During the allieed invasion of Normandy four American soldiers try to captured a nazi-treasure. Kelly, a disillusioned former lieutenant who was busted in rank for following some poorly considered orders captures a friendly German officer, who tells him that $16 million in gold bullion are stored behind enemy lines, earmarked to finance a military payroll. Taking advantage of a three-day liberty, Kelly assembles a trio of fellow soldiers to help him relive the Germans of the gold. His comrades include a gruff sergeant, called Big Joe, Crapgame, a supply sergeant already trading army goods on his on bill on the black market, and a hippie-like tank commander named Oddball who has a habit of firing paint catridges instead of shells („When we fire it, it paints beautiful pictures“). As they fight their way into enemy-held territory General Colt who received word of their campaign mistakes the group of bank robbers for a band of all-American heroes who have taken initiative in their own hands to break the German lines.