th flight line - day

C/U of Yak Fuselage: a TRI-MOTOR AIRCRAFT SILHOUETTE is stenciled on just below the cockpit joining a row of several other 'kill marks'.

Aleksei and Lilya smile at the SERGEANT, 30's, weathered, on the wing who has just painted the 'kill mark'.

Aleksei
Thank you, Comrade.

Weathered Sergeant
(grins)
One more and you're a double ace.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

MEDIUM SHOT of a small formation of GERMAN BOMBERS (HEINKEL HE-111's, twin engined, porpoise shaped, with 'greenhouse' nose)

int. Aleksei's cockpit - day

He's intensely focused. The Bombers loom in his windscreen. SOUND of his GUNS FIRING. Tracers lance out towards the Bombers.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

The Bombers return fire, stay in formation.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

She flies on Aleksei's tail, scans the sky. Suddenly, she sees something.

Lilya
(keys throat mike)
Fighters! Eleven o' clock!

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

FOUR ME-109's zoom in on the Four Yaks. The Yaks go into a steep dive, breaking off into Pairs as they do so.

ext. Russian countryside - day

Two Yaks zoom along at 'tree-top' level, pursued by the Four Me-109's. The Lead German fires bursts of tracers.

int. Aleksei's cockpit - day

Aleksei
(mutters)
Stick to me, Little Sunshine.

He pulls back on his control stick hard.

ext. Russian countryside - day

Aleksei's Yak pulls up sharply, goes into a near vertical climb, Lilya's Yak following 'like a shadow'. Only the Lead German Fighter sticks to them. The other Three Me-109's
overshoot, then start coming about. Suddenly, the Two Yaks drop down on them.

int. Aleksei's cockpit - day

Aleksei 'focuses', fires.

ext. Russian countryside - day

A German Fighter is hit, goes nose first into the Ground, explodes. The other Two Me- 109's 'break' in opposite directions. The Two Yaks pursue one of them, but the Lead
German is still on their tail, firing away.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft.

Lilya
(annoyed)
Enough of this!

ext. Russian countryside - day

Lilya's Yak pulls up, does a 'cork-screw' turn, practically standing on it's tail, then comes down directly above the Lead German. She fires straight into his canopy, he bursts into flame, hits the ground in a ball of fire.

ext. 296th flight line - day

C/U of Yak Fuselage: a FIGHTER SILHOUETTE is stenciled on the end of a row of four other 'kill marks'. On the wing of Lilya's Yak, Weathered Sergeant admires his work, then grins at Aleksei and Lilya.

Weathered Sergeant
You both make ace in the same action.
Guess that's like getting engaged.

Aleksei and Lilya blush, then laugh.

int. 296th 'mess hall' - dusk

It's laid out much like the 586th's Mess Hall, except that it's a totally 'dug in' BUNKER. Aleksei, Lilya, Katya, and Boris sit together, talk, laugh, tell air combat stories with their hands.

Boris
..So when we saw you two flame those One-Oh
-Nine's, we turned back after the Heinkels.

Katya
Boris and I destroyed one and shot up one other.

Boris
Too bad nobody saw us share that kill.

Lilya
We all have our unofficial scores.

Aleksei
(to Lilya)
What's yours?

Lilya
I count eight, including today. And you?

Aleksei
Fifteen.

Lilya
(smiles)
Oh, a triple ace!

All laugh. Baranov approaches.

Baranov
Comrade Litvyak, this arrived on the last
transport, 'special priority'.

He hands her a BOOK SIZED PACKAGE.

Lilya
(pleasantly surprised)
Thank you very much, Comrade Colonel.

Baranov
(ironic grin)
Anything for our newest ace.

He exits. Lilya pulls off the brown paper wrapping to reveal newspaper wrapping.

Lilya
It's certainly well protected.

She pulls the newspaper off revealing the 'Five Women' PHOTO in the silver frame: from right to left, in flight suits, Katya, Lilya, Marina(in uniform), Natalya, Ria.

Lilya
This is wonderful.

Aleksei
Who is that in the middle?

Katya
That is Marina Raskova.

Aleksei and Boris look impressed.

Boris
And to her right?

Lilya
The XO, Major Savitskaya. She's almost as
good as I am.

Aleksei
(grins)
And almost as pretty.

Lilya elbows him.

Katya
There's a letter taped to the back.

Lilya pulls the letter off, reads it, goes pale.

Katya
What's the matter?

Lilya
It's from Natalya Andreivna.
(reads, hands tremble)
"Dearest Lilya and Katya, I wanted to tell
you before you heard it elsewhere. Marina
Nicolaivna is dead. She crashed while on
area patrol. We think it was a mechanical
failure, but no one is really sure.."

Lilya puts the letter down, stares at Katya blankly.

Lilya
Just like that.
(tears run down her cheeks)
Just like that.

Katya hugs her. They both SOB deeply. Aleksei and Boris seem at a loss, then hug the Women, 'enfolding' them as they weep.

dissolve to:

ext. 296th flight line - day

Lilya and Aleksei stride towards the aircraft revetments.

Lilya
(determined)
Today, I'm flying lead.

Aleksei just nods. In the distance, the Column of Black Smoke towers above Stalingrad.

ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day

Silhouetted against the Black Column, TWO JU-88'2 make a banking turn above the inferno, closely pursued by TWO YAKS.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya, stone faced, bores in on the Second Bomber until it looms in her windscreen. She begins firing long bursts.

int. second Ju-88 cockpit - day

Rounds savagely rip through the cockpit. CREWMEN SCREAM as they are 'hammered by the impacts'.

ext. sky/above Stalingrad - day

The Second Ju-88 burns fiercely, begins to fall. Lilya over flies it in pursuit of the First Ju-88. Aleksei sticks to her tail.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya bores in on the First Bomber. She's a bit wild eyed and gets even closer this time.

int. Aleksei's cockpit - day

Aleksei
(looks alarmed/'sotto voce')
Shoot, damn it! Shoot!

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

The Ju-88 fills her windscreen. She is practically landing on it. She fires a long, steady burst, tearing pieces off the Bomber. SOUND of DEBRIS HITTING the aircraft. Suddenly, the Bomber explodes, violently buffeting her aircraft, enveloping it in fire and smoke. The windscreen 'stars' from impacts, but doesn't shatter.

int. 296th h.q. bunker - dusk

C/U Lilya's face: She is covered with soot. Her eyes are cold.

Lilya
Destroyed: two J U Eighty Eight's.

Lilya and Aleksei stand before Baranov's desk. Baranov looks at Aleksei.

Aleksei
Confirmed.

Baranov marks it the operations book.

EXT. 296th H.Q. BUNKER - Dusk

Lilya exits the Bunker, closely followed by Aleksei.

Aleksei
Lilya, we need to talk.

Lilya
(keeps walking)
Not now.

Aleksei stops, watches her walk away.

ext. 296th "little bunker" - dusk

Lilya approaches the Bunker. Aleksei runs up behind her.

Aleksei
Lilya, please!

She stops, turns, sees the concern on his face, softens.

Lilya
(gentle)
What is it?

Aleksei
You should not get that close.

Lilya
(semi-coy)
That close to what?

Aleksei
(blushes)
To the enemy, of course.

Lilya
That's my job. And I got them each on
the first pass.

Aleksei
(looks at her with great intensity)
You could have been killed, Lilya.

Lilya
(moves close to him)
And how is today different from any
other day?

He seems on the verge of tears. She smiles, touches his cheek gently.

Lilya
You are a dear man.

