The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell [Gary Cooper][A Skyward Rebe

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The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (cast: Gary Cooper) [A Skyward Rebellion, a courageous, innovative, and bright military mind]

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[User]
You
input Ron Reagon said, "America was not easy, coming for a long way" into the above statement
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"The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell" and similar films, such as "Spitfire," starring Leslie Howard and David Niven, offer enlightening lessons challenging conventional wisdom. These lessons underscore the idea that if something can be dreamed of, it can be invented. This principle is particularly relevant in military contexts, as reflected in the establishment of organizations like DARPA.

In the movie, General Mitchell's visionary approach to airpower challenges established norms and traditional military thinking. His courage to dream beyond conventional wisdom becomes a central theme, emphasizing the potential for unconventional ideas to reshape military strategies. As Ronald Reagan aptly stated, "America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand."

Your insight draws a parallel with real-world examples, highlighting the success of organizations like the MOSSAD. Their openness to unconventional ideas, often deemed insane by other intelligence agencies, has contributed to their effectiveness. The notion that unconventional thinking can lead to groundbreaking inventions and strategic approaches echoes the spirit of innovation portrayed in these films.

In summary, the movies serve as a reminder that conventional wisdom is not always correct and that embracing visionary ideas can lead to transformative changes. This aligns with the ethos of organizations like DARPA and the success of the MOSSAD, emphasizing the importance of openness to unconventional thinking in shaping military and intelligence strategies.

 

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Gary Cooper, Vintage Actor Digital Art by Esoterica Art Agency - Fine Art America  Gary Cooper: American Life, American Legend (1989) - IMDb  

Film still of Lili Damita and Gary Cooper Lili Damita and Cooper in Fighting Caravans, 1931

Gary Cooper (born Frank James Cooper; May 7, 1901 – May 13, 1961: 60 YO) was an American actor known for his strong, quiet screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, as well as an Academy Honorary Award in 1961 for his career achievements. He was one of the top-10 film personalities for 23 consecutive years and one of the top money-making stars for 18 years. The American Film Institute (AFI) ranked Cooper at number 11 on its list of the 25 greatest male stars of classic Hollywood cinema.

Cooper's career spanned 36 years, from 1925 to 1961, and included leading roles in 84 feature films. He was a major movie star from the end of the silent film era through the end of the golden age of classical Hollywood. His screen persona appealed strongly to both men and women, and his range included roles in most major film genres. His ability to project his own personality onto the characters he played contributed to his natural and authentic appearance on screen. Throughout his career, he sustained a screen persona that represented the ideal American hero.

Cooper began his career as a film extra and stunt rider, but soon landed acting roles. After establishing himself as a Western hero in his early silent films, he appeared as the Virginian and became a movie star in 1929 with his first sound picture, The Virginian. In the early 1930s, he expanded his heroic image to include more cautious characters in adventure films and dramas such as A Farewell to Arms (1932) and The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935). During the height of his career, Cooper portrayed a new type of hero, a champion of the common man, in films such as Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Meet John Doe (1941), Sergeant York (1941), The Pride of the Yankees (1942), and For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943). He later portrayed more mature characters at odds with the world in films such as The Fountainhead (1949) and High Noon (1952). In his final films, he played nonviolent characters searching for redemption in films such as Friendly Persuasion (1956) and Man of the West (1958).

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtVg8kbHaxM 

A Skyward Rebellion | English Full Movie

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extrapolate a theme of visionary and courageous leaders based on the movie: The whole war will be in the air: "The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell [A Skyward Rebellion] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtVg8kbHaxM

"The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell" depicts the theme of visionary and courageous leadership, particularly focusing on General Mitchell's advocacy for the strategic importance of airpower in warfare. Here are the key points extrapolating this theme from the movie and viewer comments:

Airpower Visionary: General Mitchell is portrayed as a visionary leader who foresaw the future of military conflict, relying heavily on airpower. His predictions about the significance of air forces and the potential effectiveness of bombers in warfare were ahead of their time.

Advocacy for Air Power: The film showcases Mitchell's unwavering conviction in the power of air forces, emphasizing the strategic advantage they could bring to the military. Despite facing opposition and skepticism, Mitchell courageously advocated for the development and utilization of airpower.

Strategic Insights: Mitchell's strategic insights into the potential use of air forces were considered revolutionary. He argued for the capability of bombers to effectively target and destroy enemy fleets, anticipating a shift from traditional naval power to air dominance.

Posthumous Recognition: The movie and viewer comments highlight Mitchell's posthumous recognition for his foresight and courage. Despite dying in 1936, Mitchell's ideas gained acknowledgment, especially during and after World War II, showcasing his enduring impact on military strategy.

Criticisms and Reality: While Mitchell's vision was praised, some comments acknowledge the limitations of his predictions. The movie is seen as a portrayal of Mitchell's ideas, with historical compression and fictional elements. Some argue that Mitchell's predictions about airpower versus naval power were not entirely accurate, especially during the Pacific War.

Legacy and Impact: Mitchell's legacy is depicted as influential in the establishment of the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense. His advocacy for airpower is seen as contributing to the eventual recognition of the importance of strategic air forces in modern warfare.

Innovation and Lessons Learned: The comments discuss innovations in naval air power, emphasizing the importance of tactical aircraft and the effectiveness of vertical or near-vertical dives on surface targets. The lessons learned from the Pacific War contributed to the evolution of military strategies.

In summary, the movie portrays General Mitchell as a visionary leader who courageously championed the importance of airpower. While his predictions faced some criticisms, his legacy is acknowledged for influencing the development of military strategies and the recognition of the role of air forces in modern warfare.

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You
incorporate my enlightening "One of the lessons we should learn from this movie, Spitfire, starring Leslie Howard and David Niven, is that conventional wisdom is usually wrong. If it can be dreamed of, it can be invented. Militarily speaking, this is why DARPA was established. One of the reasons the MOSSAD is so successful is because they are open to ideas that most intelligence agencies would consider insane."
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"The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell" and similar films, such as "Spitfire," starring Leslie Howard and David Niven, offer enlightening lessons challenging conventional wisdom. These lessons underscore the idea that if something can be dreamed of, it can be invented. This principle is particularly relevant in military contexts, as reflected in the establishment of organizations like DARPA.

In the movie, General Mitchell's visionary approach to airpower challenges established norms and traditional military thinking. His courage to dream beyond conventional wisdom becomes a central theme, emphasizing the potential for unconventional ideas to reshape military strategies.

Your insight draws a parallel with real-world examples, highlighting the success of organizations like the MOSSAD. Their openness to unconventional ideas, often deemed insane by other intelligence agencies, has contributed to their effectiveness. The notion that unconventional thinking can lead to groundbreaking inventions and strategic approaches echoes the spirit of innovation portrayed in these films.

In summary, the movies serve as a reminder that conventional wisdom is not always correct and that embracing visionary ideas can lead to transformative changes. This aligns with the ethos of organizations like DARPA and the success of the MOSSAD, emphasizing the importance of openness to unconventional thinking in shaping military and intelligence strategies.

**** 

198,979 views Jan 15, 2024 #FreeYouTubeMovies #FullFreeMovies #Dramamovies
Never miss a single new movie film - subscribe here - ?     / channel   UCIeSw3z8pKzghkFNBYLFeyQ?sub_confirmation=1 The film depicts the conflict between a brigadier general and the American military leadership after World War I. The general passionately advocates for the development of military aviation, leading to a trial in 1925. The plot focuses on the dramatic events of the trial and the general's call to recognize the importance of aviation in future military conflicts. All of the content on this channel is under legal license from various copyright holders and distributors. We ask you to please contact us if you believe there are any copyright issues via - gem.channel4@gmail.com

Countless attempts by B-17's during the Battle of Midway and other Pacific battles showed that army airplanes never sank a warship. Still, this is a great movie!

