Company of Heroes

Company of Heroes

Year: 2013

Runtime: 100 mins

Language: English

Director: Don Michael Paul

DramaActionWar

During World War II, a group of American soldiers find themselves stranded behind enemy lines. They uncover a disturbing secret: Hitler is developing a powerful new weapon. Facing overwhelming odds, the soldiers embark on a perilous mission to locate the scientist leading the program, who is considering defecting and potentially ending the project.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Company of Heroes (2013)

Trace every key event in Company of Heroes (2013) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ardennes Christmas encirclement and mission setup

By Christmas 1944, the Allies have the Germans surrounded on multiple fronts. A U.S. Army squad is tasked with a strange mission to deliver Christmas hams to forward positions, a cover for their real objective. The looming possibility of a German super weapon sets the stakes high as they move into hostile territory.

December 1944 Ardennes, Belgium (near Elsenborn)
2

First contact with a heavy German force

During the routine mission, the squad encounters a surprisingly strong German tank destroyer and infantry. Lt Conti realizes this is not a stray patrol but a planned assault that could break through to their division HQ. The threat forces a rapid reevaluation of their position and odds.

December 1944 Near Elsenborn, Belgian Ardennes
3

Discovery of the German bomb test site

After a fierce firefight, the Americans retreat and stumble upon a German experimental site still smoldering from a failed test. The team learns that the Nazis are close to perfecting a bomb that could change the war's outcome. The discovery shifts their mission from simple supply drop to stopping a weapon of mass destruction.

December 1944 German experimental site, Ardennes region
4

OSS contact assigns mission: retrieve the bomb and defect scientist

An American OSS agent with severe burns explains their objective: locate the bomb, disable it, and extract the scientist who intends to defect. He designates Kestrel as their point of contact and guides them toward Stuttgart. The urgency of defecting Luca Gruenewald adds personal risk to the mission.

December 1944 On the road toward Stuttgart, behind German lines
5

Leadership shifts as the group presses deeper

With their sergeant and other NCOs dead, the youngest Nate Burrows Jr. and seasoned Dean Ransom assume leadership. They are joined by the escaped British airman Brent Willoughby and Red Army soldier Ivan Puzharsky as they press further into Nazi territory. Ransom, a cook demoted from lieutenant after D-Day, provides ground-level experience and steadiness.

December 1944 Deep in Nazi-occupied Europe
6

The breakout across hostile lines

The Allied group evades pursuit in a series of hair-raising escapes from numerically superior German troops led by Lt Schott. The odds are stacked against them, yet they slip through gaps and keep moving toward their objective. The constant danger tests their resolve and teamwork.

December 1944 Nazi-controlled countryside
7

Training to Stuttgart and the train yard discovery

Ivan guides the group to the train yard where they find a path toward Stuttgart. Matheson stays behind to hold off the pursuing forces so the rest can board the train. The OSS informant's plan points them toward a crucial contact in Stuttgart.

December 1944 Train yard area, near Stuttgart
8

Fighting at Stuttgart station and entry to the city

Schott's troops wait at Stuttgart station, but Nate and his team fight their way through and emerge four survivors. They steal uniforms from a local pub to blend into the city and move toward their meeting with Kestrel. The risk of discovery remains high as the city buzzes with Nazi security.

December 1944 Stuttgart, Germany
9

Kestrel and Luca Gruenewald revealed

The crew makes contact with Kestrel, who is connected to the atomic project and arranges for one member to infiltrate Luca Gruenewald's lab. The scientists behind the bomb appear to be closer to a working device, but security around Luca is tight. The plan hinges on a successful lab infiltration the same night.

Night, December 1944 Stuttgart city, Kestrel's contact point and Luca's lab
10

The lab infiltration and missing bomb

Kestrel escorts the team to Luca's lab, but the second bomb prototype has already vanished. A desperate firefight erupts as they try to secure the plans and the device. Ammunition runs low as they scramble to adapt to new circumstances.

Night, December 1944 Luca Gruenewald's laboratory, Stuttgart
11

Ivan steals the lab plans; Nate intervenes

Ivan makes a bold move to steal Kestrel's copy of the lab plans, aiming to sell them or claim credit for the weapon. Nate confronts him, and the team realizes they must reach Luca before Ivan does. The tension between loyalty and survival intensifies the mission.

Night, December 1944 Luca's lab, Stuttgart
12

Climax: confrontation with Schott; the lab is compromised

Schott's firing squad closes in, but Ivan attacks and eliminates them, taking control of the immediate threat. The squad escapes the Nazi facility just as Allied bombers devastate the complex. The operation shifts to a race to preserve the weapon's prototype and the scientist.

Night, December 1944 Nazi facility near Stuttgart
13

The escape and mission conclusion

The team escapes Allied-controlled territory with Dr. Gruenewald and Kestrel. Ivan escapes with the bomb plans, while Nate assumes responsibility for Luca and the prototype. They are warned they will receive no recognition and must keep the mission secret to protect the bomb's existence.

Post-battle, December 1944 Escape to Allied lines

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:23

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Desperate Squad Survival Missions like in Company of Heroes

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a linear, mission-focused structure. A clear objective is established, and the group must overcome a series of escalating obstacles, often suffering losses along the way. The journey tests their skills, loyalty, and will to survive, culminating in a final showdown where the mission's success hangs in the balance.

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Movies are grouped here for their shared emphasis on a specialized team dynamic, a clear and urgent mission objective, and a consistently high-pressure atmosphere. The experience is defined by tactical action, camaraderie, and the grave consequences of failure.

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The narrative builds toward a climax where the central conflict is resolved, but the resolution is not purely positive. Characters achieve their goal, but at the cost of allies, innocence, or a clear conscience. The ending often reflects on the price of victory, leaving the audience with a feeling of sober contemplation rather than uncomplicated celebration.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their emotionally complex endings that blend success with sacrifice. They share a heavy emotional weight and leave a lasting impact by questioning the true cost of winning, making the victory feel earned yet deeply poignant.

Unlock the Full Story of Company of Heroes

Don't stop at just watching — explore Company of Heroes in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Company of Heroes is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Company of Heroes Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Company of Heroes, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Company of Heroes Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Company of Heroes

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Company of Heroes. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Company of Heroes

Company of Heroes Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Company of Heroes that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Company of Heroes Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Company of Heroes

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Company of Heroes: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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