Albert R.N.

A naval officer prisoners in a German POW camp discover an escape tunnel beneath the facility. The discovery triggers the formation of an escape committee and a plan to use decoys to fool the guards. The opening of the tunnel marks the seed of a coordinated breakout attempt.

Lieutenant Ainsworth proposes a plan that uses a mannequin named Albert as a decoy. The team smuggles a piece of Albert into the bathhouse transfer and reassembles it to simulate a return. The goal is to convince the Germans that prisoners sent outside for baths are being returned.

In the first use of the decoy, the prisoners draw lots for the bathhouse transfer. Erickson wins the draw and makes his escape, slipping away from the watchful guards. The plot seems to work as he vanishes into the night.

The plan is tried again, but this time the draw is rigged so a different man wins. The group moves to recreate the ruse in hopes of another successful escape. The scheme relies on the same Albert-based illusion to mislead the guards.

Ainsworth auctions his place in the plan to offset suspicion, but Captain Maddox, the senior POW, orders him to depart the camp. The decision ends with Ainsworth being recaptured the same day. The escape attempt continues to hinge on the reactions of the camp leadership.

The camp commandant informs the men that Erickson was shot while resisting arrest by the Gestapo. His ashes are handed over, signaling the brutal consequences of the breakout attempts. The escapees face fatal risk and the camp tightens its grip.

Schultz expresses interest in American Lieutenant Norton's chronometer and proposes a deal to turn off the boundary lights during a night bombing raid. The trap hinges on the guards' cooperation and Norton's willingness to strike a risky bargain. The stage is set for a dangerous, cunning exchange.

Schultz signals his men to restore the lights while Norton is cutting through the barbed wire fence, and then shoots him down in cold blood. The betrayal demonstrates Schultz's ruthlessness and the peril prisoners face during escapes. Norton dies as the plan collapses.

Schultz tries to suborn Ainsworth, but the lieutenant refuses and vows to see Schultz prosecuted for murder after the war. The tension between them escalates as the power shift in the camp becomes clear. The promise of postwar justice contrasts with present danger.

Schultz is promoted to Kommandant, tightening control over the camp. Ainsworth remains determined and resolves to attempt another escape using the Albert decoy. The power dynamic shifts as Schultz takes command.

Ainsworth initiates another escape attempt with Albert and slips past the guards. The escape succeeds as he works his way toward the camp boundary. The plan remains dangerous but gains momentum again.

Ainsworth confronts Schultz outside the camp during a bombing at night, and a tense struggle ensues. He cannot bring himself to shoot while bombs fall nearby. A bomb later kills Schultz, Norton’s chronometer is recovered from the dead man, and Ainsworth walks away.