In the center of the plot of the picture is the actions of Soviet prisoners and leaders of the forced labor camp during a clash with the Germans in July 1941. When a German landing appears in the vicinity of the camp, the head of the camp, fearing an unequal battle, gives the order to his subordinates to secretly leave his territory. In the morning, the prisoners, faced with a choice, decide to fight back. The Germans enter the camp, where white flags are hung, not suspecting that the prisoners have opened the arsenal.