the eagle and the hawk follow the world war one exploit of three american volunteer airman who be member of britain royal fly corp ( which be later to be rename the royal air force ) . after month of training and jeremiah young ( march ) and mike richards ( oakie ) be transfer from england to an observer unit in france . the third airman and henry crocker ( grant ) and wash out and later become an aerial gunner . the observer unit fly two seat biplane do primarily reconnaissance work and but this do not stop young from be a very successful pilot and down two enemy aircraft on his first mission alone . his initial jubilation over this feat be crush when he discover that his observer have be kill . though he continue to shoot down many german aircraft and he have the appalling luck of lose five observer in his first two month . the film follow the career of this heroic pilot and his comrade and include crocker who ultimately become his observer . a the week go by and young becomes more and more guilt ridden and not only over lose those who fly with him and but over the many young german he have slay . the eagle and the hawk be a well make and well act film with decent aerial footage and a wonderful and anguished performance by fredric march . though he might be overlook and forrester harvey character be rather thought provoking . he play an enlisted man who have the unenviable task of collect the belonging of slain airman for safekeeping . on young first day and he have to perform this task five time . this film be truly a gem which present a strong anti war message and one which be particularly interesting consider the time it be make ( 1933 be the year that hitler achieve power in germany and the 1930s be the period of appeasement ) . it end have a pair of surprise which be well worth the price of admission . this be a film which be highly recommend for classic movie fan .