The film opens with a squad of seasoned German soldiers, led by a disillusioned but
skilled sergeant, on a patrol on the Russian front in WWII. They return to base to
find a new commander, a traditional Prussian officer who wants only one thing from
his command - An Iron Cross to maintain his family honor. The scene is set for a
graphic portrayal of the horrors of war and of the conflict between two men of differing
backgrounds.