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Twelve O'clock High
Twelve O'Clock Hight classic
275 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1948
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 12, 2015
Frank Savage in the book was modeled after my great-uncle, Gen. Frank Armstrong, so I have to love this one, right? Well, I don't have to but I do. Not sure Armstrong was as badass as Savage but, in our family, we like to think so.
December 26, 2010
Just a flat good book!
This is another book I got interested in because of a movie AND an old TV show. The novel inspired by the story of the 8th Air Force in World War II and their valiant battle against enemy fighters, anti-aircraft fire (flak), and the inevitability of death in the relentless daylight bombing campaign they fought.
General Savage takes over a bombing group whose losses have all but broken their spirit and whose commander has cracked over his concern for the men under him. Savage must bring the men back to an ability to fight, even if they end hating him more than the Germans.
Another book I like and have liked immensely for years.
This is another book I got interested in because of a movie AND an old TV show. The novel inspired by the story of the 8th Air Force in World War II and their valiant battle against enemy fighters, anti-aircraft fire (flak), and the inevitability of death in the relentless daylight bombing campaign they fought.
General Savage takes over a bombing group whose losses have all but broken their spirit and whose commander has cracked over his concern for the men under him. Savage must bring the men back to an ability to fight, even if they end hating him more than the Germans.
Another book I like and have liked immensely for years.
March 22, 2017
Books I've been reading lately include early 20th century paperbacks printed by Signet, Bantam, or Penguin. Taking risks on the smutty covers has paid dividends: essentially, I was able to expand my appreciation towards literature, not only reading the classics.
This is a great WWII adventure featuring an air command with low morale and the general who whips them into shape through example. It's not going to be in the discussion for the greatest novels of all time, but it's an enjoyable yarn.
This is a great WWII adventure featuring an air command with low morale and the general who whips them into shape through example. It's not going to be in the discussion for the greatest novels of all time, but it's an enjoyable yarn.
November 26, 2009
This book is hard to track down but it is worth it if you can find it. A good war story (of WWII) that drew me in the first time I read it, almost 40 years ago. I still have a paper back copy of this novel that is more than 30 years old and"only just" holding together. This is one of those times when it's a great book and a great movie.
October 15, 2011
If you like the movie, you should read the book. Its been out of print for many years, and not yet on Kindle. But if you can find it, you won't be disapointed and it would be well worth the effort.
June 29, 2012
One of the first post war books to look at the 8th AF early campaign. I thought it was a good read. If you know the history of the 8th AF you can spot actual events that have been fictionalized.
February 25, 2019
An absorbing account of the rehabilitation of a "hard luck outfit" by a gung-ho general and die-hard active air bomber pilot. Very evocative of the old Quinn Martin TV series with Robert Lansing, Paul Burke , Chris Robinson, John Larkin, Andrew Duggan, Frank Overton, (haven't seen the Gregory Peck film, but will now have look for it,) highly cinematic.
Savage's climactc concluding mission is presumably realistic -- riveting, as tense and horrifying ...and heartbreaking, as war can get.
Savage's climactc concluding mission is presumably realistic -- riveting, as tense and horrifying ...and heartbreaking, as war can get.
August 5, 2026
The Forge of Leadership: A Review of Twelve O’clock High
Published in 1948 by Beirne Lay, Jr. and Sy Bartlett, Twelve O’clock High is widely acknowledged as an enduring piece of war literature and command psychology. Born from the authors’ real-world experiences with the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II, the novel transcends the visceral thrill of aerial combat, a masterclass in leadership, organizational culture, and human endurance. At its core, the story documents a dramatic, high-stakes transformation: how a demoralized bombardment group is systematically forged into a fighting unit through discipline, shared purpose, and a revolutionary cadre of leaders.
From Broken to Cohesive: Rebuilding a Shattered Unit
When Brigadier General Frank Savage arrives at Archbury Field to assume command of the 918th Bomb Group, he enters a station paralyzed by demoralization. Dubbed the “Hard Luck Group,” the 918th is suffering under the crushing weight of astronomical attrition, bitter winter weather, and the lingering phantom of its former commander, Keith Davenport. Davenport was deeply beloved, but his devotion led to an insurmountable flaw: he over-identified with his men's suffering. Under Davenport, combat fatigue became contagious, bad luck was accepted as an inevitability, and basic military discipline eroded into a fog of cynicism, slovenliness, and informal excuses.
