[2] The dedication in the opening credits reads: To the fallen and living soldiers of the 3rd Guards Tank Army under Marshal Pavel Semenovich Rybalko.The film depicts the combat routine of a crew operating a self-propelled gun during the Liberation of Right-Bank Ukraine in 1944.

The protagonist, Junior Lieutenant Maleshkin, is a recently graduated officer assigned to command a SU-100 self-propelled gun (referred to as an SU-85 in the original book).

Maleshkin’s crew frequently encounters misfortunes, ranging from minor incidents, such as the driver appearing disheveled, to serious issues like discovering a live grenade with its pin removed inside the vehicle or mechanical failures during critical moments.

Joined by paratrooper Gromyhalo, they unexpectedly find themselves leading an assault and later isolated behind enemy lines.

The self-propelled gun crew, tasked with following the tanks per regulations, instead engages superior enemy forces heroically, ensuring victory in the battle.