We'll Meet Again

In April 1943, the peace of small Suffolk town Market Wetherby is shattered when brash American GIs arrive to take over the local base. Shopkeeper Albert Mundy is resentful but his daughter Rosie and her friend Letty are charmed as they take a ride in a jeep. War hero Ronald Dereham is also less than enthusiastic but he observes protocol when he and his wife, local doctor Helen, host a party for Colonel Rufus Krasnowiki and Major James Kiley, before Ronald returns to service. The crack flyer 'Red' Burwash is grounded for an irresponsible show of aeronautics and most of the men are inexperienced so poor weather and a bombing raid from a German plane don't boost their confidence.

The raid isn't terribly successful. Red's plane gets separated from the others and flyer Danny Coogan ends up in hospital. Patricia returns to University and Vi carries on seeing Chuck. Letty is almost caught with Lt Harvey Wallis but – backed by Peter – lies to her father that she was jumped. This fuels local prejudice as Mundy demands action. Kiley tells Helen the matter has been dealt with but will say no more, leading to mistrust.

Vera's younger brother Sid, a spiv, comes to stay, having been bombed out in London. Patricia returns after dropping out of uni and cash-strapped army wife Sally Bilton is offered laundry work at the base by Sgt McGraw. Bad weather and shortage of planes means that the pilots are ill-prepared for their next raid, the Milk Run, in the course of which Wallis is killed just as Letty, having confided in Peter, is about to tell him she is carrying his child.

Jack Blair is grateful to McGraw for breaking up a pub fight started by British soldiers jealous that Rosie is being chatted up by Jones and Stutz. McGraw also comforts Sally, whose husband has been killed in action. Sid's continued presence annoys Mundy, who is not impressed to learn of his brother-in-law's black market deals with Mario. Sid also suggests to Letty, still keeping her pregnancy secret, that she move to London with him.

McGraw and Sally's friendship grows despite disapproval from her selfish mother-in-law Ruby. Mario and Sid organise the Independence Day dance where Vi and Chuck agree to marry, Rosie chooses Jones over Stutz, and British servicemen turn up, not to fight but to unite with their allies. Letty reels in Mario, who charms Vera but is predictably shunned by Mundy.

As mounting casualties take their toll on morale, Red takes a group of flyers to London on leave where Chuck pines for Vi whilst Mario's pursuit of women lands him and Jones in a fight and jail. Stutz takes advantage of Jones's absence to win over Rosie, now working in a parachute factory. Helen is also in London on hospital business and Kiley goes after her, despite her telling him that they should stop their affair.