- Ketcham: [Discussing the siege of Nichols] Ain't there something you can do?
- Cavalry Major: There's one thing I can do. We've been testing this new weapon. An aerial torpedo. Thought about callin' it a bomb.
- Ketcham: A what?
- Cavalry Major: It's a... like a very large Howitzer shell, but you drop it from an aireoplane
- [sic]
- Cavalry Major: .
- Ketcham: On us?
- Cavalry Major: No, on the enemy.
- Mitch Mitchell: Let me ask you a question. How do you know who's who from way up there?
- Cavalry Major: Reconnaissance. You tell me where they are, exactly, and I guarantee you I'll drop one... oh, say, within 50 feet, give or take a few.
- Ketcham: Now, what about the rest of the folks in the vicinity?
- Cavalry Major: Now, well, they are what we call "legitimate casualties." You see, sometimes to save a town you have to destroy it. You understand that? "Tactical principle?"
- Ketcham: Look, if it's all one and the same to you, we'll pass.
- Cavalry Major: You civilians are all alike. You don't understand war.