After a beat, he embraces her, kisses her deeply. She responds passionately.

int. 296th "little bunker" - night

The Bunker has been 'fixed up': photos, maps, flowers, etc. A blanket hangs in the middle as a divider. A PHONOGRAPH plays "Maria's Aria" from Tchaikovsky's "Mazzapa". Lilya's cot is off to the side, the bed clothes, etc. are spread on the floor. Aleksei sleeps like a baby. Lilya sits next to him, wrapped in a sheet, writing a letter. (NOTE:The following scenes are MOS except for LILYA'S V.O.)

Lilya(v.o.)
My Dearest Natalya, Thank you for your kind
letter and the wonderful photograph.

C/U of the 'Five Women' PHOTO.

ext. 296th flight line - day

Lilya, Aleksei, Katya, and Boris walk towards the aircraft revetments.

Lilya(v.o.)
Hearing about Marina Nicolaivna broke my heart,
but that the first words came from you..

cut to:

Lilya and Aleksei climb into their aircraft, look up with sudden alertness.

Lilya(v.o.)
..made it easier to take.

A HALF DOZEN ME-109's are coming in on the deck, all guns blazing.

Lilya(v.o.)
It is strange, but somehow, that her own
aircraft killed her..

A YAK explodes in its revetment, as Ground Crew scatter.

Lilya(v.o.)
..it is as if the sky was reclaiming her..

Lilya and Aleksei crouch behind a sandbag wall. They seem annoyed. Rounds tear up some of the sandbags.

Lilya(v.o.)
..as if that was her fate from the beginning.

Katya and Boris leap down next to Lilya and Aleksei. They all smile at each other.

cut to:

A ROW of BODIES covered with blankets.

Lilya(V.O.)
Maybe, that is the purest fate of any Winged Sister.

ext. 296th h.q. bunker - day

Baranov stands outside the Bunker, looks up at the sky, anguish 'masqued' by rage.

Lilya(v.o.)
This Kukov fellow sounds a lot like our
Colonel Baranov.

A PILOT, 20, handsome, covered with blood, lays dead with open eyes a few feet away.

Lilya(v.o.)
They can be such scared little boys..

Baranov looks at the Dead Pilot, chokes back tears, snarls.

Lilya(v.o.)
..all big teeth and barking..

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

Several YAKS and ME-109's 'mix it up'.

Lilya(v.o.)
..though I have found one..

int. Aleksei's cockpit - day

Aleksei is focused, closes in on a ME-109.

Lilya(v.o.)
..who might be different.

He fires. Tracers lance out, tear pieces off the Me-109, which begins trailing smoke and flames.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

TWO YAKS fly side by side as an ME-109 flies directly at them. All aircraft are firing, tracers 'crisscrossing'.

int. Aleksei's cockpit - day

He is focused, fires steady bursts.

Lilya(v.o.)
Aleksei plays the big boy games..

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya smiles her 'Mona Lisa' smile, fires steady bursts.

Lilya(v.o.)
..with dash and enthusiasm..

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

The Me-109 explodes in a ball of fire. The Two Yaks fly through the smoke.

ext. 296th flight line - day

C/U of Yak fuselage: HALF a FIGHTER SILHOUETTE is stenciled on.

Lilya(v.o.)
..but isn't threatened by a pretty girl..

cut to:

Aleksei and Lilya walk from the flight line, laughing.

Lilya(v.o.)
..who is also a skillful killer.

int. 296th 'mess hall' - night

At a table, Aleksei, Boris, and Katya talk air combat with 'hand gestures'. Lilya writes her letter.

LILYA(V.O.)
There, isn't that a shocking statement!

Lilya stops writing, looks at the others wistfully.

Lilya(v.o.)
But then, are we not all young angels of death?

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

FOUR YAKS fly through a sky of billowing white clouds and sunshine. Some distance below them, several GERMAN BOMBERS(HE-111's) fly in and out of the clouds. The Yaks peel off and dive on the He-111's. Suddenly, FOUR ME-109's dive in on the Yaks from the opposite angle, guns blazing. A Yak is badly hit, breaks up into several flaming pieces. Another Yak trails smoke and flames. Two Yaks bank and roll violently, dive into the clouds, with the German Fighters in pursuit.

int. Aleksei's cockpit - day

Aleksei has 'zero visibility' flying through the clouds SOUND of a WOMAN CRYING IN PAIN on a 'broken up' RADIO TRANSMISSION. Suddenly, tracers zip past, but several feet away.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

Aleksei comes out of a cloud. A beat later, so does an Me-109, its tracers lancing out towards Aleksei.

int. me-109 cockpit - day

The GERMAN PILOT bores in on Aleksei. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING his aircraft. He looks back in surprise. A Yak looms right on top of him.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya is in a cold fury, fires steadily as she closes to ramming distance. SOUND of WOMAN CRYING on RADIO.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

The Me-109 is being shot to pieces, explodes. LILYA flies through the fireball, out the other side.

int. Aleksei's cockpit - day

Aleksei looks over as Lilya flies parallel with him, his expression a mix of relief and anguish. SOUND of WOMAN CRYING on RADIO.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

A BURNING SOVIET FIGHTER flies towards the Bombers.

int. Katya's cockpit - day

Katya is terribly burnt, SOBS, CRIES, grits her teeth, as she pilots her aircraft with bleeding hands. Flames spurt from under the instrument panel. A Bomber looms in her
windscreen.

int. German bomber - day

The ROOF GUNNER fires steadily, a growing look of terror on his face.

int. Katya's cockpit - day

Katya smiles through her pain as flames envelop her.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

Katya rams the Bomber, explodes violently, vaporizing both aircraft completely.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya, pale, bites her lip, swallows hard. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

Both Yaks break in opposite directions, the Me-109 pursuing Lilya, who 'corkscrews' away. Aleksei falls in behind the Me-109, who breaks off, but he flies straight into Aleksei's tracers. The Me-109's wing explodes, breaks off. He spirals downward in flames. Lilya's aircraft begins to trail smoke, starts burning.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya pulls back her canopy, struggles out of the cockpit.

ext. sky/above the Volga - day

Lilya falls away from her burning aircraft. Her parachute opens. Aleksei circles her on the way down.

ext. open field/east of the Volga - day

Lilya drifts down in an open field with old furrows, rolls as she lands. The wind drags her several feet before she escapes her harness.

cut to:

Lilya walks with her bundled parachute. Aleksei flies over her, 'waggles his wings'. She waves. He circles around.

ext. dirt road - day

Lilya sits on her parachute by the side of the road. She seems exhausted. SOUND of TRUCK HORN. She looks up. An old MILITARY TRUCK is approaching. Lilya stands, waves, then collapses. The Truck pulls to a stop, RUSSIAN SOLDIERS jump
out, run to her. SOLDIER #1 looks at the tourniquet tied around her thigh above her blood soaked trouser leg, picks her up carefully.

int. back of old truck - day

The Truck drives along. Soldier #1 cradles an unconscious Lilya in his arms. SOLDIER #2 cuts open her boot, pulls it off. Blood literally pours out of the boot.

soldier #1
Oh, my God!

int. 296th infirmary bunker - night

It is a BUNKER with a ROW of HOSPITAL BEDS. Lilya is the only patient, her leg in traction, wrapped in bandages, looking twice it's normal size. She is 'puffy eyed'.
Aleksei enters, wearing a greatcoat. He sits on the edge of the bed.

Aleksei
How are you feeling?

Lilya
(smiles)
A little beat up, but otherwise all right.

Aleksei
Good.

An awkward silence. Aleksei reaches inside his greatcoat.

Aleksei
Brought you a present.

He hands her something wrapped in cloth. Lilya unfolds it, revealing a beautiful ivory handled dagger. She smiles brightly.