The early chapters brilliantly depict the tragic consequences of a unit lacking organizational backbone. Tragedies like the suicide of navigator Heinz Zimmermann showcase how emotional vulnerability without structural discipline leads to total collapse under stress. The 918th was not lacking in individual courage, but it lacked cohesion—the collective belief that they could face extreme trauma and still execute their mission.
Savage’s arrival acts as a lightning bolt. He recognizes that sympathy is a luxury a front-line unit cannot afford when fighting for its survival. Through swift, uncompromising actions—hosing down the filthy Operations room himself, enforcing crisp salutes at the perimeter gate, and shutting down the Officers' Club bar—he forcefully disrupts the unit's wallowing. Savage shifts the group's focus away from individual survival toward absolute unity, establishing the non-negotiable standard of "Group Integrity". By forcing every man to understand that sticking together in tight formation is the only true shield against the enemy, Savage begins the painstaking process of welding a fragmented collection of traumatized individuals into a single, unbreakable cadre.
"Consider Yourselves Already Dead": The Psychological Pivot
The novel’s defining moment—and the intellectual anchor of Savage’s philosophy—occurs during his initial morning briefing to the assembled aircrews. Facing a room full of sullen, hostile young men who openly resent Davenport's relief, Savage delivers an unfiltered cold shower of reality:
"Fear is normal... But remember that the difference between being afraid to die, and quitting, is surrender... Consider yourselves already dead. If any man here wants to save his hide, then he’d better make up his mind right now..."
This mandate—"Consider yourselves already dead"—is not an exercise in fatalism or cruelty; it is a stroke of profound psychological liberation. Savage understands that the crew members' primary source of debilitating anxiety stems from the desperate, impossible hope of surviving twenty-five missions and going home. That hope creates a conflict of interest between self-preservation and duty, tempting pilots to drop out of formation or jettison bombs prematurely.
By demanding that his men surrender the expectation of personal survival, Savage strips away their existential panic. If a man accepts that his life is already forfeited to a cause larger than himself, fear loses its leverage over him. He no longer wastes energy calculating percentages or pitying his predicament; he concentrates entirely on precision, formation integrity, and hitting the target.
This philosophy acts as the ultimate equalizer across the group. It reframes their struggle from an unfair nightmare into an noble, historical necessity. Savage pulls no punches, reminding them that they are the front line protecting their families from tyranny, and that doing their job without compromise is the only thing that gives their risk meaning.
The True Test: The Cadre Fills the Breach
The genius of Savage’s command style is that he does not build a cult of personality dependent on his presence; he builds an operational ecosystem on shared standard and distributed leadership. Nowhere is this accomplishment more triumphant than in the novel's climax.
Throughout his tenure, Savage systematically identifies, tests, and redeems key personnel to form a resilient leadership core:
Harvey Stovall, the methodical legal mind, is elevated to Ground Exec, using bureaucratic mastery to shield the outfit while maintaining unwavering ground discipline.
Joe Cobb, a fierce brawler whose aggression was previously unchanneled, is transformed into an exceptionally dependable Air Exec and Squadron Commander.
Jesse Bishop, the reluctant hero who initially led the pilot transfer rebellion, becomes Savage's trusted tactical partner and a cornerstone of group morale.
Ben Gately, stripped of his executive title and banished to "The Leper Colony" for initial slackness, undergoes a profound moral redemption. Gately endures excruciating physical agony—flying combat missions with a fractured spine—to prove his worth, ultimately shedding his resentment to become Savage’s most devoted, disciplined deputy.
When the long-awaited, deep-penetration strikes into the German heartland arrive, the relentless physical and emotional strain finally catches up with Savage. Having pushed his mind and body far beyond human limits to protect his men and fulfill the mission, Savage suffers a complete catatonic breakdown on the verge of a critical raid.
