The Dawn Patrol (1930)

The Dawn Patrol (1930) centers on the lives of the pilots and ground crew stationed at a Royal Flying Corps airbase, who cope with the pressures of war through intense nightly drinking sessions. The film focuses on two skilled pilots, Courtney (Richard Barthelmess) and Scott (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), who harbor deep resentment towards their commanding officer, Brand (Neil Hamilton), accusing him of sending inexperienced pilots straight into battle. Unbeknownst to them, Brand has been persistently advocating for training time for the new recruits, but his superiors insist on immediate deployment to maintain aerial dominance. The strain of command and the constant losses take a heavy toll on Brand, who is shunned by the men and drinks alone. The situation escalates when a formidable German squadron, rumored to be led by the Red Baron, positions itself across from their base. As veteran pilots fall, the squadron is increasingly filled with inexperienced replacements who stand little chance against the enemy. Brand is eventually called back to headquarters, and Courtney takes over as commander. He quickly realizes the futility of his position, leading to a strained relationship with Scott. The tension reaches a breaking point when Courtney's brother arrives as a new recruit. Despite Courtney's desperate pleas to headquarters, his brother is sent on a mission and is killed. In a final act of defiance, Scott volunteers for a perilous mission deep behind enemy lines, but Courtney takes his place, stealing Scott's plane to fly into the danger himself.