Berlin 1944. Inge, a 14-year-old Jewish girl is in hiding. She fears the Gestapo more than she fears the advancing Soviet troops. As the Red Army encircles the city, the remains of a defeated German army face overwhelming odds. But the fanatical SS refuse to give up, recruiting boys and old men to man the trenches. Led by a baker's assistant and a one-legged ex-soldier, a ragtag collection of friends makes desperate plans to help Inge escape. They are up against a continuous day-and-night Allied bombing campaign and Anton, a 12-year-old Hitler Youth, who can't wait to join the battle and have his moment of glory.