Kelly's Heroes

As the storm clouds of September loom ominously over Nancy, France, units from the 35th Infantry Division draw nearer to their objective. In the midst of chaos, a mechanized reconnaissance platoon, charged with holding their ground against an impending counterattack, faces overwhelming odds and finds themselves hindered by friendly fire from their own mortar barrage. During this turmoil, Private Kelly—once a distinguished lieutenant and now scorned for his involvement in a failed infantry assault—seizes a chance for redemption. He captures Colonel Dankhopf, a high-ranking officer of Wehrmacht Intelligence, and through a clever interrogation, uncovers a treasure trove of 14,000 gold bars valued at a staggering $280 million in today’s terms, concealed within a bank vault located deep behind enemy lines in Clermont.

As their position deteriorates, Kelly hatches a bold scheme to seize the hefty cache. He recruits Supply Sergeant “Crapgame” to gather the necessary weaponry and gear. Meanwhile, the laid-back tank commander known as “Oddball” overhears Kelly’s audacious plan and offers the use of his three unassigned M4 Sherman tanks for the operation. With their commanding officer, Captain Maitland, distracted by a visit to his influential uncle, General (who is busy pilfering a luxurious yacht), the members of Kelly’s platoon grow increasingly keen to partake in the risky heist. After extensive persuasion, Kelly succeeds in convincing the initially doubtful Master Sergeant “Big Joe” to join the effort.

Determined, Kelly decides that his infantry and Oddball’s tanks will move in separate formations, planning to rendezvous near Clermont to realize their goals. The Shermans carve a path through German defenses, even dismantling a significant railway depot. However, an unexpected Allied fighter-bomber strike destroys the bridge crucial for their advance. Undaunted, Oddball coordinates with an engineering unit to establish a new crossing, bringing in additional troops for support along the way.

Their resolve is further tested when they lose their vehicles to friendly fire from an American pilot mistaking them for enemy troops, forcing Kelly’s group to continue on foot. Tragically, they encounter a minefield, where Private Grace falls victim to a hidden explosive. As they face a German patrol responding to the blast, the last survivors from the minefield, PFC Mitchell and Corporal Job, meet their end before Kelly’s unit can engage the enemy.

Fate intervenes when Oddball reconnects with Kelly two nights later, bringing with him a ragtag band of reinforcements he managed to rally. Together, they undertake a treacherous journey across the river, fraught with difficulties as they approach Clermont. Meanwhile, Major General Colt unwittingly stumbles into the conflict due to intercepted radio communications, mistakenly believing that an ambitious Army unit is making significant advancements and pressing forward, oblivious to the boiling conflict brimming on the new front lines.

Upon reaching Clermont, Kelly and his allies confront a daunting adversary: three formidable Tiger I tanks from the 1st SS Panzer Division, backed by an array of infantry. A fierce battle erupts, resulting in the Americans outmatching the German infantry and taking down two of the Tigers, only to stall when their last remaining Sherman tank succumbs to mechanical issues. In a moment of ingenuity, Crapgame proposes that Kelly, Big Joe, and Oddball broker a deal with the last Tiger’s commander, offering equal shares of the gold in exchange for assistance in breaching the bank vault doors.

In an unexpected twist, the Tiger’s crew agrees, unleashing their cannons to blast through the armored vault. The ensuing division of riches sees both the Germans and Americans walk away with $875,000 each—an impressive sum translating to approximately $15 million in 2023. As both sides part ways, they narrowly evade the wrath of the still oblivious General Colt, who is misled by Big Joe’s shrewd trickery. Meanwhile, the residents of Clermont, celebrating their newfound liberty, mistakenly believe they are honoring General Colt as French General Charles de Gaulle, effectively hindering his progress into the city.

Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 10:50