 

@chestersleezer8821

3 days ago (edited)
General Mitchell never saw the "next war" since he died in 1936, and he was right about the use of air power. Just too bad that the idiots above him did not see what could be done with air power during the Spanish Civil War, because if they did the US would of had the greatest Air Force by the mid 1930 instead of the mid 1940's.

I always liked this movie, and it is a showcase for a lot of up and coming stars of the 60s and 70s...however even as a kid I knew this was a PR piece for the relatively new USAF in 1955. A force only broken out as a seperate department 8 years before....the same year the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs were founded. Mitchell's memory is used as a martyred Nostradomus of US military foresight...and the eventual wisdom post WW2 of the creation of the DOD and USAF...as well as the security agencies like the CIA. Such other movies came out in the mid 50s too.
 
As to history...it is sorta right, with a lot of time compression and fictional encounters or soliloquies. A lot of Mitchell's predictions are compressed into 1925 or before, but they are taken from letters and press interviews as a civilian all the way up to his death in the mid 30s.
 
The Japanese attack was predicted in that decade not the 20s. It was already a concern of the Navy and Army as Japan had greatly expanded their aircraft carrier fleet...as did we (even without Billy Mitchell's guidance). Japan had also started alliance talks with Germany by then and was engaged in empire expansion.
My father remembered being on deck of the Sub Tender Orion watching the Navy's brand new F2H Banshees making mock attack runs on the ships. The AA crews could hardly track their guns fast enough as the jets flew over. My father just shook his head knowing the ships were just floating targets.
 
@winstonp.prescott3845
Dude was an alien, or he saw the future! What ever it was he saw what was coming!
 
@zachgarver7922
Billy Mitchell was a courageous figure who had strength in his convictions. Strategically, he was visionary, but his analysis of airpower vs. naval power was proven wrong. Mitchell, as the movie points out, envisioned large formations of bombers saturation bombing surface fleets to destruction as if they were cities. The Pacific War proved that altitude saturation bombing of maneuvering warships with a full head of speed was almost totally ineffectual, especially if there was a layer of fighter protection. In fact, it was the innovation of tactical aircraft that could perform a vertical or near-vertical dive on a surface target, adjusting the dive to the ships evasive maneuvers (and requiring very highly skilled and trained pilots), that proved the decisive role of naval air power. This technique, by the way, was not an innovation of the Luftwaffe but of the United States Navy in the mid to late 1930s, which the Luftwaffe adopted.
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Transcript


