noon
`` Pilot hit and his co-pilot , too , I guess . By what ? How the heck -- '' Dawson did n't finish , either . At that instant the night outside was lighted with a brilliance like that of high noon . A terrific roar seemed to slam into the B-25 from all sides and spin her around until she was as helpless as a dried leaf in a gale . _ Fighting Hearts _ The crazy motion of the bomber knocked Dawson off balance and sent him lurching heavily against the flare rack as he reached the navigator 's nook just aft of the pilot 's compartment . The air whistled out of his lungs , and balls of colored fire danced before his eyes .