简介：RussianchildrenoutinthefieldsgatheringgrainfindthemselvesinthepathoftheinvadingGermanarmymakingitswaytoStalingrad,atargetcityoftheironslaught.Thefouryouths,Kolya,Grisha,Pavel,andthegirl,Nadya,realizetheGermanarmy,isattackingsotheysetfiretothegrainfield'sharvest.ReturningtotheirvillagethechildrenfindTommy,ahurtEnglishconsulate'ssonfleeingthecitywithhisparentswhoperishedintheattempt.Theystretcherhimtotheirvillageforrecovery.StillaliveintherubbleofthevillageisayoungchildYuriwhomthegrouptakesinalso.Kolya,theoldestassumesleadershipandskirmishestofindfoodforthegroup,livinginavillagecellar.HediscoversaGermantankencampmentandsabotagesatank.ANaziMajorcommandersendsmentoscoutthevillagewhoaremetbyresistancefromthechildrenusingfoundweapons.TheMajorbelievesalargeguerillaforceispresentandhaltshisadvancetoneutralizeit.TheNazisoldierscaptureGrishawhofeignsdimwittedness.TheMajorbelievingtheboyharmless,letshimgo,thinkinghewillleadhimtotheRussianresistanceforces.ButGrishaleadstheMajorintoatrapwherethechildrenoverpowerhimandtakehimtotheirvillagerefugeforquestioning.TheGermans,searchingfortheircommandercomeuponthevillageandintheshootingkillallthechildrensaveTommywhowhileintheirmidstexplodesagrenadedestroyinghimself,andtheGermansaroundhim.AGermanGenerallaterviewsthescenewithmuchconsternationandbewilderment.ThesurvivingchildpatriotsKolyaandPavelaresubsequentlylaudedbythedefendingRussianforcesforhavingdelayedtheNazisattackingthecitylongenoughtoallowSovietforcestimetomounttheirdefensesagainsttheattackonStalingrad.…