Justus (15) is delighted; finally, as a "soldier" he can contribute to defending Germany. He and a handful of other young boys are given the task of holding a village street against the Americans. The order is to "hold until the last man". Justus leads his troops to the designated deployment area. But the "real war" destroys all their hero fantasies. When the American tanks move into attack positions, Justus must decide: does he order the others to fight, despite their enemy's obvious superior strength?