12 O Clock High Essay

Leadership can be molded and changed by many factors depending on the situation, the followers, and the leader. In the 1949 movie, 12 O’clock High, challenges, and responsibilities of military leadership are revealed during the war with Germany. It is set during the middle of WWII on an American airfield in England. War is ravaging on and the 918th Bomb Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps is responsible for the daylight bombings of Germany and Occupied France. It focuses on the leadership of Brigadier General Frank Savage as commanding officer of the group. The movie goes through the Interactional Framework of leadership and how it changes through the war, including aspects of the leader, follower, and situation. It also demonstrates other characteristics

Brigadier General Savage takes command of the 918th Bomb Group after Colonel Davenport is relieved for refusing orders and lacking to discipline his men. Colonel Davenport demonstrates a perspective of emotional leadership when he fails to keep a firm hand on his men after a dangerous mission. At this point, he has become over-protective of his pilots on an emotional level. General Savage takes command at a rough period, as the pilots of the 918th heavily reject his presence and the decision to relieve their previous commander. However, the 918th is low in moral and this causes the situation to escalate. The circumstance of war is demoralizing and takes its wear out on the men. General Savage comes in with a strict, but effective form of authority. Even though his form of authority is harsh and, at times, unfair he is able to aid the situation by boosting the confidence in the men. By returning home with little casualties, the men start to fully believe in their power and success as a group. With General Savage’s direct leadership, he was able to successfully change the negative situation into an effective and positive