[1] The film is a fictional account of Operation Greif during the Battle of the Bulge, where German commandos attempted to capture several bridges on the Meuse while disguised as Allied personnel.

Assisting in the training, von Kroner is assigned a team of three other men with various skills, including a Waffen SS Officer, Wilitz, who regales his comrades with stories of his exploits in terrorizing unfortunates whilst a member of the Brown Shirts.

Von Kroner's team's activities and the initial German assault meet with success, but both soon run into unexpected difficulty.

Von Kroner's team sabotage a jeep with a bomb, killing the company commander, and attempt to destroy the unit's other vehicle, a weapons carrier, arousing Ludwig's suspicion.

The company attacks a German position with Wilitz using the opportunity to shoot their lieutenant in the back, placing Ludwig in command.