What was Dana Andrews' purpose in this film? It seems to me that he just stood around trying to look better than Robert Ryan. I got the impression that he resented the fact that he didn't have a more significant role. He hardly ever speaks.
It looked to me like his role was to make a jackass out of himself by making snide remarks about Col. Kiley's theory about a German attack, then having to eat his words when his town was getting rolled over. ;)
shareHe is one of these Army guys who thinks that civilians can't do anything right which is a common complaint by the armed forces today. Then again, civilians think that the military orgaizations are led by incompetent people.
shareHe did the same thing in the movie "In Harm's Way."
KS
The difference is in BATTLE OF THE BULGE he not only admits he's wrong but his brainstorming helps find that the Germans are low on fuel, asking Fonda "remember what you told me about those fuel tanks? What does that suggest to you" as they watch Telly Savalas siphon off gas.
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