After being released from a Vietnamese war prison, French Lt. Col. Pierre Raspeguy is sent to Algeria to assist in the suppression of resistance forces. Raspeguy attempts to convert a rugged band of soldiers into a formidable fighting unit with the help of Capt. Esclavier, who has grown weary of war, and Capt. Boisfeuras, who lives for it, with the promise of marrying a beautiful countess if he is made a general.