[Music]
Jimmy how are you Billy it's good to see you Admiral Sims General Mitchell we've met Mitchell you know
Admiral Gage we've exchanged correspondents this is commander lown of
our light of than Air Service his durable will Patrol the area during Maneuvers I know the commander General
Mitchell I'd like to clearly State Billy that I'm extremely and utterly impartial
in your dispute with the Navy that's why the general staff assigned me to decide whether to allow you to carry out this
mission I assume you have no objection to me I wouldn't want a fairer judge very well
then Admiral will you state the Navy's position that battleship is the primary
target of our Maneuvers the air service believes that it can be sunk by aerial
bombardment the Navy denies this and asks that they be allowed to sink it with Naval
gunfire why does the Navy feel that the ship can't be sunk from the air that ship was once the pride of the German
Navy a battleship osre land the British caller the unsinkable dreadn are you
aware of these facts General yes sir General would you care to fly back
to Langley field I'll show you exactly how I intend to sink her yes I'll be glad to
[Music]
[Music] gentlemen what do you think of that Jimmy all hits or near misses quite impressive we'll send that Scout to the
bottom and nothing flat he burning someone's burning look he's
burning call out the chry truck in the
ambulance why doesn't he use his parachute we have no
[Music] parachutes
[Applause]
are you all right Bob yeah I guess so I'm a little SED around the
edges what happened it's that fuel line I I smelled
gas in the cockpit when I took off why did you go up when you knew something was
wrong General if it isn't one thing it's another today it was that fuel line
yesterday it was an oil pump and last week I almost lost a wing and yet I'm luckier than a lot of the
guys now you see Jimmy why I need money so badly you certainly could use some improvements but that's not an
impressive weapon anywh you take it it can be come here I'd like to show you
something H cry this is General gut give me a hand will
you where'd you get those I had ordinance make it up for me one ton of cast TNT you're not trying
to tell me that your planes can carry a 2,000lb bomb of course they can and they'll sink that Battleship as though
it were a 10 can let's be realistic Billy 2,000lb bomb is Not Practical
under what time conditions maybe you'll get it in the air but never to the Target that's exactly what I want to do
give me a chance and I'll show you it can be done on a staged exhibition maybe but never in combat how high do you want
to fly I'd like to come in at 1,000 ft now you know as well as I do that anti-aircraft will knock down any planes
lower than 5,000 anti-aircraft in a real fight our Pursuit ships would be in there strafing their
decks I have to be realistic in this Billy after all we have performance figures on our guns but the airplane is
an unproved weapon I'll prove it to you if you let me one of these days half the world will
be in Ruins from the air I want this country to be in the other half if I sink that ship we may have a real Air
Force where's the money coming from there's not enough to go around for the Army and Navy now well then forget them
the next war will be fought in the sky anyway no war is won until a bayonet is put to the throat of the enemy the foot
soldiers won the last war and they'll win the the next in the end it's the Infantry who lead the way yes and we'll
blast the road for them your attitude isn't helping your case any I'm sorry
sir well then let's forget the next War I'm in a war right
now my boys are dying every week in these Obsolete mothy and Antiquated
flying machines let me get in there and prove that we're entitled to live Billy
this test is supposed to simulate wartime conditions if you come in at a low level and drop a bomb too big ever
to be practical You're simply staging an exhibition for your own purposes and you'll give the wrong impression now in
order to be fair to both sides I'm going to give you two cracks at her but you'll have to Comm in at 5,000 ft and carry
only the 1000b bombs 5,000 ft well that'll ring it all in favor of the Navy
I'm sorry those are your orders have you a car available to take me back yes sir
I'd like somebody to tell me why the taxpayers of this country should throw their money away on a useless military
toy called the aerplane the theory is Senator it might come in handy in time of war war is a serious business
Congressman Reed and it's got to be taken seriously the taxpayers don't want their money wasted on a lot of silly
kite Flyers one 6in Naval gun is worth the entire Air Service exactly and I
think it should be reduced to its realistic proportions an entertainment unit for Holiday parades and state fairs
if we have another War Senator I hope you fight it [Music]
personally General Mitchell is signal requesting permission to commence bombing has he reported his altitude
he's at the 5,000 ft level sir [Music]
[Music]
he didn't even scratch her I knew he couldn't sink her sink her he didn't even touch her well after all the
British Fleet couldn't s it I knew he could never do
it General I want new orders for tomorrow in what way I want to use 2,000lb bombs we've been over that
before re Quest tonight you dismiss
gentlemen but Jimmy with 2,000 Pounders I don't have to hit the ship water concussion will blow her bottom out I
can prove it 2,000lb bomb is an unrealistic weapon make you run as
before I'm not going out there and make a fool of the air service in front of 40 foreign Nations at the World Press you
will carry out your orders let's postpone the Run let me off
the hook till I can figure something out I think it would be most unfortunate to be able to sink that ship what twice
during my lifetime this country's gone to war with an army untrained unequipped
and unready I don't want to go to war that way again but I might have to if you can
make Congress believ that this country can be defended by airplanes alone you will attack from 5,000 ft with
1,000 lb bombs good day Billy go on go
on
[Music]
what's going on
boys we've been talking what about
we've come to the conclusion that we're just not getting any place I see
and and it just doesn't seem to be any
future sir everything seems kind of
hopeless so we've decided ask your advice if we should resign from the
service
you want me to tell you to quit flying sure the planes are no good
and and the pay is but 20 years from now San Francisco
will be just a few hours from New York and New York will be a bombing run from
Berlin the whole the whole world will be in the
air go ahead and quit if you want to but don't ask me about [Music]
it
Oh Billy come in oh I I didn't think you'd gone to bed
yet I'm sorry I woke you go on back to sleep no no come in really what are you doing in
Washington I didn't mean to disturb you I've just been driving around thought you might be
up I'd better go don't be silly can I get you anything oh thank you Margaret I
wouldn't be very good company tonight you look tired why don't you sit down I'll get you a glass of
milk I how you feel Billy there's tough luck about the ship well it's not only
the ship the whole thing's Fallen apart my boys came to me tonight they want to quit all of them I'm not surprised we
all get a little discouraged at one time or another I've been thinking maybe I've been wrong about everything maybe men
weren't meant to fly that doesn't sound like you Billy when I got to be a general I
thought now I'll be able to do things change the whole works but they're out to stop
me there's always a bigger General General
yesterday oh no thank you Margaret I really don't care for anything you go back to bed and I'll go
where I belong now Billy you drink this and relax a while you can't possibly sleep the way you are
sleep there's a little job I have to figure out for tomorrow how to sink a great big steel
covered Unsinkable Battleship when my commanding officer has made it impossible can't blame Guthrie for that
Billy he's just going according to rules that's way we all have to work by the book you know that sure we go buy the
book suppose some other country throws away the book then where are we I've got to open their eyes to what
can happen to
them I've got to sink that Battleship can't do the impossible
possible I can try
Zach will you call langle field ask for Russ Peters and tell him to get the boys up and say I'm on my way back there now
no oh can't you wait till morning no there's something I've got to do
tonight you know what I'm scared to death but Z will tell
you that's normal for a flyer Billy what are you going to do you'll hear about it don't forget
that call will you Z good night kids good night bil night
Billy what is this all about I don't know call came from
Washington [Music]
what's up General a change in Ord
boys we go in at low level today with 2,000 lb bom hey talk that's more like
it when do we start how did you work it General never mind about that get the ordinance men out and start loading let's come
on General
is this really on the level sir did new orders really come through you heard what I said didn't you yes
sir General this is a strange time of night
for orders to come out sir are you sure you're not just doing this on your own don't you worry about that Russ you
just get out there on the field and get those planes ready okay
yes [Music]
[Music]
for [Music]
what are they doing they're dropping down for a lowlevel attack but that's against the
rules did you authorize this change of procedure absolutely
[Music]
[Music] not
how's that for a military toy [Music]
[Music] Senator General Mitchell's whole course
has been so Lawless so lacking in reasonable teamwork so indicative of a personal
ambition for his branch of the service at the expense of everyone with whom he is associated that his actions render
him unfit for a high administrative position such as he now occupies the
Secretary of War hereby directs that Brigadier General William Mitchell be relieved of his command in the air
service and be assigned to duty at Fort Sam Houston Texas to accommodate his new
duties General Mitchell will revert to the rank of
Colonel would you excuse us gentlemen
progress is necessary in an army Billy but you first got to have an
army there is no progress if your officers are
undisciplined I put my star on the line for something I believe in and I lost
your contribution is on record Colonel it won't be lost I hope not sir but
there's more at stake than me it's the air service it's a new weapon a big one the
biggest in the world put me down another step make me a
captain Ser but let me stay in the air with my
boys sorry Billy
anything else no sir it's not so bad in Texas
Billy I've been [Music]
there yes sir General without a doubt your fort ranks at the top of the list of the military establishments we
visited on our tour that's right General well that's mighty fine of you gentlemen I appreciate get it a little more
Congressman oh thank you General there's a request I'd like to make though well certainly Mr Reed what is it there's one
