In 1949, Major Stovall visits an abandoned airbase in the English countryside, remembering the time when his unit was stationed there during the war. They suffered extremely high casualties and their effectiveness was low, partly due to the fact that Coronel Davenport had identified with his men to such an extent that he was unable to send them to their death. General Savage had taken command, cutting back on leave, closing the local bar and disciplining the men.