12 O'Clock High
Overview
Set during World War II, the gripping narrative follows the 918th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Eighth Air Force as they undertake perilous missions over Europe. Initially led by the tough and uncompromising General Frank Savage, the group later falls under the command of Colonel Joe Gallagher, the son of a high-ranking Pentagon official. Based in England, the series captures both the intense aerial combat and the personal struggles faced by the men as they navigate the challenges of war, camaraderie, and leadership.
Episodes
-
1
Golden Boy Had Nine Black Sheep
Captain Joe Gallagher finds himself under General Savage's scrutiny after aborting two missions in a row. Savage believes Gallagher is underperforming...
-
2
Follow the Leader
Savage proposes a new strategy for the 918th, suggesting they bomb in unison on the lead bombardier's signal rather than having each bombardier target...
-
3
The Men and the Boys
Tom Lockridge, serving as copilot, takes command when the pilot is killed, allowing the crew to evacuate. His close friend, Captain Wade Ritchie, defi...
-
4
The Sound of Distant Thunder
Andy Lathrop, a simple boy from Tennessee, serves as the lead bombardier for Savage. In a heroic act, he saves Savage’s life, earning a promotion to...
-
5
The Climate of Doubt
General Crowe anxiously awaits Savage’s return from a mission and is surprised to see an ambulance awaiting the landing of the "High Flyer." To his ...
-
6
Pressure Point
Senator Clay Johnson is determined to end the long-range bombing initiative due to the significant losses in aircraft and personnel. Savage counters, ...
-
7
Decision
Major Jack Temple leads the low Squadron on a mission to bomb the V2 assembly plant in Laon. During the operation, his aircraft, "The Lucky Lady," tak...
-
8
The Hours Before Dawn
The 918th is given a highly confidential mission to bomb Dortmund, with only Savage privy to the specifics. After a briefing from Stoneman, Crowe, and...
-
9
Appointment at Liege
Major Gus Denver arrives back at the 918th after his time in the States, where he served as a special instructor at Langley. Tragically, during his ab...
-
10
Interlude
Following the death of his close friend Joe Farrell, Savage is granted leave by General Crowe. He travels by train to Inverness and then boards the Gl...
-
11
Here's to Courageous Cowards
Ross Lawrence, a clerk at the Group Office, secretly joins Joe Morse's crew and successfully takes down an FW. Afterward, Morse suggests transferring ...
-
12
Soldiers Sometimes Kill
After losing his memory, Savage is discovered wandering Berkley Square by Lieutenant Ryan. Following a medical evaluation by Kaiser, he learns from a ...
-
13
The Suspected
Reporter Clifford Moran suspects that Jim Driscoll is actually George Kern Turner, a convicted murderer from St. Louis who, at just 16, killed his ste...
-
14
An Act of War
After completing a bombing mission on the airframe factory in Metz, Major Cobb reports that the target has been fully destroyed. However, Major Herric...
-
15
Those Who Are About to Die
The 918th faces a daunting assignment at an aircraft factory in the Rhone Valley, located 120 miles from fighter cover and surrounded by 500 anti-airc...
-
16
In Search of My Enemy
Major Peter Gray and his wife, Ann, arrive at the 918th squadron, where Savage recognizes Ann as Ann Goss, his former fiancée from a year earlier. At...
-
17
The Albatross
After successfully completing 25 missions, Kane is set to return to the States for a Public Relations Tour, eager to star in Winged Victory and revive...
-
18
The Lorelei
Colonel Royce is appointed as Deputy Group Commander by Crowe. Upon his arrival, he inspects the aircraft "Lorelei," only to discover that the entire ...
-
19
Faith, Hope and Sergeant Aronson
Before a crucial mission, Savage suffers a life-threatening injury from shrapnel near his heart and ends up in the hospital. There, he encounters Serg...
-
20
To Heinie, with Love
During a mission to bomb the rail yards at Eissen, Muller, the new Navigator, excels but is knocked down during a maneuver, causing his wallet to fall...
-
21
The Clash
General Savage finds himself in a dire situation after his bomber is shot down during a raid on the Sub Penn at Trondheim. As the sole survivor of his...
-
22
The Ticket
The Brauberg Dam must be destroyed, and Savage believes a modified P-51 loaded with two 500-pound bombs can accomplish the task. He recruits Paul Stig...
-
23
The Trap
As Savage hatches a scheme to bomb Strasbourg, he finds himself stuck in a cellar during an air raid. Alongside him are Lady Constance, Dr. Glenway, m...