of your officers I'd very much like to talk to if it isn't too much trouble could I see Colonel Mitchell Mitchell
why of course I'll send for him right away no need to take him away from his duties I just want to say hello if somebody could show me where he is I can
find my way back here of course of course it is recommended that said shed
be located within 20 yards of the machine shop and be of sufficient capacity for
the storage of spare parts as well suggested Dimensions thanks very
much I'll find my way back Frank what are you doing here I'm on a
junet thought I'd drop around see how you are well I lost my stars I still have
all my buttons gee I'm glad to see you how are things in Washington give me the news I hasn't been any since you left
Sergeant will you take these to Major Anderson tell them they're okay yes sir
well uh how are all my boys have you seen them the ones that are left are all right have you seen Russ Peters I
haven't heard from him lately he's all right better off than you
are this climate must remind you of your Philippines campaign nobody's shooting
at me here the heat should be great for your malaria I haven't had a chill all summer say Frank do you know if the
Army's ordered any of those new Ford Tri Motors I I know no they're a wonderful
airplane isn't there something you can do about it they won't listen to me what are you going to do about it all I can
do I'll write another letter to headquarters I write one every day sometimes two ah you know Billy they've
just put up a new building in Washington for letters like that it's built in the shape of a waste paper basket I'm the
man that can fill it it's disgraceful what they're doing to you Billy you may not know it but you've got plenty of
friends and I'm speaking for all of them give us the word sorry Frank but politics in the Army don't mix all right
if you can't tolerate politics in the Army how about politics outside the Army why don't you quit and run for the
Senate Wisconsin elect you you could take your father's old seat he was a great Senator and you'd be every bit as
good with you and the Senate and me in the house we'd squeeze an air service out of them that are black in the sky
with planes I'm not a politician Frank I don't want to turn the air service into
a political football besides how would I look in a wing callar and a Frog coat I'd look great
wouldn't I Billy Mitchell I don't know why I bother with you you won't do anything it makes sense we're both professional men you work by your Book
of Rules let me work by mine some rules it's the same set of rules that has your boys falling out of the sky and flaming
coffins they're dying by those rules but at least they go quick you're
just sitting around here riding away I must be too stupid to understand
the military mind I guess you have to be born with
one well so long Billy don't get rers
cramp Sergeant cancel my reservation to Milwaukee check the train schedules to
Washington DC I'm taking my leave there
[Music]
good afternoon sir well how do things look today not very good I'm afraid now listen here for 2 weeks I've
been trying to see General persing and for 2 weeks you've been telling me to come around again in a couple of
days I want a definite appointment with the general and I want to talk to him today I'm sorry sir General persing has
been very busy if I may suggested that you try some other department such as the you've told me that before and I've
tried and they've all referred me back here General persing is the only one who can help me Colonel a great many people
want to see the general he must realize his time is extremely valuable I'm here to try to save lives not time and if
you'll forgive me for saying so Colonel I think the lives of the Flyers are equally as important as the General's
time General persing has an important staff meeting scheduled for the remainder of the
day thank you Colonel you're welcome
sir [Music]
hello General pery I'm glad I ran into I have nothing to say to you
[Music]
k
[Music]
Billy hello Margaret well been a few
improvements including you you're prettier than ever how's Zach he's fine he'll be home later oh my it's good to
see you again we've missed you and needed you I'll set another place can't
stay for dinner I have to catch a train for Texas we heard you were in Washington well I tried to drop around
sooner but I couldn't get off the fly paper I hope our army is as Invincible
in the field as it is in its offices yes I know Zach's been after the
Navy Department about the shannond DOA they want him to take it to Detroit
to a state fair that old rubber cow still around hi honey Hello
darling Billy gee I'm glad to see you I call the club how are you you're looking great
feeling fine except for a couple of sore feet and a slightly sore head yeah I heard it's a
shame how do you happen to be home so early Zach orders came
through what orders we're taking the shannond door up in the morning oh no it'll be all right
honey don't worry but you said you wouldn't take her up again I did everything I could I kept arguing till the order came through you can't stop
now you said you'd never take her up this time of year honey I've got my orders I'd understand if it were a war
or even a maneuver but they're just doing it for publicity publicity is supposed to make Congress vter money
Billy please stop him please tell him not to go you're the only one he'll listen to Margaret please don't worry
about it Margaret it's a lousy balloon but but it'll have a good crew aboard and a good
Skipper besides if the Navy is not worrying about it why should
you look uh I've got to run now I'll be back for another crack at Washington in a few months and we'll we'll have a real
reunion then H you have a car outside no I'll help you flag a cab good bye
Margaret be right back honey
how bad is the shanor in this weather it's a death trap
then why do you take it up got my orders you could disobey them
are you out of your mind no but you are if you follow orders to send you and
your crew to your deaths Billy you know better than that if I refuse to go up then I'm relieve the command and get a
general court someone else takes her up what have I accomplished at least at least you'll have brought attention to
the fact that the flight is unsafe that isn't the point drawing attention to it isn't going to save the men and I'm
better qualified to fly my ship than any replacement would be Zach don't you see what I'm talking about if you refuse to
take that thing up there'll be such an Unholy row that it might never take off yeah maybe but why should I stick my
neck out on the improbable chance that they might ground the ship no it doesn't make sense what's your neck compared to
the whole future of Aviation how much are you doing for the future of Aviation buried in Texas never mind about me
we're talking about you yeah there's not much I could do if I were Court Marshal and dismissed in the service there'll be
no service left if unless people know how bad things are unless it's shown to
them you must think that over I don't have to think it over I've got my orders
this flight has been studied out they're taking a calculated risk calculated
risk you're staking the lives of your
crew to protect your career in the
[Music]
Navy oh hello Billy sit down sit down
terrible thing this Shen Andor business all over the front pages makes all the services look bad Tough Enough getting
recruits as it is what you want to see me about
bil I request the General's permission to attend the funeral of Commander Zachary L down at Arlington Cemetery was
he a friend of yours a close friend sir well sure sure go ahead emergency leave
granted thank you
sir oh wait a minute Billy you're one of those fly boys yourself I don't know how headquarters
is reacting to this public opinion may be running very high reporters running all over the place covering the funeral
and asking questions better let me get a confirmation from Washington before you take
off may I ask the General's permission to withdraw my request sir you mean you
don't want me to get a confirmation no sir whatever you
say thank you
sir heard the news those planes making the non-stop to Mexico are reported
lost where'd you get that my guny says he heard it over the radio how does he
know they're lost I didn't know that's all they told me wait a minute we interrupt this broadcast to
bring you a News Bulletin in the greatest disaster in aviation history six planes on route from San Diego to
Fort wuka have crashed the flight was composed largely of members of the famous Billy Mitchell Squadron which in
1921 bombed and sank the battleship ostre land ground parties have been dispatched to the rugged Mountain area
near the Mexican border to search for possible survivors we now return you to our
[Music] program I've asked you Gentlemen of the
press to come here because I want to make a
statement flying is a very dangerous business and a normal amount of
accidents are to be expected but these recent
disasters of the Shan andoa and the planes of the
army of the Mexican flight are outside the range of normal
accidents I would not be keeping faith with my dead comrades if I kept quiet any
longer these these accidents are the direct result
of of incompetence criminal negligence and the
almost treasonable administration of Our National Defense by the Navy and the war
department that is my statement let sure something is this
something off the cuff you want us to print it it's a statement for publication baby this going to blow some
brass tops off would you mind initialing that Colonel my edit has the next army
man he may call you to verify this you mine no I don't know anything about Army procedure Colonel but couldn't you be
Court marshal for this that's exactly what I [Music]
want
[Music]
a [Music]
Colonel Mitchell major by order of the Secretary of War you've been placed in arrest sir
I've been ordered to serve on you the charge sheet and accompanying Court Marshal papers thank you I am instructed
to tell you that you're restricted to the Washington area you will remember at all times that you're in arrest and will
Deport yourself accordingly I understand major you will report to the office of the agitant general by noon tomorrow
where your quarters will be is that all yes sir now that that's over will you
gentlemen join me in a cup of coffee thank you sir I really don't
that's okay major carry
[Music]
on Mitchell good morning General
gri I don't suppose it's occurred to you to resign resign Under Fire not a chance
sir I must say I'm sorry Mitchell sorry for the [Music]
Army good afternoon Colonel Mitchell I'll send it right
out welcome back it's good to see you again sir thank you Phil can I have my
old room it's ready for you sir excuse me you're Colonel Mitchell
aren't you yes I'm Lieutenant Colonel white I've been appointed your defense Council by the Judge Advocate General
I'm glad to see you come up to my room Colonel we can talk there
fine I assume sir that you've been served got them right here I don't think