In a lesser story, the C.O.'s collapse would trigger panic and defeat. In Twelve O’clock High, it serves as the ultimate validation of Savage's vision.
When Savage collapses, there is no hesitation, no vacuum of authority, and no return to the chaotic days of early 1943. The leadership cadre he trained, disciplined, and believed in steps into the breach instantly and effortlessly. Ben Gately, Joe Cobb, and Harvey Stovall take the reins without missing a single beat. The aircrews assemble, the bombers launch in tight, disciplined elements, and the 918th flies deep into hostile skies to execute its mission with textbook perfection.
The machine Savage built operates faultlessly because his spirit, his standards, and his philosophy have been fully absorbed by the men around him. He didn't just teach them how to fly; he taught them how to lead each other.
A Timeless Masterpiece
Twelve O’clock High remains one of the finest novels ever written about the military experience because it resists easy tropes. It neither glorifies the horrific mechanics of war nor descends into cheap cynicism. It treats its characters with profound respect, showing that true leadership is an act of selfless love—a willingness to be hated in the short term so that those under your command might survive and achieve the extraordinary in the long term.
The transformation of the 918th from a broken, grieving unit into a proud, elite fighting force stands as a immortal testament to human resilience. Written with authentic dialogue, sharp psychological insight, and deep emotional resonance, Twelve O’clock High is far more than a vintage war novel; it is a timeless masterpiece on what it truly takes to forge a cadre out of chaos.
Published in 1948 by Beirne Lay, Jr. and Sy Bartlett, Twelve O’clock High is widely acknowledged as an enduring piece of war literature and command psychology. Born from the authors’ real-world experiences with the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II, the novel transcends the visceral thrill of aerial combat, a masterclass in leadership, organizational culture, and human endurance. At its core, the story documents a dramatic, high-stakes transformation: how a demoralized bombardment group is systematically forged into a fighting unit through discipline, shared purpose, and a revolutionary cadre of leaders.
From Broken to Cohesive: Rebuilding a Shattered Unit
When Brigadier General Frank Savage arrives at Archbury Field to assume command of the 918th Bomb Group, he enters a station paralyzed by demoralization. Dubbed the “Hard Luck Group,” the 918th is suffering under the crushing weight of astronomical attrition, bitter winter weather, and the lingering phantom of its former commander, Keith Davenport. Davenport was deeply beloved, but his devotion led to an insurmountable flaw: he over-identified with his men's suffering. Under Davenport, combat fatigue became contagious, bad luck was accepted as an inevitability, and basic military discipline eroded into a fog of cynicism, slovenliness, and informal excuses.
The early chapters brilliantly depict the tragic consequences of a unit lacking organizational backbone. Tragedies like the suicide of navigator Heinz Zimmermann showcase how emotional vulnerability without structural discipline leads to total collapse under stress. The 918th was not lacking in individual courage, but it lacked cohesion—the collective belief that they could face extreme trauma and still execute their mission.
Savage’s arrival acts as a lightning bolt. He recognizes that sympathy is a luxury a front-line unit cannot afford when fighting for its survival. Through swift, uncompromising actions—hosing down the filthy Operations room himself, enforcing crisp salutes at the perimeter gate, and shutting down the Officers' Club bar—he forcefully disrupts the unit's wallowing. Savage shifts the group's focus away from individual survival toward absolute unity, establishing the non-negotiable standard of "Group Integrity". By forcing every man to understand that sticking together in tight formation is the only true shield against the enemy, Savage begins the painstaking process of welding a fragmented collection of traumatized individuals into a single, unbreakable cadre.
"Consider Yourselves Already Dead": The Psychological Pivot
The novel’s defining moment—and the intellectual anchor of Savage’s philosophy—occurs during his initial morning briefing to the assembled aircrews. Facing a room full of sullen, hostile young men who openly resent Davenport's relief, Savage delivers an unfiltered cold shower of reality:
"Fear is normal... But remember that the difference between being afraid to die, and quitting, is surrender... Consider yourselves already dead. If any man here wants to save his hide, then he’d better make up his mind right now..."
