Stand By for Action

Stand By for Action British title Cargo of Innocents is a 1942 American war film directed by Robert Z. Leonard, starring Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy, and Charles Laughton, and featuring Walter Brennan. Suggested by a story by Laurence Kirk, and with an original story by Captain Harvey Haislip and R. C. Sherriff, the films screenplay was written by George Bruce, John L. Balderston, and Herman J. Mankiewicz.

Despite his awkward beginning, Masterman begins to turn into an effective officer under Roberts tutelage, though Roberts has to constantly remind him that he cannot put the welfare of one person over that of the mission. On their way to rendezvous with a convoy commanded by Thomas, they are attacked by a Japanese airplane. Then, Johnson sustains a serious head injury during a storm, leaving him delirious and believing he is back in World War I. Finally, they rescue two pregnant women andbabies, survivors of a torpedoed ship. For comic relief, the crewmen especially Masterman have to deal with their unusual passengers. One woman gives birth just before they sight the convoy.An aircraft hit cripples Thomass flagship, damaging the steering mechanism. Thus, when a Japanese battleship sights the convoy, it is all up to the Warren. Roberts informs Masterman of his plan of attack. He intends to set up a smoke screen, hide behind it, and then emerge to launch a torpedo salvo. When the captain is injured, Masterman assumes command. During the battle, Johnson takes over the helm when a crewman is knocked out. It takes two attempts, but the Warren sinks the enemy. ........

Source: Wikipedia