Wing and a Prayer

"Where is our Navy? Why doesn't it fight?" In the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack, the U.S. Navy in the Pacific is stretched thin, torn between trying to defend against an expected attack on the U.S. West coast or striking a decisive blow against the Japanese.

The unnamed U.S. Aircraft Carrier (An amalgam of U.S.S. Enterprise and U.S.S. Lexington) embarks on a series of "see me, I'm here" feints which results in aircrew losses. Various subplots detail shipboard life in 1942 as the sailors and flyers wonder when they will get a chance to attack the enemy.

Then, the campaign turns serious and the fleet gathers near Midway island to strike the Japanese navy. Squadron attacks fail, then succeed, as the enemy fleet loses ships and ai...

This is quite an interesting story depicting the lives of sailors and airmen aboard an American aircraft carrier shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941. Their task, is however, a bit different. They are to sail around the Pacific trying to give their enemy the impression that their fleet is disorganised and dispersed widely whilst their sister ships actually mass near Midway for a battle royal. This decoy mission has disadvantages for the crew though - they must be visible to the Japanese, but not engage them - a dangerous task made much more difficult and frustrating because they are determined to avenge their murdered comrades. It falls to Don Ameche ("Harper") to manage this air crew led by Dana Andrews ("Moulton") th...