In July 1942, in the Second World War, the rearguard of the Russian army protects the bridgehead of the Don River against the German army while the retreating Russian troops cross the bridge. While they move back to the Russian territory through the countryside, the soldiers show their companionship, sentiments, fears and heroism to defend their motherland.

Pyotr Lopakhin
pvt. Nikolay Strel'tsov
pvt. Ivan Zvyagintsev
pvt. Alexander Kopytovsky
pvt. Nekrasov
sergeant Poprischenko
lieutenant Goloschyokov
corporal Kochetygov
pvt. Nikiforov
cook lisichenko
Colonel Marchenko
Natalya Stepanovna