Lance Corporals Blake and Schofield, sir.

Which one of you is Blake?

Blake

Sir.

You have a brother, a lieutenant in the Second Devons?

Blake

Yes, sir. Joseph Blake; is he--?

Alive. As far as I know. And with your help, I'd like to keep it that way. Sanders tells me you're good with maps. That true?

Blake

Good enough, sir.

So... [indicates the British position on map] We are here. The Second Devons are advancing here. [indicates an 'X' on map] How long will it take you to get there?

Blake

I don't understand, sir.

Schofield

Sir, that land is held by the Germans.

Germans have gone. Don't get your hopes up. It appears to be a strategic withdrawal. They seem to have created a new line, nine miles back here by the look of it. Colonel Mackenzie is in command of the Second. He sent word yesterday morning he was going after the retreating Germans. He is convinced he has them on the run, that if he can break their lines now, he will turn the tide. He is wrong. Colonel Mackenzie has not seen these aerials of the enemy's new line. Come around here, gentlemen.

Three miles deep, field fortifications, defenses, artillery the like of which we've never seen before. The Second are due to attack the line shortly after dawn tomorrow. They have no idea what they're in for. And we can't warn them; as a parting gift, the enemy cut all our telephone lines. Your orders are to get to the Second at Croisilles Wood, one mile southeast of the town of Écoust. Deliver this to Colonel Mackenzie. [hands Blake a sealed envelope] It is a direct order to call off tomorrow morning's attack. If you don't, it will be a massacre. We will lose two battalions, sixteen hundred men, your brother among them. Do you think you can get there in time?

Blake

Yes, sir.

Any questions?

Blake

No, sir.

Good. [to Lieutenant Gordon] Over to you, Lieutenant.

Supplies, gentlemen. Maps, torches, grenades and, uh... a couple of little treats. [Blake and Schofield begin gathering supplies] Leave immediately, take this trench west, up on Sauchiehall Street, then northwest on Paradise Alley at the front. Continue along the front line until you find the Yorks. Give this note to Major Stevenson. [hands Blake a note] He's holding the line at the shortest span of no man's land. You'll cross there.

Schofield

It'll be daylight, sir. They'll see us.

No need to be concerned. You should meet no resistance.

Blake

Sir, is-- is it just us?

"Down to Gehenna or up to the Throne / He travels the fastest who travels alone." Wouldn't you say, Lieutenant?

Yes, sir, I would.

Good luck.