Aleksei
So you can cut your parachute leads. If
you have to bail out again.

Lilya pulls him into a hug, kisses him.

Lilya
(slightly teary)
It's a wonderful present, Aleksei. I love it.

She looks at him intensely, as if to say more. SOUND of SOMEONE APPROACHING. They break the hug. Baranov enters, strides directly over to her bed. He is tightly strung, slightly hysterical under the facade of control.

Baranov
Well, Lieutenant, that's it for you with
this regiment. You're going to be sent to
a hospital. And from there, transferred
back to the Five Eighty Sixth. Women just
don't belong in front line combat.

Aleksei
Nicolai Sergeiavich, most pilots who get
shot down, recuperate and return to duty
with the same units. And last I heard, the
Five Eighty Sixth was in front line combat.
The doctors say the wound really isn't that
bad, that she can heal here at the base
just fine. Others have done it, let her
do it, too.

Baranov
(shakes his head, looks at Lilya)
Comrade Litvyak, I know it's been a trying
time for you, but those are my orders.
Lieutenant Fedotova is dead. You are
wounded. I can't order more women to die.
(his voice cracks)
I just can't do it.

Baranov looks out the Bunker door. In the distance, the inferno of Stalingrad RUMBLES and GLOWS on the horizon.

Baranov
My wife and daughters died in the siege
of Leningrad. My wife was killed in our
house. My three daughters were vaporized
in the street by artillery fire. I could
do nothing for them. I can't..

Lilya
Listen to you words, Comrade Colonel. Your
wife, your daughters, they died in battle.
But they had no chance to defend themselves,
they became victims of this war. The women
who fly, the women who fight, they are not
victims, they have a chance. And if they
die, they die with honor.

Baranov's shoulders droop. He turns, looks at Lilya.

Lilya
Comrade Colonel, Mother Russia has daughters
as well as sons and we love her just as
fiercely. And they have..I have, made the
choice to fly, and perhaps die. And it is
a choice I will not change.

Aleksei
You know she's right, Nicolai Sergeiavich.
And she is a killer in the air.

Baranov
(sighs)
Alright, Comrade Litvyak. You can stay.

Baranov looks at her intensely, then turns to exit. Aleksei watches Lilya watching Baranov disappear out the door. Lilya looks lovingly at Aleksei.

LILYA
Thank you...My love.

C/U Her hands clasping the dagger.

Lilya(v.o.)
My Dearest Natalya, All the beautiful and
loving letters I have received from..

dissolve to:

ext. 296th h.q. bunker - day

C/U Lilya's hands as she writes a letter.

Lilya(v.o.)
. my Sisters at the Five Eighty Sixth..

Lilya sits in a plush chair outside the Bunker, her now lightly bandaged leg on a beat up ottoman.

Lilya(v.o.)
..have saved me from the melancholy madness
of sitting with heartbreak.

She pauses, looks at the ongoing flight operations.

Lilya(v.o.)
I am a little mad already, but I am healing quickly..

dissolve to:

ext. 586th h.q. bunker/Kalac' - day

C/U Natalya's hands holding the letter.

Lilya(v.o.)
..in both mind and body.

Natalya sits outside the Bunker on 'stand by', reads the letter. DISTANT SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE.

Lilya(v.o.)
The doctors say I have less than two weeks
before I can fly again.

Natalya looks at the other Women Pilots on 'stand by', who nap, smoke, read, etc. All of them have short hair and plain uniforms.

Lilya(v.o.)
Meantime, I watch flight op's and get a tan.
Something of a vacation I sup-

Sasha sticks his head out of the Bunker.

Sasha
Sections Two and Three, airborne!

Natalya, Ria, Ludmilla, and Alexandra jump up, head towards the flight line 'double time'.

ext. sky/above the don - day

FOUR YAKS fly in formation.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya
(keys throat mike)
Mother Hen, this is Rooster Six. We have
hostiles in sight. We are engaging. Over.

woman's voice(o.s./radio)
This is Mother Hen. Rooster Six engaging
hostiles. Acknowledged.

ext. sky/above the don - day

The Yaks peel off and dive down.

ext. Russian trench line/west of the don - day

C/U of RUSSIAN SOLDIERS hugging the dirt in the trench. SCREAMING SOUND of a "DIVING" SIREN. A STUKA (JUNKERS JU-87, single engine dive bomber, 'vulture like') "SCREAMS" down on the trench line. C/U of Russian Soldiers: SOUND of
EXPLOSION. Dirt and smoke envelop them. SOUND of MAN SCREAMING in AGONY. A SECOND STUKA "SCREAMS" down on the trench line. Suddenly, tracers rip into the Stuka, tearing pieces off it.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya has the Stuka in her gunsight, is hammering away at it.

ext. Russian trench line/west of the don - day

The Stuka, trailing smoke, breaks off, pursued by Natalya and Ria. The Soldiers in the trench start CHEERING. SOUND of RIFLE FIRE. Some of the Soldiers are hit. The rest take cover, return fire. The ground battle continues.

ext. sky/above forest - day

Natalya and Ria chase the now burning Stuka at 'tree top level'. Suddenly, the Stuka plummets into the forest, smashing through the trees in a shower of burning pieces. The Two Yaks bank away.

ext. forest road/west of the don - day

A GERMAN TRUCK CONVOY proceeds on the road, escorted by a "FLAKWAGEN" (a QUAD 20MM AA MOUNT on a HALF TRACK). SOUND of AIRCRAFT. After a beat, the Two Yaks fly overhead. The Flakwagen opens fire.

ext. sky/above forest - day

A large stream of tracers lances up from the forest, hitting Natalya's aircraft, ripping holes in the wings and fuselage, tearing pieces off.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya fights to control her aircraft. It bucks and shudders. SOUND of ENGINE "COUGHING".

ext. sky/above forest - day

Natalya trails smoke. Ria follows her closely.

ext. forest clearing - day

It is a long open clearing. SOUND of AIRCRAFT. Natalya comes over the tree line, descends quickly.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya concentrates intensely. Smoke fills the cockpit.

ext. forest clearing - day

The aircraft 'belly's in', slides, churns up a cloud of dust. SOUND of METAL "SCREECHING". It grinds to a stop in the middle of the clearing. Natalya slides her canopy open.

ext. sky/above forest - day

Ria flies over the downed aircraft as Natalya climbs out and waves at her.

ext. forest clearing - day

Natalya, on the wing, leans into the cockpit searching for something. She pulls out a sub-machine gun (w/o magazine), smiles. SOUND of RIFLE SHOT. A bullet hits the fuselage close to Natalya. She jumps behind the wing. SOUND of RIFLE FIRE. More bullets hit around her.

Natalya
God damn it!

At the tree line, several GERMAN SOLDIERS emerge, begin to advance. Suddenly, most of them are cut to pieces by machine gun fire. The rest hit the dirt.

ext. sky/above forest - day

Ria roars over the clearing, guns blazing. She turns for another run.

ext. forest clearing - day

Natalya retrieves two drum magazine from her cockpit, takes more rifle fire, drops behind the wing. She quickly loads and 'cocks' the SMG, leans on the wing, fires several long steady bursts.

Natalya
Die, you God damned Fascist sons of bitches!

Ria roars overhead, guns blazing. Natalya laughs as she fires the SMG. At the tree line, the Germans return fire from cover, as rounds 'tear up the landscape' all around them. Some get hit, SHRIEK as they are flung back.

int. Ria's cockpit - day

SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft. SOUND of ENGINE "COUGHING".

