- Willi von Klugermann: By the way, Stachel... there's an impression around that... you care more about your unconfirmed kill than you do about Fabian's death.
- [long pause]
- Bruno Stachel: Perhaps it's force of habit. In the trenches, we couldn't even bury the dead; there were too many of them. I've never had the time... to discuss them over a glass of champagne.
- [Funeral for an enemy pilot]
- Willi von Klugermann: Well, aren't you coming? It's an order.
- Bruno Stachel: Why?
- Willi von Klugermann: Because our commanding officer has made it one. He believes in chivalry, Stachel.
- Bruno Stachel: [poring himself a drink] Chivalry? To kill a man, then make a ritual out of saluting him - that's hypocrisy. They kill me, I don't want anyone to salute.
- Willi von Klugermann: [Stachel slams down his glass] They probably won't.
- General Count von Klugermann: Take a look outside. See that? Revolution is just beneath the surface! If that happens, everything we stand for will be DESTROYED - unless the German officer corps stands like a rock, intact! And what is more important, untarnished. I made this Stachel into a national hero for good military reasons. If I court-martial him now, it will reflect on the integrity of the whole officer corps.
- Otto Heidemann: Herr General, I see now, I have notions of honor which are outdated.
- General Count von Klugermann: Ahh, they're not outdated!
- [pause]
- General Count von Klugermann: Stored. With care, and love, for better times.
- Ziegel: I can't keep these barges flying forever - I'm a mechanic, not a magician.
- Otto Heidemann: No, Ziegel, you ARE a magician, whether you like it or not.
- Willi von Klugermann: [When Willi picks wounded Stachel at the aid station] Does it hurt?
- Bruno Stachel: ...Yes.
- Willi von Klugermann: Tell me... ah... never having suffered it personally, what does it feel like... to be shot down?
- Bruno Stachel: Well... well, I'd rather you found that out for yourself.
- Kettering: No confirmation, no claim. That's a squadron rule.
- Bruno Stachel: But I saw it! It was a kill!
- Kettering: Then, you have the deep satisfaction of knowing you have served the Fatherland.
- General Count von Klugermann: I'm afraid it's rather a small medal, Willi, but it's the highest Germany can give.
- Willi von Klugermann: Thank you... Uncle
- General Count von Klugermann: Stachel. I want him brought to Berlin immediately.
- Holbach: Yes, Herr General.
- General Count von Klugermann: There is some difficulty?
- Holbach: Well, I don't know what you have in mind, Herr General, but, uh, with the offensive at its height, well, there'd have to be some legitimate excuse to order him to come.
- General Count von Klugermann: He's wounded, isn't he?
- Holbach: Yes, Herr General.
- General Count von Klugermann: Hmm. A mentionable wound?
- Holbach: Uh, in the arm.
- General Count von Klugermann: Good. The people like soldiers who were shot in the right places. Order Stachel to Berlin for special hospital treatment. I want you to ensure that all our newspapers give full prominence to this gallant episode - photographs, everything.
- Bruno Stachel: Do you think I came all this way to run off to Switzerland with you?
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: You gambled your life for me once with Willy.
- Bruno Stachel: That was about flying, Kaeti, not about you!
- Otto Heidemann: Yes, I understand - but I don't agree with killing helpless men!
- General Count von Klugermann: Otto, this is 1918 - things have changed. Unrestricted submarine warfare, bombing of civilians, poison gas. Ask your wife - she's a nurse. Ask Elfi about the mustard gas casualties.
- Otto Heidemann: So you approve of this kind of ruthlessness!
- General Count von Klugermann: We fight to win, Otto.
- Bruno Stachel: [while testing the engine of his aircraft] The oil pressure is still too low!
- Ziegel: [Looking in the engine cover] Well, that's all you'll get out of her! She wasn't made yesterday!
- Bruno Stachel: Oh, is that what it is!
- Willi von Klugermann: [after picking up Stachel from the aid station] You know, I was quite pleased at first when you posted missing.
- Bruno Stachel: Thank you
- [sarcastically]
- Willi von Klugermann: It was just that, the war seemed, a bit more, peaceful. And then, this is the odd thing, I had a sense of loss.
- Bruno Stachel: I'm touched
- Willi von Klugermann: No, no, seriously, I've had things in my life too easy. I'm inclined to be lazy. I need a challenge. Some one around me who is hard to beat. And you fulfill that role.
- Willi von Klugermann: [Willi finds out about Stachel and Kaeti in Berlin] We've tolerated you here because we've had to! One of these days, Stachel - or should I call you Bruno? One of these days, I'm going to shake you up - considerably.
- Bruno Stachel: It will give me pleasure, Willi. I'll look forward to it.
- Willi von Klugermann: I wonder if you're as good as you think you are... in or out of bed.
- General Count von Klugermann: [Just after Kaeti's lover is killed in the crash] Stand up Kaeti!... We'll be late for lunch.
- Bruno Stachel: [looking at a picture of von Richtofen wearing a Blue Max] Two more kills and you'll have one of those.
- Willi von Klugermann: Hmm, a pretty medal, The Blue Max.
- Bruno Stachel: It's the only one worth having. People respect it.
- Willi von Klugermann: The medal or the man?
- Otto Heidemann: [saddened by Willi's death] He was a better man than you.
- Bruno Stachel: Well, he's dead!
- Otto Heidemann: Is that your test?
- Bruno Stachel: Yes! And that was his test too!
- Otto Heidemann: What do you mean?
- Willi von Klugermann: You know, there's something of the cobra in you. I'll have to watch you.
- [Stachel smiles and shakes his head approvingly]
- Bruno Stachel: I brought you a present, Willi. A souvenir.
- [presents a bottle of champagne]
- Willi von Klugermann: Kind of you. I doubt if our tastes coincide.
