Episode 5 of Masters of the Air unfolds with a glimmer of optimism, as Egan triumphantly returns to base, his presence a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of war. Accompanying him are fellow warriors from the harrowing Bremen mission, their arrival a testament to the resilience of the brotherhood. Crossby, Berkely, and Douglas form an unexpected trio, their sudden reappearance stirring a complex cocktail of emotions—relief mingling with sorrow as news spreads of comrades lost in the fray. Cleven's fate hangs heavy in the air, his presumed fall leaving a void that echoes through the ranks. Crossby echoes the sentiment, recalling Cleven as an unbreakable force, a legend among the 100th.
Egan's eagerness to confront the enemy burns bright, his strides through the mess hall a harbinger of impending action. It's clear: the 100th is about to embark on another mission, a rare doubleheader in the span of two days. For Crossby, a ray of sunshine pierces the gloom as Bubbles delivers the news—he's been appointed the unit's new navigator, a promotion that will see him steer the course from the ground while Bubbles takes his place in the cockpit.
Yet, as CO Harding outlines the mission's grim details, a moral quagmire emerges. The target: railroad workers, vital cogs in Germany's industrial machinery, situated perilously close to Munster's civilian heart. This strike aims to cripple the enemy's logistical backbone, but its proximity to innocent lives stirs unease among the soldiers, Cruikshank among them. His voice of caution is swiftly drowned out by Egan's relentless thirst for revenge, still raw from Cleven's loss. This mission may be the catharsis he seeks.
With only 17 aircraft of the 100th lifting off, escorted by formations designed to pierce enemy defenses, fate deals another blow—four mechanical failures trim their numbers to 13. As they brave the skies, German flak bombs rain down, tearing through the fleet's ranks. Amidst the chaos, Egan's plane emerges battered and bruised, yet his resolve remains unshaken. He insists on delivering the payload, and somehow, against all odds, they empty the bomb bay, leaving destruction in their wake.
Yet, salvaging the battered vessel proved futile, prompting the crew to abandon ship amidst despair. Egan's feet found solace in a vast Westphalian field, deep within German territory. As the drama shifted its focus skyward, nearly eight US bombers triumphantly obliterated their target, yet the cost was steep, as relentless German fighters rained down fire, claiming heavy casualties. Upon refueling and regrouping, the 100th Squadron was left with but a solitary plane, piloted by the greenhorns, Rosenthal and Lewis, both stupefied by the carnage surrounding them. Time was a luxury they couldn't afford to ponder these enigmatic sights, for relentless German foes returned, determined to finish what they started.
The plane, though wounded, remained airborne, its crew valiantly taking down several enemy aircraft amidst their own perilous plight. Back at Thorpe and Abbots, Americans anxiously awaited the return of their heroes, only to witness an RAF plane, having accompanied the 100th on their perilous journey due to lingering repairs, bear the grim news. Harding was informed of the tragic loss of all but one plane, casting a pall of despondency over every face present.
Suddenly, like a glimmer of hope piercing the darkness, the lone plane piloted by Rosenthal and Lewis emerged in the skies. Rosenthal, swift in action, hailed for an ambulance and brought their battered craft to a halt. As the crew faced interrogation, one of them, overcome with emotion, hurled his helmet to the ground, vowing, "This is the final time my feet shall touch the clouds," a stark testament to the excruciating toll war inflicts upon those who bear its brunt firsthand.
During the interrogation, Crossby's heart sank as he learned that Bubbles' plane, "She's Gonna," had exploded before anyone could escape, echoing the tragic fate of most within the 100th. He then read the poignant letter Bubbles had penned for Jean, Crossby's wife, during a time when his own demise seemed imminent. This moment, fraught with emotion, served as a poignant reminder of war's fickle nature, transforming lives and relationships in the blink of an eye.