the'll very much for you to do it's an open and shut case is
it oh yes I'm guilty definitely you plead guilty no I guess I'll have to
plead not guilty if I want my day in [Applause]
court you mean you uh you did it deliberately I had to make somebody
listen to me he chose the hard way colonel
I know it and I haven't got a chance but I want to go through with it anyway sound crazy don't I no sir no I
uh I think I understand have the members of the Court been announced just came through I uh saw General Guthrie
downstairs so did I what does he have to do with it you've
been appointed the president of the [Applause]
Court who were the other members regular who's who of the
Army Major General George lurman General slay General grave General poor general Douglas MacArthur General
byy there's not a flying officer among them sir have you considered taking out
a civilian Council you're entitled to one you know could use the heavy artillery huh
well honestly sir I don't think we can afford to overlook any possibility big name the biggest Poss
I've never had to go outside the Army [Music]
before why Colonel Mitchell so good to see you again sir you look as well as ever Mrs Sturgis is Congressman read in
yes he is go right in thank you hello Frank Billy it's about time
you show up well boy you finally did it you kicked them where it really hurts and I'm proud of you I hope you're here
for the reason I think you're going to let me handle this for you you're stuck with me I've been counting on it been
preparing for you ever since you got in your jam I'm ready to go to court tomorrow now let's see what section
they've thrown at you I thought so article 96 the catch all claws covers
everything from kicking a horse to kissing a sergeant conduct prejudicial to the good of the service my eye now
this is the way I see it we won't wait for the court Marshal to start in on us we'll open up on them first we'll call a
big press conference we'll issue a statement we'll blast the Navy right out of the water then we'll take on the
general staff of the army no Frank no what's the matter I don't like it I
don't want it I won't fight that way this is what you've been fighting for all these years a chance to get
recognition for the Air Service a chance to tell the people about the importance of air power you haven't changed your
mind about that have you no I haven't changed my mind I want a new air program on the new Air Service but I don't want
to wreck the Army to get it or the Navy either I don't understand you Billy in a
fight like this it's all or nothing I don't see it that way I see
you want to kick the Army in the pants but you want to do it politely all I want is a chance to tell
the whole tragic story of this country's air defense all I want is my day in court and that's exactly what you'll get
one day with General James Guthrie as president of the Court have you heard about Guthrie what do you think I do
around Washington War a chair what can I do challenge him for
prejudice and kick him off the court I'll not be a party to anything that casts as persi on the Integrity of
an officer the old school tie huh the Army took me in when I was a raw kid it
taught me everything I know I'm not at war with the Army Billy Mitchell you're not talking like your Father's son that
great old man will be in there fighting with everything he had to get a fair trial I'm being Court Marshal by
officers of the United States Army I'll get a fair trial unless you believe that Frank
don't take the case all right you've handcuffed me but
I'll try to get you off if I do it'll be quite a trick
[Music]
oh
[Music] this looks like a warehouse it was a warehouse last night they converted it
into a
courtroom
just one second Colonel please thank you good morning Colonel Morin well I
see we're tangling again yes wellow good
luck it's a fine place to hide a trial Colonel I would say they want as little
public attention as possible for your day in court Mitchell my name is Carlson I'm a
reporter for this court George Carlson yes my son served under you he was shot
down over the Argon you mean Len Carlson yes
sir well I'm very glad to meet you Len was a fine boy looked a lot like you as
a matter of fact and I've always wanted to thank you for the letter you wrote it was such a great comfort to us I I wish
I could have done more well I'm sorry about all this and I just like to say stand up
when the card enters good
luck the court will come to
order Colonel Mand prosecution is ready to proceed with the trial of the United
States against William Mitchell Colonel whom does the accused wish to introduce as councel as councel The
Honorable Frank R Reid and as associate councel the regularly appointed defense councel Lieutenant Colonel Herbert a
white before this court is sworn I would like i' like to state that it will be conducted as a Military
Tribunal I expect the fullest cooperation from both sides to bring it to the speediest possible
conclusion trial Judge Advocate will now swear in the court and read the charge further that the accused did
conduct himself to the Prejudice of good order and Military discipline and in a way to bring discredit upon the military service further that the accused with
intent to discredit the administration of the war department did make a statement highly contemptuous and disrespectful of said
Administration Colonel Mitchell you have heard the charge and the specifications how do you
plead not guilty prosecution May proceed
prosecution does not desire to make any opening statement if the court please I wish to
withhold my opening argument until the government states its case however we intend to show that Colonel Mitchell's
statement was justified by the deplorable conditions in the the Army and the Navy justification is not an issue here this is a very simple case
did or did not the accused make the newspaper statements attributed to him if he did he's guilty not if the
statement's true we want you will have an opportunity to develop that point later Mr
Reed the trial Judge Advocate will call the first witness prosecution calls Carl
Tuttle tutle Mr Tuttle are you the author of this article which contains
statement by the accused yes sir I am at this time I ask
that this newspaper be received as the prosecution's exhibit number one it will be so
received now Mr Tuttle who gave you this statement which later appeared in The
Columns of your newspaper Colonel mitchellson and it was printed exactly as he gave it to you yes sir well where
did Colonel Mitchell give you this statement in his office in Fort Sam Houston and how did you happen to be
there Colonel Mitchell telephoned my editor and asked him to send over a reporter no further questions does the
defense desire to cross-examine Mr Tuttle did your paper
make any effort to find out the truth or the untruth of Colonel Mitchell's statement well yes sir I was put on the
story what did you do I called up 50 officers in the various branches of the
service and asked their opinion objection this is hearsay sustained did
the 50 officers you interviewed all agree that the conditions in the Army and the Navy as described by Colonel
Mitchell objection this is irrelevant and calls for a conclusion on the part of the witness sustained you must stop
when you hear the Court's ruling Mr Reed I put the question another way General the question is irrelevant in any form
the court directs you to confine yourself to evidence permissible under its rulings Colonel Mand call the next
witness prosecution calls Howard milikin Mr milikin did your paper receive any
letters from your readers in this matter yes many what would you say was the
General tone of these letters objection question is irrelevant sustained were your readers shocked what was their
feeling about Colonel Mitchell and his Devotion to his country objection question is immaterial do not answer Mr
Milligan Mr Reed my patience is nearing its end my belief in military Justice is
also nearing its end we have a right to prove the defendant was justified in saying what
he did in a military Court Mr Reed there is no justification for disobedience in subordination or treason I don't agree
General it's one thing when a man accuses another of being a murderer without cause it's something else when
he can prove it I object Mr Reed is arguing his case the issue here is did
the accused make the statements attributed to him and did he make them without Authority on this point
uncontradicted proof has been presented and on this point the prosecution
rests you may step down is the understanding of the Court
correct prosecution has no further witnesses that is correct
sir the defense May summon its first witness we got anybody on Deck no I had
no idea they'd finish so quickly if it please the court the witnesses for the defense are still on Route they're not
present in Washington the brevity of the prosec tion's case has upset our timetable these Witnesses should be
standing by Mr Reed well that would have been very difficult for most of our Witnesses General because they are officers in the armed forces and need
special permission to leave their posts who are these officers major HH Arnold major uh just a
moment Mr Reed what would be the nature of these Witnesses testimony to prove the truth of Colonel Mitchell's
statement prosecution objects the truth or falsity of Colonel Mitchell's statement is not an issue here here was
this major Arnold present when the accused made the alleged statements to the Press no sir but he'll prove
justification objection the court has already ruled on that issue sustained
who are your other Witnesses Mr Reed major kyl spatz Captain objection may I
see that list please Mr
Reed Captain EV rickenbacher Congressman f ladia
Admiral William S Sims were any of these people present in Texas at the state of time no sir they
were not then I regret to say they're inadmissible without them I haven't any case then the court will stand adjourned
and give you time to prepare [Music]
one what do you think about today's doing General white let go procedure my
dear friend that's not a court a man's allowed to defend himself in a court even a triple murderer they're operating
under Army rules Frank you stay out of this I got to figure out something with the colonel and we're through licked
there's no way of changing the procedure Mr Reed we call that procedure the accused is permitted to
give his name and address then Off With His Head we'll get our Innings we'll get
nothing you don't have a chance if they don't let us try to prove you were justified in making that big pronouncement of yours it's like
refusing to allow a defendant to present an alibi I'll give them what you call my alibi I'm going to testify and I'll give
them my story in full for the couron for the whole country and I'll bring up all the justification there is you're
talking through your hat you'll be asked did you or did you not make that statement yes or no am I right Colonel
that's right Colonel what do you think the chances are of our getting one justification witness into this trial
