One of Our Aircraft Is Missing (1942) Plot Summary Explained

The Dutch citizens are wary because helping downed British airmen risks severe German reprisals. Occupied Holland under Nazi rule means entire communities could be executed or sent to concentration camps for aiding the enemy. The locals have heard no official reports about the crash and fear it could be a German trap to identify resistance members.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show German patrols actively searching the countryside, setting the danger level.

• dutch resistance
• german reprisals
• occupied holland
• ww2 help

The missing airman, after parachuting to safety, wandered into a local village and was taken in by Dutch families. When the other crewmen bicycle to the football match as part of their escape route, they unexpectedly spot their missing crewmate playing for one of the local teams. He had simply integrated into the community while waiting for an opportunity to rejoin them.

• missing airman
• football match
• dutch village
• reunion

Jo de Vries uses her pro-German public persona as a cover to protect the airmen from German patrols. She tells the British she blames them for her husband's death in a bombing raid, but this is likely a ruse to explain her proximity to Germans without suspicion. In reality, she harbors the crew in her mansion and leads them to escape during an air raid, demonstrating genuine resistance support.

• jo de vries
• pro-german cover
• resistance
• mansion hiding

As the airmen row toward the North Sea during their escape, a bridge sentry spots them and opens fire. Sir George Corbett, the oldest crew member, is seriously wounded in the attack. The injury is severe enough that he cannot be moved when they later reach the rescue buoy, forcing the crew to make difficult decisions about evacuation.

Foreshadowing: The sentry's presence was foreshadowed as the airmen approach the bridge crossing.

• sir george corbett
• bridge sentry
• wounded
• escape
• north sea

After reaching a German rescue buoy in the North Sea, the crew discovers two downed German aviators already inside. The British airmen successfully capture them as prisoners. However, one German manages to send a radio message alerting German forces to their location before being secured, adding urgency to their rescue.

• german aviators
• prisoners
• rescue buoy
• radio message

By chance, two British boats reach the German rescue buoy first. This fortunate timing allows the crew to be rescued by friendly forces rather than captured. The German radio message had alerted enemy boats, but the British arrived in time to secure the airmen and take them home.

• british rescue
• german boats
• north sea
• buoy rescue

Sir George Corbett's wounds from the bridge sentry are too severe to allow movement. The crew decides they cannot risk transporting him, so instead they simply tow the entire rescue buoy back to England with Corbett inside. This unconventional method ensures he receives proper medical treatment without risking further injury during transfer.

• towing buoy
• corbett injury
• rescue method
• safe return

Three months later, after Corbett has fully recovered, the crew boards a new four-engine heavy bomber called the Short Stirling for their next mission. This marks their return to active duty following the successful escape, showing that the ordeal only strengthened their resolve and bond as a crew.

• short stirling
• next mission
• return to duty
• crew unity

The Dutch resistance members face extreme danger, including execution or deportation to concentration camps, for aiding British airmen. German reprisal policies meant entire villages could be punished for helping enemies of the Reich. Despite these lethal risks, the Dutch organize safe passage routes, provide shelter, and assist in the escape, demonstrating remarkable courage.

• dutch civilians
• german reprisals
• resistance danger
• execution risk

Else Meertens is an English-speaking Dutch schoolteacher who serves as the initial contact between the airmen and the local community. She helps explain the dangerous situation to both the British crew and the suspicious Dutch locals, bridging the language gap and advocating for the airmen to receive help despite the risks.

• else meertens
• schoolteacher
• interpreter
• community liaison