Goofs

Right before the raid on the airfield at Bone, some of the paratroops bolt for a taxiing DC-3 and, without official authorization, climb aboard, so as not to miss their chance to take part in the airborne assault. This DC-3 has distinctive side markings, including a very visible "602" on the tail. Yet, when these same paratroops jump from this same plane, the side markings are now completely different, not the least of which is the total absence of the "602" tail number. The serial appears as "TG602". TG602 was an RAF Handley Page Hastings C1, the standard RAF Transport Command aircraft used for para dropping and current at RAF Abingdon, in 1952-1953. RAF Hastings served at that time in a natural aluminum finish. The filming of this particular aircraft occurred prior to 12 January 1953, which is when it was lost in an accident in Egypt.

When McKendrick is with Penny in the pub his beer mug, handle to the right, rests on a beer mat. Soon after, when McKendrick storms out, the mug handle is on the left while the beer mat has moved across to the front edge of the table.

When McKendrick, Penny and Major Snow are waiting for the arrival of the C-46 Dakotas, we see a C-46 landing with the markings of the United States Air Force, which was not formed until 1947. From June 20, 1941-September 18, 1947 The US Air Force was officially known as The US Army Air Forces. Note: Dakota's were C-47's and C-46's were Curtiss Commando's. The aircraft noted above were C-47 Dakota's AKA "Goony Birds". While the US Army Air Force began life on June 20, 1941 it's predecessor, the US Army Air Corp, continued operations until March 9, 1942. Thus these aircraft could have carried either USAAC or USAAF markings. In addition the C-47 shown carry roundels that were not adopted until 1947. The specific difference being the red bars on the left and right white fields.

The aircraft is also in a natural-aluminum finish. This was standard when the film was made; but at the time the film is set, the aircraft would have worn camouflage.

When the British paratroopers were lined up in the American C-47, the static lines on their parachutes were not hooked up to the overhead cable which pulls the ripcord as they exit the aircraft, as shown in the next scene. In fact, the cable was missing in this aircraft interior shot.

On the cliffs after the radar station raid, one paratrooper is wearing 1944 pattern web equipment. This was not issued until after the end of the war, but at the time of filming would have been standard issue to troops in the Parachute Regiment .

On the way to north Africa one of the paratroopers is reading a comic book with the title "The Crimson Comet". This comic book series did not begin until 1949.

During the operation, Flight Sgt. Box is repeatedly both called and referred to as "Sergeant." In reality, Flight Sergeant abbreviates to "Flight", not "Sergeant" and this is an error that no serviceman, much less an officer or RSM, would make.