Talvisota (The Winter War) begins on 13 October 1939, when Reservist in the Finnish Army were called to active duty. Two farmers, Martti Hakala and his younger brother Paavo, join other men from the municipality of Kauhava in a fictional half-platoon under the command of Second Lieutenant Jussi Kantola. After mustering at the local school, the men ride the train to Seinäjoki to join the rest of the Finnish Army's 23rd Regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Matti Laurila. After some practice, the regiment goes to the Karelian Isthmus, where Kantola's men help civilians in the potential war zone evacuate their village.