Ria
Oh, great! This is my favorite.

ext. forest clearing - day

Natalya is pinned down by heavy small arms fire behind her now burning aircraft. SOUND of "SPUTTERING" AIRCRAFT. She looks up. Ria, landing gear down, 'sputters' over the clearing, descends quickly. She touches down, bounces. Her gear folds up, the aircraft slams to a halt in a cloud of dust.

int. Ria's cockpit - day

Ria is dazed, her nose bloody. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft snaps her back.

Ria
Bastards!

She automatically presses her firing button.

ext. forest clearing - day

Ria's nose guns fire. Tracers lance across the clearing, scattering the re-emerging Germans back to cover.

int. Ria's cockpit - day

Ria
(amazed smile)
Wow! The damned things still work.

She fires again, laughs.

ext. forest clearing - day

Natalya's aircraft is burning fiercely. She fires a burst at the tree line, makes a run for Ria's aircraft. SOUND of SMALL ARMS FIRE. Bullets kick up dirt at her heels until
she flings herself down behind Ria's wings, fires back. Ria slides her canopy open, looks at the SMG incredulously.

Ria
You carried that in your cockpit!?

Natalya
(fires at the Germans)
I don't see you complaining.

Bullets strike the fuselage. Ria fires her guns, a couple of steady bursts, then nothing.

Ria
That's it.

Natalya
Then let's get out of here!

Ria quickly climbs out of her cockpit, drops down beside Natalya. Ria grins, shows Natalya a pair of hand grenades. Natalya smiles ironically.

Ria
The good Komsomol is always prepared.

Natalya fires long burst, changes magazines. She looks at her burning aircraft.

Natalya
My ship is going to blow at any second.
When it do-

The aircraft explodes in a large ball of fire.

Natalya
Now!

Natalya and Ria jump up. Ria tosses a hand grenade into her cockpit, sprints after Natalya. Bullets kick up dirt at their heels until they reach the tree line, take cover.
Ria pulls out her pistol. In the clearing, the Germans advance at a crouching run, firing as they go. At the tree line, Natalya and Ria fire at them from behind trees. They still wear their flight helmets. Ria's aircraft explodes, knocking several Germans off their feet. SOUND of MAN SCREAMING. Across the clearing, a HEAVY MACHINE GUN TEAM (MG-42) arrives, starts a 'murderous' fire. Natalya and Ria duck down as rounds rip up the trees all around them.

Natalya
I think it's time to go!

Ria
Good idea!

Natalya
You first! I'll provide cover!

Ria pulls the pin from the remaining grenade, looks at Natalya.

Natalya
Now!

Natalya fires a long steady burst. Ria tosses the grenade, sprints into the forest. The grenade explodes in front of the Germans, who hug the dirt. Natalya fires until she is
out of ammo. She drops the SMG, sprints into the forest.

ext. forest - day

Ria runs through the forest, Natalya right behind her. SOUND of GERMAN VOICES. Ria stops, crouches, pulls off flight helmet. Natalya follows suit.

Natalya
(hushed)
What?

Ria
(hushed)
Listen.

The SOUND of GERMAN VOICES from several directions.

Natalya
(hushed)
Damn! The place is crawling with these
bastards.
(sees something, points)
There.

She gets up, heads for a pile of fallen moss covered trees. Ria follows her.

Natalya
We'll hide under here.

Ria starts crawling under the fallen trees.

Ria
(grins)
Hope you like bugs.

Natalya
(grimaces)
Just shut up and get under there.

Natalya crawls in after her. SOUND of GERMAN VOICES gets LOUDER. The Women wait with pistols drawn. DISTANT SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE also gets LOUDER. A 'SKIRMISH LINE' of GREMANS move through the forest, gets close to the fallen trees. The Women hunker down. SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE gets even LOUDER. SOUND of GERMAN VOICES on top of the Women. The 'Skirmish Line' is moving past the fallen trees. GERMAN SERGEANT, 20's, 'hard bitten', stops, listens. This stops
other Germans. A look of alarm crosses the Sergeant's face.

German sergeant
(in German/sub-titles)
Incoming!

He dives for cover, followed by his Men. "HOWLING" SOUND of 'PLUNGING' ARTILLERY FIRE. Overhead, a rounds explodes among the tree tops, scattering branches and splinters. Exploding artillery rounds 'walk' through the forest, shattering trees, throwing up fountains of dirt. TWO GERMANS SHRIEK for a split second as they get hit, vanish in fire. A YOUNG GERMAN is flung against a tree, impaled by a huge splinter. He SCREAMS HIDEOUSLY, is silenced by an exploding round vaporizing him. Smoke and fire envelops everything. Natalya and Ria clutch each other tightly amid this chaos. Suddenly, it ends. SOUND of MAN MOANING in PAIN and FEAR.

man(o.s.)
(in German/sub-titles)
Mother? Mother? Where are you? Mother? etc.

Natalya and Ria remain still.

AUDIO FADE/DISSOLVE TO:

ext. forest - dusk

Natalya and Ria sleep in each others arm's. Natalya wakes up abruptly, waking Ria.

Ria
(hushed)
What?

Natalya
(hushed)
Quiet.

B/G SOUND of BATTLE 'at a distance'. Otherwise, silence.

Natalya
We should get moving.

She starts crawling out from under the fallen trees.

cut to:

Natalya searches a SCORCHED GERMAN CORPSE with distaste. A few feet away, Ria empties one canteen into another canteen.

cut to:

Natalya and Ria crouch around a collection of loot: rations canteens, cigarettes, etc.

Ria
(points)
We've got three canteens, plenty of rations,
some chocolate,
(picks up metal flask)
some brandy. I got that off that sergeant..
(makes face)
..what was left of him. All in all, we are
in good shape.

Natalya
Weapons?

Ria
(shakes head)
All smashed in the barrage.

Natalya
Oh, well.

They both pull out compasses, smile at each other.

Natalya & Ria
(simultaneously)
The good Komsomol is always prepared.

Both check their compasses.

Natalya
(nods)
That way is east.

Ria
(grins)
I concur, Comrade Major.

Natalya
I am most reassured, Comrade Lieutenant.

They gather their loot, head into the 'shelled' portion of the forest.

ext. Russian village - night

The full moon shines in the clear summer sky, bathing the HALF DESTROYED VILLAGE in an unearthly glow. Most of the COTTAGES lining the dirt covered MAIN STREET are partially or totally burnt and smashed. B/G SOUND of ARTILLERY FIRE. FLASH of ARTILLERY on the horizon.

The Main Street is littered with WRECKED, BURNT OUT TANKS and ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS, Soviet types at one end, German types at the other, with both mixed together in the center. CHARRED CORPSES protrude from the hatches of many of the vehicles. Natalya and Ria crouch, alert, pistols drawn, at the corner of a cottage. Cautiously, Natalya moves forward, disappears into the cottage. After a beat, Ria follows.

int. abandoned cottage - night

Moonlight shines through a gaping hole in the roof. Natalya picks through debris, finds peasant women's clothes, hands a blouse and skirt to Ria, who regards them skeptically.

Natalya
Here, put these on.

Ria
This could get us shot.

Natalya pulls a blouse on over her uniform tunic.

Natalya
If the Fascists capture us, we will be
raped at the very least. After that,
murder is a short step. If we look like
farm girls..

Ria
..We maintain an element of surprise.

Natalya
Exactly.

Ria
And with our uniform's underneath, we'll
look as fat as farmers wives.

They both grin, continue dressing.

ext. abandoned cottage - night

Natalya and Ria, in peasant dress, "babushka" scarves on their heads, slip out of the cottage, pistols drawn.

ext. Russian village - night

At the edge of the Village, Natalya and Ria move cautiously across the Main Street, stop in front of BURNT OUT GERMAN TANK. SOUND of MOTORCYCLES APPROACHING. They quickly crawl under the Tank.

