- A Russian major aboard a 918th bomber recklessly shoots down a friendly plane from his own country, which causes problems for Gallagher when his force lands at a Russian airbase.
- The Americans resurrect the "shuttle" tactic of bombing a target, flying on to a base on the other side to refuel and re-arm, and then bomb another target on the return flight. This time, however, the turn-around base is in Russia, a determined but wary ally in the war against the Nazis. The situation becomes dangerously complicated when a Russian observer plane, piloted by a highly decorated Soviet hero, is accidentally shot down by one of the American bombers on the first leg of the mission. The suspicious commander of the Russian base refuses to release the supplies Gallagher needs to make the return flight until the man responsible for the act is identified. In the meantime, the Germans have pinpointed the location of the base, and are slaughtering the 918th with waves of air attacks as it sits helplessly on the ground. The situation only becomes more muddled as Gallagher discovers the overzealous shooter was the Soviet liaison who hitched a ride with the Group.—alexk-6
- This is the story of the first Eighth Air Force shuttle raid on Berlin. Also, USAF Lt. General Archie Old plays himself. General Old led the first Eighth Air Force shuttle raid on Berlin in July 1944. Col. Joe Gallagher leads the first 8th Air Force shuttle raid over Germany to Russia, landing at the base of Poltava. During the first leg, however, Major Baladin, Russian liaison officer aboard Major Simpson's plane, impulsively shoots down a lone Russian aircraft trailing the bomber stream because he believes it is a German spy plane. When the Americans arrive at Poltava, Russian General Vorodenko heated reveals that the Russian plane shot down was piloted by a Russian war hero. Due to Soviet military-political procedure, Vorodenko has been ordered to withhold supplies and fuel for Gallagher's aircraft until he learns who shot down the plane. When Gallagher explains to Vorodenko that Baladin is the guilty party, Vorodenko orders Irina, the guilty man's girlfriend to find him. Meanwhile, Baladin has sought asylum with the Americans through Doc Kaiser, offering to show him where the gasoline and bombs are stored if Kaiser will assure him that they'll take him away when they leave to bomb Berlin.
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