In 1941, a Nikolay Ivushkin, junior lieutenant (Alexander Petrov (actor)) is driving with a subordinate when they encounter a German Panzer III Tank. Through some courageous driving they manage to escape unscathed and get back to their men. At the village Nikolay is shown to be a tank commander of a damaged T-34 tank. His men and him attempt to delay a major German advance. They withstand withering fire and the T-34 takes many hits but manages to take out a number of German tanks. Finally at the end of the battle with most of the Russian defenders killed, Nikolay is captured.