1917年4月,第一次世界大戰激戰正酣。在西方戰線,德軍撤出法國北部的一個戰略據點。英軍士兵史考菲和布雷克行經駐滿疲憊官兵的戰壕到艾林摩爾將軍處聽取任務簡報:據空中偵察部門(英语:Aerial reconnaissance in World War I)情報,德軍並未撤離,而是戰略性地後撤到新修建的興登堡防線,準備利用大砲對英軍展開壓倒性襲擊。由於戰地電話(英语:Field telephone)被切斷,史考菲和布雷克需要人手將要求中斷進攻計劃的信件轉交給德文郡軍團(英语:Devonshire Regiment)第2營,否則展開貿然進攻會造成1600人喪生,布雷克的哥哥約瑟夫就在他們當中。
出發後,史考菲和布雷克穿越無人區,經過滿布屍體的泥濘和彈坑,進入到已經空無一人的德軍戰壕。在戰壕的地道中,一隻老鼠碰到了引線,造成埋藏好的炸藥爆炸。爆炸造成洞穴塌方,土方石掩埋了史考菲。幸虧布雷克徒手將他挖出來,把他拉出地窖,他才逃過一劫。之後,他們來到一處種了不少櫻桃樹的廢棄農舍,目擊到兩架英軍飛機與一架德軍飛機在纏鬥,德軍飛機被擊落後,正好砸中了農舍。兩人一起將飛行員從著火的駕駛艙中拉起出來后,史考菲說應該一槍打死他(英语:Coup de grâce),但布雷克要他去給德軍飛行員打水喝。史考菲拿著鋼盔去附近的水井打水,轉身就看到德軍飛行員用刀刺傷布雷克,史考菲緊要關頭開槍擊殺德軍飛行員。失血過多的布雷克臨終前囑託史考菲要完成任務、並代為寄信給布雷克的母親。
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