They Fought for Their Motherland

After suffering heavy losses, the Soviet rifle regiment withdraws to the Don steppe near Stalingrad. During a lull they talk about various topics, bathe, and sleep, momentarily finding respite from the fighting. The quiet is fragile as the war looms again on the horizon.

Lopakhin uses his talkative charm to secure a small supply for his comrades—salt and a bucket for cooking crayfish. He pleads with an old Cossack woman, but she greets him with contempt as the soldiers retreat. Behind his merry mask, he reveals a serious concern for his country’s fate.

The regiment digs in on rocky ground and repels the first German tank assault using grenades and anti-tank rifles. The defense is stubborn, and casualties mount as the hasty position holds. The German armor presses the attack, testing their resolve.

Before the second wave the German air force bombs the defenders, causing heavy casualties. Private Nikolai Streltsov is hit and becomes shell-shocked, his nerves frayed by the brutal bombardment. Soviet reinforcements arrive later and push the enemy back.

That night the regiment moves through a burning wheat field toward their next objective. The smoke and heat reflect the destruction surrounding them as they press on. The march underscores fatigue and the relentless pace of combat.

Ivan Zvyagintsev, a former combine operator, is horrified by the great loss of food the war has caused. He weighs the impact of shortages on the army and civilian life. His perspective highlights the war’s toll beyond the battlefield.

At the next farm Lopakhin wins the hospitality of a local woman and obtains two jugs of cold milk for the men. He also tries to charm Natalya, a local resident, showing his trademark mix of humor and boldness. The moment foreshadows the civilians’ wartime burdens and the soldiers’ reliance on small mercies.

In the next battle, Lopakhin uses a PTRD anti-tank rifle to shoot down a German Junkers Ju 87 aircraft, which crashes on a hill. The dramatic feat boosts morale and demonstrates his unexpected effectiveness in combat. The air threat is neutralized for the moment by his action.

During another tank engagement, young corporal Kochetygov dies after lighting a tank with a Molotov cocktail. His sacrifice fuels a counterattack as the remaining Soviet troops push the Germans back. The regiment endures heavy losses but keeps advancing.

Zvyagintsev is seriously wounded by artillery shrapnel, and a nurse bravely helps pull him from the frontline. The regiment buries its last officer as they press forward toward Stalingrad. The fight continues with renewed resolve despite the losses.

In the field hospital, Zvyagintsev undergoes surgery without anesthesia as surgeons extract fragments from his legs and back. The operation is painful but necessary to save him for future action. The scene underscores the brutal wounds sustained by soldiers.

The regiment reaches the next village but the locals refuse to feed them due to scarcity and exhaustion. Lopakhin tries to charm Natalya, a local woman, and helps with farm work in hopes of relief. Natalya explains that the locals would shelter and feed soldiers if they stayed to defend them.

Lopakhin’s attempt to seduce Natalya ends with a black eye, but the next morning he discovers a table full of food. The locals’ hospitality hinges on the soldiers’ protection, revealing wartime compromises. The moment shows how civilians and soldiers become mutually dependent.

Nikolai Streltsov, having escaped the field hospital, returns to his comrades. The newly arrived colonel thanks the fighters and kisses the regiment’s banner, a gesture of gratitude and morale. The unit moves forward with renewed purpose toward Stalingrad.

Large Soviet forces advance toward Stalingrad as the regiment’s banner remains guarded by the troops. The sense of resilience and determination pervades as they press on. The film closes on the note of continued forward movement toward the city.