This mandate—"Consider yourselves already dead"—is not an exercise in fatalism or cruelty; it is a stroke of profound psychological liberation. Savage understands that the crew members' primary source of debilitating anxiety stems from the desperate, impossible hope of surviving twenty-five missions and going home. That hope creates a conflict of interest between self-preservation and duty, tempting pilots to drop out of formation or jettison bombs prematurely.
By demanding that his men surrender the expectation of personal survival, Savage strips away their existential panic. If a man accepts that his life is already forfeited to a cause larger than himself, fear loses its leverage over him. He no longer wastes energy calculating percentages or pitying his predicament; he concentrates entirely on precision, formation integrity, and hitting the target.
This philosophy acts as the ultimate equalizer across the group. It reframes their struggle from an unfair nightmare into an noble, historical necessity. Savage pulls no punches, reminding them that they are the front line protecting their families from tyranny, and that doing their job without compromise is the only thing that gives their risk meaning.
The True Test: The Cadre Fills the Breach
The genius of Savage’s command style is that he does not build a cult of personality dependent on his presence; he builds an operational ecosystem on shared standard and distributed leadership. Nowhere is this accomplishment more triumphant than in the novel's climax.
Throughout his tenure, Savage systematically identifies, tests, and redeems key personnel to form a resilient leadership core:
Harvey Stovall, the methodical legal mind, is elevated to Ground Exec, using bureaucratic mastery to shield the outfit while maintaining unwavering ground discipline.
Joe Cobb, a fierce brawler whose aggression was previously unchanneled, is transformed into an exceptionally dependable Air Exec and Squadron Commander.
Jesse Bishop, the reluctant hero who initially led the pilot transfer rebellion, becomes Savage's trusted tactical partner and a cornerstone of group morale.
Ben Gately, stripped of his executive title and banished to "The Leper Colony" for initial slackness, undergoes a profound moral redemption. Gately endures excruciating physical agony—flying combat missions with a fractured spine—to prove his worth, ultimately shedding his resentment to become Savage’s most devoted, disciplined deputy.
When the long-awaited, deep-penetration strikes into the German heartland arrive, the relentless physical and emotional strain finally catches up with Savage. Having pushed his mind and body far beyond human limits to protect his men and fulfill the mission, Savage suffers a complete catatonic breakdown on the verge of a critical raid.
In a lesser story, the C.O.'s collapse would trigger panic and defeat. In Twelve O’clock High, it serves as the ultimate validation of Savage's vision.
When Savage collapses, there is no hesitation, no vacuum of authority, and no return to the chaotic days of early 1943. The leadership cadre he trained, disciplined, and believed in steps into the breach instantly and effortlessly. Ben Gately, Joe Cobb, and Harvey Stovall take the reins without missing a single beat. The aircrews assemble, the bombers launch in tight, disciplined elements, and the 918th flies deep into hostile skies to execute its mission with textbook perfection.
The machine Savage built operates faultlessly because his spirit, his standards, and his philosophy have been fully absorbed by the men around him. He didn't just teach them how to fly; he taught them how to lead each other.
A Timeless Masterpiece
Twelve O’clock High remains one of the finest novels ever written about the military experience because it resists easy tropes. It neither glorifies the horrific mechanics of war nor descends into cheap cynicism. It treats its characters with profound respect, showing that true leadership is an act of selfless love—a willingness to be hated in the short term so that those under your command might survive and achieve the extraordinary in the long term.
The transformation of the 918th from a broken, grieving unit into a proud, elite fighting force stands as a immortal testament to human resilience. Written with authentic dialogue, sharp psychological insight, and deep emotional resonance, Twelve O’clock High is far more than a vintage war novel; it is a timeless masterpiece on what it truly takes to forge a cadre out of chaos.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2019
There is a reason it is said that the greatest movie to come out of World War II came from the greatest novel to come out of WWII. Twelve O’Clock High! is the closest you will get to a realistic look at bomber pilots and crews of WWII. Authors Beirne Lay, Jr. and Sy Bartlett were both first-hand witnesses to the bravery and carnage that came out of the Eighth Air Force’s high altitude bombing runs.