- Bruno Stachel: Oh, but they do.
- Bruno Stachel: You amuse me.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: I?
- Bruno Stachel: People like you, the Count, Willi.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Amuse or shock?
- Bruno Stachel: I said amuse.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: I adore your innocence. You really believe your betters should behave better. Don't you?
- Bruno Stachel: [resignedly] Well, I suppose I might as well say it.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Say what?
- Bruno Stachel: You're beautiful.
- [about von Klugerman's kills]
- Bruno Stachel: You've got 18, haven't you?
- Willi von Klugermann: Squadron Rule #1, Stachel: Gentlemen never parade their military achievements.
- Bruno Stachel: Any rule against... saying how long it took you?
- Willi von Klugermann: I would say that was covered by the same rule, wouldn't you?
- Bruno Stachel: No. I wouldn't. How many rules are there?
- Willi von Klugermann: I don't know: none of them have been written down.
- Willi von Klugermann: Tell me, uh, never having suffered it personally... what does it feel like to be shot down?
- Bruno Stachel: I'd rather have you find that out for yourself.
- Fabian: Hear! Isn't it nice to hear the birds again, Herr Hauptmann? Listen to that!
- Otto Heidemann: They won't be here long - when our offensive starts.
- Otto Heidemann: Fly on Fabian's left and a little behind him and watch for his signals.
- Bruno Stachel: Yes, Herr Hauptmann.
- Otto Heidemann: And relax. Get the balloon and come straight back. You'll find balloons burn beautifully.
- Bruno Stachel: I don't suppose you've ever had an unconfirmed kill.
- Willi von Klugermann: Oh, but I have. I've had, eh, three.
- Bruno Stachel: Then you've shot down 23.
- Willi von Klugermann: No, 20.
- General Count von Klugermann: I'm sorry to have been so long. Are you bored?
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: With all these men around?
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Look at Willi. Doesn't he look splendid! The Blue Max will go so well with his eyes.
- General Count von Klugermann: Yes, he is rather vain. He'll probably wear it in bed for the first few days.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Oh, how uncomfortable for the girl.
- Holbach: To Leutnant Willhelm von Klugermann, for bravery of the highest order, in action against the enemies of the German Empire, and for exceptional services to the Fatherland, in that he has destroyed, singlehanded, 20 enemy aircraft, the Order of the Pour le Mérite. By imperial decree, Wilhelm, Emperor.
- General Count von Klugermann: Otto, if this young man lives long enough, he could be very useful to our propaganda department. The current people of our country are war weary, restive. They need to be provided with a hero of their own. Von Richthofen, Willi, have our class. As far as Stachel, he's as common as dirt. He's one of them. Understand?
- Willi von Klugermann: You appear to have caught my Uncle's interest.
- Bruno Stachel: Interests from high places is always welcome.
- Bruno Stachel: As long as you're here, perhaps I can get you that drink.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Yes, do.
- Bruno Stachel: I'm afraid I'm out of champagne.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Serve whatever you have.
- Bruno Stachel: Schnapps.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: [takes a drink] Mmm, horrible. But, quite stimulating.
- [puts out her glass for more]
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: So, that's you: Cobra.
- Bruno Stachel: Cobra?
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Yes. That's what Willi calls you.
- Bruno Stachel: He's been talking about me to you?
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: I asked. He says you'e quite, eh, deadly - in sort of a quiet way.
- Bruno Stachel: He's a romantic.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: And you're not?
- Bruno Stachel: No.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: [stops a romantic advance by Stachel] No. Tonight is a - family affair.
- [laughs]
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Are you shocked?
- Bruno Stachel: No.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: You see, my husband is a very civilized man. And we are great friends.
- Bruno Stachel: It must be nice to have an understanding friend.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Oh, yes, it is.
- Bruno Stachel: Willi, must be getting impatient. Shall I announce you?
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Please do.
- [Stachel pounds on the wall to the Countess' nephew, Willi's, adjoining room]
- Bruno Stachel: What are we celebrating?
- Willi von Klugermann: Your survival, of course, and your 10th victory. You're moving up fast, Stachel.
- Bruno Stachel: Too fast?
- Bruno Stachel: A Countess - there's a fascinating subject.
- Willi von Klugermann: I believe you have aspirations in that direction, Stachel. You should forget them.
- Bruno Stachel: I'll try. But, if the impossible happens, I'll buy you a bottle of champagne.
- Willi von Klugermann: Will you? Vintage 1903. You'll find it - hard to get.
- Bruno Stachel: 1903? I'll remember that.
- General Count von Klugermann: Tonight, my wife would like you to dine with her.
- Bruno Stachel: That's - very kind of her, Herr General.
- General Count von Klugermann: Not at all. She likes heroes. Eight o'clock.
- Female Dinner Guest: Herr Lieutenant... do you envy the birds? Is that what makes men want to fly?
- Bruno Stachel: Where is our General? Your husband?
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Oh, he doesn't worry about me.
- Bruno Stachel: He doesn't? Well, he should.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: By now he's with the Countess von Hurling. On my right at dinner. They play war games together.
- Bruno Stachel: These games go on until morning?
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: Sometimes. My husband finds them very absorbing.
- Bruno Stachel: It's a very heady responsibility, being a General.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: That depends on how good you are at tactics.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: I hope the owner of this place is as discrete as he looks, darling.
- Bruno Stachel: He should be. I paid him enough.
- Bruno Stachel: You know, he never did accept me as his equal - in or out of bed.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: You're deliciously crude, darling.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: That game, whatever it was, it was about me, wasn't it?
- Bruno Stachel: In a way, yes.
- Countess Kaeti von Klugermann: I find that exciting! Would you die for me?