A galaxy of international aces are seen in aerial combat as a series prelude. They describe the qualities great aces must have, and recall a heritage that begins with chivalrous fighter duels of World War I, and ends with Luftwaffe pilots hone their skills in Spain during the bloody dress rehearsal for World War II.
The German blitzkrieg by the invincible Luftwaffe crushes Poland, France, Denmark, and Norway, but a handul of fighter pilots save the Empire during the Battle of Britain.
The Soviet Air Force is all but wiped out by the Luftwaffe, but recovers to fight the invader to a standstill in the most atrocious winter ever encountered.
Some of the deadliest Allied aces of the war emerge from international squadrons of the Royal Air Force. Their own nations crushed under the iron heel of a conqueror, desperate and determined men make perilous journeys to England, and continue to fight in the skies over occupied England.
New fighter aces are born with the emergence of the Flying Tigers. They become the first volunteer American force to battle the Japanese in the Chines sky.
Americans are outnumbered everywhere, but turn the tide at Midway. The ragged Cactus Air Force on Guadalcanal battles against odds over the bitterly contested South Pacific.