In 1871, Germany annexed the French eastern provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. Though it conquered their territory, Germany failed in winning over the hearts and minds of many of their people.
In December 1917, Charles, 19 years old, born and raised in Lorraine, is conscripted against his will to join the ranks of the German army, like 380,000 men from the annexed regions forced to wear the German army's green-grey uniform during World War One.
Through the offensives carried out by the German army, Charles will find himself in the depth of the trenches, at one point within 8o kilometres of Paris, and trapped in a cave during the bloody battle of Belleau Wood against the American Marines.
But in the city of Laon, where he meets Isabelle, the paths of war and love will cross.
Fifty years later, Charles will decide to tell this story, his story, with the help of his war diaries. It will take another fifty years for his work to be completed by his grand-daughter.