Command Decision

In 1943, war correspondents Brockhurst and Carwood attend daily bombing mission briefings at the Ministry of Information. The RAF representative reports light losses, but the Eighth Air Force's public relations officer reveals record casualties, underscoring the tension between public messaging and wartime risk. The exchange hints at deeper political and strategic stakes behind each mission.

Brockhurst travels to Dennis' headquarters and watches B-17s take off on a strike. He asks Tech Sergeant Evans about the arrest of Captain Jenks, but receives no answer. The encounter foreshadows the press’s fraught relationship with operational security.

Dennis faces three public relations headaches: Garnet’s possible replacement of Kane or Dennis, a visiting congressional committee, and Garnet’s plea for low-loss missions ahead of a Pentagon conference. Kane tries to keep the peace while tensions simmer in the background.

Dennis identifies the targets as Posenleben and Schweinhafen, and Kane realizes Dennis has begun a highly sensitive operation in his absence. The clash over the role of the press intensifies as strategic moves unfold.

Dennis' bombers suffer heavy losses, and Martin reports that the group attacked the wrong target. He urges Dennis to keep quiet because the two cities are indistinguishable. Dennis reveals the true target was a torpedo factory, and the plan expands to destroying a German jet factory before it can go into service, with a third city, Fendelhorst, to be attacked. Dennis's unit is uniquely positioned to reach Fendelhorst given its range.

A brief stretch of clear weather provides the window to complete the operation before the Luftwaffe can mount a defense. The weather becomes the pivotal factor that could determine success or failure.

Kane initially resists continuing the mission but yields after Dennis threatens to press charges against Jenks. He grants permission to proceed and agrees that Jenks will receive a medal during Malcolm's visit.

While Kane entertains the Committee, Garnet offers Martin a promotion to chief of staff in a Pacific B-29 command. The Committee is impressed by the takeoff of the mission. Back at headquarters, Malcolm renews his critique of Dennis' attitude toward losses.

Evans uses political savvy to ease tensions as Malcolm's criticisms echo through the room. Martin sends the signal that Schweinhafen has been destroyed, but the atmosphere remains fraught with political pressure and looming decisions.

During Jenks' decoration, Dennis is told Martin's B-17 (with Jenks' crew) has been shot down. Jenks unexpectedly tells his uncle to shut up and refuses his medal. Dennis, emotionally shaken by Martin's death, excuses himself to plan tomorrow's mission.

Kane is shocked by Dennis' persistence despite the losses, and Dennis is relieved to be replaced by Garnet. Garnet questions the staff about ordering an easy mission, then decides to attack Fendelhorst while the weather permits.

Dennis looks forward to a training command in the United States near his family, but a last-minute Pentagon order sends him to the Pacific to command B-29s. Brockhurst, moved by what he has seen, wishes Dennis well as he boards his aircraft.