12 O'Clock High (1964)

Episode Overview

Major Gus Denver is back in the cockpit after a traumatic experience on his last mission, where he broke down following the loss of his first crew. Brigadier General Hoagland has just arrived from the States, taking over as acting Wing Commander while General Stoneman is absent. Hoagland, eager for the role of 918th Group Commander, makes it clear to Savage that he intends to undermine him, a fact that Denver overhears. On a mission to Eindhoven, their plane is struck by flak, causing two engines to fail. Savage orders the crew to bail out, but only Hoagland escapes, only to be shot down by enemy fighters. Afterward, an inquiry is launched, and Denver suspects Savage has a hand in Hoagland's demise. He initially puts himself on sick leave, but Savage insists he return to duty. On the following mission, tragedy strikes again as Denver's crew is killed, and facing the same fate, he prepares to bail out, realizing