-
24
The End of the Line
Major Joe Gallagher pulls out of a mission, leading to the death of his replacement, Captain Larry Hollander. Overcome with guilt, Gallagher seeks out...
-
25
The Threat
Axis Sally is relaying unsettlingly accurate details about the 918th, even predicting Savage's demise. Following a bomb explosion that injures two cre...
-
26
Mutiny at Ten Thousand Feet
Major Andy Towson, a skilled pilot and commanding officer, experiences a breakdown after a tough landing. He and Savage share a long history of flying...
-
27
The Mission
Savage and the Piccadilly Lily are tasked with a crucial mission to target an oil pipeline in the Säär Valley. Captain Dirksen, a Lead Bombardier, j...
-
28
The Cry of Fallen Birds
Savage and the Piccadilly Lily return from a mission to Blaustadt, landing with significant damage and narrowly missing some trees and a mansion near ...
-
29
V for Vendetta
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. Br...
-
30
P.O.W. (1)
-
31
P.O.W. (2)
-
32
The Hero
A renowned World War I fighter ace, now serving as a Ferry Pilot, makes his way to SHAEF HQ via Archbury. Tragically, during the flight, he is killed ...
-
1
The Loneliest Place in the World
A damaged B-17 unexpectedly joins the formation, revealing itself to be a German-captured aircraft. It attacks the lead plane piloted by General Savag...
-
2
Rx for a Sick Bird
The 918th faces a series of maintenance issues. General Creighton from G-2 assigns them the task of deploying a spy, Ilka Zradna, into occupied Poland...
-
3
Then Came the Mighty Hunter
Following a challenging mission, Gallagher is in search of a new gunner. He finds Corbett, a replacement with an impressive gunnery score of 1000, far...
-
4
The Idolator
1st Lieutenant Joshua Melton McGraw, an old friend of Gallagher's, arrives as a new pilot with an attitude and buzzes the airfield. Shortly after, the...
-
5
Big Brother
The 918 touches down in Mogador, North Africa, to refuel and restock its weapons. Gallagher's arrival is delayed by 21 hours due to a stop in Yugoslav...
-
6
The Hotshot
The 511th Fighter Group arrives at Archbury to provide escort for the 918 on the final leg of their shuttle mission. Along the way, Troper engages a t...
-
7
Show Me a Hero, I'll Show You a Bum
After a harrowing mission leaves nine out of ten crew members of the Piccadilly Lily injured, only Komansky emerges unscathed. He pilots the damaged p...
-
8
Runway in the Dark
During a night mission practice, Vendry's unit is on their trail. They manage to change direction and evade detection, but "Chub" struggles to stay on...
-
9
I Am the Enemy
The 918 squadron is on its eighth mission to bomb the submarine pens at St. Nazaire, led by Major Kurt Brown, who has never turned back from a mission...
-
10
Grant Me No Favor
During a bombing run over Norway, Lieutenant Colonel Christy decides to call off the mission after losing 10 of his 21 planes. Upon his return, Gallag...
-
11
Storm at Twilight
Harv and Lieutenant Colonel Rogers, the acting commander of the 918th, observe the return of their latest mission, noting the heavy damage and the los...
-
12
We're Not Coming Back
As the Shuttle raid commences, Gallagher gathers his team to outline their mission: they will strike Wessellhafen, head to North Africa for refueling,...
-
13
The Jones Boys
JayDee Jones is mustering the courage for his next mission, and he enlists Jan Warner to help him sneak back onto the base. However, he is caught by C...
-
14
Between the Lines
As Stace and Krasker return from the Russian sector with vital intel on troop strength for the impending invasion of Europe, their plane is suddenly a...
-
15
Target 802
While returning from a bombing mission over the Ruhr Valley, bombs are unintentionally released on Ste Monique. 1st Lieutenant Parks, the bombardier, ...
-
16
Falling Star
On their return from a mission, Colonel Gus "Pappy" Wexler, a mentor to Joe Gallagher, is riding along as an observer. Gallagher convinces Fowler to l...
-
17
The Slaughter Pen
As the 818th attempts to bomb Hamburg, they are forced to retreat due to heavy flak and enemy fighters in a region known as the "Slaughter Pen." A new...
-
18
Underground
During a bombing mission, Gallagher realizes he mistakenly targeted a decoy instead of the actual site, which is 2500 yards northeast of target 385. A...
