WWII France. A young woman, Élodie, finds herself the sole survivor of a massacre perpetrated by Nazi S.S. officers. Their leader and his men are shot dead by Allied soldiers, when they stumble upon the scene of the crime. Reluctant to trust anyone, Élodie sets off on a journey with the 7 soldiers, who are racing to reach a rendezvous point in preparation for the final assault on Germany.

They stop to rest in a forest. Private Sykes is fascinated by Élodie, but Private Carnaby soon quells his enthusiasm, keen to maintain decorum. They resume their journey, led by Captain Nordgren and the gruff Sergeant Austin. The soldiers discuss their superiors’ love-hate relationship as they trek through the landscape. There is a palpable tension between all of them. Sykes reveals he had married young to a rebellious women he could never tame.

A mistake by Private Felling almost costs them their lives, when they run into more S.S. soldiers. Austin, eager to mete out punishment, is furious when Nordgren intervenes. Shortly afterwards, they stumble across the site of another massacre. Austin is brought to tears by the sight of a pile of dead infants. Private Cifaretto, always protective of Felling, tries to stop him from witnessing the sight, but the callow soldier persists. The sight leaves him a changed man.

They set up camp for the night. The following morning, Sykes tries to forcefully kiss Élodie when he finds her alone. She takes flight. Guilt-ridden, Sykes can’t bring himself to pursue her. Private Tanner taunts Sykes, who wrestles with his emotions, when they rescue Élodie a second time. After hearing gunfire, Nordgren dispatches Austin, Sykes, and Felling to investigate. Felling rescues Austin during an ambush, but is forced to abandon Sykes. Nordgren insists they continue without him.

Sykes is brought before an S.S. Captain. After refusing to talk, he is killed. Nordgren and company arrive at a village, which is swarming with S.S. soldiers. They are soon spotted, but manage to escape. However, when they reach the rendezvous point, they find themselves alone. The S.S. pursue them and a battle ensues, which claims the lives of Nordgren and Tanner. Felling makes a heroic last stand, as Carnaby and Cifaretto fight to protect Élodie. Suddenly, the other Allied troops arrive and force the S.S. to retreat. Austin is left in a daze, lamenting the deaths of his men.