This masterpiece is an absolute read for interests regarding WWII, the Air Force, and aviation.
Furthermore, it is an exposition on the qualities of leadership. Lay and Bartlett help the reader to gain an intimate understanding of the burden associated with tough leadership. Though it may cost him all that he has to give, Frank Savage is a tough man facing the daunting task of leading a failing bombing group back to fighting form.
The thoughts of Harvey Stovall, the character for which Dean Jagger won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the film version, describe best what kind of leader Frank Savage is: “For all these months he had thought of Brigadier General Frank Savage as a superman. Now he knew that Savage was not a superman . . . that he never had been. Rather, he saw Savage as a man who had made a superhuman effort. A man capable of giving everything that was in him . . . and then giving some more.”
This is the man who made leaders out of slackers; who pushed his men to give more than they ever thought they could; who always led by example, and never asked a man to do something he wouldn’t first do himself.
In this wonderfully told story, Savage himself discovers that a man can give a maximum effort - but the breaking point is so much further out than one expected. The resolve in these men to carry on and “take it” even when all seems lost is only achieved by great leadership. But great leadership comes at the great cost of self-sacrifice.
This masterpiece is an absolute read for interests regarding WWII, the Air Force, and aviation.
Furthermore, it is an exposition on the qualities of leadership. Lay and Bartlett help the reader to gain an intimate understanding of the burden associated with tough leadership. Though it may cost him all that he has to give, Frank Savage is a tough man facing the daunting task of leading a failing bombing group back to fighting form.
The thoughts of Harvey Stovall, the character for which Dean Jagger won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the film version, describe best what kind of leader Frank Savage is: “For all these months he had thought of Brigadier General Frank Savage as a superman. Now he knew that Savage was not a superman . . . that he never had been. Rather, he saw Savage as a man who had made a superhuman effort. A man capable of giving everything that was in him . . . and then giving some more.”
This is the man who made leaders out of slackers; who pushed his men to give more than they ever thought they could; who always led by example, and never asked a man to do something he wouldn’t first do himself.
In this wonderfully told story, Savage himself discovers that a man can give a maximum effort - but the breaking point is so much further out than one expected. The resolve in these men to carry on and “take it” even when all seems lost is only achieved by great leadership. But great leadership comes at the great cost of self-sacrifice.
April 25, 2012
More soap opera than action, all the action is on the ground until the end just like in the movie. The Gregory Peck character has a love interest that isn't in the film. The writing was kind of unpolished but I got used to it and this turned out to be pretty good.
June 5, 2025
Beirne Lay, Jr., and Sy Bartlett's 1948 Twelve O'Clock High! is a gripping novel of the early days of the air war in Europe, "in the Fall of 1942" (1965 Ballantine paperback, page 12), when the U.S. Army Air Force, despite lack of aircraft and woefully insufficient fighter escort coverage, and hence incurring staggering casualties, was trying to prove that daylight high-altitude strategic bombing--called "precision" bombing, though this was rather more a hope than actuality--could cripple the German war effort.
Most of us, perhaps, have come to the book through the 1949 black-and-white film starring Gregory Peck. If so, we already know the broad contours of the plot: a "hard luck" Bomb Group stationed in England is taking far more casualties than others, and Command believes this must be from weak leadership, so they replace the chummy Colonel with a hard-nosed newcomer to whip them back into military shape; the men hate him, but he is right, and eventually they are won over, becoming the proudest unit with the tightest formations, the best bombing, and the most accurate gunnery, until finally... Well, like I say, you know. Certainly I myself have spent many, many hours in this film over the years, and it is unimpeachable.
The book, naturally, is better--richer, more detailed, with occasionally fuller backstories, and revealed through additional perspectives. Here, for example, there are "old rivalries" (page 24) between Keith Davenport, commanding officer of the 918th, and the hard-hitting and exquisitely named Frank Savage who soon replaces him. Although Savage originally "got the dream assignment, leading the first ten missions here" (page 17), Davenport had been "surprised to see General Pritchard give him that first bomb group. Savage handles men like Simon Legree" (page 18).
