The Germans have invaded Belgium and all soldiers have been called up. Margriet, Marc's young wife, stays behind in her brother-in-law's house. Many residents of the field come to seek protection in the spacious shelters of Charley. The village is flooded by a stream of refugees, including Raymond and his daughter. Raymond lost his house and wife during a bombing and now moves in with old Mrs. Spanoghe. When Marc is freed through the intervention of Raymond, the war appears to have changed him into an embittered man.
