After escaping from the hell of Stalingrad, finding himself branded as a
deserter a German soldier begins the perilous journey back to his home
only to find himself compelled by his conscience to return to the war.

SYNOPSIS:

A bittersweet, deeply moving and harrowing testimony to the futility of war seen through the eyes of a German soldier, Franz Mayer. A story which reveals the horror of Stalingrad and the Eastern Front as experienced by ordinary soldiers. A moving insight into the camaraderie and compassion which helped to sustain them and their overwhelming desire to survive. Condemned as a deserter, with the help of an elderly couple whose only son was killed in the war Mayer is finally able to return home to his family. There, with his safety secured and the war nearing its end after witnessing the forcible conscription of young boys and old men he finds himself compelled by his conscience to leave his family and return to the conflict. Before leaving Mayer writes a letter of thanks to the old couple to be posted should he not return. A letter which will eventually unite the two families and give them the strength to face the hardships which lay ahead in their war-ravaged country.