**Masters of the Air** unfolds its epic tale amidst the bustle of a bar, where we are intimately introduced to two protagonists intertwined by friendship and duty. Major Gale "Buck" Cleven and Major John "Bucky" Eagan, a pair of inseparable comrades, share a bond forged in the crucible of the US Air Force. As they prepare to embark on a journey that will see them dispatched with the storied 100th Bomb Group to the shores of England the very next day, their paths diverge slightly—Eagan, now promoted to the esteemed rank of General Air Executive, will soon find himself grounded in administrative duties, far from the cockpit of his beloved bomber.
Yet, fueled by an unyielding drive to contribute, Eagan ingeniously secures a role as an Observation Pilot, ensuring he remains a vital cog in the mission machinery, albeit from a different vantage point. As the spring of 1943 ushers in an escalating fury of the Second World War, the 100th is summoned to England, tasked with reinforcing the 8th US Air Force in its relentless aerial campaign against Nazi Germany.
Comprising four formidable squadrons, with Major Cleven at the helm of one, this elite unit is a melting pot of American warriors, each hailing from diverse corners of the nation. Their maiden landing at the South Greenland base is marred by turbulence, a mere preview of the trials that await. Though their foundational flying training is impeccable, it pales in comparison to the unforgiving realities of combat—a crucible that will refine their courage and mettle to their very core.
Narrated by Major Harry Crossby, a seasoned navigator whose voice echoes through the tumultuous skies, we are transported into the heart of their odyssey, where every moment is fraught with peril yet imbued with the indomitable spirit of those who dared to soar amidst the chaos.
The unit embarked on a perilous journey, soaring from the frigid expanse of Greenland to the bustling Thorpe Abbotts Air Field, their hearts set on embarking upon their momentous missions. However, fate took a detour when the aircraft carrying Crossby was rerouted towards France, the culprit primarily his own misstep amidst the treacherous skies. The dense cloud cover conspired against them, shrouding their vision in mystery, forcing them to land smack in the heart of the chaos. Yet, they managed to wriggle their way out of the precarious predicament with cunning and swiftness.
Their landing, though, was fraught with peril, as one of the crucial flaps stubbornly refused to unfurl, necessitating a crash landing that reverberated through the air, capturing the stern attention of Commanding Officer Harold Huglin. Eagan, summoned forthwith, faced a stern warning about preserving order within the ranks. With a heart brimming with combat fervor, he implored for a demotion to Squadron Commander, an unprecedented plea that spoke volumes of his unwavering desire for battle. Yet, Huglin, unyielding, dismissed his request, unaware that his own battle raged within as he was wracked with illness, vomiting blood onto his desk mere moments after Eagan's departure.
And then, on the fateful dawn of June 25, 1944, the unit's inaugural mission loomed large. The squadrons gathered in the morning's hushed anticipation, their preparation mere shadows of what lay ahead. Their target: Bremen, where the bomb squad would unleash its fury upon the German U-boat pens—impregnable bunkers designed to thwart the very skies they now soared through. It was a day that would test their mettle and forge legends amidst the fires of war.
It is paramount that these vessels are rendered harmless, as an alarming tally of nearly seventy Allied cargo ships has already succumbed to the depths of the sea. Led by Cleven, the valiant 350th unit, and Major Wheeler at the helm of the 349th, the emphasis on maintaining a tight, cohesive formation is paramount. Any deviation risks exposing them to the merciless German fighters, who would gleefully pick them off, one by one.
Beyond the aerial dance of countermeasures, the unit braces itself for the ground-based artillery barrage that threatens to halt their progress before they can reach their target pens. Mother Nature, too, seems to conspire against them, with dense clouds shrouding the skies, blinding the pilots' vision and posing a formidable challenge even before takeoff, as two planes from opposing divisions narrowly avoid a midair collision.
As soon as the Germans detect the planes' presence, artillery shells rain down, claiming a few aircraft but not before the pilots display remarkable resilience. In a bold move, Huglin, a pilot with the 349th, opts to "abort" the mission, citing the dire visibility conditions. Unable to discern the pens from the murky skies, accurate bombing becomes impossible, a decision that echoes disappointment throughout the unit.
As the skies clear of artillery smoke, the ominous shadow of the German aerial countermeasures looms large, inflicting substantial damage and claiming three brave souls from the Air Force contingent. What began with 19 planes soaring from British soil ends with only 16 returning, a somber reminder of the toll this battle takes.
The alarm bell tolls, signaling a thorough investigation into the events. The anticipation and buildup, which promised to deliver a devastating blow to the enemy, ends in frustration, with no bombs finding their mark on German soil, as Cleven poignantly observes. None had anticipated such ferocity in the skies... yet, perhaps, this is the grim reality of war for the 100th Bomb Squad, where each mission pushes the boundaries of endurance and survival.
