In the East African frontier of 1916 and the World War I colonial wars between Germany and Britain, Lieutenant Michael Fuller, a South African fighting for the British, enlists only to find that the physical battles of war are not the only ones being fought—rampant racial prejudices are issues of contention. After suffering an embarrassing defeat, Lieutenant Fuller must join forces with two men from the King's African Rifles to embark on a secret mission deep into enemy territory and the African bush. Faced with the compelling conflicts of war, characters make difficult choices between duty and individual compassion.