The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

Mitchell orders a daring demonstration that ignores restrictive rules and loads 2,000-pound bombs on aircraft to sink the ex-German battleship Ostfriesland. Flying at 1,500 feet, his planes strike in a coordinated attack and bring the battleship down, proving air power can destroy battleships. The audacious success triggers outrage from his superiors, who view it as defiance of orders.

After the Ostfriesland mission, Mitchell is demoted to colonel and reassigned to a ground unit in Texas. He remains steadfast in his belief that air power must stand as an independent force. The demotion deepens his resolve to push the issue, despite the setback.

A high-profile tragedy strikes when Zachary Lansdowne dies in the crash of the dirigible Shenandoah. The loss devastates Mitchell personally and underscores the dangers of neglecting air service readiness. Mitchell's outrage grows as he sees the toll of organizational failures.

Another disaster follows when six aircraft crash during a flight from a California coast base to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, due to poor maintenance funded by insufficient funding. The accidents reinforce Mitchell's argument that the air service needs independence and proper support. He blames bureaucratic neglect for the losses.

Mitchell holds a press conference where he harshly accuses the Army and Navy of criminal negligence and treasonous disregard for the Air Service. The public confrontation amplifies the controversy surrounding his push for independence. It also hardens opposition to his views among traditional service leaders.

A court-martial is convened in Washington, D.C., with General MacArthur among the panel members but none of the officers are from the Air Corps. The proceedings turn into a public confrontation over Mitchell's disobedience and his broader claims about air power. The atmosphere is charged, with witnesses and prosecutors framing the dispute as insubordination rather than strategic vision.

Congressman Frank R. Reid defends Mitchell, calling witnesses and arguing the merits of his position, only to have the attempts limited by the court. He questions who charged Mitchell and pushes for testimony on the strategic value of air power. His efforts illustrate the political dimension of the battle over aviation's future.

Margaret Lansdowne, widow of Mitchell's dead friend from the Shenandoah, appears in court to honor her husband and challenge the government's handling of air power issues. Her presence personalizes the stakes of the trial. Her appearance adds emotional weight to Mitchell's case.

President Calvin Coolidge declines to appear as a witness. Shortly after, witnesses on air power who had been previously excluded are allowed to testify to support Mitchell's position. The courtroom atmosphere shifts as advocates of air power gain new credibility.

Eddie Rickenbacker, Carl Spaatz, Henry H. Arnold, and Fiorello LaGuardia testify about air power’s potential and the needs of the Air Service. Their testimonies broaden the debate beyond Mitchell's personal case. The witnesses reinforce the broader national significance of the issue.

Mitchell takes the stand to testify and is cross-examined by Maj. Allen W. Gullion, who emphasizes Mitchell's disobedience. Gullion questions the feasibility and timing of Mitchell's predictions. The exchange intensifies the clash between loyalty to the chain of command and advocacy for air power.

The court finds Mitchell guilty of the charges, marking a formal rebuke of his methods. Yet his airmen salute him as he leaves, signaling enduring support for him within the service. The verdict highlights the political and military tensions surrounding aviation independence.

Mitchell exits the courtroom and looks up to see a squadron of four biplanes, then fades to a squadron of fighter jets. The sequence serves as a symbolic bridge between the present and a transformed future for air power. It foreshadows the lasting impact of his campaign on the U.S. Air Force.

The montage culminates with jets replacing biplanes, illustrating how Mitchell's actions will shape the future of American aviation and national defense. The film ends on the note that his efforts catalyzed real change in how air power is perceived and integrated into the military. It emphasizes the enduring legacy of his bold advocacy.