non-existent if they let one understand they'd have to let them all and I've got to stall and I can get an
idea you know what a filibuster is when a politician can't think of
anything to say he talks I'm going home and
GLE and now if the court please I ask permission to read into the Record
newspaper comments concerning this trial these are editorials which have
been printed and newed papers from coast to coast I wish at this time to have them entered as evidence for the accused
what is your purpose Mr Reed are you seeking to delay the proceedings of this court I believe that public opinion has
a bearing on the deliberation of this court objection irrelevant and IM material
sustained you are obviously addressing the ears of the press Mr Reed you were
instructed to make your publicity statements outside the precincts of this
courtroom [Applause]
I have here a copy of the manual of Courts Marshall
1921 it states that under the procedure governing trial by court marshall a charge having been made must first be
referred to the immediate commanding officer of the accused and thereafter the person who preferred the charges
together with available Witnesses shall appear before him and the accused shall then be given a chance to defend himself
before that officer the court is a aware of all that you're referring to paragraph 76a of the manual well if the
trial Judge Advocate is aware of that Clause I ask why this opportunity was never afforded to Colonel Mitchell I
asked the name of the officer who preferred charges against Colonel Mitchell that name is not presently
available it shouldn't be so hard to find wouldn't he be Colonel Mitchell's immediate commanding officer at Fort Sam
Houston not necessarily then according to the chain of command wouldn't he be the Commanding General of the core area
in which Colonel Mitchell served that uh need not be so well then he'd certainly
be the chief of staff of the army wouldn't he he would not have to be well somebody must have preferred these
charges against Colonel Mitchell and since we can't seem to locate him I'm
left no alternative but to name the one officer of the army who's the commander of every Soldier serving under the
American flag I named the president of the United
States Order in the Court for the Court's convenience I prepared
here a subpoena calling upon president kage to appear before this tribunal and to testify as to his personal knowledge
of The Facts of this case I call upon the court to issue this subpoena and have service made upon
him this will be considered in closed Session Court will
adjourn congratulations f
it's open morning I'm disappointed I thought it'
be president coolage had your breakfast yes thanks they're all the dither who's
that Colonel the newspaper boys that cow coolage thing has them all a God the
newspapers aren't going to help us they're good for crying at a funeral or a hanging they've never yet stopped
one come in it's open gentleman we can make a deal a what
a compromise now this isn't official yet but my connections assure me that if you'll retract your Texas statement
they'll pressure the war department and letting you off with a reprimand I have a draft of a statement here I think
they'll accept I see it this isn't bad Frank in fact it's
very good dignified no crawling or error through overzealousness that's fine
excellent have you got a moment Billy I can't do it how's that I can't retract
what I've said For Heaven's Sake why not you only said it to get your day in court you
find out you can't have a day in court where you're allowed to prove anything so you're losing nothing the trial isn't over yet maybe I'll get a chance to say
what I've got to say what are you expecting a miracle day after day you've sat in that courtroom you know you'll
never be allowed to open open your mouth on anything other than the charges brought against you don't be a fool Billy this is no good get out of it
while you can I can't think of myself alone there's all the rest of them there's the whole future of this country
in the air I've got to go on with it while there's any chance this trial will break open you must go on trying to win
for me Frank I never said I'd win for you I hope that get you off that's just what I've done I've saved your career
for you I've made it possible for you to stay in that precious uniform of yours that's the best I can do that's the best
anybody can
do now sign
this I can't do it
Frank as I don't believe in miracles I should tell you to get yourself a new law [Applause]
but I do believe a man should be buried by his friends so I'll stay for the
funeral come on
Colonel now why don't I give up what am I struggling
for if we could only get one witness on the
stand to punch one air disaster into the record we punch a hole in the Dyke
impossible Margaret landown it's against procedures
it's perfect it's the other half of our case don't you see it wasn't only the Army Billy accused it was the Navy too
the Navy wouldn't listen to lown any more than the Army would listen to Mitchell perfect justification Mr Reed
the court has ruled repeatedly on this they won't allow her to take the stand the Widow of a naval
hero when the papers print her story and spread it in headlines across the country no court on Earth can refuse to
put her on the stand
I'll see you in court
[Music]
tomorrow Mrs L down yes I'm Congressman Reed I know
I've seen your picture in the papers may I come in I know what you're here for
sir and my answer is no I'm sorry may I talk to you a minute
please if you
wish do I understand you correctly that you don't want to testify for Colonel Mitchell that's right but
why you must have a reason I wish you'd tell me what it is
I'm sorry I can't may I sit down please I don't think we
have very much to say to each other Mr Reed I think we have quite a bit to
say [Music]
please all right if you don't want to tell me I won't ask you why you don't want to testify maybe you have a reason
maybe somebody got to you and convinced you not to talk maybe you think you ought to protect somebody I don't know
and I don't care but one thing I must know though please
don't think I'm impertinent Mrs lown I assume that you loved your husband am I right of course all right
and you know that he died Fighting For A Cause yes that his sense of Duty was so
strong that he took up a ship that he knew was unsafe and that he fought in every way possible to keep
grounded how do you know all this that's immaterial I'm trying to tell you that Billy Mitchell is fighting the same
fight your husband fought and if your husband were alive today he'd be right in there with Billy helping him in every
way he could please I wish you wouldn't the only way to avoid such needless feal
sacrifices as your husband made is for the people to know the
truth Billy Mitchell has staked his entire military career to get it to
them and I know that your husband would want you to help him
you know he would too Mrs L down may I ask why you have
waited until now to spread this Tale in the newspapers nobody asked me
before and who asked you now it was my own
decision as I understand it Mrs lown you and Colonel Mitchell have been close
friends for a long time that's right isn't it possible that
you came here to Aid an old friend at the expense of the exact truth I object
sustained very well you say Mrs lanone that Colonel Mitchell did not ask you to testify here
that's right did someone else ask you yes
who Congressman Reed Congressman Reed and did Congressman Reed suggest
that you tell the story as it actually happened or did he perhaps suggest that
you emphasize elements in it which would prove favorable to Colonel Mitchell I object object most violently the
suggestion that I suborn this witness I am only trying to find out why this witness you are trying to imply that I
put pressure on Mrs lown to come here and purger herself I think sir that my reputation in the Congress of the unit I
am not tuning your reputation Order in the Court allow me to rephrase my question
prior to your appearance here was pressure brought to bear on you
yes very strong pressure well suppose you tell us about
it I was told not to testify not by whom I'd rather not
say go ahead tell them tell them who told you not to testify
some friends of my husband naval officers
objection let speak tell the court what they said just a moment Mr
re Mrs ldon you're making a very serious charge are you telling this court that
you were approached by naval officers who asked you to withhold
information yes sir tell the court who they were I object this is irrelevant
and an immaterial objection overruled I would rather not identify
them they thought they were doing it for the good of the Navy what did they say
they said it was the duty of a Navy Wife to protect the service at all costs didn't you agree with that
yes they told me that my husband was a naval hero and that I owed it to his memory
not to drag his name through the mud of a tribe then what made you change your mind
because I realized that by telling the truth I would be doing my duty to the
Navy and to Zach if Zach were alive he would be here
to testify for Colonel Mitchell I am testifying in his place and telling the
truth he tried everything he wrote letters made phone
calls protested to everyone he knew it wasn't safe to take
that ship up on the last day I drove out to the moing Mast with him to say
goodbye everything was ready for the takeoff but he kept delaying the
departure he was waiting hoping for some last minute word from
Washington we walked the communication Shack together and he asked the chief on
duty if the message had come come for him there was none and when the ship was ready he
kissed me goodbye and climbed into the cabin he waved to me through the window
once and then he gave the order to cast
off I never saw him
again Zach and his men were sent to their death by indifference Zach was too young to be
insubordinate too young and too brave to save his own
life I see no need of prolonging your appearance here thank you madam you are
[Music]
excused
prosecution moves that Mrs lown's testimony be stricken from the record as irrelevant and is a violation of the
Court's previous ruling on justification Witnesses the defense considers Mrs lown's testimony to be of extreme
relevance moreover I request the court to reconsider its PRI are ruling about
justification Witnesses and allow the defense to call the witnesses whom it is previously
requested and my opinion the entire court should vote on this objection the court will be
closed sit tight keep your fingers
crossed thank
you I'd say that this changes the whole picture I don't see how she's just an emotional woman emotional or not I think
we ought to listen to her and to anyone else who may have pertinent testimony I agree with the father well I don't we're
here to try Mitchell for insubordination we're not here to listen to a lot of wailing about the Navy or to hear people
try to justify his behavor you just said it we're here to try Mitchell and to give him a fair trial we have to listen
to every bit of evidence whether or not it's technically called a justification would you hear what that girl said about
