WARNING:THE AIR BATTLE SCENES IN THIS MOVIE PICTURE WERE PHOTOGRAPHED IN ACTUAL COMBAT

The film " Twelve O'Clock High " was made in 1949 and released in 1950. The opening prologues of the movie are interesting information with reference to the use of real shots in movies: " ...The air battle scenes in this motion picture were photographed in actual combat by members of the United States Air Force and the German Luftwaffe...". So far the warning at the very beginning of the film. The main issues dealt with in the movie are the psychological effects on war and its soldiers. Military leadership and management under extreme stress are important issues too. How far can you put press on a man before you break him down? We are viewing the story about the American 918 Bomb Group stationed in England during WWII. The year is1942. The bomb group is conducting daylight bombing over Germany and occupied Europe.
The B-17 bombers are not escorted by fighter planes. The famous actor Gregory Peck is
portraying general Frank Armstrong who approved of Peck's portrayal of him. The general is a chainsmoker. Gregory Peck is smoking cigarettes no pipe or cigars.
To those of you who are searching for love and war in movies: No love affairs in this movie.Only statements of how to run a group of men who are fed up with the war and the stress and the tough military leadership. Are you interested in crash landing scenes, take a look at this film. The American B-17 bomber which is crash landing on the airstrip, is real action made by the stunt pilot, Paul Mantz.The air battles shots were cut together from authentic WWII footage. The American pilots are talking about the German fighter plane, Focke Wulf, but the close shots of the planes
are made of Messerschmitt 109. The 918 Bomb Group is the story of the 306th Bomb Group. The casuality rate is high: 287 men flew to England in 1942 and only 87 survived. "Teach with movies " has recommended the film for classroom education. The U.S. Navy is also using the film as an example of leadership styles. The film has also been used for leadership training in civilian non-military seminars. Anyway be aware of the real shots of air battles - the planes are shot down!