One day before the armistice a group of exhausted soldiers holds a position in the treches on the Western front. The experienced and cynical Tjaden tells the younger soldiers that the war will go on for ever. The more radikal Max Weil claims that the soldiers have to end the war themselves. The same night they are ordered to attack an enemy position and many of them get killed.
The next day armistice is declared. Happily the company returns home. There they are received by revolutionaries who order them to tear off all military signs from their uniforms. They refuse and a fight starts that can only be brought to an end when Willy threatens them with a fake handgranate. Back at home the soldiers have difficulties to readjust to civilian life – school or work do not mean much them anymore.
Revolutionaries rule the streets and angry troops attack the city council. Max Weil tries to stop regular troops from shooting into the furious demonstrators and is therefore killed by order of his former company commander Von Hagen. Meanwhile Albert learns that his wife Lucy betrays him with Bartscher, a war-profiteer. One night he kills Bartscher and is send to court. Althought his friends try to defend him he is found guilty.