Six students, including Erik Lanshoff, meet during the introduction days of Leiden University. World War II is about to break out, but the young men have little interest in it. Partying is much more fun and such a war is at best 'exciting'. When the Germans bomb Rotterdam, the group of friends falls apart. Some join the resistance, others wait quietly for the war to end, and perhaps there is also a traitor in their midst. Erik flees to England where he joins the resistance and serves under Queen Wilhelmina.