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.