In the retreat to Dunkirk, Corporal Dyke attempts to murder is Sergeant, Tom Craddock. Believing Craddock dead, Dyke escapes to England and is awared the Military Medal and promoted to Sergeant.
However, Craddock survives, having lost his memory. As Private John Smith, he joins Dyke’s squad. Smith, a brave soldier, repeatedly saves the squad as Dyke gives him the most dangerous assignments in the hope he will die before he recovers his memory.