In 1914 a group of fresh-faced and idealistic German schoolboys are goaded by their chauvinistic schoolmaster to troop off to the 'Glorious War'. With the fire and patriotism of youth they sign up, however, their disenchantment begins during the brutal basic training. Later, as they board the train to the frontline, they see first-hand evidence of the terrible injuries already suffered there--their first glimpse of the harsh reality of war. Once in the trenches, the boys begin to fall one by one