War Correspondent

Thirty miles outside of Shanghai, famous war correspondent Franklyn Bennett, who is part of an unofficial branch of the U.S. military, broadcasts over the radio an eyewitness report of an air battle being won by China's ace aviator, "General Ching," on behalf of Wu Sun's nationalist forces. As Ching is being congratulated for downing two rebel aircraft that are flying on behalf of bandit leader General Fang, he is revealed to be Jim Kenyon, a cynical American soldier of fortune. After Wu Sun presents Jim with the Order of the Golden Dragon, China's highest medal, the airman excuses himself to greet Julie March, a former prostitute who has taken a liking to him. Later in the crowded streets of Shanghai, Julie's rickshaw is smashed by an automobile whose passenger is a former client of hers. Frank, standing nearby and bragging with some nationalist soldiers about his previous war experiences, rescues her from the angry gentleman. He escorts her back to the Cathay Hotel and makes a play for her, which she eventually reciprocates. A short time later, Frank places an article in The North China Times announcing his engagement to Julie and greatly exaggerating his "rescue" of her from a "mob of howling coolies." Jim reads the story and becomes jealous, and the two men's hatred of each other, the result of previous encounters in other wars, is aggravated. During a party at the hotel, Jim, under the pretense of granting Frank an interview with "General Ching," denounces the reporter as a liar and coward. Jim orders Frank imprisoned, then forces three Chinese prisoners who are about to be executed to sign a false statement saying that Frank ordered them to ambush Jim the previous evening. After Jim heartlessly orders the execution to continue, he uses the bogus confessions to force Frank to leave China within twenty-four hours or face a firing squad. As Frank packs, he tells Julie that he really is a coward, but she says she loves him and implores him to take her with him. That night, Fang's thugs kidnap Julie as she is about to board a ship. Frank learns of her abduction and pleads with Jim to rescue Julie, his new bride. Although Jim sarcastically suggests that Frank do it himself, he flies his plane to Fang's headquarters to talk with the despotic ruler. Fang, angry with Jim for switching allegiances for money, is offered victory over Wu Sun in exchange for Julie's life. When Frank is captured by Fang's men while trying to enter the camp, Jim suggests that the reporter, who had christened Fang the "Mongol butcher," will be a gift to the despot. After Julie lashes out at Jim for his vile attitude, Jim, having maneuvered Fang's guards out of his office, suprises and kills Fang. Julie and Frank then realize that Jim has been on their side all along, and the two men prop Fang's limp bodies between their own and flee to the nearby airfield. Frank and Julie depart in his car, while Jim takes to the sky and attacks the forces pursuing their car. Jim heroically destroys the armored posse, but is wounded by enemy fire. After his plane crashes, Jim is comforted by Julie, after which she and her husband place the Order of the Golden Dragon on the chest of their dead friend.