Desperate Journey

Desperate Journey

Year: 1942

Runtime: 107 mins

Language: English

Director: Raoul Walsh

WarActionAdventureWar and historical adventureHigh speed and special ops

During WWII, an Allied bomber is shot down over Germany. The five surviving crew members are captured, but they manage a daring escape after acquiring German secret intelligence and knocking out a Nazi major. Pursued by the enraged major, military police, Gestapo agents and staunch Hitler supporters, the fugitives traverse hostile German territory, determined to return to Britain with the vital information they have secured.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Desperate Journey (1942)

Trace every key event in Desperate Journey (1942) 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

Mission underway and crash

The mission is to bomb the critical rail junction at Schneidemühl. Forbes' formation is forced to fly low and is shot down near the Polish border. The five survivors are quickly captured by the Germans.

During the operation Schneidemühl area (near former German-Polish border)
2

Hammond provokes distraction and escapes Major Baumeister

In interrogation, Hammond creates a distraction by feigning expert techno-babble about their bomber's technology, then knocks Major Baumeister unconscious. Forbes subdues the other soldiers and the group searches Baumeister's office. They discover papers revealing a hidden Messerschmitt factory and decide to get them to England.

After capture Major Baumeister's office, Germany
3

Escape plan and disguise

The survivors set out across enemy territory, attacking a patrol to obtain German uniforms for disguise. They then sneak onto a hospital train bound for Berlin.

Immediately after escape German-occupied territory and hospital train to Berlin
4

Göring's car aboard the train

On the train, they hide in Reichsmarschall Göring's private car and help themselves to the luxurious comforts it contains. They remain concealed while the train continues toward Berlin.

During the journey Hospital train to Berlin
5

Discovery and departure from the train

Just before reaching Berlin, they are discovered in the private car and thrown off the train. Baumeister, traveling by air, overtakes the car but fails to catch them.

Just before Berlin Near Berlin, on the hospital train route
6

Refuge in Berlin and sabotage plan

They hide in an abandoned Berlin building and, while scouting for food, spot an important chemical plant. They decide to sabotage it to disturb the enemy even if they cannot deliver the documents to England.

After escaping Berlin, near the chemical plant
7

Hollis wounded; Kaethe Brahms enters

A gun battle erupts during the escape and Hollis is wounded again. They encounter Kaethe Brahms, an underground member, who helps them find a doctor.

During sabotage escape Berlin
8

Doctor and turning point

Kaethe arranges medical help for Hollis, but he dies. Brahms advises the crew to cross the country to Münster, where her resistance family can help them escape Germany.

After Hollis's death Berlin, then Münster route
9

Trap at the Brahms house

The crew reaches Kaethe's house, but it is a trap: Kaethe's parents have been captured and Gestapo impersonators are posing as them. When Kaethe arrives, the ruse is exposed and the crew escapes over the roofs; Edwards is shot and dies.

Following arrival Brahms residence, Münster area
10

Escape across the Netherlands

The team steals Baumeister's car and crosses into the German-occupied Netherlands as he pursues in another car.

During the escape German-occupied Netherlands
11

Petrol shortage and salvaged bomber

They run out of petrol and discover a captured British Hudson bomber being prepared for an attack on England. They overpower the flight crew and take control, but Forrest is shot in the process.

En route to England Petrol stop near Netherlands/ bomber site
12

Takeoff and destruction of ground troops

They use the Hudson's guns to blast their way past German soldiers on the ground, killing many, including Baumeister, as they prepare for takeoff.

After seizing the bomber Over German-occupied territory
13

Bombing run toward England

After takeoff toward the English Channel, Hammond releases the bomb aboard, destroying a German base. Forbes and Hammond observe their path to safety as they press on.

On the way to England Over the English Channel
14

Safe arrival and recovery

They reach safety in England and learn that Forrest will recover from his wounds. The mission has achieved its objective by crippling enemy operations and escaping with the documents.

After mission completion England

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:20

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Desperate Journey Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Desperate Journey

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