Cross of Iron

Shortly after Stalingrad fell (1943), the situation looks desperate for German troops retreating towards Crimea. The ambitious and arrogant Captain Stransky, a Prussian aristocrat who requested a transfer from Biarritz to the Eastern Front because "capable men are needed here", presents himself to regimental commander Brandt before assuming his post at an artillery-exposed trenches camp on the Taman Peninsula. At the same time, cynical corporal Steiner, an unconventional man who is popular with his men and was awarded the Iron Cross for bravery, returns from a patrol with his shock troop. Passing a Soviet post they killed all the Red Army soldiers, only one adolescent they have taken prisoner, but Stransky orders Steiner to shoot him - another officer saves the day. When Stransky receives the order to counter-attack, he cowardly retreats to his bunker and sends the young lieutenant Meyer forward, who is killed in the process. Steiner is wounded and promoted sergeant, which he snuffs at. The Red Army is beaten back for the time being. Stransky pretends to have led the counter-offensive himself and proposes himself for the Iron Cross, blackmailing lieutenant Triebig with his homosexuality to attest his 'heroism'. Steiner got badly wounded, after returning from the military hospital, sniffing a home leave, is pressure by Stransky, who offers a bribe, as second false witness. But Steiner, consulted by Colonel Brandt to testify, asks for time to think things over, as the truth could see poor Triebig court-martialed. Fearing that Steiner might convict him of false testimony and cowardice, Stransky sends Steiner's platoon on a suicide mission, but he pulls off another miracle, except for men who deal badly with a female Soviet unit they capture and fail to execute timely.