No Hallelujahs for Glory

"No Hallelujahs For Glory" is a story about what happens when a captain loses control over a pushy, arrogant, and controlling war correspondent Eleanora Hunt (well played by Elizabeth Allen.) Eleanora does everything wrong and is so completely awkward she has to be baby sat by Saunders to avoid her getting herself and others hurt or killed. She's nosy and always looking for action but does not have even the remotest knowledge of how war works. And in the process she probably winds up with permanent emotional scars she'll have to live with the rest of her life.

Eleanora gets involved with 2 French underground resistance fighters who take her to the village of Trois Anges no doubt at her suggestion. Hanley and the squad go looking for her with 2 jeeps armed with machine guns. In the process, the population of Trois Anges believe their village has been liberated. Hanley has Cage explain this is not the case and everything winds down.

Shortly after the Americans leave the village, the story unfolds when the Germans invade Trois Anges with 20-30 men. After being tipped off by the French resistance fighter Jacques, Hanley attempts to rescue the village.

Screen Writers Luther Davis & Mort Lewis did a fine job in that the story is very believable. In typical Saunders fashion, sarcasm is excellent throughout. Director Paul Stanley did an excellent job, especially the ending sequence with the single bell chiming to create the mood.

I would have held Eleanora Hunt much more responsible for the happenings in this episode - war correspondent or not. And I would have demoted Captain Smith for losing control. Hanley should have his job.

Gets to the point how the press and leaders are too far removed from the realities of war and suffering.. willing to score points to get political gain. Don't we see this today either on our sunday talk shows or from the white house . they feed off each other.for their own ideology. Sacrificing who's in their way. Rings true so many years later.

When Sgt. Saunders is forced to escort the reckless, annoying and snoopy photojournalist Eleanora Hunt to a no man's land nearby the Trois Anges, he saves her life from the attack of two German soldiers. On the next morning, she sneaks out from the American camping area with two French underground members to photograph the village. Lt. Hanley is assigned by Capt. Smith to go with Saunders and a squad to seek out Eleanora. When the villagers see the American war correspondent, they mistakenly believe their village has been liberated. Mme. Michelin, who has hidden Canadian paratroopers from the Germans, discloses the members of the French underground in Trois Anges in public. Lt. Hanley arrives at the village with the squad and Saunders invites Mme. Michelin and the other members to leave the place with them. However Mme. Michelin tells that there are no traitors in their village and they decide to stay. Sgt. Saunders suspects that the members of resistance are in danger and asks permission to return to check. What will he find?

"No Hallelujahs for Glory" is a depressing episode of "Combat!" from the very beginning. The soldiers in the cold and wet France waiting for a hot meal is a sad scene. The irresponsible Eleanora Hunt is an awful character and is quite hard to believe how she managed the powers that be to come to the front as war correspondent to disturb the stressed soldiers with her reckless attitudes and no consequences for her acts. Vic Morrow and Rick Jason have fantastic performances again and their chemistry is amazing. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Sem Canções de Glória" ("Without Songs of Glory")