Five high-ranking Allied officers in the Second World War are being held in an Italian prison camp. However, this is more of a luxury prison with many amenities. The American soldier Harry Frigg, who is known for his rebellious nature and insubordination, is given the task of freeing the prisoners - a special mission after Frigg once again tries to escape from the military prison. He reluctantly accepts the task and parachutes over Italy, where he is captured and taken to the same villa as the officers. He has to persuade them to flee, which is not so easy as they cannot agree on a hierarchy of command and a course of action. Frigg meets the owner of the villa, Contessa Francesca di Montefiore, and neglects his task. The officers are kept busy by him elsewhere. Only when they receive news of Italy's surrender and the prisoners are to be taken to a German camp does Frigg concentrate on the escape again, which is successful. He is rewarded and is able to operate a military radio station - from the Contessa's villa.