Screaming Eagles

Screaming Eagles

Year: 1956

Runtime: 79 mins

Language: English

Director: Charles F. Haas

WarDrama

Tough as They Come! A group of young soldiers parachute into France in preparation for D-Day.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Screaming Eagles (1956)

Trace every key event in Screaming Eagles (1956) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

New recruits join the 1st Platoon of D Company

Before the Normandy invasion, Mason, Corliss and Talbot are assigned to the 1st Platoon of D Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment. Mason immediately clashes with Sgt. Forrest and Cpl. Dreef, setting a tense tone for the unit. Lt. Pauling decides to give him a chance despite the rough start.

Pre-D-Day Barracks, prior to departure
2

Barracks restrictions and Mason's destruction

As the invasion approaches, passes are canceled and the men are kept in barracks. A drunken Mason destroys the barracks on returning from the mess, shocking the unit. Lt. Pauling chooses to keep Mason in the platoon and offers him another chance.

Pre-D-Day Barracks
3

Lieutenant Pauling defuses tension and support grows

Lt. Pauling speaks to the platoon about Mason's behavior, and Corliss speaks in Mason's defense. The men decide to take a chance on him, including Grimes, Dubrowski and Foley. The camaraderie begins to turn the tide for Mason.

Pre-D-Day Barracks
4

Drop into Normandy in Operation Overlord

The 502nd board troop planes for the invasion and receive jump training from Jumpmaster Sgt. Forrest. Their assigned task is to set up roadblocks and hold a bridge near the Douve, with a drop zone a mile beyond the 2nd Battalion. Anti-aircraft fire erupts as the planes approach, and Peterson is killed by flak.

D-Day morning Over Normandy airspace and drop zone near Douve
5

Unexpected landing and rallying point

Seconds after the planes pass, the group realizes they did not land in their drop zone. They improvise a rallying point and begin to move out, with Lt. Pauling ordering them not to engage the enemy singlehandedly. They split into three groups to scout the area.

D-Day morning Near the Douve river, countryside
6

Mason’s decisive action and Dreef’s death

Mason spots a German sentry aiming at Cpl. Dreef and shoots him, triggering a firefight in which Dreef is killed. The unit is unaware of Mason's action at first, and they blame him for the dangerous stunt. The incident strains unit cohesion.

Shortly after landing Area around the rallying point
7

Back at rally point: outrage over the incident

After regrouping, Dubrowski informs the platoon of what happened, and the others react with outrage. Mason's hotheadedness becomes a point of tension within the group as they struggle with loyalty and trust.

Same morning Rallying point
8

Lt. Pauling is blinded by a gunshot

During the morning, a German soldier fires at Lt. Pauling, and the flash from the shot blinds him. The platoon must operate under a blind leader while continuing to press forward.

Morning Near the farmhouse / advancing route
9

Attack on the German farmhouse

The platoon assaults a German-occupied farmhouse, resulting in the deaths of Lambert, Hernandez and Nolan. The firefight is brutal and costly for the unit as they push deeper into the occupied area.

Morning German farmhouse
10

Hostage rescue and revelation of German strength

Inside the farmhouse they find Hans Schacht holding a French girl named Marianne. Marianne volunteers to assist Lt. Pauling, and Hans reveals that about 300 German soldiers lie between the platoon and the Douve.

Morning Farmhouse
11

Hijacking a German truck to reach a tavern

The platoon hijacks a German truck and forces the driver to take them to a tavern used as a German HQ. Hans uses the truck to broadcast false orders and to let the Germans hear the platoon speaking English. A German truckload invades the tavern, and Hans is killed by friendly fire; Talbot, Foley, Smith and Torren die, while Mason is wounded.

Midday Tavern / German HQ
12

Survivors reach the bridge and make a final farewell

Seven survivors—Mason, Lt. Pauling, Marianne, Corliss, Sgt. Forrest, Grimes, and Dubrowski—escape by truck and link up with the rest of D Company at the intended bridge. Lt. Pauling says goodbye to Marianne before he and Mason are driven to a field hospital.

Noon to early afternoon Bridge area; field hospital

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:33

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Screaming Eagles

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