Two half-brothers in the Hessian army are being sent to fight the insurgents in British North-America in 1776. The older brother takes the opportunity to look for his father who went missing 20 years earlier and was presumed dead.

In November 1775 an officer of the Hessian army deserts from Ziegenhayn fortress. Captain Claus von Haynau is keen on capturing the man but his plans are foiled by his half-brother Robert. The deserter turns out to be one Soermann, a former friend of Robert's father who disappeared 20 years ago and is presumed dead. Now Robert finally learns what really happened: His father did not die but went to America. Robert decides to follow, but has not counted on Claus - and on the landgrave of Hesse's need for soldiers to sell to the British for the fight against the rebellious American colonists.