In the early months of World War II, Max Brekendorf, a proud young German naval officer, strives to fight for his country with honour and courage. With the seemingly unstoppable German war machine overrunning Europe and poised to secure its place among the great world powers, Max looks ahead to a bright future with his fiancee, Mareth. But as the war progresses, Max's future becomes less certain. After years of serving with the surface fleet, and then as a U-Boat commander, Max faces ever more harrowing missions through the shifting landscapes of a complex and devastating war. Back on the home front, life for Mareth has become increasingly dangerous and desperate. And as the Third Reich steadily crumbles, Nazi loyalists begin to infiltrate Max's crew and turn their terror on Germany's own armed forces. Max's mission, which once seemed so clear-cut, begins to cloud. Recognising what his homeland has become, Max is forced to make a choice between his own sense of morality, and his duty to the Reich.