Seeing those empty bunks was the worst part. You flew your mission, dropped your bombs, picked up your home course, patched what damage you could, tried to stem the bleeding of those who were hit. You landed, were debriefed, belted down some squadron whiskey, ate some chow, and went to your quarters to turn in.

And there were the empty bunks. Almost always, they met you as you hit the sack. This one; that one over there; both with men in them this morning.

Tail End Charlie, the last plane in an aircraft formation, is usually most vulnerable to attack. The crew of 478, however, has survived flak, fighters and bone-chilling cold of high altitude battles to complete yet another in a long series of missions. On this mission there will be no empty bunks for the crew of 478. - WSP