A group of British officers, led by the young Captain Stanhope, who is gradually losing his mind, await their fate in very different ways on the River Aisne in north-eastern France in 1918 during the First World War. In March 1918, towards the end of the First World War, C Company arrives at the front line in northern France. The positional war in the trenches is in full swing, a German offensive is imminent and the war-weary Captain Stanhope is slowly losing his mind. The officer drinks while his subordinates think about their lives before the war. The newly arrived young recruit Raleigh is looking forward to finally being allowed to fight, and the German attack draws closer and closer. Just two days later, the men still waiting in their trenches are to face the enemy. But Raleigh knows the disillusioned Stanhope from before the war and is shocked by his change. It is possible that he will learn from him what it means to be at war before he comes into contact with the enemy ...