Just beyond the Village, a PAIR of GERMAN MOTORCYCLES drive past the end of the Main Street. After a beat, several MORE MOTORCYCLES pass by. Then, an ARMORED HALF TRACK full of PANZER GRENADIERS. Then, another HALF TRACK, and another.

Under the Burnt Out Tank, Natalya and Ria, each pressed up against the Tank's tracks, watch this procession unhappily. SOUND of VEHICLES gets LOUDER. The WOMEN'S POV: GERMAN TANKS begin RUMBLING past, one Tank after another. The ground 'shakes'. Natalya looks at her watch. C/U Watch face: It reads "Nine o'clock".

dissolve to:

C/U Watch face: It reads "One o' clock".

The WOMEN'S POV: The procession of vehicles is down to only a few TRUCKS, then a few MOTORCYCLES. Natalya remains up against the Tank track.

Natalya
(hushed)
I think it's almost over.

Ria groans quietly, stretches. SOUND of ARMORED VEHICLES APPROACHING.

Natalya
Then again, I could be wrong.

The WOMEN'S POV: More ARMORED HALF TRACKS full of PANZER GRENADIERS begin passing by.

NATALYA
See if you can get some sleep.

Ria
Wake me if I snore.

Natalya
You can count on it.

Ria snuggles against the Tank track, closes her eyes. Up the street, Half Track after Half Track RUMBLES past.

dissolve to:

ext. Russian village - dawn

In the pale summer dawn, UNARMORED HALF TRACKS towing LARGE ARTILLERY PIECES roll past.

Under the Burnt Out Tank, Natalya sleeps, Ria keeps watch. SOUND of LIGHT TRUCK. Natalya wakes abruptly. The WOMEN'S POV: A LIGHT TRUCK drives down the Main Street, stops. Several GERMAN SOLDIERS dismount, fan out as if searching
for something.

A SOLDIER climbs onto the WRECKED TANK opposite the Women's Tank, starts examining a CHARRED CORPSE. Suddenly, the head falls off the Corpse. The Soldier "curses".(No sub-titles) SOUND of MEN LAUGHING. SOUND of 'MOCKING' VOICE. SOUND of MEN LAUGHING LOUDER. Boots approach the Women's Tank. SOUND of MAN CLIMBING onto the TANK. Natalya and Ria, pistols drawn, stay very still.

cut to:

The WOMEN'S POV: The sun is up. The German Soldiers sit in the Truck, smoking, quietly counting 'dog tags'. After a beat, they finish, start the engine, pull away. Except for the B/G SOUND of BATTLE, the Village is quiet.

Natalya and Ria both let out a very deep breath, almost collapse.

Ria
Comrade Major, I think I've had just about
enough of this.

Natalya
So have I.
(looks around)
Let's get the hell out of here.

Natalya and Sasha, naked on her cot, intertwine with intense passion.

cut to:

They lay quietly in each others arms. After a beat, the sky outside lights up, followed by the RUMBLING "CHUMP-CHUMP" SOUND of ARTILLERY, a massive barrage. C/U the wine glasses: circular ripples vibrate in the wine. Natalya looks at her watch, kisses Sasha.

Natalya
(coy)
We still have another two hours.

He smiles, rolls on top of her. They kiss passionately, their bodies illuminated by the FLASHING of ARTILLERY.

ext. 586th-296th airfield - night

The entire horizon FLASHES and RUMBLES.

dissolve to:

The rosy light of dawn is punctuated by the DISTANT SOUND of HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE.

ext. sky/east of Kursk - dawn

DOZENS of JU-88's and ME-109's roar in 'on the deck'.

ext. 586th-296th airfield - dawn

It is very still, no movement of any kind.

ext. sky/east of Kursk - dawn

The German Aircraft are in sight of the airfield. The Fighters peel off as the Bombers head in. High above them, TWO FORMATIONS of YAKS fly side by side.

int. Baranov's cockpit - dawn

Baranov
(keys throat mike)
Rooster Six, this is Falcon One. The
bombers are yours.

int. Natalya's cockpit - dawn

Natalya
(keys throat mike)
This is Rooster Six. Acknowledged.
Rooster Six to all hatchlings.
(wistful smile)
Let's go break up their party.

ext. sky/east of Kursk - dawn

The Two Formations of Yaks break in opposite directions.

int. Ju-88 cockpit - dawn

The airfield can be seen through the nose. The PILOT looksperplexed.
pilot
(in German/sub-titles)
Where the hell are all the aircraft?

SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING the aircraft. The Pilot's head explodes in a spray of blood and bone.

ext. 586th-296th RUNWAY - day

It is a beautiful summer morning. The WRECKAGE of a JU-88 smolders just beyond the Runway as Two Yaks come in for a landing, followed by another Two Yaks. PULL BACK TO REVEAL: the airfield bustles with activity. Several Aircraft taxiing to the revetments, Ground Crew everywhere refueling and rearming Aircraft, Fuel Trucks driving around, etc.

C/U of rockets being attached to underwing mounts.

cut to:

Pairs and Pairs of Yaks taking off, one after another.

ext. sky/above the Orel front - day

Two Formations of Yaks fly through the clear summer sky. Below, a HUGE LAND BATTLE is underway: HUNDREDS of VEHICLE DUST TRAILS, endless FLASHES of ARTILLERY FIRING and ROUNDS EXPLODING.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya looks down at the Battle with a strange calmness.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya looks down at the Battle with her 'Mona Lisa' smile, then looks at her instrument panel. Aleksei's PHOTO is framed by fresh wildflowers.

ext. German fighter airfield/north of Orel - day

It resembles the 586th's field: Lots of activity, AA-GUNS, revetments, ME-109's landing and taking off, being rearmed and refueled by NUMEROUS GROUND CREW, etc.

ext. sky/north of Orel - day

A PAIR of ME-109's fly air patrol above the field.
int. first me-109 cockpit - day

The PILOT keeps a watchful eye, sees something, keys his throat mike. A 'shadow' passes over him, rounds rip through the cockpit, tearing him to pieces.

ext. sky/north of Orel - day

Lilya and Sergei pursue the Second Me-109 as the First Me-109 spirals down in flames.

ext. German fighter airfield/north of Orel - day

SOUND of AIR RAID SIREN. Ground Crew start scattering, Aircraft try to take off, AA-GUNS start banging away. A 'Swarm' of Yaks come roaring in 'on the deck', all guns
blazing. Tracers lance out, rockets "WHOOSH" from underwing. Ground Crew and Pilots are 'shot to pieces', Aircraft and Bunkers explode. All is chaos and destruction as
Yak after Yak strafes and rockets the field.

INT. BARANOV'S COCKPIT - DAY

Baranov
(keys throat mike)
Falcon One to all aircraft. Pull back and
provide cover for the bombers.

ext. sky/north of Orel - day

SIX RUSSIAN ATTACK BOMBERS (PETLYAKOV PE-2's, slim, twin engines, twin rudders) flying in formation, peel off and dive straight down.

ext. German fighter airfield/north of Orel - day

Exploding bombs 'walk' across the flight line and runway, completing the airfield's destruction.

ext. 586th-296th flight line - day

Dozens of Yaks taxi towards their revetments as Ground Crew swarm around them.

cut to:

Natalya talks to Valya. Ria waits nearby.

Natalya
We're back up in thirty minutes. Check
for flak damage first.

Valya
Yes, Comrade Colonel.

They salute. Natalya turns, walks with Ria.

Natalya
Tell the girls to get some tea, a snack,
take a pee. You know the drill. And if
anyone needs me, I'm in my office with
my boots off.

