The battle of the Hürtgen Forest in Western Germany in the fall of 1944: after fierce fighting Private David Manning has to leave behind a mortally wounded comrade and searches for survivors from his platoon, only to learn from commanding officer Captain Pritchett that they have all been killed in action. Despite requesting a discharge on the grounds of mental instability, Manning is promoted to sergeant and assigned to be the squad leader of a platoon where all the members are new and inexperienced. This irritates Sgt. Talbot who views Manning as a coward. As the Allies prepare to take a key location, Manning`s group is assigned to attack a well-defended bridge.