Fritz Schmenkel, a farm worker and soldier in the fascist Wehrmacht, deserts in Belarus in 1941. He wants to survive, makes his way to Russian farmers and comes into contact with Soviet partisans who, after long interrogations by the German teacher and current partisan Miron, take him in as one of their own. Schmenkel proves his reliability in a number of daring actions and is awarded the Order of the Red Banner. In the winter of 1943/44, he is given a reconnaissance mission and falls into the hands of the fascists in Minsk. After days of interrogation, which he withstands, the Nazis execute him.