Ria
Yes, Comrade Colonel.

They salute.

int. Natalya's office/586th-296th - day

Natalya enters to find Lilya looking through 'Marina's Album'. Lilya goes to salute, Natalya waves her off.

Lilya
(indicating Album)
I didn't realize how much work you've done
on this.

She flips through the pages revealing NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, PHOTOS, LETTERS, DOCUMENTS, etc. all about 'Soviet Military Women': TANK CREWS, PARTISAN SNIPERS, MARINE ASSAULT TROOPS BOMBER PILOTS, etc.

Natalya
Vera helped. And you. It's been a way to
honor Marina Nicolaivna. I kept thinking
of Barkagan's toast the night before she
died.

Lilya
To Mother Russia and all Her ferocious
daughters?

Natalya
Yes. All of this needs to be remembered.
For our daughters, for the daughters of
those we will never know.

They turn to a NEWSPAPER PHOTO of LILYA and KATYA in front of a YAK. The CAPTION: "HERO PILOTS LITVYAK AND FEDOTOVA".

Lilya
(soft)
For all of our sisters.

Baranov enters energetically.

Baranov
Flight Control is putting out a general
call. Part of the line is in danger of
collapsing and the counter attack needs
more air support. Lilya Atomova, the Two
Ninety Sixth is refueled and rearmed, so
we'll go immediately.

Lilya
Yes, Nicolai Sergeiavich.

Baranov
Natalya Andreivna, have the Five Eighty
Sixth armed with rockets and follow as
soon as possible.
(looks at Album, the photo of Katya, 'softens')
Ah, dear, sweet Katchinka.
('snaps back')
Comrades, the war is calling.

They all salute. Baranov exits. Lilya and Natalya hug and kiss on both cheeks.

Natalya
(soft)
Good hunting, Comrade Litvyak.

Lilya
(soft)
Good hunting, Comrade Savitskaya.

Lilya exits. Natalya looks at the Album, flips it closed, exits.

ext. 586th/296th flight line - day

Ground Crew pull hand carts loaded with rockets, attach them to underwing mounts. Natalya talks with Vera by her aircraft.

Natalya
A favor, Vera Semyonova?

Vera
Which is, Natalya Andreivna?

Natalya
Would you check on the status of the Nine
Hundred Fourteenth Fighter Regiment?

Vera
Sasha Kukov?

Natalya
Yes, Sasha Kukov. And don't worry Comrade
Commissar, I made him work for it.

Vera
(grins)
I'm sure you did.

ext. sky/above the Kursk salient - day

The rocket armed Aircraft of the 586th fly over the Battle. In the sky, HUNDREDS of CONTRAILS criss cross as locust like SWARMS of AIRCRAFT twist and turn in 'escape and pursuit'. This is punctuated by BURSTS of FLAME as Aircraft explode, or plummet flaming, leaving stark black trails.

On the ground, swathed in greasy, black smoke, DOZENS of VEHICLES burn fiercely, as HUNDREDS of TANKS maneuver against each other, amid FLASHES of HEAVY WEAPONS FIRING and SHELLS EXPLODING.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

She watches the Battle with grim wonder, keys throat mike.

Natalya
This is Rooster Six to all hatchlings.
Come to heading two-seven-nine.

ext. sky/above the Kursk salient - day

The Aircraft of the 586th turn in formation.

ext. trench complex/Orel front - day

C/U of a GERMAN SOLDIER and a RUSSIAN SOLDIER struggling hand to hand in a TRENCH COMPLEX. ROARING SOUND of BATTLE. Suddenly, an explosion vaporizes both their upper bodies, leaving their hips and legs standing up right.

The CAMERA ZOOMS BACK and UP REVEALING: a VAST ZIG- ZAG TRENCH COMPLEX, 'moonscaped' by SHELL CRATERS, bordered and bisected by THREE LINES of EARTH COVERED LOG and CONRETE BUNKERS. The Germans have broken through to the SECOND (CENTER)LINE of BUNKERS with INFANTRY and ARMORED VEHICLES, and are in the process of breaking through there as well. HUNDREDS of RUSSIAN and GERMAN CORPSES lay strewn about. A DOZEN GERMAN ARMORED VEHICLES burn furiously as SEVERAL DOZEN MORE push forward at the Second Bunker Line. In and around the Trench Complex, THOUSANDS of RUSSIAN and GERMAN SOLDIERS fight and die. Artillery Shells fall sporadically among the fighting Soldiers.

int. anti-tank bunker/second bunker line - day

FOUR RUSSIAN ARTILLERY MEN work a 76MM ANTI-TANK GUN: the Gun ROARS. The spent Casing pops out, hits the PACKED EARTH FLOOR with a "CLANG". Another Round goes into the Breach, which is then locked. The Gun Commander, a STOCKY SERGEANT, 21, looks through the Gun Sight and out the Narrow Gun Port of the Log and Concrete Bunker. German and Russian Soldiers can be seen fighting right outside.

stocky sergeant
Three degrees left.
(checks sighting)
Fire!

The Gun ROARS.

ext. anti-tank bunker/second bunker line - day

The Muzzle Blast dismembers a German Soldier running past the Gun Port, flings several Russian and German Solders aside.

int. anti-tank bunker/second bunker line - day

The Artillery Men reload. The Stocky Sergeant looks through the Gun Sight.

ext. trench complex/Orel front - day

A JU-88 comes in low, heading towards the Second Bunker Line.

int. anti-tank bunker/second bunker line - day

The Stocky Sergeant looks up from the Gun Sight with alarm. The Ju-88 can be seen looming through the Gun Port.

stocky sergeant
Quick! Fire it now!

The Gun ROARS.

ext. second bunker line/Orel front - day

The Ju-88 releases TWO BOMBS, pulls up. The Bombs slam into the Anti-Tank Bunker.

int. anti-tank bunker/second bunker line - day

A FIRE BALL BLASTS through the Bunker. SOUND of MEN SHRIEKING in AGONY is 'cut short'.

ext. second bunker line/Orel front - day

As the Ju-88 zooms over the Second Bunker Line, secondary explosions rip out the back of the Anti-Tank Bunker. German Soldiers swarm around its burning wreckage.

ext. birch forest/Orel front - day

It is a Forest of densely packed Birch Trees. CAMOUFLAGE NETTING is hung between the Trees for as far as the eye can see. Throughout the Forest, THOUSANDS of RUSSIAN SOLDIERS are waiting quietly in TRENCHES. SPORADIC SOUND of ARTILLERY ROUNDS SCREAMING OVERHEAD, followed by SOUND of EXPLOSIONS. SCATTERED SOUND of MEN SCREAMING in AGONY.

MAJOR GENERAL IGOR KATUTIN, 38, short, ugly, fierce, stands in a Trench, surrounded by a DOZEN OFFICERS, looks through a pair of binoculars towards the Trench Complex.

POV BINOCULARS:

In the distance, the attack on the Trench Complex rages. In the foreground, a FIELD of TREE STUMPS. Scattered through out this Field are HUNDREDS of RUSSIAN CORPSES and a HALF DOZEN BURNING T-34's.

Katutin lowers the binoculars, sighs deeply. A MAJOR hands him a Field Telephone.

Katutin
(into Phone)
Comrade General, I need air support if
I am to-
(listens)
I understa-
(listens)
Yes, Comrade General.

He hands the Phone back as if was diseased.

Katutin
(to Officers, unhappy)
The good Comrade General says air support
is coming. So, we counterattack now.
(looks toward Trench Complex, grim)
As if we had any choice.
(looks back to Officers)
Very well, Comrades.

The Officers come to attention, salute.

