April 5, 1943: a battalion of the Foreign Legion arrives in El Ksour, Tunisia, to escort a fortune in gold bars from a French bank to the home front before the Germans arrive. But the German already lie in waiting, ambush the transport, and all but four of the Legionnaires die. Thanks to street smart Sergeant Augagneur, the Legionnaires successfully counter attack and manage to get hold of the treasure. The bank manager and his seductive wife arrive, as does a German lieutenant, whom the French arrest.
The remaining Legionnaires cannot agree on what to do with their booty: Augagneur wants to steal the gold whereas warrant officer Mahuzard wants to do his duty. Between their disagreements and the surrounding German army, the action heats up as a series of alliances form and break apart. Eventually the group dwindles in number, and the gold heads south toward Betahoua. But in whose possession?