12 O’clock High chronicled the adventures of the men of the 918th Bombardment Group of the US Eighth Air Force, stationed in England during World War II.
First commanded by irascible Brigadier General Frank Savage (Robert Lansing, pictured), the Group flew long-range bombing missions into German-occupied Europe.
Major General Crowe (John Larkin) was his boss, and Major Harvey Stovall (Frank Overton initially and then Lew Gallow) was his adjutant on the ground.
The action was hot and heavy, and at the start of the second season, it got a little too hot for General Savage, who was killed during a mission (Lansing left the show because he was upset by the network’s decision to change the time slot and to lessen his role).
Colonel Joe Gallagher (Paul Burke) – the son of a Pentagon General – then assumed command and the lead in the series for the rest of its run.
Brigadier General Britt (Andrew Duggan) became the new superior officer in the second season, while Tech. Sgt. Komansky (Chris Robinson) was Gallagher’s gunner and flight engineer.
The series – a Quinn Martin Production – was originally shot and screened in black and white but made the move to colour for the third season in the fall of 1966.
Maj. Harvey Stovall
Frank Overton (1)
Lew Gallow (2)
Col. Joseph Anson Gallagher
Paul Burke
Tech. Sgt. Sandy Komansky
Chris Robinson
Brigadier General Frank Savage
Robert Lansing Major Doc Kaiser
Barney Phillips Major General Wiley Crowe
John Larkin Brigadier General Edward Britt
Andrew Duggan