-
19
Which Way the Wind Blows
When cloud cover prevents the 918th, led by Major Fitzsimmons, from bombing Kiel, they have to abort their mission, resulting in the loss of seven pla...
-
20
The Outsider
During a mission to bomb a refinery and fuel storage site in Kasendorf, Lieutenant Harley Wilson from the 53rd Fighter Squadron accidentally collides ...
-
21
Back to the Drawing Board
The bombing mission at Dulabine Shipyard is called off due to heavy cloud cover. Meanwhile, in Emstad, Oberst Erhland, the German commander, is exaspe...
-
22
Twenty-Fifth Mission
After finishing his 25th mission, Major Tom Parsons is set to return home. At Wing HQ, General Britt is reprimanding Group Commander Gallagher and his...
-
23
The Survivor
After successfully completing a bombing run, Captain Bradovich's B-17 suffers engine issues. Tourneau falls back to assist, but Bradovich reprimands h...
-
24
Angel Babe
As B-17 "Angel Babe" returns from a flawless mission to Willemshaven, Flight Engineer Willets shares the belief that whenever the plane leads, they al...
-
25
Decoy
In Scotland, Gallagher meets with Major General Hardy to discuss a Ranger mission, during which Gallagher devises a plan for air support. While return...
-
26
The Hollow Man
After five months as a POW, 1st Lieutenant Wally Bolen returns to the 918th, where he is greeted warmly by Komansky and promoted to Captain by Gallagh...
-
27
Cross-Hairs on Death
A cashiered pilot slips in for another try.
-
28
Day of Reckoning
A German squadron launches a bombing raid on the 918th's base in Archbury, resulting in casualties that include several new replacements and WRAF Serg...
-
29
Siren Voices
During a bombing raid on the Focke Wulfe Factory in Marienberg, East Prussia, the 918th faces heavy fighter attacks, resulting in the loss of nine air...
-
1
Gauntlet of Fire
The 918th Group has just completed 21 missions within a month since May 1, 1944, targeting locations for Operation Point, the precursor to the Normand...
-
2
Massacre
Lieutenant General Harry Owen, commander of the 8th Air Force, organizes a shuttle raid targeting the Ergen Oil Works in Poltava, Russia, before headi...
-
3
Face of a Shadow
The 918th has been assigned temporarily to the 15th Air Force and arrives at a base in Bellagio Foggia, Italy, under the command of Colonel Yates, who...
-
6
Practice to Deceive
Gallagher is shot down while piloting a Mustang during a covert operation. Colonel Gibbons steps in to lead the 918th squadron. Meanwhile, a conspirac...
-
7
The All-American
Ted Master, a quintessential all-American athlete, joins the 918th squadron with his own press officer in tow. Eager to take to the skies, he instead ...
-
8
The Pariah
Sandy nearly collides with a Master Sergeant who’s searching for the 918th, and he speaks with a German accent. Gallagher is in the middle of briefi...
-
9
The Fighter Pilot
Nine new aircraft and their crews touch down at Archbury, including a group of WACS led by Staff Sergeant Margo Demarest, an old acquaintance of Galla...
-
10
To Seek and Destroy
A V-1 rocket crashes in Sweden, prompting the Allies to seize the opportunity. They enlist Group Captain Anthony Carmichael, an expert in rocket techn...
-
11
Burden of Guilt
Major General Fox is pressuring Brigadier General Doud to strike the Sub Pens at Nordensholm. After three attempts that missed their marks, Doud, as W...
-
12
The Ace
Colonel Harry Connelly is in the running for the Medal of Honor after successfully executing a precise bombing of a radar station in Italy, skillfully...
-
13
Six Feet Under
The 3rd Battalion of 52 Division secures the Argenteau Air Six Air Defense HQ located in a cellar. Meanwhile, Sandy and Gallagher are in France assess...
-
14
The Duel at Mont Sainte Marie
Gallagher descends from the sky with a parachute, landing on a mountain where a group of nuns is gathered. His mission is to persuade them to evacuate...
-
15
Graveyard
During a shuttle mission to bomb Fredericksburg and land in Foggia, Italy, General Chandler commands the entire wing. Gallagher's aircraft comes under...
-
16
A Long Time Dead
Captain Dula, serving as Navigator, finds himself in a tense situation when co-pilot Harvey is injured. With Gallagher also wounded, Dula steps up to ...
-
17
The Hunters and the Killers
Commodore Leon Crompton commands USN Task Force 10, tasked with eliminating Wolf Pack Laika, a group of eight German U-boats near the Azores. Under Ga...
