1943 at the greek-albanian border a border town is alternately occupied by british and italian troops. It changes so often that the inhabitants openly collaborate with each side, depending on who is the occupators. The leading generals of each side even come to mutual respect and friendship, one time saving each others lifes. Yet, one day the german army orders the italian troops to kill every inhabitant of the city to end the alternating occupations. The italian general and soldiers all refuse to take that order and are sentenced to death. Luckily, the british soldiers re-occupy the town in time, saving them - just in time as on the next day Italy openly asks for an armistice.