The tale begins near Berlin, Germany at the end of World War II. Hans, a skilled tank mechanic, together with his commanding officer, make a run to the American front lines, hoping to avoid the oncoming Russian Army. As they journey on foot, they unexpectedly come across an abandoned German Panzer IV tank near a grand mansion. While Hans works to repair the tank, his superior explores the mansion for supplies. There, he meets Rosa, an elderly German woman, and her loyal dog, Gustav, as they fear for their safety. He persuades them to join Hans and himself on their quest to the West. After succeeding in repairing the tank, Hans and his team hastily leave just as the Russian troops arrive. As their journey continues, they will encounter more excitement and perhaps even find love.