Hmm... Or maybe Savage is simply a man of whom Major Stovall, adjutant of the 918th, would never think what he had of the affable Davenport: "Under the stress of combat, would [he] try to spare these crews the ultimate hardships and sacrifices, would losses overly upset him[,] and would he thereby lose his efficiency as a leader?" (page 15). See, it was "just four years ago" that Davenport was "ordered down to relieve [Savage] of his squadron" because "[h]e had been flying the boys ragged and sweating the ground personnel like a road gang. You'd have thought there was a goddam war on," Davenport clucks, "the way he ran the outfit" (page 18).
But now there is a goddam war on, isn't there? The time for allowing, even encouraging, bad morale by writing under a tacked-up poster's "confident slogan" of "Who's afraid of the new Focke-Wulf?" "I am," with the C.O.'s signature above all the others (page 37)-- Of a "dissipated" pilot who "had logged more hours at the card table in the club, cleaning out junior officers, than at the controls of a B-17" (page 46) "grounding himself against [the flight surgeon's] repeated recommendations" (page 47)-- Of armorers loading bombs too slowly and making the Group "fourteen minutes late at take-off" (page 57)-- Of inattentive post sentries and lack of salutes and slovenly housekeeping (pages 66-67)-- Those times are done, and Savage will make sure of it.
Now, yes, now and then there is some cliched stuff here, like Davenport's initial description to Stovall of the "good-looking bastard" Savage: "Dames love him and I wish I had a dollar for every quart of whisky he's drunk" (page 18). Overall, however, it isn't too intrusive, and we instead are swept up in the perils of the 918th and Savage's desperate efforts at reform, the influences of the general Savage "dryly" terms to Davenport "your pal Ed Henderson" (page 25), the interaction of the the female RAF officer who both attracts and rather threatens Savage, and the occasional mischiefs of the 918th's various personnel. Really, I won't spoil the plot, for there are differences between the novel and the film, with many new things to discover.
Beirne Lay, Jr., and Sy Bartlett's Twelve O'Clock High!, published only a few years after the capitulation of the Axis, when the memories of the brutal '42 and '43 air war over Europe were still terrifyingly fresh, will be a thoroughly enjoyable 5-star read for anyone interested in the Second World War, and especially in strategies and tactics of aerial combat of the propeller days.
Most of us, perhaps, have come to the book through the 1949 black-and-white film starring Gregory Peck. If so, we already know the broad contours of the plot: a "hard luck" Bomb Group stationed in England is taking far more casualties than others, and Command believes this must be from weak leadership, so they replace the chummy Colonel with a hard-nosed newcomer to whip them back into military shape; the men hate him, but he is right, and eventually they are won over, becoming the proudest unit with the tightest formations, the best bombing, and the most accurate gunnery, until finally... Well, like I say, you know. Certainly I myself have spent many, many hours in this film over the years, and it is unimpeachable.
The book, naturally, is better--richer, more detailed, with occasionally fuller backstories, and revealed through additional perspectives. Here, for example, there are "old rivalries" (page 24) between Keith Davenport, commanding officer of the 918th, and the hard-hitting and exquisitely named Frank Savage who soon replaces him. Although Savage originally "got the dream assignment, leading the first ten missions here" (page 17), Davenport had been "surprised to see General Pritchard give him that first bomb group. Savage handles men like Simon Legree" (page 18).
Hmm... Or maybe Savage is simply a man of whom Major Stovall, adjutant of the 918th, would never think what he had of the affable Davenport: "Under the stress of combat, would [he] try to spare these crews the ultimate hardships and sacrifices, would losses overly upset him[,] and would he thereby lose his efficiency as a leader?" (page 15). See, it was "just four years ago" that Davenport was "ordered down to relieve [Savage] of his squadron" because "[h]e had been flying the boys ragged and sweating the ground personnel like a road gang. You'd have thought there was a goddam war on," Davenport clucks, "the way he ran the outfit" (page 18).
