April 1941: As part of the plan to capture Cairo and the Suez Canal, Rommels Afrika Korps must capture Tobruk, a strategic location blocking his path. Before the arrival of reinforcements, the Australian general was asked to hold out for two months, and then more. Command of the 9th Infantry Division was given to MacRobert, a British captain who had to withstand repeated attacks by Rommel. Among his men he finds Bartlett, his former teacher, drinking to forget his fear.