[2][3][4] When the Japanese invade New Guinea in 1942, Grace Ingram, an Australian member of a scientific expedition, is captured and then imprisoned in a women's detention camp.

She shares her prison barrack with six other women: Janet Cook, a pregnant American teenager; Ann Van Laer, a tightlipped but sympathetic German widow; Claire Oudry, a French waitress; Mai-Lu Ferguson, a Eurasian nurse; and two other Americans, Mara Shepherd, an ignorant rich woman, and Regan, a soft-spoken young lady.

Sergeant Takahashi, his sadistic assistant, assumes command of the camp, and a friendly Japanese, Doctor Matsumo, helps the women escape.

The surviving four encounter a wounded American flyer, Lt. Bill Jackson, who helps them make their way to the beach but dies before they can reach safety.

A wealthy planter, Luis Hullman, finds the girls, feigns friendship, and then attempts to hand them over to the Japanese.