But now there is a goddam war on, isn't there? The time for allowing, even encouraging, bad morale by writing under a tacked-up poster's "confident slogan" of "Who's afraid of the new Focke-Wulf?" "I am," with the C.O.'s signature above all the others (page 37)-- Of a "dissipated" pilot who "had logged more hours at the card table in the club, cleaning out junior officers, than at the controls of a B-17" (page 46) "grounding himself against [the flight surgeon's] repeated recommendations" (page 47)-- Of armorers loading bombs too slowly and making the Group "fourteen minutes late at take-off" (page 57)-- Of inattentive post sentries and lack of salutes and slovenly housekeeping (pages 66-67)-- Those times are done, and Savage will make sure of it.
Now, yes, now and then there is some cliched stuff here, like Davenport's initial description to Stovall of the "good-looking bastard" Savage: "Dames love him and I wish I had a dollar for every quart of whisky he's drunk" (page 18). Overall, however, it isn't too intrusive, and we instead are swept up in the perils of the 918th and Savage's desperate efforts at reform, the influences of the general Savage "dryly" terms to Davenport "your pal Ed Henderson" (page 25), the interaction of the the female RAF officer who both attracts and rather threatens Savage, and the occasional mischiefs of the 918th's various personnel. Really, I won't spoil the plot, for there are differences between the novel and the film, with many new things to discover.
Beirne Lay, Jr., and Sy Bartlett's Twelve O'Clock High!, published only a few years after the capitulation of the Axis, when the memories of the brutal '42 and '43 air war over Europe were still terrifyingly fresh, will be a thoroughly enjoyable 5-star read for anyone interested in the Second World War, and especially in strategies and tactics of aerial combat of the propeller days.
August 16, 2025
I first saw the movie a long time ago and really enjoy it to this day. The book isn't quite the same but it still gives you a glimpse into the burden that all military personnel, particularly those in the first air squadrons overseas in WWII, carry. The stress of death all around them, losing close friends and squadron-mates, the uncertainty of every day, the inability to really live life because they did not know what tomorrow brought - these are the specters that appear on every page.
I honestly thought the romance between Frank and Pamela was superfluous but, by the end, it did hammer home the above truths, although McIllhenny's story did it better. I'm glad Bishop got to see the wall of American fighters.
I honestly thought the romance between Frank and Pamela was superfluous but, by the end, it did hammer home the above truths, although McIllhenny's story did it better. I'm glad Bishop got to see the wall of American fighters.
April 15, 2024
Not what I expected but still quite enjoyable ... I never saw the movie or the TV series but I did read the epic "Masters of the Air" by Donald L. Miller and in that book he mentions "Twelve O'clock High" and the authors Lay and Bartlett, authentic bomber pilots who participated in some of the most storied bombing raids of World War II ... This led me to believe this book would be about bombing runs and dogfights, it's not, it's about the behind the scenes war fought by a bomber wing and the man who commands them ... Good WWII yarn
January 8, 2020
I ordered in this re-processed film after reading about it in the book, Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith, page 64. He describes it as, "a step by step illustration of situational leadership. [...] Gregory Peck, playing WWII general Frank Savage, displays all four leadership styles as he remodels a "bad luck" American bomber squadron into fighting trim."
June 6, 2019
Simply, a powerful, beautiful book!
September 18, 2020
One of the best WWII novels ever written and the basis for the movie of the same name.
If you have any interest in the air war over Europe this is a MUST READ.
If you have any interest in the air war over Europe this is a MUST READ.
January 23, 2022
Movie followed the book very closely. Both very good.
February 7, 2023
Good story of the 8th Air Force in WW2.
June 23, 2025
Simply the best novel to come out of WW II.
July 22, 2022
Does anyone know why this great classic hasn’t been reprinted and isn’t on Kindle?
January 24, 2026
Twelve O'Clock High, based on the novel by Sy Bartlett
9 out of 10
This motion picture is one of the rare productions, even more difficult to find in the age of Avengers, Fast and the Furious 23, wherein the public can find meaning, values and role models.
Real role models, not the Kardashian type.
The film has won two Oscars, one for the supporting role and was nominated for Best Film and Actor in a Leading Role:
The astounding, gigantic Gregory Peck.
