Air Force

Air Force

Year: 1943

Runtime: 124 mins

Language: English

Director: Howard Hawks

WarDramaActionAdventureWar and historical adventure

The crew of an Air Force bomber arrives at Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the Japanese attack and is dispatched to Manila to aid the defense of the Philippines. Amid the early Pacific campaign, they fly dangerous sorties, confront enemy forces, and bond tightly as they fight to turn the tide of World War II.

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Timeline – Air Force (1943)

Trace every key event in Air Force (1943) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Mary-Ann departs San Francisco for Hawaii

On December 6, 1941, the B-17D Mary-Ann is ordered to fly from San Francisco to Hawaii with eight other Flying Fortresses. Master Sergeant Robbie White, a long-time crew chief, coordinates the mission alongside pilot Michael 'Irish' Quincannon, co-pilot Bill Williams, navigator Monk Hauser Jr., bombardier Tom McMartin and gunner Joe Winocki. The crew prepares for a long flight that will thrust them into the opening days of the war.

December 6, 1941 San Francisco
2

Arrival amid Pearl Harbor attack

Mary-Ann and the formation reach Hawaii as the Japanese attack unfolds over Pearl Harbor. They land at Hickam Field and, exhausted from the flight, learn they must continue to Clark Field via Wake Island. The news of war is reinforced by radio broadcasts as America enters World War II.

December 7, 1941 Hickam Field, Hawaii
3

Wake Island stopover for passengers

During the voyage toward Clark Field, Mary-Ann stops at Wake Island to pick up two passengers: fighter pilot Lt. Thomas 'Tex' Rader and the Marines' mascot Tripoli. The stopover takes place amid the escalating war in the Pacific. The crew remains focused on the next leg of the journey.

December 7-8, 1941 Wake Island
4

Clark Field arrival and deadly news

The Mary-Ann arrives at Clark Field where Master Sergeant White learns his son was killed in aerial combat. The airfield is under strain as Japanese forces press in, and the crew steels themselves for the next fight. Quincannon, though wounded, orders the crew to prepare to bail out as the plane struggles to stay aloft.

December 1941 Clark Field, Philippines
5

Attack on the invasion fleet and engine loss

Mary-Ann engages a Japanese invasion fleet but is swarmed by enemy fighters and forced to abort after losing two engines. Quincannon is fatally wounded and orders his men to bail out before collapsing. Winocki remains at the controls and pilots Mary-Ann to a successful belly landing.

December 1941 Near Clark Field, Philippines
6

Night repair and salvage under bombardment

With the airfield under threat, the crew works feverishly through the night to repair Mary-Ann using parts from damaged B-17s. They manage to refuel and keep the wounded aircraft battle-ready as the Japanese close in. Chester, the assistant radio operator, volunteers to fly as gunner in a two-seat observation plane to reinforce their defenses.

Night of December 1941 Clark Field vicinity
7

Chester’s fatal parachute escape

During an enemy air raid, the pilot is killed and Chester bails out of the observation plane. He is machine-gunned while descending in his parachute and is later fatally strafed on the ground. The loss underscores the peril facing the crew as they cling to Mary-Ann.

Night/late 1941 Clark Field vicinity
8

Final repairs and airfield fall

Winocki and White shoot down a Zero fighter and kill the escaped pilot from the burning wreck. The crew finishes repairs and refueling just as Japanese forces overrun Clark Field. They prepare to depart toward Australia with Rader and Williams at the controls.

Late 1941 Clark Field vicinity
9

Escape to Australia and the Coral Sea attack

En route to Australia, with Rader acting as reluctant pilot and Williams as co-pilot, the Mary-Ann spots a Japanese invasion fleet below. They radio the fleet’s position and circle until reinforcements arrive, leading to an attack that devastates the fleet. The sequence mirrors the real Battle of the Coral Sea.

May 1942 Pacific, near Coral Sea
10

Tokyo raid and Roosevelt's voiceover

Later in the war, a bombing attack on Tokyo is announced to a roomful of bomber crews, including several Mary-Ann veterans who have moved into new roles. Lt Rader is shown as a B-17 pilot among them. President Roosevelt speaks in a voiceover as the armada heads toward the rising sun.

Late WWII Over Japan / Tokyo

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:25

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Air Force

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