Katutin
(returns salute)
Good luck to all of you.

cut to:

All along the Tree Line DOZENS of T-34's emerge accompanied by the SOUND of WHISTLES. Thousands of Russian Soldiers follow the Tanks, moving forward into the Field of Stumps.

ext. field of stumps/Orel front - day

The Tanks and Soldiers move forward rapidly through the Field. A few Artillery Rounds land, sending up fountains of dirt.

ext. birch forest/Orel front - day

Katutin lifts the binoculars to his eyes.

pov binoculars:

As the Tanks and Soldiers advance, a PAIR of JU-88's circle around to attack. Katutin's jaw clenches as he looks through the binoculars.

pov binoculars:

Above the Field of Stumps, the First Ju-88 is making its attack run. Suddenly, a Stream of Tracers rips into the Ju-88, which veers off trailing smoke.

Katutin looks up. ROARING SOUND of FIGHTERS OVERHEAD.

DOZENS of YAK-3's scream over the Birch Forest at tree top level, the Lead Aircraft firing at the fleeing Ju-88's.

Katutin grins fiercely.

Katutin
You took the Devil's own time!

He notices something, looks through the binoculars.

POV BINOCULARS:

The View tracks Lilya's 'White Rose' Yak.

Katutin(o.s.)
(whispered)
The White Rose.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya closes in on the Ju-88.

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

The Ju-88 is banking hard to escape Lilya.

int. Ju-88 cockpit - day

The PILOT concentrates on his steep turn. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING his aircraft. The glass shatters as ROUNDS hammer the cockpit. The Pilot SHRIEKS in PAIN.

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

As the Ju-88 tumbles burning through the air it explodes in a ball of fire.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya watches with satisfaction as the burning wreckage falls from the sky.

int. Baranov's cockpit - day

Baranov quickly looks around, goes to key his throat mike.

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

C/U of a 150MM ARTILLERY SHELL (in slow motion) whirling through the air.

int. Baranov's cockpit - day

Baranov
(keys throat mike)
This is Falcon One to all-

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

Baranov flies right into the path of the oncoming 150mm Artillery Shell. The explosion totally vaporizes his aircraft.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya checks her headphones.

Lilya
(keys throat mike)
Falcon One, do you read me?
(listens, 'decides')
This is Snowflake Two to all aircraft.
Attack the advancing Germans. Concentrate
on the half tracks. Snowflake Two out.

ext. third bunker line/Orel front - day

Lilya's "White Rose" and Dozens of Yaks roar overhead towards the advancing Germans. The Russian Ground Troops CHEER at them.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya lines up a ARMORED HALF TRACK(SdKfz 251, open topped) in her gunsight. Tracers stream up at her.

ext. trench complex/Orel front - day

From the German Vehicles multiple streams of tracers lance at the approaching Yaks, which quickly return fire.

int. German half track/trench complex - day

A DOZEN PANZER GRENADIERS fire at the "White Rose" Yak, but it is on top of them, firing steadily. SOUND of RICOCHETING ROUNDS. As the rounds ricochet inside the armored hull, the Panzer Grenadiers are literally torn to pieces, SHRIEKING and SCREAMING, blood and bone spraying everywhere.

ext. trench complex/Orel front - day

Lilya roars over the Half Track, which begins to burn.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya lines up another Armored Half Track in her gunsight.

Sergei(o.s./radio)
Snowflake Two, this is Snowflake Four!
Multiple bandits, dead ahead! Over!

Lilya looks into the distance, smiles.

Lilya
(keys throat mike)
This is Snowflake Two! The first group are
Yaks! Repeat! The first group are Yaks. The
bandits are behind them! Over!

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya looks down at ROWS of GERMAN ARMORED VEHICLES advancing towards the Bunker Line.

Natalya
(keys throat mike)
This is Rooster Six to all hatchings! Break
into pairs and start with the heavies, work
your way down! Rooster Six out!

Lilya(o.s./radio)
Rooster Six, this is Snowflake Two! Over!

Natalya
I copy, Snowflake Two! Over!

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya
Rooster Six, you have bandits on your
tail! We'll do a fly through and engage
them! Over!

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya
(looks back with concern)
Acknowledged, Snowflake Two, I see them!
Rooster Six to all hatchlings! Open up
for a fly through!

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya
Snowflake Two to Falcon and Snowflake
Flights! Follow me!

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

The 296th flies right into the 586th's formation.

int. Ria's cockpit - day

Ria laughs and "whoops" as a Yak roars close by: "VROOOM!"

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

The two formations fly past and through each other: "VROOOM!" "VROOOM!" "VROOOM!"

INT. ME-109 COCKPIT - DAY

The GERMAN PILOT concentrates on pursuing the 586th. Suddenly, he looks alarmed. The 296th is flying right at him. Tracers stream at him.

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

A FORMATION of ME-109'S scatters as the 296th roars into them, guns blazing.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya lines up the rear of a GERMAN TANK in her gunsight, smiles a "Mona Lisa" smile.

ext. trench complex/Orel front - day

The 586th roars in low. DOZENS of ROCKETS "WHOOSH" towards the German Tanks, scoring multiple hits. The advancing German formation literally begins to disintegrate.

ext. above trench complex/Orel front - day

The 586th rocket and strafe the Germans. Dozens of German Tanks and Half Tracks burn and explode in the Trench Complex as Russian Tanks and Infantry reach the Third Bunker Line.

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

A furious 'dog fight' is underway: YAKS and ME-109's attack and pursue each other in a swirling mass.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya flies right up the tail of an ME-109, fires short bursts. Tracers lance out, pieces tear off the Me-109.

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

A LARGE FORMATION of ME-109's arrives over the dog fight.

int. me-109 cockpit - day

The GERMAN FLIGHT COMMANDER keys his throat mike.

flight commander
(in German/sub-titles)
This is Dagger Nine. Prepare to-
(something 'catches his eye')
Attention! Attention! The Yak with the
white rose is a priority target! Repeat.
The Yak with the white rose is a priority
target! Engage! Engage!

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

The Formation of Me-109's dive down into the dog fight.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

The Me-109 in Lilya's gun sight is trails smoke as she hammers at it.

Sergei(o.s./radio)
Fighters! Fighters! Eleven o' clock!

Lilya looks up. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft.

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

The Me-109's close in on Lilya, who dives and corkscrews away. This loses some of them, but the rest hang on.

int. Sergei's cockpit - day

Sergei maneuvers violently, fires at an ME-109. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING his aircraft.

int. Lilya's cockpit - day

Lilya 'turns and dives and loops'. SOUND of ROUNDS HITTING her aircraft. Her windscreen 'stars' from an impact. Lilya flinches with pain, collapses back against her seat. Her white scarf blossoms RED with BLOOD. Lilya smiles wistfully, looks at ALEKSEI'S PHOTO. Smoke billows into the cockpit.

Lilya
(whisper)
I think it's me they want, my love.

C/U ALEKSEI'S PHOTO: Lilya's gloved hand enters the FRAME, finger tip touches the PHOTO, falls away. Flames sweep across the FRAME, igniting the wildflowers and the PHOTO, which burns and CRACKLES.

ext. sky/above trench complex - day

Lilya's Aircraft, trailing smoke and flames, plunges into a cloud of dust and smoke, followed by FIVE Me-109's, still firing at her.

ext. third bunker line /Orel front - day

Up and down the Third Bunker Line the Russian Tanks fire into the Trench Complex.

int. Ria's cockpit - day

Ria lines up a Half Track in her gunsight.

Ria
Come to Mama.

ext. trench complex - day

Ria launches two rockets at the Half Track. It explodes so violently it literally vaporizes.

int. Ria's cockpit - day

Her aircraft is buffeted violently. SOUND of IMPACT. Ria flinches in pain.