This superb actor has the complex role of General Savage.
During World War II, many soldiers and officers have proved their bravery, skills, valor, patriotism and spirit of self sacrifice.
This drama tells the captivating, tremendous story of a group of airplane pilots that have to combat the enemy in the skies.
They also need to bomb in the most difficult of circumstances...
During the day!
This is to ensure accuracy in an age when they did not have guided missiles and precision bombs that could use their GPS and land where designated.
In the begging of the feature, the problem is that these valiant men get killed at a terrible rate.
General Savage and general Pritchard visit the bombing unit and try to find explanations for and more importantly solutions to the horrible death rate.
The colonel in command of the squad is dedicated, brave, loyal to his men.
Indeed, for General Savage this is exactly the problem:
Over identification
He fights for his pilots to the end.
Nothing they do can make him assign blame.
One navigator has made a mistake which seems to have caused all the unit to be late and then accumulate losses.
The commander takes all the blame, explains that the navigator wants to do so much, he is under pressure...
Yes, that is probably...surely understandable, but this is much too serious to allow for human casualties to continue...
At the present rate, there would be nobody left soon.
Therefore General Savage takes over the unit.
He brings in not just discipline, but what seems to be an excessive cruelty...
He closes the bar, talks abuse to the pilots, makes one fly the "Leper colony".
This is however meant to provoke and wake those pilots from stupor.
The first results?
They all ask to be transferred and escape this mad General.
He delays the processing of the papers and then, gradually they become very close.
Indeed, Over Identification seems to be back again...
With a vengeance.
General Savage even enters a severe state of shock, due in part to his strong bonds with his unit.
This is a stupendous film, educational, worthwhile...indeed, it is alone worth half, maybe 80% of the regrettable blockbusters launched in cinemas in this age of the Sequel, Cartoon, Marvel, Disney character.
9 out of 10
This motion picture is one of the rare productions, even more difficult to find in the age of Avengers, Fast and the Furious 23, wherein the public can find meaning, values and role models.
Real role models, not the Kardashian type.
The film has won two Oscars, one for the supporting role and was nominated for Best Film and Actor in a Leading Role:
The astounding, gigantic Gregory Peck.
This superb actor has the complex role of General Savage.
During World War II, many soldiers and officers have proved their bravery, skills, valor, patriotism and spirit of self sacrifice.
This drama tells the captivating, tremendous story of a group of airplane pilots that have to combat the enemy in the skies.
They also need to bomb in the most difficult of circumstances...
During the day!
This is to ensure accuracy in an age when they did not have guided missiles and precision bombs that could use their GPS and land where designated.
In the begging of the feature, the problem is that these valiant men get killed at a terrible rate.
General Savage and general Pritchard visit the bombing unit and try to find explanations for and more importantly solutions to the horrible death rate.
The colonel in command of the squad is dedicated, brave, loyal to his men.
Indeed, for General Savage this is exactly the problem:
Over identification
He fights for his pilots to the end.
Nothing they do can make him assign blame.
One navigator has made a mistake which seems to have caused all the unit to be late and then accumulate losses.
The commander takes all the blame, explains that the navigator wants to do so much, he is under pressure...
Yes, that is probably...surely understandable, but this is much too serious to allow for human casualties to continue...
At the present rate, there would be nobody left soon.
Therefore General Savage takes over the unit.
He brings in not just discipline, but what seems to be an excessive cruelty...
He closes the bar, talks abuse to the pilots, makes one fly the "Leper colony".
This is however meant to provoke and wake those pilots from stupor.
The first results?
They all ask to be transferred and escape this mad General.
He delays the processing of the papers and then, gradually they become very close.
Indeed, Over Identification seems to be back again...
With a vengeance.
General Savage even enters a severe state of shock, due in part to his strong bonds with his unit.
This is a stupendous film, educational, worthwhile...indeed, it is alone worth half, maybe 80% of the regrettable blockbusters launched in cinemas in this age of the Sequel, Cartoon, Marvel, Disney character.
October 8, 2016
This is one of those books I just could not put down.
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