Appointment in London

The end of his third tour looms as Mason approaches 90 missions. He learns that orders have banned him from further flying, threatening to cut short his long and dangerous record. The looming restriction sets the stakes for a final, high-risk operation.

With losses mounting and several raids seen as failures, some crews sense a jinx at work. Veterans like Brown and 'The Brat' Greeno voice their doubts and worry about the war turning against them. Morale strains under the weight of recent setbacks.

Greeno is caught sending unauthorised telegrams to his wife Pam rather than using official channels. Mason reprimands him for the lapse in security and reminds the crew of the dangers of careless communication. The incident exposes the fragility of discipline under stress.

A few days later, Greeno's aircraft fails to return from a raid, heightening concern for his crew and survivors. Pam asks to see Mason, and he agrees to meet her, adding a personal dimension to the war's toll. The tension underscores how the war touches the airmen's families.

With only one more flight to go, Mason visits Brown's aircraft as Brown and his crew prepare for takeoff. A large 4,000-pound 'cookie' bomb slips from its shackles, injuring one crew member and forcing a scramble to replace him. Time pressure mounts as there is no time to substitute another crewman.

US observer Mac Baker takes the injured crewman's place, while Mason decides to fly as well to reassure the crew and prove there is no curse. The decision carries risk, but it is meant to bolster morale and leadership under pressure. The aircrew steels themselves for a critical bombing run.

The raid begins, but the Pathfinder plane directing the attack is shot down, leaving the bomber force to abandon planned timing. Without the Pathfinder's guidance, the remaining bombers start dropping their loads inaccurately. The mission teeters on the edge of failure.

Listening in on the radio back home, Mason takes the Pathfinder's place and broadcasts corrections and precise instructions. His improvised leadership brings the raid's bombing back on target. The mission shifts from likely disaster to a successful strike.

Back in Britain, Group Captain Logan realises that Mason has disobeyed orders by continuing to fly on the operation. The revelation creates tension between command and improvisation under wartime pressures. Yet the improved accuracy of the raid finally vindicates his choice.

On Mason's return, Logan greets him at his aircraft and acknowledges the extraordinary outcomes of the mission. The recognition sits alongside the admonition for breaking orders, illustrating the complexity of leadership under duress. The crew's relief is palpable as they recover from the tension beforehand.

As the operation concludes, Mason, Eve Canyon, Brown and Pam head to Buckingham Palace to receive an award. The journey underscores the impact of their courage beyond the cockpit and into the public eye. It marks a turning point where their bravery earns national recognition.

Mason is honored by King George VI in a formal ceremony, receiving a royal award for turning the raid around and saving the operation from failure. The moment solidifies his legacy as a leader who acted decisively under pressure. The film closes on a note of triumph and remembrance.