This episode, in which Sgt. Saunders sets himself the task of stopping a German tank single-handedly, is on my Best 20 Combat! episode list. It begins with the brilliant use of a narrator. The narration gave me a specific wartime context within which to appreciate the duel to come, and makes "The Duel" feel more like a ‘brought-to-you-live’ broadcast than a weekly, prime time drama.

Its relentless, razor-sharp tension and harrowing action never lets up.

· Will the truck driver turn chicken and run, leaving Saunders with those desperately needed supplies and gasoline in a disabled truck?

· Will the Sarge get gunned down by the tank's heavy machine gun fire, or blasted to kingdom come by its artillery shells?

· Just how IS Saunders going to get the gasoline to St. Lo for the wounded's evacuation if he can’t bring himself to crush the life out of the driver?

Early on, when the wind whips up Saunders’ hair, it is as if the very spirits of fallen GIs are urging him into attacking the tank. With each on-screen near kiss with death I found myself edging closer to the edge of my seat. I was so enthralled that I found myself standing for the last 20 minutes of the episode, pacing back and forth, eyes glued to the screen, slamming one fist into the other, saying under my breath, "Christ, look out, Saunders! LOOK OUT!" and, "Go Saunders, GO!"

And what a superb ending! The tank is finally destroyed by the very gasoline being carried in the relief supply truck. Now that’s what I call poetic justice!

It’s directing and acting like this that made and continues to make Combat! the finest offering on television (movies included) to date.

349th Heavy Weapons Crew
(a.k.a. Nancy LionStorm)

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