Ria
(clenched teeth)
Oh, great! My favorite.

She touches her leg, grimaces, looks at her blood covered hand, takes a deep breath, keeps flying.

int. Natalya's cockpit - day

Natalya looks down at the battle. The Germans are retreating. Russian Tanks and Infantry are coming over the Third Bunker Line, advancing into the Trench Complex. Natalya looks exhausted.

ext. 586th-296th runway - day

Numerous Yaks circle the field as a DAMAGED YAK comes in for a landing.

cut to:

The Aircraft land in pairs. The Damaged Yak is parked to the side, Ground Crew attending to it. The other Aircraft taxi to the Flight Line, except for one Yak which keeps going down the Runway. Its engine cuts off. It rolls to a stop, sits there. A CRASH TRUCK pulls up to the quiet Aircraft. TWO CREWWOMEN dismount. CREWWOMAN #1 climbs on the wing, pulls back the canopy. Ria, her skin gray, sits staring ahead with a faint smile. She is dead.

CREWWOMAN #2
(under fuselage)
There's blood dripping out from under here.

crewwoman #1
(shakes head sadly)
I'm not surprised.

ext. sky/above 586th-296th airfield - day

More Yaks are 'on approach'.

ext. 586th-296th runway - day

A badly shot up Yak comes in for a landing. Its gear folds up on touch down. It 'belly's in', throwing up a cloud of dust, grinds to a halt. Sergei, crying, his face bleeding from glass cuts, climbs from his cockpit, as a Crash Truck races up.

int. 586th-296th infirmary - day

Natalya and Vera look down at Ria's body. In the B/G, MALE and FEMALE MEDICS tend the WOUNDED.

Vera
A piece of shrapnel severed her femoral
artery. She should have been dead twenty
minutes before she landed.

Natalya
(sad smile)
Bend, but never break.

Natalya leans in, kisses Ria's eyes and lips, pulls a sheet over her face, turns to Vera, 'all business'.

Natalya
What shape is the Two Ninety Sixth in?

Vera
Over fifty percent casualties. Baranov is
missing..
(hesitates)

Natalya
(stricken)
Lilya?

Vera
Her wingman is over there.

Sergei lays on a table. A FEMALE MEDIC sews up his face. Natalya and Vera approach.

Natalya
(to Female Medic)
How is he?

female medic
His wounds are basically superficial.

Sergei
(starts crying)
I'm sorry, Comrade Colonel, I couldn't..

Natalya
(gentle)
Easy now, Comrade Lieutenant.

Sergei
They swarmed all over her. Ignored the rest
of us. It was Lilya they wanted. I..
(chokes)

Natalya
(strokes his hair)
Breathe, just breathe.

Sergei
The last I saw of Lilya, she was on fire.
She went into a cloud of smoke with four
or five Fascists on her tail.
(SOBS)
I couldn't save her.

Natalya
(sad smile)
That was always her fate. From the beginning,
she belonged to the sky.

Sergei calms down, looks at her with amazement.

Natalya
Are you fit for duty, Comrade Pasternak?

Sergei
(strong)
Yes, Comrade Colonel.

Natalya
Good. The battle isn't over yet.

ext. 586th-296th flight line - day

Natalya and Vera walk towards the Flight Line. The field bustles with activity.

Natalya
Consolidate the Two Ninety Sixth into their
own flight. We'll sort them out..

Ludmilla approaches, salutes.

Ludmilla
You wanted me, Comrade Colonel?

Natalya
Yes. I'm afraid Captain Tikomarova is dead.
You are to assume her duties immediately.

Ludmilla
(ashen)
Yes, Comrade Colonel. Is it true about
Lilya?

Natalya
Yes, it seems so.
(puts hand on Ludmilla's shoulder)
We will cry for her and Ria Illyavna later,
those of us who survive. Until then..

Ludmilla
(snaps to attention)
Yes, Comrade Colonel!

They salute. Ludmilla exits. Vera smiles grimly.

Vera
Marina Nicolaivna would be very impressed.

Natalya
(sighs)
I suppose. By the way, what about the Nine
Fourteenth?

Vera
I had hoped you wouldn't ask. They were very
badly shot up and Colonel Kukov was missing..
(looks at watch)
..as of thirty minutes ago.

Natalya
(deep sigh)
Fortunes of war, Comrade Commissar. Fortunes
of war.

ext. 586th-296th runway - day

The Aircraft taxi out to 'take off' position. A JEEP comes racing out onto the Runway, its HORN HONKING madly. Natalya looks around from her cockpit as the Jeep comes up to her Aircraft. Sasha, bandaged arm in a sling, jumps out, climbs up on her wing, kisses her deeply.

Natalya
(misty eyed)
I thought you were..

Sasha
(puts a finger to her lips)
Just come back to me, Babushka.

He kisses her again, jumps down from the wing.

cut to:

The Aircraft of the 586th are silhouetted darkly against the sky as they take off into the late afternoon sun.

Natalya(v.o.)
The battle lasted another ten days. We
suffered terrible losses.

dissolve to:

ext. sky/above the Kursk salient - day

WIDE SHOT of the BATTLE: CLOUDS of BLACK SMOKE and DUST roll across a landscape marked by FIRES and EXPLOSIONS.

Natalya(v.o.)
But, we broke the back of the Fascists.
And for the next two years, we burned
and blasted them..

dissolve to:

ext. Reichstags/Berlin - day

LONG SHOT of the REICHSTAG with the 'SWASTIKA in WREATH' on its roof.

Natalya(v.o.)
..all the way back to Berlin. And there..

The Swastika explodes spectacularly!

Natalya(v.o.)
..we buried them.

The CAMERA PANS UP into the clouds.

Natalya(v.o.)
Sometimes, it feels like a dream.

The CAMERA moves through the clouds.

Natalya(v.o.)
They are almost all gone now, Comrades and
enemies. Hitler is gone. Stalin is gone.
Even the Soviet Union is gone.

ext. sky/above Stalingrad war memorial - day

WIDE SHOT looks down on the 270 FOOT TALL STATUE of MOTHER RUSSIA brandishing a SWORD, 'beckoning Her People forward'.

Natalya(v.o.)
But Mother Russia still lives.

ext. Stalingrad war memorial - day

The CAMERA ZOOMS DOWN to a GROUP of FIGURES: A 'thirtyish' Natalya and Sasha, holding TWO LITTLE GIRLS, 6 & 9, by the hands in between them, walking towards Mother Russia.

Natalya(v.o.)
And I have taken my daughters to see the
names of my fallen Sisters.

C/U NATALYA'S DAUGHTERS: They look up at Mother Russia with awe. The CAMERA follows their VIEW up past the Statue into the sky.

dissolve to:

ext. abandoned runway/Gorky - day

The CAMERA PANS BACK to the RUNWAY: 'Old' Natalya stands on the edge of the asphalt, smiles through her tears. At her feet, the 'Five Women' PHOTO and the wildflowers.

C/U PHOTO and WILDFLOWERS: The wind picks up, blows the wildflowers down the Runway. ZOOM IN TIGHT on PHOTO until it fills the FRAME.

Natalya(v.o.)
(hushed)
My God, we were all so young.

go to black:

TITLE CARDLilya's grave was not found until 1979. She had been buried under the wing of her aircraft by persons unknown. Ten years later, she was given an official burial. In May of 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev made her Hero of the Soviet Union.

dissolve to:

TITLE CARDDuring the "Great Patriotic War" of 1941-45 over half a million women served in direct combat roles in the Soviet Armed Forces.

FADE TO BLACK