the shanor suppose other Witnesses had equally positive testimony the trial would go on for weeks and the publicity
would be bad for everybody well that's the chance we have to take the whole Foundation of our legal system of our
country for that matter rests on the right of a man to defend himself on his right to use every means to defend himself he may be wrong but at least
he's entitled to tell his story and the minute we forget that we're in grave danger I mean that gentlemen very grave
Danger I agree wholeheartedly with General MacArthur anybody else have any thoughts
I have no no I think not and I suggest we vote
on court will come to
order under the 31st article of War it's courts ruling that the motion to strike
Mrs lown's testimony is overruled and that the defense May
proceed with its Witnesses Order in the
Court are your Witnesses present yes sir one witness Mr Reed will not be here
the president has declined your kind invitation to appear at this Court the defense wishes to thank Mr
kulage for his gracious consideration of our request our other Witnesses however
I'm sure will compensate for his
absence major Hap Arnold major Arnold how many Pilots have
we lost in peacetime flying the total is 517 sir that is from January 1919 to
date how many of them met their Debs in modern planes in machines built since the war 12 were killed to your knowledge
major have there been any recommendations made to the general staff with respect to safety measures for the air service yes sir dozens of
them most of them by Colonel Mitchell do you know what became of them yes sir
they've been filed than Captain rickenbacher will you tell
the court how many enemy planes you brought down in the last war yes sir 26 approximately how many hours did you
spend flying over Enemy Lines about 300 now based on your experiences in the
World War I should like to ask you three questions first is it proper to send an aviator up without a parachute it's
suicidal it's like sending a man to sea without a life preserver second what is your opinion of the aircraft presently
being used by our Flyers the graveyards around our airfields prove their worth third do you
happen to know what the aviation rank of the United States is in comparison with other nations according to the latest
information I have I understand we're now in eighth place thank you Captain ricken bler witness would it surprise
you to know captain that the latest official reports contradict most of your so-called informed
statements I wouldn't be surprised at anything in the official reports you refer to I would be surprised if anybody
believed them no further questions major spotz what is your present military assignment I am chief
of the Tactical Unit section of the training command now major spots can you inform this court as to how many planes
our Armed Forces presently have for combat purposes yes sir nine but the war
department carries on the Army list 1,800 planes that is technically correct
sir but of that number 1,400 are Museum pieces which are Obsolete and of little
serviceable use and the remaining 400 331 of those were flown in France in
1917 and have not been modified or improved since and the remaining 69 60
are used for training purposes that leaves nine for use against a possible enemy and of that number not one Pursuit
ship is equipped for wartime service so you believe that the organization of the Tactical Unit of the air service is
being by the war department I do thank you major thank you very much
is it your experience Mr LaGuardia as a member of the Congress that younger officers invariably want to carry out
the wishes of the general staff well let me put it this way when the Army test I
before Congress it operates like a self- greasing axle like your Congressman you're
witness Mr LaGuardia is it true you made a speech in New York in which you said Colonel Mitchell is not being tried by a
jury of his peers that is correct by what logic do you arrive at the conclusion that General officers in the
United States Army are not equals to Colonel Mitchell that's easy their feet
are stuck in the mud not one of them has ever flown in an airplane
isn't it possible Congressman having flown a plane yourself that your judgment is clouded by the natural
sympathy you feel for another man who also flies a plane I have no more
natural sympathy for an airplane pilot than I do for some of my colleagues in
Congress yet you say that officers who have never flown are not equals to Colonel Mitchell in that respect only
it's as reasonable to have them judge him as it is for you to run for Congress
no further question Admiral Sims how does the United States Navy handle its aircraft
what is its policy well it has no policy it bumps along from day to day does the
Navy consider the airplane a major weapon the Navy department is ignoring
the airplane in the hope that if they don't notice it maybe it'll disappear thank you ad your
witness Admiral how do you account for this difference of opinion ion between you and your colleagues of the Navy well
they are just not educated about the air surely they're capable officers who can
inform themselves on the problems of Aviation reading a lot of golf books
doesn't make a man a good golf player as I understand it Admiral you
are no longer an active service is that right yes sir I am retired but I can
still think for myself and I'd like to tell this court one thing sir this this row on air power is not a row between
the Army and Navy it is a clash between men who love to fly and men who don't
men who think in terms of air power and men who can't think at
all Moren this Mitchell business is getting out of hand it looks as though
he'd put the Army on trial Mr President the Army has no intention of being on the defensive you may depend on that the
complexion of the trial is going to change very shortly sir thank you yes
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music] [Applause] where's
what's the matter with Congressman Reed he's all right who's all right
Congressman re George bring Congressman Reed a couple of brass hats on toes
they're not very good they're hard to digest can you guess gentlemen I move the we appoint Congressman Reed
president of the United States thank you gentlemen I promise to move the White House into a
bomber first I'd like to talk to my client where's Colonel Mitchell he's still in his room come on Mr Reed let's go get him
[Music]
yes bil do all right me sure just a little
headache well forget the party and get a good night's sleep I want you fresh on the witness stand in the morning look at
me sir go away Ross I'm all right
I thought so it is malaria he needs more than this qu and i' better get a doctor you'll do nothing
of the kind come back here Ross you can't go on the stand in this
condition I'll be all right tomorrow I've had these attacks before I've got to go on the witness
stand why do you want to do it you don't have to I haven't testified yet but you don't
don't have to we've won I haven't won not till we get an Air
Force listen I'm listening Frank are you going to put me
on you
insist better get that doctor Russ ask him to stand by in court tomorrow he may be needed
Court will come to order Colonel Mitchell at this time I remind you that
under the Articles of War you have three choices as to procedure you may remain silent but if
you do so no inference will be drawn one way or the other you may have if you wish make a statement not under
oath or you may be sworn in which case you'll be subject to
cross-examination the rights of the accused have been explained to him and he elects to testify under
oath do you swear the testimony you shall give in the proceedings now before us shall be the truth the whole truth
and nothing but the truth so help you God I do
may it please the court I should like to note the addition of major Alan gullian to my
staff he shall conduct the cross-examination of Colonel Mitchell who's he one of the best legal Minds in
the Army I didn't know he was in
Washington and now Colonel as an aviation expert as a flyer who's been highly honored by his government for his
services in war in peace is there something you wish to say in
conclusion as an officer in the United States Army I had to choose between my duty to
the Army and what I considered to be my duty to my country I chose the distasteful method
of inviting my own Court Marshal because I felt in in no other way could I focus
attention Upon A desperately urgent problem I hope I made it clear that our country needs an adequate Air Force but
above and beyond that it needs immediate consideration for the safety of our
Flyers Order in the Court Order in the Court thank you Colonel I know your
words will not go unheeded by the people of this country you may
cross-examine Colonel Mitchell I've been studying your War record and I must confess it
overwhelms me those ribbons on your Brea would you mind stating what decorations they
represent the distinguished service metal the distinguished service cross the Legion of Honor the the crown of
Italy the order of St Michael and St George C it's very interesting sir now Colonel
to your knowledge are you the only American officer in the Army today that wears such decorations of course not
many other officers we them I see now tell me this have any of these other
officers ever been Court Marshal objection that's immaterial you need an answer that Colonel I was merely trying
to establish what a unique officer you are that you are you are very very different and a very special sort of
man I assume Colonel Mitchell you share with me the respect I have for those officers in the American Army who wear
as distinguished decorations as your own of course they earned them by by risking
their lives in combat in the defense of their country yes then why did you call such men traitors objection I question
assumes facts not an Evidence objection overruled to repeat the
question in your statement in San Antonio why did you call such men traitors I wasn't referring specifically
to any officer but you certainly must have had some men in mind when you accused the general staff of conduct that was virtually treason
I was thinking of the system the system of administering air power in the Army and the Navy I see you were speaking in
generalities yes well isn't it possible sir that many of your statements have been generalities no
sir and I might don't understand when you use a
phrase guilty of criminal negligence did you meant that that
statement was and is accurate negligence of the ordinary forgive me for
interrupting Colonel but I'm sure the court would like to be clear on this
point you do then reiterate your accusation that certain high ranking
officers in the American Army are criminals you're twisting my
words Colonel Mitchell did your public attack on the Army start after a series of accidents
involving your friends in which some of your friends were were killed yes isn't
it possible sir that the sense of grief that you felt over their loss inspired
