In 1943 Colonel Joseph Ryan is shot down in Italy and brought to a prison camp. Ryan soon becomes the leader of the imprisoned British soldiers, who resist the cruel camp commander Battglia. It comes to a conflict when the few American prisoners ask Ryan to cooperate with Battaglia in order to get medcine, clean clothes and better food. Thus Ryan shows Battaglia some escape tunnels, dugged by British soldiers, but is betrayed by him.

After Italy has surrenderd Battaglia should be executed, but the Germans invade Italy and the prisoners have to flee. After a long walk and pursued by the Germans they manage to take over a train and can escape to Switzerland.