During World War II, a small group of soldiers led by the brave Sergeant Larkin (Harry Guardino) anticipate returning home after fighting on the Siegfried Line in France. Among them are Reese (Steve McQueen), a rebellious loner who lives for battle, and Corby (Bobby Darin), a slick hustler. However, the squad is then informed that they must go back to the front lines, where they are vastly outnumbered and forced to fight within the reach of a menacing German pillbox.