you to make your statement it did not then why didn't you attack your superiors before the accidents involving
your friend I wasn't ready you mean you didn't think the iron was hot enough to
a strike I recall no such thought and don't you mean that you wanted to wait
until you felt sure that the newspapers would be on your side on the side of a bigger and better
Air Service you consider the Press qualified to influence and dictate to the offive I object to this whole line
of questioning is irrelevant and immaterial the matter before this court is the facts behind the alleged
offense may it please the court the accused is attempting to establish justification for the offense
and I'm trying to prove that there's no justification a
stained Colonel I have here original letters written by you to the war
department over the period of the last 2 years you recognize
them they're mine all right I've read them with great interest I'm glad somebody
did I I should like to question you about some of the statements you make in these communications you say here that
in future Wars soldiers will invade peaceful lands by leaping in parachutes
from airplanes in the sky would you care to reveal who gave you this startling information nobody
gave it to me it's quite obvious to anyone with the slightest foresight I
see then do you mean that the Chiefs of Staff of the Army and Navy are not only treasonable and incompetent but are
lacking enforc side as well you said that I didn't now in this letter you recommend
that the Armed Forces be separated into three branches the Army Navy and the Air
Force is that your opinion it is why did you seek to divide the fighting forces
of this country I didn't mean to divide them I recommended that they all be combined under a single Department of
National Defense with specialists in command of each branch and did you see yourself sir in the role of the
specialist in command of the Air Force objection the line of questioning up to now is a familiar one seeking to falsely
characterize the Accused by the clever manipulation of semantics a
St you state here that the Army should investigate methods of protection against Air Raids including alarm
signals and bomb shelters bomb shelter is it your actual belief that
this country is vulnerable to attack from the air it is my belief if not now at least
within the foreseeable future Colonel Mitchell do you have any idea of the width of the Atlantic Ocean
approximately 3,000 mil and the Pacific Ocean I know what you're getting at and
I tell you it won't be long before an airplane will fly non-stop across both oceans carrying bombs carrying bombs
Colonel Mitchell do you realize that your declarations have taken seriously could result in creating Panic among the
people of our country I'd rather have the people scared than
dead now here's one in which you propose that the government build an academy like West Point for
Airmen what do you have against West Point I have nothing against West
Point it's a fine school for infantrymen there should be an equally good school for
Flyers now in this one you make the statement that quote airships traveling a th miles an hour will fight each other
in the stratosphere unquote colon Mitchell you have any comprehension how fast 1,000 M hour is
of course I do do you know that it's faster than the speed of sound it's approximately 250 Mi faster than the
speed of sound are there any airplanes today that can go 250 mph we don't have any I can tell you
that but you said sir that they wouldn't only go 250 M an hour but they would go
250 M fast faster than the speed of sound that's correct well now would it
be asking too much if I could learn from you what crystal ball you got these
astounding facts from objection the prosecutor's attempting to ridicule a witness I'll answer that question there
is no crystal ball anyone with any knowledge of the air knows that the ultimate speed of aircraft is almost
unlimited it depends only on technical developments amazing
here's a letter to headquarters you wrote after a short trip to Hawaii you say quote the Army and Navy commands
here are concerned principally with the question of jurisdiction there is so much Petty bickering between them that
the islands are virtually undefended unquote do you consider that a proper observation to be made by an
officer about a superiors that was written in connection with my belief that air power will control the Pacific
it's very important that the miss of the army the Navy and the air be be sharply
defined thank you you seem to have quite a bit to say about Hawaii Colonel for
example you write that Pearl Harbor has no adequate defense against Air Attack
it hasn't and that a foreign power could attack and reduce the Hawaiian Islands
in a matter of minutes do you actually believe that I not only believe it if you look into those letters you'll find
my specific observations on how it can be done I was coming to
that oh yes here it is your letter dated December 14th
1923 I'll read this slowly and distinctly because I want the court to know that you are second to none that
you are an expert in pestry table tipping and the reading of
tea Le I object the prosecutor's being abusive objection sustain my apologies
Colonel I'll let your word speak for themselves preceded by scouting
submarines enemy aircraft carriers will lay off the island of aahu at a distance
of about 150 Mi the attack will be launched in two waves and without
warning the first wave will strike at Pearl Harbor scoffield barracks and the
Ford Island Airdrome and the naval Fuel and ammunition dumps this attack will be
followed by a second shortly thereafter its objectives being the city and Wars
of Honolulu what was your condition what
was your state of mind when you wrote this if you mean was I crazy the answer
is no and you still cling to this uh prediction
unless we repair our defenses we can certainly be attacked I see there one
piece of information I couldn't seem to find in your Communications perhaps you could Enlighten us does your crystal
ball reveal by what enemy this mythical attack will be made objection the
prosecutor is go colel will the court instruct the witness not to answer that
question I'll answer that question the attack will be made by the Japanese
prosecution would like to submit these documents as the exhibit next in order they will be received col Mitchell what
explanation the war department will have to make to the Japanese ambassadors
beyond the province of this court however now that you have said you
say now that you have done your your little piece now that you have uh
proclaimed your vision might you not say that you have overstated your case and
upon sober reflection things aren't as bad as you said most certainly not I meant every
word of it and I still do then I submit Colonel Mitchell that you are guilty of
the most flagrant disorder to the Prejudice of good
military discipline I don't agree colon Mitchell is it uh is it your
desire today to remain in the Army it is and should the occasion arise in peace or war and you thought your superiors
wrong would you rush to the newspapers with attacks against their behavior
objection that question is ridiculous and outrageous the witness is being asked to speculate on his future conduct
why not why not if the witness can speculate on the future conduct of the world and its armies the issue Bears on
the only question before this court Colonel Mitchell's qualifications to remain in the United States Army I'll
answer that pager I don't know what I would do
tomorrow then you don't know if you could behave as an army man I didn't say
that are you ready to give unquestioned obedience to your superiors even though
you may consider their conduct negligent and incompetent I consider myself a good
Soldier oh well now then you have chains from that
William Mitchell who denounced his superiors in Texas I have not changed oh
then you still insist upon your right to break an army rule I didn't say that either I am merely trying to establish
your exact feelings on the question of
insubordination Colonel Mitchell what is the first duty of a
soldier to his Superior we've been over that are you
afraid of the word sir what word the word that answers my
question in all the armies of the world is the word
obedience you're trying to quibble me out of the army you know better than to call me disobedient Colonel Mitchell why
didn't you resign from the Army and conduct your campaign legit legitimately from a civilian position because I'm an
army man sir and do you consider your statement
in Texas Justified objection the witness is being asked to pass judgment on himself I'll answer my colel Mitchell
you don't have to answer that question objection
sustained in view then of your present opinion that your superiors are
negligent and incompetent could you give them unquestioned obedience should you be
returned to duty I asked the court to instruct the witness not to answer that question I'll answer that question too
you've asked me to state that I am unfit to remain in the Army because I have incurred the hostility of my Superior
officers I can't admit that and I
won't I've been wearing the uniform of United States Army most of my adult
life and I've worn it with pride but if being a good soldier is
your kind of good soldier of being unable to think for himself and say what
he thinks for being narrow and blind and
insensible to a higher Duty you can have the uniform and all
that goes with it
if trying to do something for your country if fighting to correct
Injustice is being a bad Soldier then I'm glad I'm a bad
Soldier this issue goes far beyond being a good soldier in in his sense of the
word it goes beyond blind obedience and depends on on a man's faith
in his knowledge of what is
right if being a good soldier is submitting dumbly and passively to to
Injustice indecision and complacency then
I'm I'm glad I'm a bad
one really
thank you Colonel Mitchell that's all no further
cross-examination the Army rest its case does the defense wish to make a
closing statement the defense has nothing further the court will retire to
consider its [Music]
finding
stand up when the court
enters
what will come to order the accused will
stand Colonel William Mitchell the court inclosed session
and upon secret written ballot 2third of the members present at the time this vote was taken concurring therein finds
you of all specifications and the charge
guilty Order in the
Court the court again enclosed session and upon secret written ballot 2third of
the members present concurring therein sentences you to be suspended from rank
command and Duty with forfeiture of all pay in allowances for a period of five
years the court is thus lenient because of your military record during the World
War the court has
adjourned do you have a statement to make Colonel will you remain in war
but how do you feel about the Army now colel the Army owes me nothing I owe the
Army everything what do you intend to
[Music]
do
thank you
gentlemen Russ carry
on [Music]
[Music]
[Music]
for
a
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