Twelve O'Clock High

What does this story, based on the early days of American involvement in the air war over Germany, tell us about the tensions that exist, for commanders, when they try to balance mission accomplishment with stewardship responsibilities they have for the well-being of the men and women they lead? How does it illustrate the emotional and psychological toll that these command responsibilities take? How does the film contrast with later Vietnam era films, as regards cynicism and combat exhaustion?