The film opens in October 1942, when young Private (rank) Serra (Paolo Briguglia), a university student from Palermo who has volunteered for the Royal Italian Army, is sent to join his assignment in the 28th Infantry Regiment of the 17th Infantry Division Pavia, deployed near Naqb Rala (El Alamein). Due to Propaganda of Fascist Italy, he is convinced that Alexandria will be conquered soon, and the Axis advance into Egypt will end in victory.