Living in Northern Italy and still recovering from his failed marriage when war in Europe becomes a certainty, Guy Crouchback hurries home to England. Despite his father’s suggestion that a desk job might be more fitting for a man his age, Guy joins an elite fighting force, the Royal Corps of Halberdiers, an experience that opens his eyes to the true nature of high command. As Guy begins his military career, his ex-wife reappears in London. Recently returned from America and divorced from her third husband, blond bombshell Virginia still attracts men like files to honey, including Guy.

Now with the Commandos on Crete in a rapidly deteriorating situation, Guy takes over when Major “Fido” Hound cracks under the pressure and bolts. After barely escaping from Crete alive and suffering a further mishap, Guy convalesces in London, where Virginia asks him to help her out of a tight spot. Sent to Croatia as part of the British mission to the partisans, Guy sees clearly the injustices carried out on all sides. Jewish refugees stuck in Croatia give him a chance at last to do something heroic.